I think there is a difference between “SandRidge Energy threatening to leave downtown” and an independent contractor attorney employed by a third party law firm representing them at a BOA hearing making an offhanded remark. “SandRidge Energy Corp.” is actually “SandRidge Energy, Inc.” Did any of the officers or members of the board of directors of SandRidge Energy, Inc. threaten to leave downtown?

The 1st thing to know (and learn) is how to characterize Frank Hill’s remark, that is, when making it, was he merely personally knee-jerking at being frustrated for everything not going his way, or did his very untoward and juvenile-sounding remark have the prior blessing of Tom Ward and actually represent the position of SandRidge?

Of course, I don’t know the answer, but if I had to guess my guess would be that Frank made a remark that, this morning, he wishes he could take back.

However, if the remark does represent the true character of the company and Tom Ward, it certainly does not speak well for the company being “community minded,” one facet of which would presumably be that downtown property owners have to play by the rules established in pre-existing ordinances. If Frank Hill was correctly expressing SandRidge’s point of view on the matter, SandRidge comes across as being a bully.

Steve, before we get into this can you give a brief summary of what exactly happened yesterday? Are certain buildings now approved for demolition? Is the adjustment meeting over? What happens next?

Honestly Steve I hope their plans disintegrate and that they move out of town. What makes OKC such a great city is the citizens willingness to work together. SandRidge is merely trying to bully people around because of their self serving ideals with little to no concern about the effects on downtown or the people that work or live here. If SandRidge wants to create open space around their headquarters there is plenty of it outside of downtown just ask Chesapeake. If SandRidge Energy left town OKC would not only survive it will grow stronger and more unified. On the flip side if SandRidge gets their way the City of Oklahoma City would be setting a precedent that would result in private companies having complete control over the public process that is designed to improve the city…not destroy it.

Jeffrey, read the story. Basically, all of the buildings are now clear for demolition except the India Temple and Oklahoma Capitol Savings and Loan (Kermac) buildings.

James, you are right on. I hope the Board of Adjustment is equally uncomfortable with one corporation calling the shots for an entire block of downtown.

I read it already Steve. Now I’ve read it again. Is the board of Adjustment now done with the Sandridge issue? Is this the final word on the matter?

I still say that it is premature to fault SandRidge for Frank Hill’s statement until we know that what Frank said mirrors Tom Ward’s and SandRidge’s point of view.

A question posed by a master downtown reporter to Tom Ward should tell the tale.

Jeffrey, the board will have to meet again on the two remaining buildings and try to come up with a vote, one way or another, that involves a minimum of three people voting the same way.

throughout this drama, i could not help but wonder if a compromise could not be reached regarding the streetwall. namely, could the buildings in question along robinson be torn down with the express understanding that future highrise structures could be built in the future, either by sandridge or another future landowner?

i get nervous by “parks” being put in presently uneconomic lands, ever since the overton park (memphis) supreme court case. while i understand they don’t want to build there today, could there be a “building easement” to guarantee the possibility of future development?

Doug, SandRidge officials have continued to decline to comment for these stories, and did so again yesterday after the meeting.

Thanks, Steve. That SandRidge officials see no apparent need to disavow or even temper Frank Hill’s statement seems to lend credence that Frank’s statement did, indeed, represent the company’s position. Very sad, if that is the case.

Wow, it’s quite clear from the story comments that SandRidge has encouraged its employees to get online and comment about how backwards people are for wanting to preserve history.

I agree that some buildings aren’t worth saving. They are either just too dilapidated or unuseable. Many people said this about the Skirvin. Look at it now. The India Temple and Kermac buildings are in better internal shape than the Skirvin was, and could be in good shape under their facade.

But preservation of buildings of historical or architectural significance is not the only concern here. SandRidge’s plans would ruin the only remaining streetwall in downtown Oklahoma City, further suburbanizing it. To my knowledge Tom Ward’s only real estate development experience is from his time with Chesapeake. While they have a nice campus, it sure wouldn’t belong downtown.

Additionally, many seem to be talking about how a plaza would be better than an empty building. Actually, it may be the opposite. The empty building fosters a feeling of density, is more urban, and is standing ready to be redeveloped in the future. We have plenty of empty plazas all over downtown. Even at lunchtime you can count the people in them on one hand. Some examples: (1) all four sides of the Chase Tower; (2) eastside Leadership Square; and (3) existing south plaza of the SandRidge building (!).

It’s too bad that Kerr McGee sold out before that redevelopment project of these buildings got underway. If this is how SandRidge is going to play it, it is going to become obvious that Kerr McGee was a better corporate citizen to downtown while they were here. Kerr McGee wanted density and redevelopment; SandRidge wants people to see their tower from Robinson.

I am really so torn here. I dont want to see the two buildings torn down (particularly the India Temple) BUT I dont believe its fair for anyone to criticize the SandRidge plan that isnt willing to step up and offer a solution and financing to make the building workable. I certainly do not want a continually vacant building in downtown nor do I want an OKC born company to take leave with its jobs.

Sandridge isn’t saying anything because they are playing the game. You don’t win in poker by showing your hand. But if anybody (Kris Bryant – James Ellison) thinks it is a good idea that Sandridge leaves town, you’re crazy. Leaving that tower empty is exactly what OKC does not want. I remember a couple of years ago everyone worshipping the ground they walked, thanking them as saviors.

All of this over a couple of buildings that are garbage. But everybody is screaming urban renewal all over again. I just don’t think it compares. Steve, dig your heels in somewhere else. You are trying to create a name for yourself, but this isn’t the legacy you want.

Mike, that’s easy. Sell the buildings to people who want to redevelop them.

Mike, Lots of people buy buildings with big promises and plans (see Osman Sapta)that end up just exploiting the structures and leave them sitting idle with out-of-town ownership by who knows.

Just putting them on the block is not the solution you’re hoping for.

Doug, Did you honestly expect Sandridge to come back before the final vote on these structures and say to the press, “Nah, we didn’t mean it, we’re not going anywhere. Go ahead and do what you want, we don’t mind.”

I imagine they wish it hadn’t been said, but now it’s out there. Steve’s tried to bait them into a response by labeling it a “threat” but no one’s biting. It’s a lose/lose to comment on it at this point so the best thing to do is wait until the decision’s made. At least this keeps their options open – maybe they meant it, maybe they didn’t.

Jeffrey, I didn’t bait anybody. Here is the dictionary definition of threat:
1 : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
2 : one that threatens
3 : an indication of something impending

If one values SandRidge Energy being downtown; if one appreciates the company sponsoring the Santa 5k Run and other future events, and its workforce being a part of downtown, than wouldn’t one consider a warning they might leave if something isn’t done an indication of injury or damage impending?

I remember a story in the Gazette about 10 years ago in which Bob Funk, the owner of the hockey team, privately told council members he would leave OK if he didn’t get a 7-year lease to play in the arena. If any corporate assholes want to leave, let them. (The Oke really got scooped badly on that, even though they had the story. They wouldn’t run it.)

Let them leave. Jobs are a dime a dozen. Oil and natural gas companies belong in Houston. Why would we want their corporate presence in OKC? Surely the State of Oklahoma has enough money in the coffer to make up for the taxes SandRidge pays and the City of OKC should be able to easily replace their charitable contributions to our city. And let’s face it, downtown OKC wouldn’t be the same without the familiar dilapidated buildings scattered about. Who needs modern development? OKC is not Dallas and there’s no use trying to be.

JR, you said, “I remember a story in the Gazette about 10 years ago in which Bob Funk, the owner of the hockey team, privately told council members he would leave OK if he didn’t get a 7-year lease to play in the arena. If any corporate assholes want to leave, let them. (The Oke really got scooped badly on that, even though they had the story. They wouldn’t run it.)”

Totally agree with you, JR. The Oklahoman in the past couple of years (when I began noticing) has demonstrated a propensity to censor its paid journalists both as to WHAT they can report about and HOW they are to report it, if at all.

In that context, it’s interesting to me that Steve has apparently been given a free hand (as far as I know) to report on the SandRidge proposal story and developments.

That fact makes me wonder, given the Oklahoman’s established willingness to censor what gets reported and how … what’s up with the Oklahoman? Does Oklahoman ownership concur that SandRidge has gone beyond the pale? Or is it merely freeing up what its journalists have the liberty to report and say?

Pretty interesting stuff, it is.

Not gonna weigh in on this other to say it’s time to get back to the topic of SandRidge.

Go away, please. I’m sick of arrogant oilies running roughshod over OKC like it’s their personal fiefdom. Hell, they even got the hockey team named after themselves while a way of life threatened in the Gulf. That takes stones.
Any of us of a certain age remember the tragedy of ’70s urban renawal when grand classic structures razed for weedy lots as it turned out. OKC could have had a stately downtone ala Tulsa, rather than the soul crushing anywhwere America corporate blandishments being slapdashed all around.

I don’t think SR was expressing intent to injure, but you have a point on indication something impending. Fascinating things going on here. I suppose the bright side to all of this is that the dustup certainly indicates interest and energy happening downtown. Not sure other cities are having these type of debates.

I say we pull a Coolidge.