Twitter Frenzy – Grabbing for any Glimmer of Relevance
Leave it to the Daily Show to put everything in perspective.
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“It’s no wonder young people love it, according to reports about young people by middle-aged people.”
- Samantha Bee
A Message from Maralee Hamm
Thank You
On behalf of my sons; Austin, Tyler, and Gabriel, as well as myself, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your very thoughtful gifts.
Through this tragedy, we have seen the love of so many. Our family has received an unbelievable amount of support and encouragement from so many different groups, organizations, churches and individuals. While I would like to thank each and every one of you individually, I am so overwhelmed at this time, that I hope and pray you will accept my deepest appreciation for all you have done through this letter.
I am blessed with the incredible opportunity to raise three wonderful boys in to three wonderful men. I want you to know that your gifts will be used for them, to meet their needs, provide for their future and hopefully bring them joy along the way. The boys and I have been overwhelmed as we opened card after card from each of you. Your thoughts and prayers have, and will continue to sustain us during this very difficult time.
It has been so encouraging to see the relationships that Brett made here on earth, being carried over to his children and their future. I know Brett would be as moved as we are, that he was able to make such an impact, on so many people, that they would take his children under their wings at this difficult time. I pray the memory you carry of Brett will be one of the father who loved his children, and the man who had a smile for everyone.
My deepest appreciation to each and every one of you.
Sincerely,
Maralee, Austin, Tyler and Gabriel Hamm
Deja Vu All Over Again
Out of state real estate investors buy downtown OKC historic landmark office building. The new owners promise to fix up neglected building, return it to Class A office space. Owners tell skeptical reporter they are for real and show off portfolio of properties.
Owners swear they know the local market. Owners go to great lengths to make impression of local movers and shakers. A couple years pass and the owners fail to impress locals with their improvements because they don’t come close to what was promised. With such disappointment, leasing doesn’t meet up to owners’ expectations.
Owners respond by putting off paying bills. Liens are filed. Lawsuits follow. Owners then tack “extra costs” onto tenants’ leases. More legacy tenants decide to leave the building and conditions worsen …
Yes, sometimes I am instantly skeptical when I’m told about something that may sound too good to be true. Sorry, but when I’m told the Chinese are planning to open a North American headquarters in OKC as part of their efforts to start production of a defunct Brittish car in Ardmore, I say “yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.” And when I’m told out-of-state interests are preparing to rescue a fading downtown architectural treasure without any city participation, I say “yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.”
However, I’m very, very excited about plans for an NFL stadium to be built in Oklahoma City. Oh wait … we’ve not heard about that one in at a least year. Well, maybe we’ll still see a Disney World built between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Sigh.
(NOTE: To those in denial, this post was written in response to calls from four tenants of unnamed building who wish they could speak on the record but are afraid of retaliation. Everything written above is factual).
Surprsies in SoSA/Cottage District Board of Adjustment Hearing
I’m watching the show at home again while working on an investigative piece slotted to run this weekend.
This time David Wanzer is on the horseshoe and it might surprise some that he’s apparently going to vote on this appeal. He read off a statement making it clear that he has no current dealings with the architect, Bryan Fitzsimmons.
David wasn’t at the last hearing. Waiting to see if John Yoeckell or anybody else is missing. So far it’s the same argument we heard last time. I’ve not heard this much discussion of an “anomoly” since I was addicted to “Star Trek The Next Generation” in college.
Whatever Happened To …
(Oklahoma City: Home to the first parking meter. Yes, it really might be fun to brag about this to visitors)
So many things pass us by at such a rapid speed, sometimes you wonder what happened to some ideas that at first glance didn’t look that bad.
Example: a couple of years ago folks were talking about the old steam train locomotive engine on display for years at State Fair Park. I believe it belongs to the city or to the fair trust, and at one point locals worried the state fair was going to unload it as part of a massive dumping of its other historic displays.
Wouldn’t it be great, some asked, if it could be displayed in Bricktown? The more I’ve researched Bricktown’s history, it’s difficult to hear an argument against it. The cost, it seems, would be minimal (the cost of moving it) and it would likely be a great addition to the area.
Or here’s another – a walk of fame that dates back to the early days of online community forums. Again, this was proposed for Bricktown.
Yet another: the rescue of historic downtown artifacts from Ford Park. What’s that you say – you’ve never heard of the artifacts or Ford Park? That’s the problem.
And more: an antique car display (or maybe some sort of sculptures) along Automobile Alley that would really showcase its bragging rights as the original auto dealers row.
More you ask? Yep. I remember talk of installing a copy of the original parking meter with at the place where the first meter was installed (near Park and Robinson) with a plaque explaining its history.
More, more, more…
Johnson Associates indicated it would have the gristmill from the first canal (1889) placed with a plaque by the playground that Boldt Construction contributed to the city at the northern end of the Bricktown Canal. It never happened.
Another idea discussed, but never realized: placement of the grand columns from the old Huckins Hotel in Bricktown. They’re out in a field by the airport last I checked.
Anything else to add?
Let's See How This Ranking Is Used by the Chamber
Apparently Oklahoma City is really “manly.” So I guess we’ve got that going for us….
Out and About
Today was one of those days where you’re reminded of just how far we’ve come as a city.
At noon I attended the OKC Rotary in the Petroleum Club. The 34th floor view is always an eye-popper. Today I looked out at the Deep Deuce/Flat Iron area and realized just how close it is to becoming a truly mixed-use urban neighborhood.
Mayor Mick Cornett was the keynote speaker. He’s warming up his MAPS 3 speech, but questions remain as to how one tries to pull of such an initiative in the current economy.
At 3:30 p.m. I visited with Jim Cowan at Starbucks in Lower Bricktown (I’m still mourning the loss of Uncommon Grounds!) The place was full. We found out the crowd consisted of visitors from across the country attending the Choral Directors conference. Their plans included strolling the canal, hitting a local restaurant and shopping.
At 4 p.m. I attended the open house for the new offices of Schnake Turnbo Frank public relations and shot another segment for OKC Central. If the local economy is really in distress, why is this firm expanding?
Leaving downtown, I see construction well underway along NW 10 in MidTown. Walker Avenue is beginning to fill in, extending the downtown resurgence ever westward.
I’m working on some interesting stories right now. I’ll share more details as we near the weekend.
OKC Central Video Debuts
An Open Letter from Grant Humphreys
The Flatiron: Oklahoma City, OK from imagiNATIVEamerica on Vimeo.
A year ago there were at least a handful of downtown developments on the drawing boards that seemed to be sure things. One of those was the Flatiron, a mixed-use development by Grant Humphreys at 5th and Harrison.
Construction was to start in the fall. And that’s where things get all messed up; have your leases and financing nailed down in July, 2008, and things are still set. But fall was a totally different story following the economic crash, and while Oklahoma City has been spared much of the pain, financing is still troublesome for pretty much everybody.
Grant Humphreys wants to make this deal work. He spent time and money on the project. He invested his creative energies and hopes.
The local economy isn’t shutting down, but it’s not immune from the outside pressures. Interestingly enough, I’m seeing more leasing activity along Broadway and in Bricktown than I have the previous two years.
By all accounts, Devon Energy is showing no hint of delaying or stopping construction of its 54-story highrise.
Yet the banking crunch is having its effort. Without any further delay, here’s Grant’s open letter:
From: Grant Humphreys
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:03 PM
Subject: THE FLATIRON – A SYMBOL OF RESILIENCE – of our downtown, of our city, of our Oklahoma spirit
Across the nation, the economic crisis has forced many development projects to be put on hold or brought to an end. Yet Oklahoma City, despite some very real economic downturns, continues to prove itself as one of the most resilient markets in America.
After almost three years of design and due diligence, our project known as ‘The Flatiron’ is poised to become a reality. When the construction of this project begins at the gateway of downtown OKC, The Flatiron will deliver the message that Oklahoma City is still in the game. Watching this new 5-story mixed-use project be built will boost confidence in our market and help maintain or increase property values as well. No doubt the Devon Tower will deliver this same message around the world, but we’re the small business version that is ready to go. But we need YOUR help.
We need YOUR help to meet our pre-leasing hurdle. The Flatiron will create more than 73,000 RSF of Class ‘A’ office and retail space ideally located at the gateway to downtown, Bricktown and the Oklahoma Health Center. Our asking rates are $22/RSF (gross) for loft office and $22/RSF (net) for street level retail (with CPI bumps). We need credit tenants willing to sign a 5-year lease. Local tenants are great. Once we’ve pre-leased 50% of this space, we will move towards an exciting groundbreaking event. We want to work with brokers. So bring me a deal. With your help, we can meet this goal . . . and you’ll be the first invited to the party!
All the information you need is available online at www.flatironokc.com. You can find floor plans, marketing brochures and a video of the project. Make a point to watch the video. It’s awesome.
Dave Ortloff, our Director of Marketing, is handling the broker relations. He’s here for you. If you’d like to arrange a tour or receive more information about this exciting project, just call Dave at (405) 228-1000 (ext 4). His contact information is also on the website referenced above.
Let’s work together to show everyone that, despite the rest of the nation, the real estate market in Oklahoma City is alive and well. I appreciate your help!
Thanks,
Grant
Find out more by visiting their website at: FlatironOkc.com!
UPDATE: A co-worker got an interesting call from a “homebuilder” who complained about this post. The homebuilder didn’t bother contacting me directly, but apparently feels this is a ”lovefest” for Grant Humphreys and wanted to know how much Grant paid for it.
Grant paid nothing. I post what I find interesting. I found the new animation interesting. I thought Grant’s comments were interesting. There you have it, anonymous homebuilder. The same logic went into yesterday’s posting on the Prohibition Room.
I also think this might be interesting to my readers. If I’m guily of a ”lovefest” here, I guess you can also say I’ve had “lovefests” with Marva Ellard and the Sieber, Ron Bradshaw and the Maywood Lofts, Larry Nichols and Devon Tower, pretty much all of Bricktown and all of MidTown and all of Automobile Alley.
Here’s the thing people keep on missing: I cover downtown and the inner-core. That’s what I do. If I were the Sooner beat writer, I guess I’d be accused of having a lovefest with Bob Stoops.
Geez…
OKC Central – The Online Show
Yep, the deed is done. Starting Tuesday, the weekly OKC Central segment will begin popping up weekly at www.newsok.com and here at www.okccentral.com.
This is new to me, so be patient (I’m talking to you Metro!) as I hopefully get into a comfort zone with all this.
-Steve
