So What’s Next?
If everything goes in the direction currently set, this building will be razed by the city sometime in the next few years.
One interesting theme came out yesterday in the joint press release issued by SandRidge Energy and Preservation Oklahoma through the City of Oklahoma City: the idea that somehow First National is in need of preservation.
The idea just dangled there without any attribution or explanation. The building isn’t on Preservation Oklahoma’s most endangered list. And while yes, it is facing a foreclosure threat, all indications are it will either remain in current ownership, which has invested in its upkeep and continued leasing, or could end up in the control of a local group with a good track record of overseeing downtown properties.
So if the First National isn’t the most endangered building downtown, what is?
Well, let’s go back to the convention center location hunt, shall we? It’s no secret the mayor favors the site south of Ford Center and across from the planned Central Park. City staff has already bought a couple of properties in the area, and the mayor has indicated that regardless of what site is chosen for the convention center, he wants to direct $30 million from MAPS 3 to buy OG&E properties in this same area.
If the city proceeds on this course, the above building will be in the target zone for demolition. It still stands. The city also has this building in its sights as well – a building that was bought at one time by a company that was seriously desiring to renovate the property until they were told not to by city staffers who pointed out it stands on the edge of the planned central park:
This building is still standing - but for how long?
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Comments
We’ve been there and done that on these buildings, Steve, this is nothing new since coverage exists for at least the past 6 months if not much longer. At this moment, I’m pretty much sapped of preservationist energy and my head hurts from trying. Maybe others will have the energy.
This is a case example of why this city’s strong-armed approach to urban renewal is actually preventing actual infill from taking place. No developers with a brain want to invest in small infill projects in OKC right now until they see the dust settle from all of this urban renewal.
Doug, I guess I’m just a bit bewildered as to how an unattributed referrence made it into that press release – First National wasn’t thrown in there, from what I could tell, by either SandRidge or Preservation Oklahoma. So if it’s the city doing so, what’s the harm in reminding folks these buildings are out there as well?
I think that there may be a desire on the part of some city leaders to look for the new Skirvin project. There is an interest among them for historic preservation, believe it or not, it just has to be done as a big, flashy single project. They don’t like staying true to long-term commitments to preserve old buildings and restore them one by one. They like big, city-involved, urban renewal-esque projects, and in terms of projects like the Skirvin or the Mercantile in Dallas, those can be urban renewal-esque too.
“…the mayor has indicated that regardless of what site is chosen for the convention center, he wants to direct $30 million from MAPS 3…”
MAPS 3 money is only to be used for MAPS 3 projects, if that site isn’t selected for the Convention Center, does it still qualify? But no worries, there is nothing in the legally binding MAPS 3 ordinance to prevent him from “directing $30 million”. All nice and perfectly legal.
These both look like very interesting buildings…. their renovation could prove to be a fine compliment to the new Central Park.
There are a number of old buildings that could be tied in with the park design and help weave it in with the city while providing the seeds for residential and retail. This, imo would be a truly creative and forward thinking approach, so I wouldn’t hold my breath. I expect a completely sterilized clean slate down there.
My advice would be for Preservation Oklahoma to get a head start and get the process rolling to put these buildings on the register. It would be a good PR move because they would look less like obstructionists after the decision has been made. Just sayin…sorry for partying.