A Hunch
Some people come out with fancy renderings showing huge developments and then nothing happens. Such was the case with Gary Cotton’s Cotton Exchange in Bricktown. But then there are others who quietly go about paying millions to acquire properties, refuse to say anything about their intentions, and if you’re really lucky, you can catch them slipping up and confirming that a development is in the works. And when they do so with someone who represents A LOT OF MONEY standing at their side … that gets you thinking something big is in the works….
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Hate it, hate it, when someone infers “I have something to tell you,” and then go “but I can’t tell you, yet!” I’m a gonna get you, Steve! 
Can’t wait to get the scoop.
steve – sometimes it’s just better to wait for things to actually happen. you can’t fault people who are trying to make things happen, especially if it will benefit the neighborhood.
This isn’t the Turbinomics thing with Rand Elliott and Boone Pickens, is it? Wouldn’t have anything to do with those surveyors who have been scouring that empty field over on Walker, would it?
Probably not. Just a shot in the dark.
Or is this the Preftakes properties?
Well, perhaps Mr. Meinders had something more than demolition of a few quonset huts in mind. One can hope!
I know, I know. At least I think I know. I’d put my whole hand NOT on the Steel Yard. Check around for other projects in the thread.
John, to answer your question, yes, we have. On Thursday the Downtown Design Review Committee approved the demolition of a building he owns on his superblock. The buildings are between the Lunchbox and the Union Bus Depot. I’m Steve’s working on this further…
Preftakes/Nichols
Coordinating construction of a retail and housing block during the construction of Devon Tower.
Wouldn’t have been my first guess, but this collective problem-solving thing seems to really work.
Retail and housing block? That sounds like a highrise, which would be very cool. However, if it’s the block with Greyhound, would it be moving? That depot is an eyesore, and it’s hard to imagine higher end housing and retail next to it.
That depot is a great piece of architecture, and important as our only historic and continually-used transportation station (Santa Fe was closed when Amtrak was gone for a while).
Yeh, I think the Bus Station could continue to be very cool, whether as a bus station or some other new use.
I think there would be some resistance to tearing it down.
I wouldn’t necessarily think it would have to be torn down, but it would need to be renovated. In addition, I don’t want to sound like a snob. In my college days, I actually traveled a bit on greyhound buses, because I lived in an area without great transit. But, if we wanted higher end retail and housing in that site, I think the people who typically travel on greyhound buses and hang around the bus station might inhibit business people from locating there.
OK Blair and Paul, I agree that Preftakes and Nichols must have chatted a bit since Devon Tower was announced. Clearly, Nichols wants the blocks surrounding Devon Tower to “accessorize” his building. Devon bought the Colcord, is working with the City on streetscaping, and improving the Myriad Gardenzs. Festival Plaza and Stage Center are fine, and 1 N. Hudson is fully functional, with the auto-hotel reopening.
Among the remaining properties is Carpenter Square, the old Harbour-Longmier, Union Bus Station, and the City’s Office Center at 420 W. Main.
About Union Bus. Yes, it is an old, rundown terminal you probably would not be near after dark, but it is only 2 blocks from I-40, for now…..
But in 2013 the station wil be 6 blocks from the Interstate, and the Greyhounds will go through Core To Shore to get to I-40. Might the station need to relocate?
Remember, the City is studying the possibility of a multi-modal transit hub. I would hope that the plan would include a facility that can connect the Heartland Flyer, commuter rail, the MAPS-3 streetcar, the rubber-tire trolleys, Metro Transit buses, AND Greyhounds. This “groundport” could do a lot if it is planned and funded correctly. But, if Greyhound is not in these plans, then you have a central eyesore, just a block from Devon Tower. It will need to be moved, and closer to the new I-40.
But, does Preftakes own the Station?
After further thought, I now think that Larry Nichols is stealing a play from Aubrey McLendon’s playbook. We know the “Chesapeake Wave” has already resulted in Classen Curve, and will also relocate the Nichols Hills Town Hall, and rennovate Nichols Hills Plaza.
The “Devon Wave” includes the Streetscapes and Myriad Gardens. I believe it will also involve Preftakes’ properties, the land between Myriad Gardens and Core-To-Shore, and also the land between Festival Plaza and Film Row.
The idea is logical, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
John – I agree. Also, Preftakes owns everything but Union Depot, 420 W Main, and Coney Island. I’ve also been told he does not own the pizza place. I think the new intermodal hub would be the best place for bus service, but then the building should be re-used, not torn down. It could be a beautiful addition. Imagine a small market with the canopy space being used for outdoor sales, or a restaurant or two using the canopies for outdoor space…
Steve, I think of Downtown Real Estate as a chess board these days, with multiple players moving their various pieces around, to build an attractive and profitable mosaic of OKC Central’s future.
Paul, Union Station will not be our intermodal hub, but you are right in that it can serve another purpose in OKC Central’s future. But remember, it is a chess piece, and most likely it is a very important pawn, being on a corner lot and adjacent to Stage Center and the Walker-Sheridan Parking garage.
I went and drove around this block again this morning. You are right, Paul, the Greyhound Station would make an amazing restaurant, and I too could see people sitting outside under the canopies on the west side of the building. And then, I realized I had never driven around the north side of the block. It’s amazing how you get into a rut when driving and miss complete streets. There are some storefronts that, if renovated in conjunction with housing, would make excellent retail options. Wow. This could be really exciting, and I understand why Larry Nichols might want the west side of his tower more attractive to his employees. How cool would it be to work at Devon and live one block over?
Keep in mind, several downtown developers, including Dick Tanenbaum was interested in the property a couple years ago, stating the possibly re-use of the Greyhound station into a restaurant. I too think it would be a great use and the station should definitely NOT be torn down. It’s excellent architecture and we have very little old architecture left in this town.
This is certainly exciting. Is there any chance it will be a high rise? I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to a mid rise, but a high rise would be awesome– 2 going up next to each other, cranes all over the place….
Wait what building is being torn down? Hopefully not the old low-rise with blue and white/black checked terra cotta along the facade..
Nick, you are referring to the old Carpenter Square Theatre building.
The one being demolished is next to the Lunch Box and is a tiny, brick box of no significance. You won’t miss it.
It’s interesting that it’s coming down because that opens up plenty of space for a highrise or midrise between the Lunch Box and the bus station.
From what I hear Mode will have some news to share with the public in the next few months…and from what I have seen it’s very exciting
What project are you referring to? I guess we’ll find out soon enough…?