Exhale: Inconsistencies with the Truth
Designer David Ledbetter either misspoke at today’s Board of Adjustment, has a reading comprehension challenge, or has an interesting perspective on truth telling.
Ledbetter, to refresh memories, is the only name we have attached to the mysterious “Exhale” restaurant/bar being attempted at NW 15 and Broadway on the eastern edge of Heritage Hills.
When I first posted on this development, it was simply to note that it was going on without much notice and that it had passed through the Board of Adjustment without any comments from neighbors.
I never once in my post indicated that it would be a nightclub, hip-hop club or strip club (or for that matter a Rave club, Heavy Metal venue or a Drag Show club). These were questions and worries raised by readers as they looked at the posted interior designs and pondered the name on the application, “Exhale.” Read the previous post here.
I reached Ledbetter, asked if he could get me in touch with the operators. He declined, but agreed to show me the exterior designs and went on to tell me it was going to be restaurant and country-western performance venue. He also went on to say “Exhale” was not going to be the name, it was just the name of the newly formed LLC and it was a spur of the moment naming chosen by the owner to describe their sense of relief of moving forward. I reported back with Ledbetter’s information. But the questions and debate continued. Then a person identifying themselves as the manager of “Exhale” accused me of “stirring up” the neighborhood and said they would be contacting me. I invited them to do just that. No contact followed.
Then we find out that the operators did not send the legally required notices to neighbors for the Board of Adjustment meeting. The item was back on the docket today, and despite a request by Ledbetter to continue the action, the board rescinded its previous vote and reheard the application.
When asked why neighbors thought it might be a nightclub, Ledbetter had this to say:
“The writer for The Oklahoman blog, on his post, he basically said it was going to be nightclub, and he further insinuated it was going to be a hip-hop club.”
Folks, read the previous posts for yourselves. Here and here. I did no such thing.
The Board of Adjustment vetoed the application for a variance on parking. But this deal doesn’t appear to be over yet. If by keeping readers informed of what’s going on in their neighborhoods is the definition of me “stirring up” residents, heck yeah, I’m guilty. I plead very, very guilty and I plan to commit this crime many, many more times for as long as I can.
Mr. Ledbetter, you’ve been in this business for a long time. I’m curious as to how the neighbors were not given legal notice on this project. I’m curious as to why, if this is such a wonderful, fine dining establishment in the works, that the operators won’t come out and talk to the neighbors, identify themselves and detail their business plan.
Next step: Exhale folks plan to apply for alcohol and beverage zoning at the Planning Commission on Feb. 23.. Ledbetter continues to insist this will be a restaurant, and not a nightclub. This story has not occupied much of time to date and has taken a back seat to other developments in the news. But with his misstatement at today’s meeting, Mr. Ledbetter has my full attention.
For the record, the neighbors who showed up at today’s Board of Adjustment pointed out the reason they think this is going to be a nightclub is because it has a large dance floor and performance stage with “snack bar” seating often found at strip clubs. It also has two bar areas.
See the plans below:
Thank you for joining our conversation on OKC Central. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.
Comments
“Mr. Ledbetter, you’ve been in this business for a long time. I’m curious as to how the neighbors were not given legal notice on this project. I’m curious as to why, if this is such a wonderful, fine dining establishment in the works, that the operators won’t come out and talk to the neighbors, identify themselves and detail their business plan.”
EXACTLY. Something smells, and hopefully ALL of the residents are taking notice now.
Good job reporting, Steve. Did I get it wrong or did the DDRC meet today and if it did was the proposal for Bicentennial Park acted upon in some way. I can’t find out anything on this.
DOUG: it was approved (Fridays date): http://newsok.com/design-review-committee-approves-downtown-oklahoma-city-park-makeover/article/3649650
Thanks Steve! It’s hard work protecting great historic neighborhoods from encrochments that would have a negetive affect on the people and their property. Keep up your good work in our behalf!
Excellent work Steve. Keep it up. Ledbetters willful refusal to put you in touch with the owners STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN. There is WAY more to be found out and you are just the fella to get it done.
The fact that the “owners” do not want to come out into the light indicates to me they are dirty, dirty, dirty. Legitimate business people are honest, upfront and in the daylight. If not then where and what are they???
You don’t have to be very smart to see that “Exhale” is not a restaurant. Just look at the stage and the layout… one can anticipate the performers coming out on stage, walking out on the extension runway, and customers seated around the stage placing their “bills” on the string. Bingo! The couch seating arrangement looks comfortable for customers and “others”. Tnis place stinks with nontruths, and belongs in New Orlean not Heritahge Hills. COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!
One interesting facet about this that I hadn’t noticed before: If you look at the plans, there’s a space where the men’s restrooms are labeled, but no labeling anywhere for the women’s restrooms. There’s another red flag right there.
Steve, the plans seem to be missing something significant for a resturant that would require over 150 parking spaces – a kitchen of any scale. This is clearly a design for a entertainment space and not a resturant. This kind of establishment does not fit an an area that adjoins a historic neighborhood and is in the immediate proximity of a major church with a child care center. I serve as pastor of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, that sits just around the corner from this site. You can count on me to join with you in trying to help make sure the real intent of this establishment is brought to light.
Wesley, they are in the same area as the men’s room, just not labeled. Notice the bathroom with all the toilets and no urinals?
Sam, no one came here to read your brilliant witticisms about New Orleans. And I wouldn’t be surprised if OKC actually has far more strip clubs per capita than New Orleans.
I am not sticking up for Exhale, but it looks like it could be a restaurant with a stage and a dance floor. The Stage stands out with a darker line, then it looks like there is a pony wall with barstools set around it. The lower left area, just after you enter the building, looks like booths and tables lined up like you would see in just about any restaurant. What I am saying is I don’t think it is a strip club. If it is, aren’t there city ordinances that say it can’t be within so close to a church? Isn’t St. Lukes just around the corner?
I don’t know Mr. Ledbetter or anyone associated with Exhale, but it seems like they are way too worried about what is going on here instead of just being forthright. It says amateur developer and amateur architect, in my opinion.
A sign just went up in Will Rogers Plaza for Exhale. We have had nothing but trouble at this location and have for years. I wish others took as much interest in this area of the city as they do in those closer to town. No one wants clubs next to their home. They need to be in commercial areas where homes are not located. Just research the files on this location and you will see what the neighborhood has put up with. It just isn’t right. When a location has as many complaints as this one has, the zoning and alcohol licenses should be changed. It started out as an ice rink for families. How that morphed into a club over time is a shame. Just when one closes down, the property owner gets another to come in before the six months passes to lose the location licensing. Any suggestions or help is appreciated.
So is the club gonna be a strip bar or a hip hop club?? Is the grand opening tonight?? That’s what I heard from a cousin of the owner. Either way I do not give it 6 months before it fails!!
I believe it is dead. An Exhale club opened several weeks after activity stopped at 1501 N Broadway but I am not sure whether it is same operation or not. They took over an already existing club space. I tried contacting them but got no response (ditto for my efforts to reach the folks who claimed to represent the restaurant/club on Broadway – people who promised they would contact me).
You can see the current Exhale Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/exhaleinokc
Thanks Steve. exhaleinokc sounds very unlike a place I’d enjoy at my age. I was hoping maybe they had meant it when they spoke of the project being a C&W venue and it was just snagged on a tumbleweed.
Oh well.
It would seem that they are definitely hiding something. This looks like something that is geared for Bricktown, not adjacent Heritage HIlls.