Nick Roberts: Not a Big Fan of Avis Scaramucci
The Rock Island Plow Building can be seen to the right of the now vanished MKT Train Depot in this vintage mid-20th century photo (courtesy of the Oklahoma Railway Museum)
Over at www.downtownontherange.blogspot.com, Nick Roberts is continuing to put his own stamp on the discussion of downtown Oklahoma City’s ongoing transformation. Nick, who is pursuing a planning degree in college, is able to take that discussion a bit further than I can due to our different roles in the blogging world. I try to offer news and observation (and sometimes very uncomfortable questions posed to those I cover), while Nick goes straight to commentary. He’s good at what he does. But confusion sometimes emerges. Last summer developer Richard Tanenbaum put up a slide of quotes praising his track record and attributed it to OKC Central – when it actually was written by Nick over at Downtown on the Range.
Nick and I are often thinking about the same topics. This time we’re both thinking about Avis Scaramucci, owner of Nonna’s and The Painted Door in Bricktown, and who is going on her fourth year as chair of the Bricktown Association (she also serves of chair of the Bricktown Urban Design Committee). A few weeks ago, I took the following photo:
Yep, that’s more windows getting covered with plywood over at the Rock Island Plow Building. Keep in mind it’s a structure that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Before I could post anything on OKC Central, Nick posted his own photo with the following quote:
Does a single successful restaurant make someone the “Queen of Bricktown?” So far Avis has done nothing to prove that she wasn’t one and done in terms of Bricktown development, and how did this get to be the person chairing the Bricktown Suburban Design Committee?
Ouch.
So I guess Nick would be none too thrilled to see more plywood going up on windows at the 100-year-old Rock Island Plow building, which Avis owns. It’s the ONLY boarded up structure left in Bricktown, and it’s along Reno Avenue where thousands of visitors travel daily, both by foot and by vehicle. It’s a prime corridor for tourists and those attending NBA games at the nearby Chesapeake Energy Arena.
County records show Avis and her husband Phil bought the building for $1,450,000 in 2003. I’m also aware they spent a significant amount of money doing emergency structural repairs several years ago that, if not done, we likely would have lost this building all together.
I’ve been hearing complaints similar to those voiced by Nick, and I asked Avis why the wait – why not move forward with a development or simply sell the building to someone who will make something happen. I know they’ve had willing buyers – parties with a track record of successful development. So far, Avis’ response is simply “now is not the time.”
This won’t make Nick any happier. And I fully anticipate he’ll have more to say on this matter.
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Comments
In this discussion, a steady and persevering, if not modest, temperament would be helpful. While all he does is helpful, Nick is, after all, still a young pup and his perspectives are somewhat narrow just because of that. Is this a put-down? Yes. Is it a condemnation? No. No disrespect intended, Nick.
I just speculating but I think the Scaramucci’s are waiting for Wade to come up with a idea for it. It’s a great building and wouldn’t be difficult to do this project, that’s why it is a shame for them to wait. I know people who have approached and the price in it’s current state was about 3.5 million.
You are mistaken about the first part, Mike. Anytime you deal with historic preservation it is more than twice as difficult. The building is old, so probably won’t be as square as a newer building would be. HP is going to have requirements that will drive the price of the renovation higher, although they do work with you. Then throw the in the tax credits or grants that you have to obtain to make the project financially feasible…I would say this project will be difficult, even though the floor plans are rectilinear.
My only question is, who asked the question that surprised the crap out of Avis?
Are boarded-up windows even in compliance with the OKC Municipal Code, which reads:
24-109. – Windows and frames.
Every window and frame shall be kept in sound condition, in good repair and weather-tight.
If she had any pride she could at least make the exterior look better. It’s an embarrassment right in the heart of Bricktown. Clean it up or sell it.
“The Scaramucci’s are just waiting for Wade to come up with an idea…”
More figurehead worship on the blogosphere. All it takes is getting your name out in the news a few times, lead some committee that does nothing (BUDC is the epitome of that), and then you can do no wrong in the eyes of the sheep…
The “does nothing” comment means there isn’t real zoning in this city Peter. Otherwise, BUDC could stand up and say, “Never will you be allowed to build a parking lot next to the canal”. Instead, they are toothless figureheads that do nothing and occasionally become a thorn in someone’s side. She is the figurehead of an organization that does nothing.
Nick’s blog is very negative on pretty much everything. He has some good observations and insight, but because it’s so negative it’s hard for it to have the credibility I’m sure he would like.
Avis has been a leader in Bricktown since she arrived. She’s been a leader when many others have not. She has made some mistakes, just like anyone else in Bricktown, but at least she has given her time to try and make things better.
In terms of the property in question, I know that she has looked at several opportunities, but for various reasons, they didn’t work out.
It is very easy for the public to be critical and some of the critism is deserved, but it is much tougher to make things work in Bricktown than the average person understands.
Nick’s critism of Bricktown Urban Design is way off! If he had been at any of the meeting over the years, he would see how protective they are of the district. The committee does not have the power to dictate what kind of business opens, but rather just to make sure their desing meets standards. Avis has been a great leader of that group, many times asking applicants to do more than was required by code in order to make the community look better.
Lots of things for Bricktown to improve on today and in the future, but you CANNOT argue the impact the district has made on Okc! Yes, public dollars have been a big help, but early visionary leaders like Horton and Brewer painted the picture of what we see today!
The biggest challenge Bricktown faces for the future is finding that next leader that has the vision and passion to lead the distict into the future.
Avis has done more to help the district than most of the public will ever know!
Matt:
I think your rather broad assumptions of the costs of “historic preservation” are off the mark. It is poor planning that drives up costs. I’ve been in the building – there are water problems and some structural issues. It is a really nice building, and in a great location, but the longer the wait for rehabititation, the higher the costs will be, “historic preservation” or not.
I worked for Avis and Phil for several years when it was off of Western and they are great business people w wonderful ideas. I’m quiet sure they have something great coming up. They always mean the best.
Maybe she is leading Bricktown because no one else has stood up to do it. 4 years as Prez does seem like its time for a change…