The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

     Flowrider is a stationary, machine produced wave which can be used for boogie boarding or surfing. Users are required to watch an instructional video and sign
     a permission form. 
 

Looks like fun!   I can just imagine all the bones I would break on that thing!

My bones ached just looking at it.  My grandson wanted to know where that splash surf pad was located; thank God he pointed to the one in Melbourne, Australia.  :)

Amazing how computer savvy the children are today;  anytime I run into a problem with my computer, tablet or cellphone, these children can fix or reset it.  Puts me to shame.

Glad to see you still posting, I always enjoy reading about OKC's development :).

                                        Update on BancFirst Tower:


The reskin of this tower has changed.  Instead of installing replacement glass up to the 14th floor which started on the north side of the tower, the project will see the full north side completed up to the top floor beneath the crown which will be adjusted later. 

We have several projects that have experienced a slight delay because of the Pandemic and developers appear to be in no hurry to complete them until our Covid-19 numbers show improvement.  Don't anticipate it will get any better since the Robinson Street rebuild aligning the new convention center complex has started with equipment arrivals.  This had thrown a wrench into the flow of downtown traffic.

Update on Bricktown Marriott:

(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/marriott083020a.jpg)

Press release:

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John Fullbright at Scissortail Park September 26

WHAT: To celebrate the upcoming one-year anniversary of Scissortail Park’s grand opening, a special Live from the Lawn concert is scheduled on Saturday, September 26. The free, live show features Oklahoma’s own, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, John Fullbright with a special guest.
Live from the Lawn presented by Oklahoma Natural Gas and Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum is also supported by Spark Creative, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership and Cory’s Audio Visual.

Additional details for the anniversary celebration are coming soon.


WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2020
8pm Opening Act
9pm John Fullbright



WHERE: Love’s Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn at Scissortail Park
On the 4.4-acre great lawn providing ample space to enjoy a free outdoor concert while practicing responsible social distancing.

 

I keep saying we need canals here in town - and OKC has people on paddle boats on theirs!   That and North Pole City are two big things OKC has over Tulsa...!  Lol...

Really think a canal type riverwalk in or near the downtown Tulsa area would go over much better than it has in OKC.  Our downtown underground Metro concourse killed our street life, the most vibrant piece of showcasing a city.

Recall my youth years, my mother giving me $500 dollars cash and a few checks to pay bills (Natural Gas, Electric, Water & Garbage and Department store accounts).  Had to get on the bus on N. E. 6th Street north of Page-Woodson School (formerly, Douglass High School); the route went through N. E. 4th Street and onto OKC's Deep Deuce (2nd Street) then known as Black Business District.  Second & 4th streets were called 'deuce and a quarter streets' known for black businesses, mortuaries, theaters, diners and restaurants.

All city buses met up on main street and aligned north & south sides where they loaded and went on their respective routes.   One trip we unloaded on Main Street,  recall a bully (twice my size and age) asking me if I had some change I could give him, relied no, he said will you stand for a search, I pulled out my mother's straight razor (She was a barber) and replied, 'you're not going to search me.'   He backed off quickly.  Man, what a relief; definitely didn't want any conflict--didn't want to gut this guy and by the looks in his eyes when he saw the razor, he knew searching me wasn't with it.

There were always your Illicit characters in downtown 'known for game,' you couldn't ever let you guard down or show any signs of being afraid because the drifter types would pick up on it.   Trick or treat nights weren't safe either, my mother required us to periodically check in with candy where she would inspect it--she threw out a lot of home made treats; like today, you couldn't trust anything given away other than wrapped candy and treats.

Our parents constantly reminded us not to get it cars with strangers.  Some were legit, wanted to pay you for mowing the lawn or helping to clean out the garage.   Yes,  there were others like the pedophile guys driving around in nice vehicles luring children of color into their cars paying for some sex action.  A 14 year old neighbor of ours (known as the donkey, at our local park pool) frequently took advantage of being sexually victimized by these predators; he always had a 'tons' of cash on him.  He occasionally boasted about being picked up and paid...     ...let's not go into the boy talk he use to share with us.

Anyway, just wanted to share some human experiences with you about growing up in Old Oklahoma City, probably wasn't any different in Tulsa; major deterrent now is cellphones, today's technology has helped derail a lot of activity that often occurred right on the streets.

Developer Dick Tanenbaum and Gardner Tanenbaum acquired the 316-room hotel which sits on a 24-acres and 69,402-square-foot convention center near the Oklahoma Capitol from Durant-based First United Bank for $2.6M in 2011. 

Originally built in 1967, the Lincoln Plaza complex at 4345 N. Lincoln Boulevard includes a three-story hotel, seven-story convention center and a single-story restaurant.

Gardner Tanenbaum had submitted plans to use the old hotel rooms for student housing for the nearby University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and convert some of the convention center rooms into additional housing units.

Developer Dick Tanenbaum and Gardner Tanenbaum obtained a $12,000,000 building permit for this site issued to the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority; 113 luxury apartments are planned for the former hotel space.

Civilian maintenance crews watch as a KC-46 Pegasus arrives for its first maintenance check at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City on Thursday. The historic arrival of the Air Force’s next-generation air refueling tanker for its first maintenance check marks the beginning of the future workload at Tinker. [CHRIS LANDSBERGER PHOTO/THE OKLAHOMAN]

Construction progress of the maintenance facility at Tinker Air Force Base that will support the Air Force's new tanker, the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus [Photos by The Oklahoman].

The maintenance hangars will be set up to help sustain air-to-air refueling mission recently awarded to Tinker AFB.  Maintenance involves everything from routine aircraft inspections in the field to bringing an aircraft to a maintenance center where it undergoes a thorough examination to look for potential issues before they become a problem; sustainment activities will involve performance corrosion control, painting and fueling.

It can also accommodate a mixed load of passengers, aero medical evacuation and the KC-46 can carry up to 65,000 pounds of cargo.

The hangars are designed to support Tinker's long-term depot maintenance of the new aircraft that will be housed in the Oklahoma City-Midwest City complex, an estimated 1,300 jobs on base will result from the construction of fourteen hangers.

The area that now houses the KC-46A Pegasus campus was once an abandoned rail yard purchased from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company.  The joint venture was a coordinated effort by the U. S. Air Force, City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County for $44 million.

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex remains the Air Force’s largest depot and, with the addition of the KC-46A  Pegasus added to increasing legacy system requirements, it will continue to remain the Air Force’s largest depot for the foreseeable future, the potential for expansion has been taken into consideration with renewed discussion on the possibility of the Air Force moving forward with plans to introduce the KC-Y and KC-Z.

 

Boulevard Place will feature 253 residential units with over 14,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor level with patio seating available to a potential restaurant facing the new Oklahoma City Boulevard.  Construction has been revised from the timetable that originally anticipated a start this month with completion now estimated for late 2022.


The eight-story Boulevard Place is a mixed-use development to be constructed at the southwest corner of Shields and Oklahoma City Boulevards, adjacent to the Omni Hotel.  

The units include studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, it will include parking levels attached to each floor of the apartment tower. The 1,100-space convention center garage south of Boulevard Place will be opening at the same time.  The Fairfield Inn, a five story hotel opened in January 2020 just south of the garage.  Boulevard Place will stand at the southeast corner of E.K. Gaylord, a gateway to the area that also includes Scissortail Park and is now being referred to as Park Union.

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Artist's rendering of Amazon's Non-Sort Facility that will employ 1,000 in the 1 million square foot venue.
The Non-Sort Facility will be adjacent to Amazon's 2.6 million square foot facility that currently employs 1,700.

  

 
The Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oklahoma Department of Health and Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department have already begun moving their staffs into the 29 story tower currently occupied by a base of SandRidge Energy Corporation employees.

For six decades-plus, the block bordered by Robinson, Broadway, Robert S. Kerr and Dean A. McGee Avenues was the home of Kerr-McGee, a hometown-established energy company that grew into a global force before being acquired by Anadarko Petroleum in 2006.  The tower transformed the Oklahoma City skyline in 1972 with its new campus and that of the 37 story tower currently occupied by BancFirst Corporation.  

The former Kerr McGee Tower constructed in 1972 includes a 450-seat auditorium, a health club, meeting rooms and a garage equipped for 1,400 parking spaces.  SandRidge Energy had invested more than $100 million of improvements and upgrades to the tower campus makeover that will now be ocurpied by the State of Oklahoma through a $35.5 million.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2020
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A new movie theater and microbrewery is set to open its first Oklahoma location next month.

Flix Brewhouse will open to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

“After postponing our opening date due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our excitement has only continued to build,” Flix General Manager Nick Toros said. “We look forward to opening our doors and bringing a new experience to the Oklahoma City Metro.”

Flix auditoriums feature state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, comfortable stadium seating, parabolic screens, reserved seating, and server call systems that allow guests to order silently.

“We’re changing the game for movie theaters and moviegoers across the country,” Toros continued. “No longer are guests coming to just sit down and watch a movie — they’re coming to encounter an elevated experience that will keep them returning for more.”

Guests will be able to eat hand-tossed pizzas, tasty burgers, and wings while trying out dozens of craft beers. Officials say Flix has its own craft beers and more than 11 taps of local craft beer favorites including Angry Scotsman, Anthem, Coop Ale Works, Elk Valley, Iron Monk, Lively, Prairie Artisan, Roughtail, Skydance, Stonecloud, and Vanessa House.

Due to the pandemic, Flix has also invested in an indoor air quality system that treats the air in an occupied space.

Also, guests will be required to wear masks upon entrance.

“Upon entry, masks will be required by guests but can be taken off while seated if eating or inside the theater or at a table in the Pub. Guests that are not consuming food or drinks should wear their masks when in their auditoriums,” the theater said in a news release.

Flix will premiere Christopher Nolan’s newest blockbuster “Tenet” while offering promotions like $1 popcorn, $1 sodas, and $3 Flix beers.

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ONE PLACE, MANY NATIONS

In one place, visitors will experience the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations. First Americans Museum (FAM) will share the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans.

Opening Day

September 18, 2021 The 175,000 square foot museum will showcase state-of-the-art exhibitions in First American history, culture, and art; live public and educational programs; a family discovery center with immersive family-friendly activities; a full-service restaurant presenting unique Native inspired cuisine; and a museum store featuring authentic one-of-a-kind hand-made items or products by premiere First American artists.

Location

FAM is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Crossroads of America, the confluence on Interstates 35, 40, 235 and 44. Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in the state of Oklahoma, USA. FAM is positioned along the Oklahoma River across from downtown. Address: 659 First Americans Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73129


At a cost of $175 million when completed, the museum will include dozens of items on a 10-year loan from The Smithsonian, as well as other exhibits from the 39 tribal nations within the boundaries of Oklahoma.

Agreements have been signed to begin completion of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City.

The City of Oklahoma City, the State of Oklahoma and a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation have closed on land agreements that will set in motion the completion of the museum.

"This is a promise that was made to the public a long time ago, and the sooner we can get the facility open, the sooner we can start generating that positive tax revenue for the state of Oklahoma," said James Pepper Henry, director and CEO of the center.

Construction on the center, which sits near the junction of I-35 and I-40, stopped in 2012 after state funding dried up. The city says that construction will resume in the summer and take approximately two years to complete. Interior finishes will then take another year, with the museum scheduled to open in 2021.

Civic Center Music Hall will soon undergo another round of renovations; the Freede Little Theatre reveal plans for a new entrance and lobby.  Plans reveal a new entrance and lobby for the Freede Little Theatre has been on Oklahoma’s City’s radar since the first Metropolitan Area Projects initiative were unveiled back in 1993.

The Freede (much smaller theater) is used by performing arts groups such as Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, OKC Theatre Company and the Painted Sky Opera.

The 2017 General Obligation Bond package included $9 million budget for the addition, as well as the updates in the rest of the building.  In the Thelma Gaylord lobby, the renovation plans call to remove the ticket booth, the glass walls and the bar, creating a more open space. The stairs near the theater, donned in red, are being removed as well to create more space.

A new central bar is being built closer to the theater’s exterior wall; it will serve coffee and spirits for the VIP section.  

The main entrance will include a new security system capable of scanning 3,000 people in one hour.  

Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021 with a targeted completion date in the fall of 2022.


The Original MAPS Initiative passed in 1993 included $50 million renovation total with new interior theatrical seats and some reinforcement to the building's exterior.

The $40 million project includes a 2,000-seat Spanish colonial-style Basilica and Shrine devoted to the Blessed Father Stanley Rother, the first Catholic Priest from Oklahoma who was murdered in Guatemala .  Upon its 2022 completion date, it will be the largest Roman Catholic church in Oklahoma expected to host numerous large archdiocese events and help accommodate the growing Hispanic population whose parishes in South Oklahoma City are currently overcrowded.

Rother, who was assassinated by pro-government gunmen July 28, 1981, worked in Guatemala's rural highlands from 1968 until his death. He worked alongside the indigenous people of the area, farmers, the poor and the children who worshipped at the Santiago Atitlan, parish in Guatemala. Father Stanley as he was called expressed  acts of kindness and charity allowed the beloved Priest to the endeared by the Guatemalan people.


In addition to the church, the Shrine complex will feature a two-story ministry building to respond to the religious education needs of the growing Catholic Community. This building will provide much-needed classroom and gathering space, administrative offices, and an event hall to host large archdiocesan gatherings, receptions, and retreats for pilgrims visiting the Shrine.

The remains of Father Stanley Rother will be entombed in the Basilica and Shrine complex (TBD) as a final resting place--his remains are temporarily stored in a   mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery in northwest Oklahoma City.   Father Rother's last full assignment in Oklahoma was at Corpus Christi Catholic Church 1616 North Kelley Avenue in Oklahoma City near the University of Oklahoma's Health Science Center.

The pilgrim center will welcome thousands of visitors and tourists each year to experience Rother's life, witness and martyrdom. The new church also will host many large Archdiocesan events. 


Blessed Stanley Rother was declared a martyr by Pope Francis in 2016 and beatified a year later by the Catholic Church during a large-scale ceremony that attracted 20,000 worshippers in Oklahoma City's Cox Convention Center in which an estimated 3,000 people were turned away.

Updated video renderings of the Blessed Father Stanley Francis Rother Shrine:  https://youtu.be/uk9OT2Zdt0E (https://youtu.be/uk9OT2Zdt0E)


Cause for Canonization of Blessed Stanley Rother

    Blessed Stanley Rother Beatified

On Sept. 23, 2017, Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, celebrated the Rite of Beatification for Blessed Stanley Rother during a Beatification Mass in downtown Oklahoma City. Blessed Stanley is the first martyr born in the United States and the first U.S. priest to be beatified.


Blessed Stanley Rother was an Oklahoma priest killed in Guatemala on July 28, 1981, in his rectory. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City opened a Cause of Canonization for Blessed Stanley on Oct. 5, 2007.  The archdiocesan phase of the Cause was closed on July 20, 2010.

On Sept. 3, 2014, Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, presented the Positio of Father Rother to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.  On June 14, 2015, the Theology Commission of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted to formally recognize Oklahoma’s Servant of God a martyr.

Process of Canonization

Making of a Saint

Compiled by Msgr. Robert J. Sarno, Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Rome, Italy

All souls in heaven are saints. Formerly, the Catholic Church declared “saints” as people who were outstanding in holiness either because they died as witnesses for the faith (martyrs) or they lived a life of heroic virtue (confessors). The exact number of canonized saints is unknown because not all recognized as saints have been canonized officially. For the first half of the Catholic Church’s history, saints were canonized in various ways. Today, the process of canonization is very complex and thorough. A record number of saints have been canonized in the past 30 years, and about 2,000 candidates are being evaluated today.

Got to visit last week and gotta say that roads are even worse than they were 6 months ago or so the last time we were there.  What a mess!

Visited Basket Market - Hobby Lobby leftover shop.  Total waste of time and energy.

North Pole City on the other hand is always great!

And the highlight of the trip was, of course, Del Rancho!!!   It is an absolute travesty that they don't have a restaurant here in Tulsa!  I don't totally begrudge the fact we have to drive 150 miles to get a decent chicken fried steak, but it would be so nice to only go a couple miles!!

Fair evaluation.  Respect your view from someone who lives outside our city limits.

LED lights are being tested for multiple color schemes.  While visiting the site Saturday, November 7, got a good glimpse of this magnificent hotel development.  Amazed by the number of people who were walking around Scissortail Park and the Myriad Botanical Gardens past 8 p.m.

The Omni plans indicate rooms will be located on the fourth through the 17th floors, especially equipped and designed on the 16th & 17th flloors to accommodate NBA players with higher doorways and longer beds.

New Omni Hotel on schedule for January grand opening:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/new-omni-hotel-on-schedule-for-january-grand-opening/ (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/new-omni-hotel-on-schedule-for-january-grand-opening/)

 

"Construction has started on a new building which will be part of a 2-building complex for the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

The state bought the existing 37,700 square foot 2-story building from Hobby Lobby a few years ago. Hobby Lobby had bought from Travco Construction but never did anything with it."--OKCTalk.com

Sponsor:  Operated by Langston University - scheduled for completion in 2021.  Project budget: $55.5 million (MAPS 3: five debt free centers).

State-of-the-art senior health and wellness centers will encourage healthy lifestyles and serve as a gathering place for active seniors. The centers will be placed in different areas of the city to serve as many residents as possible will have operating partners experienced in providing services seniors need and will provide social and recreational settings for a wide range of uses. Access to exercise equipment and programs is also an important part of the MAPS 3 senior centers..

Project: Part of Metropolitan Area Projects 3, $777 million initiative passed by voters December 8, 2009
Tax duration: April 2010 to December 2017

Construction, weather and everyday driving wear and tear have taken its toll on all OKC roads, streets & bridges.
Our new $625 million convention center complex (Center, Hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Garage) will be a good future investment.

  The 1931 Art Deco tower, long considered one of the most historic buildings in the city, suffered through 30 years of neglect before it was purchased by developers Gary Brooks and Charlie Nicholas in January 2017 with plans to convert the building into a mix of retail, a 146-room Marriott Autograph Hotel and 193 luxury apartments.

 “One of the many challenges was to make sure we had an accurate understanding of the physical structure,” Developer Gary Brooks said. “It required a substantial number of engineers and various experts to do detailed evaluations of every square foot of the 1.1 million square feet, both interior and exterior. And we had to go deep into the design stage to make sure the team could verify that our plan was feasible given the building conditions.”

 

Alpine skiing and snowboarding is coming to Oklahoma City with plans to open a new indoor slope at Riversport park along the Oklahoma River.

A $200,000 grant from the Inasmuch Foundation is paying for Ski OKC, which will be located near the Big Water Grill at the White Water Center.



                                         This project will complement 'Surf OKC,' both projects will be built on the Oklahoma River with scheduled openings in 2021.


Press release:

*******

RIVERSPORT to Add Snow Skiing, Snow Boarding
Inasmuch Foundation grant funds new ‘Ski OKC’

OKLAHOMA CITY – (November 24, 2020) RIVERSPORT announced today it is bringing alpine skiing and snowboarding to Oklahoma City with a new indoor slope, Ski OKC. The new experience is being made possible through a grant from Inasmuch Foundation and will open in late spring, 2021.

Ski OKC **will feature an infinite, articulating ski slope and will be installed inside RIVERSPORT’s Whitewater Center. Ski OKC will be included in Xtreme day and season passes which will be offered at 50% off on Black Friday. Single experience passes will also be available as well as lessons and camps.

“Inasmuch Foundation is a proud supporter of RIVERSPORT Foundation’s efforts to provide numerous activities for our entire community to enjoy,” said Bob Ross, president and CEO of Inasmuch Foundation. “The new indoor ski experience offers yet another adventure at the Boathouse District, but more importantly, it’s bringing a life experience to our underserved youth who may never have the opportunity to ski or snowboard.”

“RIVERSPORT will be the first place in the world you can snow ski, surf and whitewater raft all in one location,” said RIVERSPORT Executive Director Mike Knopp. “Ski OKC will be open to passholders throughout the season, and we’ll offer ski and snowboard lessons. In the fall we’ll offer additional sessions for people to brush up on their skills before they head out on their annual ski trip.”

“We’re also looking forward to incorporating skiing and snowboarding into our Youth Outreach programs. So many Oklahoma City kids would never get a chance to whitewater raft or surf – or ski – but now they can do it right here,” Knopp said. “This is about ensuring all kids have access to outdoor experiences, even if we’re doing some of them indoors!”

The indoor ski simulator is covered in a specially-developed artificial ski grass called PoleSnow®. The low-friction fibers are misted with water to create a feeling similar to real snow. RIVERSPORT’s simulator will also have a quick inclination system which allows the slope to go from a Blue ski run to the equivalent of a Black run in seconds. An added ramp offers the opportunity to practice jumps and a projected ski course offers slalom practice. Advanced augmented reality capabilities ensure the experience will continue to expand as technology advances.

“Our Inasmuch grant supports RIVERSPORT Foundation’s Thrive Outside initiative to remove barriers,” Ross said. “I hope other organizations and even individuals will join the Thrive effort by buying RIVERSPORT passes or sponsoring groups of kids. It’s all about the collective impact we can have in opening doors for our underserved youth.”

RIVERSPORT season passes are 50% off during the holidays and include two free day passes that can be used by family and friends. Passes can be purchased online at riversportokc.org.

Located in Oklahoma City, RIVERSPORT offers a wide range of outdoor adventure and Olympic sports experiences including rowing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, biking, sailing, an 80 ft. tall adventure course, high speed slides and zip lines. It is operated by the RIVERSPORT Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, and all proceeds benefit the organization’s nonprofit outreach initiatives.--Via OKCTalk.com, 11-24-2020

This new 2,000-seat church will include a distinct chapel and the final resting place for the remains of Blessed Stanley Rother. Upon completion, it will be the largest church in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and is located to serve the growing Catholic Hispanic community, as well as serve Archdiocesan events. For this project, ADG is the associate architect with Franck & Lohsen Architects of Washington, D.C. serving as the church architect.

                                        Video link:  https://youtu.be/uk9OT2Zdt0E (https://youtu.be/uk9OT2Zdt0E)

Yeah, I think they need more churches!   OKC is falling way behind Tulsa on that one...

Hahahahaha...

I don't know Tulsa's ratio; but OKC nearly has a church on every block.  Now, is that a good thing or should you build bigger and less smaller churches...

Our Roman Catholic Church population in OKC is exploding.

We are still waiting on the Oklahoma City Archdiocese to name this Basilica.   You must realize that much of what has been posted is in the placeholder variety with the exception of the structural renderings of this Basilica.

There are still a lot of artifacts to be purchased; they are checking with older Roman Catholic Churches that may have usable artifacts to fit the theme--which we don't know because the Basilica has yet to be named.

Will it be Our Lady... or Our Father... or something similar to 'Holy Family Cathedral' in Tulsa--one of my Sunday favorites to visit when I'm in Tulsa.  We are anxiously awaiting more development from the Archdioceses.

                         The $10 million, 182-room hotel will be the district’s first full-service hotel and will include a bar, valet parking and other amenities, according to
                         Tulsa hotelier Andy Patel.  The hotel will be situated on the southeast corner of Sheridan & Oklahoma Avenues, it will be the gateway to Oklahoma
                         City's Bricktown Entertainment District.  A large parking structure has been proposed to accommodate the less than adequate parking amenities
                         that plague the entertainment's districts growth potential.

                         Plans call for a scheduled completion and opening date before March, 2021.

                         Patel told the Oklahoman,  “We could have opened two to three months ago, but we need to have access and there is so much construction going
                         on. It’s a little bit painful right now. But there is huge potential ahead.”

                                                                             An aerial view of Scissortail Park taken Friday also shows
                                                       the new city convention center, at right,
                                                       with the downtown skyline in Oklahoma City in the background
                                                       [CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN]

The addition of the 77 acre downtown Scissortail Park with the current 17 acre Myriad Botanical Gardens will provide 57 acres of the city's park area downtown north of the Oklahoma River; with 30 acres to be developed south of the river.  Both park sections will connect to provide a total of 94 acres separated by the Skydance Pedestrian Bridge at the Interstate 40 crossing (pictured below).   
 


.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDPyWOrXYAEjPjc?format=jpg&name=medium)
The $89 million project will add 133,022 square feet to the existing 410,000 square-foot airport terminal, with 43,473 square feet being renovated. The addition includes four new airline gates, a consolidated security checkpoint and much-needed greeting lounge space.

A $3.8 million maintenance project to rehabilitate and repair two of three parking garages is underway at Will Rogers World Airport.  The project will make improvements to garages A and B:  • Garage A is the two-story garage.  The upper level provides hourly parking for the airport’s short-term visitors.  The lower level services the “ready-return” spaces for the rental car agencies.

For a place I've always considered as nothing more than flat, bland, sprawl, OKC has somewhat acquitted itself with neat architecture and colorful design.  I-40 is a real trip to traverse from the west if we are coming in to see my wife's parents near Shawnee.

                     Work continues on BancFirst upgrades


               (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst120520a.jpg)
            This pic taken by OKCTalk.com shows the continuous glass replacement as it nears the top of the north side of BancFirst Tower.

                         The Boulevard mixed-use development, Oklahoma City

(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jam121220a.jpg)


This new two-story, 32,922 sq., ft retail, and office building would accommodate a popular breakfast and brunch spot called Neighborhood Jam, as their anchor tenant.

North Star Scientific (NSS) Corporation, a Hawaii-based company, has announced plans to expand to Oklahoma City. The company plans to start operations in January with approximately five employees and will ramp up to 40 jobs once its manufacturing site is fully operational.

“NSS has chosen the state of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City as the site of our expansion because of the favorable business environment and the availability of personnel and other resources that benefit aerospace companies, especially those focused on radar and electronics,” said Dr. James Stamm, CEO of North Star Scientific Corporation. “We are excited about the opportunities we see for our business in this environment and look forward to being a part of the community in Oklahoma City.”

Link:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/north-star-scientific-to-open-aerospace-manufacturing-operation-in-oklahoma-city/?back=super_blog (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/north-star-scientific-to-open-aerospace-manufacturing-operation-in-oklahoma-city/?back=super_blog)

                                       

 




 

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Thunder Training & Practice Facility to receive $11 million in upgrades



Erik Horne
@ErikkHorne
The Thunder/OU Medicine partnership is alive and well. Announcement Wednesday. Digital billboards around OKC. And an official name change of the Thunder’s practice facility to Thunder ION (Innovation Optimization Network) powered by OU Medicine.

Construction of MAPS 3’s $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center is complete after more than a decade of planning. The state-of-the-art facility is debt-free and elevates OKC’s capacity for hosting meetings and conventions.

The Convention Center is next door to the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, set to open January 26 as the 605-room headquarters hotel.

The City’s former convention center building, formerly known the Cox Convention Center, is being leased to Prairie Surf Media and will be transformed into a film studio and soundstage.




 

Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City Downtown:  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/en-ca/wyndham-garden/oklahoma-city-oklahoma/wyndham-grand-oklahoma-city-downtown/overview (https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/en-ca/wyndham-garden/oklahoma-city-oklahoma/wyndham-grand-oklahoma-city-downtown/overview)

WPX Energy merger with Devon Energy will shift 400 jobs to Oklahoma City:  https://www.fox23.com/news/local/tulsa-based-wpx-energy-merging-with-devon-energy-oklahoma-city/PE3WA2WOCRBAZISL3IH4DJ5RO4/ (https://www.fox23.com/news/local/tulsa-based-wpx-energy-merging-with-devon-energy-oklahoma-city/PE3WA2WOCRBAZISL3IH4DJ5RO4/)

The shareholders of both Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) and WPX Energy (NYSE:WPX) voted to approve all proposals needed to close the previously announce all-stock merger of equals between the two companies.

The merger is expected to close on January 7, 2021.

So fascinating to see how so many of the new developments in OKC are not pedestrian friendly, while very glad to see so many are pedestrian friendly in Tulsa.

You are so correct.   Something the City and the design review committee needs to stress with the strict requirements.

     News from our friends at OKCTalk.com forum:  https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=714-Carvana-planning-huge-OKC-facility-with-400-jobs (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=714-Carvana-planning-huge-OKC-facility-with-400-jobs)

                            

                                              
The $967 million general obligation bond package uses property tax revenue to fund basic infrastructure needs:  https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects/bond-package (https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects/bond-package) The project was approved by voters September 17, 2017.  Many neighborhoods will receive sidewalks and many other area where sidewalks need repair; the bond will address those needs.
 

          Streets and Sidewalks

               The largest component of the entire bond package is $491 million for streets and sidewalks. Streets are perennially a top concern among
               Oklahoma City residents, which is reflected in the size of the investment included in the bond package.

               MAPS 3 also addressed sidewalks.  The MAPS 3 Sidewalks promote a more pedestrian-friendly lifestyle in Oklahoma City. The sidewalks are planned for
                the areas with a high demand for pedestrian amenities.  Project budget: $18.1 million


It is a clear, understandable and organized sidewalk, street and land use system consistent with the scale and function of the surrounding urban context. The sidewalk and street should link points of interest and activity, provide clean lines of sight and travel and include simple instructive signage.

This means a pattern of design and usage that unifies the pedestrian system.

It is a balance among transportation modes that will accommodate and encourage pedestrian participation in the street.

Equilibrium between transportation and pedestrians; encourages pedestrian protection from automobiles and bicycles. Also, it provides adequate time to cross intersections without interference. Moreover, it creates physical separation from fast-moving cars and signalization protection when crossing.

                    The Design, Construction & Energy efficiency in the Devon Tower & open spaces https://youtu.be/I5822dXjmTw (https://youtu.be/I5822dXjmTw)

                                                        The new Devon Energy will continue to operate out of the old Devon's corporate home. [Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman]

January 7, 2021 - Devon Energy and WPX Energy have closed on their agreement to create a new company that holds a dominant position in the Delaware Basin.

At the end of September, WPX employed 600, with about 400 of those at its Tulsa corporate headquarters in the BOK Tower and the remainder in the companies’ field offices both in the Delaware and Williston basins. Devon, meanwhile, employed about 1,400, including about 850 in Oklahoma City.

Integration activities could potentially affect all of New Devon's employees.

“Everyone at the former WPX’s Tulsa office expects to get clarity on the future of our roles within four to eight weeks as the new organization takes more shape. That doesn’t mean the new organization will be done by then and in place — that’s just the goal for letting employees here know who will not be needed, who may receive an offer to work for Devon, and who will be asked to support the transition on a temporary basis during 2021,” said spokesman Kelly Swan. “Please do not assume that our 400 people will be relocating. That is not accurate. There are significant costs savings built into the deal's economics, one element of which is (the elimination of) obvious redundancies in staffing."

Yay layoffs?

Just as sad as it is here....

I'm seeing this all over Oklahoma where developers are going in and crafting new neighborhood with no thought of pedestrian safety; bare minimum infrastructure requirements.  OKC started with its 2017 Better Streets, Safer City $967 million bond package; should cover a major portion of OKC's streets, bridges infrastructure:  https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects (https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects) 

This is something we should have enacted long ago.

                      Area will receive a real boost from MAPS 3 with a second Wellness Center, it's also a heavy favorite for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.
                    Lower Scissortail Park, 2nd Wellness Center, stadium, and street/bridge improvements will add in excess of $250 million in MAPS development
                    and bond funds to this area.


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                    Should be a big boost for Oklahoma City's south side which includes Hudcap Alley.   Cusack Meat is the only business                                                             
                    that the city chose not declare eminent domain; they felt this would have slowed the process for completion of the park.
                    Many of the businesses (top pic) have been bought out and land acquired.  The area was saturated with salvage yards,
                    hud caps, muffler replacement, tire shops, used and classic auto parts and pawn shops--occasionally referred to as
                    Bartertown. 

  

                         

Scheduled to open in July 2021 as part of the Oklahoma County Health campus, this 3-bay drive-thru testing and immunization facility will be located just north of Remington Park--there will be a neighboring warehouse planned.

  
                                                    Crews have begun work on a 200,000-square-foot Mom's Meals kitchen and food prep center at 6849 S Rockwell Ave.
                                                    The Iowa-based company said the first phase of the $17,750,600 plant will be complete by the end of the 2021.
                                                    [CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN]

                                              ...Mom's Meals, which produces refrigerated home-delivered meals in the health care market — and which caused some southern
                                              Oklahoma seniors to turn their nose up last year — is building a 200,000-square-foot kitchen/food prep facility in Oklahoma City.

                                              The Rockwell Avenue plant will initially employ about 125 people and eventually up to 550, he said. Anderson declined to discuss
                                              details of state incentives. The Oklahoma Commerce Department did not have any information to release Thursday afternoon.

                                              Mom’s Meals provides prepared, refrigerated meals delivered directly to people's homes through Medicaid, Medicare and programs
                                              to support long-term, chronic, and post discharge care...

                      

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                                             Surface parking above is filled with worker's vehicles associated with the convention center complex.
 The new 1,100 space Convention Center Parking Garage wrapping up construction will provide convenient parking priority for the Omni & convention center.
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                                                   Ground crews continue work on the land & streetscape that surrounds the convention center.

PRESS RELEASE:

*******

OMNI OKLAHOMA CITY HOTEL ANNOUNCES FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options from an espresso bar to an award-winning steakhouse

OKLAHOMA CITY (JanUARY 19, 2021) – Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, a 605-guest room convention center hotel, will soon introduce seven new eclectic food and beverage outlets to Oklahoma City. The hotel is set to open on Tuesday, Jan. 26, accompanied by the opening of four of the seven outlets with the remaining opening at a later date. Accomplished corporate chef and restaurateur David Gilbert will serve as the hotel’s executive chef.

“Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will offer enticing options with a variety of dining experiences for any occasion,” Gilbert said. “Whether you are looking to sip on a local beer while watching the Oklahoma City Thunder, experience elevated dining with an aged steak or simply grab a latte for a ride on the Street Car or while visiting Scissortail Park, Omni provides a unique food and beverage destination for those traveling to Oklahoma City, enjoying a staycation, spending time downtown or seeking memorable dining experience for a night out in the city. We look forward to welcoming locals and guests to Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.”

A recipient of StarChef’s Rising Star Chef Award, a James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Southwest nominee and a published author, Gilbert comes from Dallas, Texas and is well-versed in quick service, fast casual and fine dining with experience working in the hospitality industry. An accomplished chef and sommelier with a proven track record of managing high-end properties, building multi-cultural teams and improving standards, Gilbert’s menus have turned heads across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and in international competition.

Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will offer seven culinary outlets, with several restaurants lining Robinson Avenue featuring outdoor patio seating and street entrances. Dining experiences will include a Bob’s Steak & Chop House; lobby bar; two-story sports and entertainment bar; all-day dining outlet with to-go offerings; coffee shop; walk-up burger bar; and a poolside bar and grill.

Basin Bar

First impressions matter and Basin Bar, located in the lobby of the hotel, is the perfect place after check-in to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and small plate, meet a client or close out the evening with a selection of local craft beers and expertly crafted cocktails. This inviting space, opening with the hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 26, showcases the beautifully-designed details inspired by the state of Oklahoma that are carried throughout the hotel. The exquisite chevron pattern derived by the state bird, Scissor-tailed flycatcher, and the chain wall influenced by the state’s industrial background, add meaningful touches to this space.

Those who walk through the doors of Omni Oklahoma City Hotel won’t want to pass up Basin Bar’s regionally-inspired dishes including imported Jamon Iberico and manchego cheese.


OKC Tap House

Located off the hotel’s main lobby and accessible from Robinson Avenue, this two-story entertainment venue and sports bar, opening on Tuesday, Jan. 26, will be the place to cheer on Oklahoma sports teams or to enjoy live music. For those looking for a more intimate experience while enjoying the vast list of local brews, two private dining rooms will be available to host watch parties and events. The two levels of outdoor terrace space will offer stunning views of Scissortail Park, while the downtown Oklahoma City energy fills the air.

OKC Tap House will offer an extensive list of local brews, craft cocktails and an array of menu offerings including flavorful steak frites with tiger bite sauce, blistered tomatoes, herb salad and frites; a classic Thunder Pretzel with roasted garlic butter, beer mustard and cheese smear or Omni’s unique take on the popular cauliflower trend with brick roasted hot cauliflower with Fresno chili-chimichurri, labneh and pomegranate.



Bob’s Steak & Chop House

Bob’s Steak & Chop House, also opening Tuesday, Jan. 26, is nationally renowned and specializes in the finest corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef. The menu formula is simple: incredible meat, gigantic shrimp, fabulous salads and decadent desserts. Classic steak house food is prepared and presented in a manner that Bon Appétit calls “the kind of fare you’ll want to go back for again and again."

As the first Bob’s Steak & Chop House location in the state, Oklahomans will have the opportunity to experience the restaurant’s signature glazed carrot, paired with mouthwatering steaks, including the prime “côte de boeuf” bone-in ribeye and the prime filet. Patrons will also select from epicurean seafood offerings including cold water South African lobster tails, Maryland crab cake, jumbo shrimp cocktails and more.

Quality and service are two of the main ingredients that make-up the culture. Because of the caliber of the product, servers exude a friendly confidence that charges the atmosphere in the restaurant with vitality. Award-winning food, educated service and warm, classic décor make dining at Bob’s Steak & Chop House an outstanding experience.

Bob's Steak & Chop House has been voted one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in the Country” by Travel + Leisure, “Diner's Choice Winner” by Open Table and "Best Steak," "Best Wine List" and "Best Hotel Restaurant" in Fort Worth Magazine's Annual Culinary Awards. Bob’s will also have its own dedicated entrance and valet off of Robinson Avenue to ensure ease of access.


Park Grounds

This neighborhood espresso bar, ice cream shop, bakery and deli will open with the hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 26. From micro-roasted artisanal coffee drinks and locally-sourced ice cream, to fork and plate pastries and savory sandwiches, Park Grounds is the perfect start or end to the day. Guests can curate the perfect picnic with to-go items to enjoy at Scissortail Park or stay and delight in favorite items while taking in views.

The coffee shop features Omni’s exclusive Stance Coffee brand that will be available for purchase by the bag. Park Grounds is located on the hotel’s lobby level and accessible from Robinson Avenue making it the ideal spot to plug in and stay for a while.


Seltzer’s (Opening in Q2 of 2021)

This modern bistro will feature retro classic design elements reminiscent of 1950’s diners popular in Oklahoma City during that era. Guests will have the option of enjoying a meal at the counter or experiencing the lively open kitchen concept from a cozy booth. From a classic cup of java to elaborate wines, Seltzer’s will allow guests to create new memories in a retro-inspired setting.

Seltzer’s enhances the eclectic food scene in Oklahoma featuring a traditional, lobster or vegan mac ‘n’ cheese, a hand-sliced pot roast sandwich with black beer braised chuck roast, fried heritage chicken topped with savory peppercorn gravy and more with a genuine emphasis on comfort food made daily from fresh sustainable ingredients.

     Indoor and outdoor dining will be accessible from the hotel and Oklahoma City Boulevard.

Catbird Seat (Seasonal)

Catbird Seat’s innovative menu of hand-crafted beverages and delectable plates will only be rivaled by the scenic views spanning from Scissortail Park to the downtown skyline. The rooftop pool bar will feature sliding glass doors that will allow for year-round indoor and outdoor enjoyment.

Those sitting poolside can enjoy an OKC picnic basket, a refreshing summer salad, off-the-flame charred quesadillas with a twist of lobster, octopus or duck or frozen novelty bars and bites and so much more.

This concept is located on the hotel’s third floor with direct access to the pool and terrace deck.


Double Double Burger Bar (Seasonal)

Offering walk-up service from Robinson Avenue, Double Double will serve hotel guests, Scissortail Park visitors and locals – it will be the perfect place for those looking for a delicious bite to-go. The menu will focus on mouthwatering burgers, fries and hand-spun shakes with a selection of mainstream and popular old-fashioned sodas and ice cream float selections.

Double Double uses Midwest stockyard prime-grade beef offering simple craft burgers, such as the popular Theta Burger with hickory sauce, pickles and mayo on a patty fried in beef tallow cooked on the griddle with no gimmicks or fillers. Also on the menu are Kennebec potatoes, hand-cut daily and fried-to-order along with warm, sugar-dusted donut holes.

“The breadth of the culinary-forward experiences we are bringing to Oklahoma City will make this an indelible retreat for guests, foodies and locals alike,” Omni Oklahoma City Hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage Jamel Taggart said. “We look forward to working with local brands throughout the city to support the community and bring the Oklahoma adventure alive for all.”

Bringing more than 15 years of experience, Taggart was named director of food & beverage of Omni Oklahoma City Hotel in November 2020. He first began his Omni career in 2014 at Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana before taking a brief intermission to lead other luxury food and beverage operations such as the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the ARIA Las Vegas. Taggart returned to Omni in 2019 where he held the role of director of restaurants at Omni Dallas Hotel.

The 17-story hotel located at 100 West Oklahoma City Blvd. will serve the city’s revitalized downtown area including the future convention center, Scissortail Park and Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

The hotel will feature 605 luxurious guest rooms, inclusive of 29 suites, with dramatic views of the 70-acre Scissortail Park and the downtown skyline. A true outdoor recreation, entertainment and culinary destination, Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will offer an expansive pool deck with event space, retail, 76,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space and the Mokara Spa in addition to the food and beverage outlets.

Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will become a part of Omni’s robust, and growing, Convention Center Collection, which features signature properties in Atlanta, Louisville, Dallas, Nashville and Boston (opening in 2021).

Make no mistake, companies looking to relocate or expand know the value of Oklahoma City’s workforce. Read on for information about new jobs coming in 2021.


Amazon plans to construct and open a new non-sort facility in 2021, creating over 500 new full-time jobs.

North Star Scientific (NSS) Corporation, a Hawaii-based company is expanding to Oklahoma City and beginning operations this month with five employees.  Once fully operational NSS will ramp up to 40 jobs. NSS designs, develops and qualifies state of the art electronic systems for Department of Defense applications.


San Diego-based company Kratos increased the size of its Oklahoma City operation by 50 percent in 2020 using more than 150,000 square feet at the Will Rogers Business Park. In addition the company recently secured a contract worth about $37.8 million to provide Valkyrie aircraft to the U.S. Air Force as part of its Skyborg program.

Corporate headquarters and engineering operations for Skydweller Aero Inc. are coming to Oklahoma City and Ardmore in 2021. Skydweller plans to increase operations to 120 aerospace engineering and field technician jobs in Oklahoma by 2024. Skydweller produces renewably powered aircraft for defense and commercial industries.


Costco Wholesale Corporation is bringing a new back office operation to Oklahoma City. The company expects to add 1,044 new jobs over the next three years. The company expects to employ 500 people as they begin operations and expect to exceed 1,000 by their third year of operation.

                    
The Omni Hotel is seen overlooking Scissortail Park and the Oklahoma City Convention Center. [DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN]

Oklahoma City’s largest hotel, the Omni, opens Tuesday with the task of drawing locals while the convention market recovers from the ongoing pandemic.

Opening January 26, 2021, Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will be a true outdoor recreation, entertainment and culinary destination while paying homage to the heritage and modern progress of the city.

The hotel will feature 605 luxurious guest rooms, inclusive of 29 suites, with dramatic views of the 70-acre Scissortail Park and the downtown skyline.   The 17-story hotel located at 100 West Oklahoma City Boulevard will serve the city's revitalized downtown area including the future convention center, Scissortail Park and Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.



The 1,100-space Convention Center Garage is now open ahead of scheduled before the official opening of the Omni Oklahoma City 605 room convention center hotel scheduled to open January 26, 2021.

          KFOR 4 Oklahoma City https://kfor.com/news/local/omni-hotel-officially-opens-in-oklahoma-city/ (https://kfor.com/news/local/omni-hotel-officially-opens-in-oklahoma-city/)

January 26, 2021 – Omni Hotels & Resorts celebrates the grand opening of the highly anticipated Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, a 605-guest room $241 million convention center hotel in the heart of Oklahoma City.

Located at 100 West Oklahoma City Boulevard, the 17 story hotel will serve the downtown area which includes the convention center, Scissortail Park and Chesapeake Energy Arena, the current home to the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

                              

Meetings: Situated between the new convention center and Chesapeake Energy Arena, Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will be a nationwide destination for meetings and events. All 78,000 square feet of meeting space will be located on the second floor, with the exception of an outdoor event lawn on the third floor and a boardroom located on the 17th floor which can be used as a convenient and private meeting space for visiting NBA teams.

The plans indicate quite a few rooms on the 16th and 17th floors are being designed to accommodate NBA players with higher room ceilings and larger beds for 7 foot players.

Forbes: Oklahoma City Sees Brand New Omni Hotels & Resorts Property Opening This Month - https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaitlynmcinnis/2021/01/27/oklahoma-city-sees-brand-new-omni-hotels--resorts-property-opening-this-month/?sh=5654a5d94af8 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaitlynmcinnis/2021/01/27/oklahoma-city-sees-brand-new-omni-hotels--resorts-property-opening-this-month/?sh=5654a5d94af8)

                                                           BancFirst Tower Renovation



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                                                                             $70 million renovation and upgrades.
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     The entire tower facade is being redone with 7,936 panes of glass. Glass replacement is nearly complete on the north side. Next will be the east and west    
     sides, which will be worked on simultaneously, followed by the south side.

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                                                                                             The BancFirst Crown

     A look inside the newly-renovated BancFirst Tower Youtube video link:  https://youtu.be/Xt--aXJmpuY (https://youtu.be/Xt--aXJmpuY)


    

                                                        
     Every year, approximately 3,700 cancer patients travel 40 miles or more to Oklahoma City to one of five large, rural health care systems that specialize in    
     cancer care. With treatments lasting from weeks to months, the cost of travel and lodging for these patients can be overwhelming. Patients often chose to
     skip or forgo treatment altogether due to the mounting costs associated with travel.

     The three-story Hope Lodge, designed by Miles Associates, will include a dining area, courtyard, and 34 suites with bathrooms and small living areas.  The Hope
     Lodge is set to be free to all cancer patients, compared to existing hospitality homes that often are at capacity and charge a fee.

     Because of this, the University of Oklahoma and the American Cancer Society have teamed up with the medical community and various civic-minded individuals
     to correct this tragedy. We hope to build an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facility in Oklahoma City, a free home away from home for cancer patients
     who cannot afford lodging expenses associated with treatment.

     For many cancer patients with limited means, the Hope Lodge facility will be the only way they can access the lifesaving treatment they need. Oklahoma City’s
     five health systems cover Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. The existing hospitality homes are often at capacity and charge a fee. The Hope
     Lodge facility will not only be free to all cancer patients, but it will become a system of support. Patients can help each other with meal preparation, running
     errands, grocery shopping, and moral support.

The $275 million First National Center renovation will house 193 apartments and 146 hotel rooms as a Marriott Autograph property.  The 89-year-old bank building will house 193 apartments and 146 hotel rooms as a Marriott Autograph property.


          

    


                              Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport

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            Press release:

*********

Major Changes on the Horizon for Retail and Concessions at WRWA
Will Rogers World Airport and Paradies Lagardère introduce new retail store and restaurant plan, offering both local and national icons

Oklahoma City, February 8, 2021 - Will Rogers World Airport and award-winning airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère, with approval of the Oklahoma City Airport Trust, announce plans to redefine the traveler experience with an array of new retail stores and restaurants. The vision for this effort, originally unveiled through a competitive request for proposals, will deliver 17 new concepts that offer travelers iconic national brands and also established local favorites from the community.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the timeline to unveil the full program will be altered across different phases proportionate to returning passenger levels. Each location will be assessed and executed in a responsible and sustainable manner.

“With this exciting new concession program, nationally recognized brands are expected to come online close to the opening of the Terminal Expansion later this year. Local brands will become available as air travel recovers,” said Mark Kranenburg, Director of Airports. “With the implementation of this new program, we are confident that retail and dining at WRWA will be better than it’s ever been.”

Currently at WRWA, Paradies Lagardère is operating several proprietary brands. Tuk Tuk Go is a unique and decorative concept offering a fresh, wide assortment of grab and go offerings. Two full-service restaurant/bar concepts are also available, The Grill at OKC and OKC Flight Cantina.

This summer expect the opening of a Tripadvisor retail store, transforming the world’s largest travel website into an energetic travel essentials location. Vino Volo Craft will showcase the airport wine brand’s evolution by offering its award-winning wine program alongside a new selection of inspired craft cocktails.

The iconic Starbucks is planned to open in the Fall as will Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers, which has dozens of popular locations across Oklahoma City and was voted to Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Franchises” list.

As travel returns, the airport and Paradies Lagardère, with its business partners Kamber’s at the Airport, LLC, and Plenty Mercantile, LLC, look forward to properly scheduling the remaining lineup of eclectic, exciting locations:

Restaurants
Elemental Coffee Café, the popular community-driven, small-batch roastery and cafe
Hatch, Oklahoma City’s next-level breakfast destination
Osteria, the restaurant and craft bar dedicated classic Italian cuisine
Tropical Smoothie Café, serving incredible smoothies and wholesome food options

Retail Stores
Plenty Mercantile, the local gift store that champions sustainability and hospitality
Tin Lizzie’s, offering a crafted selection of Oklahoma-owned boutiques, artisans and makers
Oklahoma’s Own News 9 Travel Essentials, showcasing the iconic KWTV News 9
Corsa featuring Brighton and SPANX, offers top fashion and accessories for any traveler
iStore Express, the quick stop for the best tech accessories on the market

“The improvements at Will Rogers have been nothing short of extraordinary the last two decades, and the vision presented here by Paradies Lagardère reflects that evolution,” said Mayor David Holt. “We’re America’s 25th-largest city, we have unique retail, drink and food options, and they deserve to be highlighted at our airport, which is our city’s front door. From the very beginning of this process, Paradies Lagardère prioritized the concept of highlighting unique local offerings, and I’m delighted with the work they’ve put into it. The concession plan they are advancing will be a love letter to Oklahoma City, and that’s exactly what we deserve. We look forward to this partnership.”

“We greatly appreciate our long-standing partnership with Will Rogers World Airport and applaud their forward-thinking efforts in evolving their overall concessions program to reflect the new reality of today and the future,” said Gregg Paradies, President and CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “We are confident that our offering of exciting local and national concepts will exceed the expectations of OKC travelers.”

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                                                       Press Release and subsequent pics via OKCTalk.com

          Former Chelino’s in Bricktown sells...

                    (https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-ec19d7e0a397c679ecf72e9d6b606dcd.jpg)
Chelino's once used all three patios overlooking the canal, as shown in this 2003 photo. The restaurant disclosed its sale Saturday. [PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN]

The former Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant building in Bricktown — a victim of the coronavirus and related business shutdowns and slowdowns — is in new hands.

Shervin Dardashti paid Richard Bricktown LLC $1,188,000 for the 12,725-square-foot building at 15 East California in a transaction by broker Allison Barta Bailey with Price Edwards & Co. County records also show Rose Hill Builders LLC as a new part owner of the two-story property, which dates to 1906.--Oklahoman, 02/20/2021

Were they psychic? The former building sold in February 2020, not 2021. And I looked it up, you say the restaurant was "a victim of the coronavirus" when it closed on 2/2/19?

Come on man, you are just making crap up.

This was a cut & paste taken from Today's Oklahoman, February 20, 2021...  As for the sale and the actually close on the sale, just pasted what the Oklahoman reported.



Thanks for following Oklahoma City Developments, The Burbs on Tulsa Now; also appreciate your contributions to OKCTalk.com forum.  Especially, your political views #86 https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45615&page=5&p=1157766#post1157766 (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45615&page=5&p=1157766#post1157766).  

This pic, reported by OKCTalk.com shows the glass murals to be completed.
The new 1,100 space Oklahoma City Convention Center Garage can be expanded to accommodate 1400 vehicles.

The shrine, which will include a 2,000-seat church, will benefit area parishes that already serve large crowds, especially in the Hispanic community. The shrine will feature a chapel where Rother will be entombed, an education building, event space and several areas designated for devotion.

Understand that steel is going up at this site (Pic November 2020); reported by our friends at OKCTalk.com, they will update pics.

The bank’s retail operations will extend into The Underground where Chase last operated teller counters and kept safe deposit boxes for customers.


The Underground Level at BancFirst Tower is also undergoing an extensive renovation.

               Global firm to help develop offices, housing, retail west of Oklahoma City's Scissortail Park

(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/03/10/NOKL/04252966-7770-4bb1-bcf4-2928ea869513-TheLucy_View05.jpg?width=1320&height=744&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)

The five-story, 55,000-square-foot office building is 50% leased, Salame said, and has two anchor tenants, MA+ Architecture and GE Johnson Construction, which will occupy the second and third floors. The first floor is slated to be space for a restaurant and the building design also envisions a rooftop bar.

(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/03/10/NOKL/e4064840-a706-4c6c-b156-19bd0269e562-TheLucy_View01_1.jpg?width=1320&height=744&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)

A global real estate firm is joining up with local investors hoping to build a mix of housing, offices, restaurants and retail on dozens of blighted blocks west of Scissortail Park.

Chicago-based JLL has offices in 80 countries and in addition to design and development, the firm also represents institutional and retail investors and high income clients.


Link: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/03/11/scissortail-park-neighborhood-include-housing-retail-hotels-and-offices-downtown-okc/6928909002/ (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/03/11/scissortail-park-neighborhood-include-housing-retail-hotels-and-offices-downtown-okc/6928909002/)

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Oklahoma state currently has only 4 airports with scheduled daily flights, with Oklahoma City Airport and Tulsa Airport handling the majority of traffic. As for the remaining two, American Eagle is the only carrier operating at them. Since some passengers may choose to fly into airport in other state when traveling to Oklahoma, we’ve included a table of airports in other, nearby states. Make sure to check the map of Oklahoma airports at the end of the post.

List of airports

Will Rogers World Airport – IATA Code – OKC (~ 4 M Passengers)

Will Rogers Airport or Oklahoma City Airport is a small-hub US airport serving the greater Oklahoma City area. Located 8 km NW of the city center, it serves domestic routes, mostly via Southwest Airlines. The Embark public bus system has buses departing from the airport regularly. There are also vans, shuttles and taxis as an alternative.

Tulsa International Airport – IATA Code – TUL (~ 3 M Passengers)

Tulsa Airport is Oklahoma’s second largest airport. All the major US airlines have year round flights to Tulsa. Statistically, Dallas leads the way as the top connected destination. Apart from Tulsa, the airport is convenient when traveling to nearby locations, such as Broken Arrow and Muskogee.

Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport – IATA Code – LAW

    Nearby city(s): Lawton (3.5 km)
    Airline(s): American Eagle

Stillwater Regional Airport – IATA Code – SWO

    Nearby city(s): Stillwater (5 km)
    Airline(s): American Eagle

                                            OKC Producers COOP-MILL site, an unresolved future development link

 (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/coop030621a.jpg)
The Convention Center Complex as seen by an OKCTalk.com pic with the controversial Producers' COOP MILL site (Lower middle) building damaged by fire.   The recent completion of the massive Oklahoma City Convention Center, Fairfield Inn & Suite by Marriott, Convention Center Garage and Omni Oklahoma City Luxury hotel can be seen at the left with the Chesapeake Energy Arena in the middle.

The COOP MILL site will require extensive and expensive environmental quality clean-up.  

The 40 acre COOP MILL site has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible site for the MAPS 4 Multi-Purpose Stadium, also earlier plans for a Marcuracci hotel complex.

There aren't any definitive answers as to what will happen to this site or if it's safe for any future development.

Overview of EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/overview-epas-brownfields-program (https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/overview-epas-brownfields-program)

 

We do know the the nearly $3 million per acre asking price did not get any offers.   Bob Funk Sr., & Jr., withdrew their initial offer to purchase the site for the Energy's new soccer stadium that was tied to MAPS 4 stadium initiative.

Stay tuned...  

Velocity https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/will-rogers-world-airport-prepares-to-open-expansion/?utm_source=ChamberT&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IntDevelopment&utm_content=WRWAExpansion3_16_21 (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/will-rogers-world-airport-prepares-to-open-expansion/?utm_source=ChamberT&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IntDevelopment&utm_content=WRWAExpansion3_16_21)

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Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Site Cam https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black (https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black)

Hope to get you an update pic soon.  The Steel Frame appears to be up. When I passed the area Saturday, you can see the steel frame portion (towers topped out) of the Basilica right before you reach 89th Street traveling I-35 South.  The webcam (Above) shows the height of the steel structures.

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(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon020121c.jpg)


A total of 150 WPX Energy employees in Tulsa have accepted offers to work at Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy as part of the companies’ recently completed merger, a spokesman said.

A total of 76% of local WPX employees who were willing to relocate received offers, WPX spokesman Kelly Swan said. Two-hundred fifty WPX workers will be leaving the company in 2021, he said.

Shrine to the only American beatified by the Catholic church is one step closer to being finished.

(https://francklohsen.com/images/resized/images/uploads/blessed-stanley-rother-shrine/Shrine_Presentation_10_3_19_Page_10_1333_938_80.jpg)
                                                      
(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rother022321a.jpg)
                                                                                       $40 million Basilica structural steel frame topped out

 Oklahoma's News 4 KFOR:  https://kfor.com/news/local/final-beam-lifted-into-place-in-shrine-honoring-oklahoma-martyr/ (https://kfor.com/news/local/final-beam-lifted-into-place-in-shrine-honoring-oklahoma-martyr/)

                    The Ellison

     Oklahoma's first Tribute Hotel coming to Classen Curve area:  https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=655-Oklahoma-s-first-Tribute-Hotel-coming-to-Classen-Curve-area (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=655-Oklahoma-s-first-Tribute-Hotel-coming-to-Classen-Curve-area)


(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ellison3.jpg)

The boutique hotel will feature 120 rooms with a high level of service, a rooftop swimming pool and bar, meeting space, a lounge, and a restaurant operated by Chris Lower (Pizzeria Gusto) and Joseph Royer (Saturn Grill).

(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ellison042420d.jpg)

(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences032821a.jpg)

(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/residences032821b.jpg)

                                        Pics and story link via OKCTalk.com


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 (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/golddome033121d.jpg)

 

 (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/golddome033121e.jpg)

OKCTalk.com news: Gold Dome https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=728-Gold-Dome-may-become-music-venue (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=728-Gold-Dome-may-become-music-venue)


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                             A look inside the newly-renovated BancFirst Tower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt--aXJmpuY&t=98s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt--aXJmpuY&t=98s)

                                       Work has started silmulateously on the exterior east and west sides of the Tower.

TOUR: New Oklahoma medical facility opens during global pandemic https://kfor.com/digital-first/tour-new-oklahoma-medical-facility-opens-during-global-pandemic/ (https://kfor.com/digital-first/tour-new-oklahoma-medical-facility-opens-during-global-pandemic/)

It includes more than 140 additional beds and the latest in medical technology.

At more than 450,000 square feet, the North Tower is the largest hospital expansion project in Oklahoma history...  ...“There will be two floors dedicated to cancer to support our Stephenson Cancer Center, a surgical oncology floor and then a floor for hematology-oncology patients and bone marrow transplant, stem cell therapy, and then there will be the medical ICU floor, that is Covid at this point in time, and we will have a cardiovascular institute,” said Gose. “So those will be all of our growth areas, but it also allows us to then take other service lines like neurosciences, orthopedics, geriatric trauma and grow and expand them in our current tower, our South Tower.”



                    OU Medical Center Patient Tower Project cost:  $364 million

Eight stories make up the new addition, with the ability to build four more in the future. The facility’s fruition comes right in the middle of a global pandemic.


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Plans for the Noun Hotel, led by developer Scott Lambert, include a 75,000 square-foot building that will be built at 542 S. University Boulevard will feature a 4 story 92 guest room boutique hotel.   The project is estimated to cost $25 million.  An official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., April 22.

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The ‘Peake, as it affectionately is called, was initially christened the Ford Center when Oklahoma City cut the ribbon and opened the arena for public use in June 2003 through an agreement reached between SMG, the contractor hired to run the facility, and the automotive giant.


Chesapeake, which recently emerged from bankruptcy, had a 12-year agreement worth $34 million for the naming rights beginning in 2011.

There will be a new name on the building where the Oklahoma City Thunder play their home games, but it's not clear what that name will be or when the change will take place.

Proposed redistricting maps for Oklahoma's 149 legislative districts that GOP state lawmakers unveiled Wednesday show the Oklahoma City metro area gaining one Senate seat and one House seat.

In the past 10 years, population in Oklahoma, Cleveland and Canadian counties grew by about 140,000 people, said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting.

Redistricting occurs every decade following the Census. Oklahoma’s constitution requires state lawmakers to pass new legislative districts by the end of the 2021 legislative session, which must conclude by 5 p.m. on May 28.

State lawmakers will undertake congressional redistricting in a special session likely in October. The Census Bureau said redistricting data will be delivered to states by September 30.


The Oklahoma City metro area is slated to gain Senate District 18 and House District 36 as a result of population gains.

Senate District 18, which currently covers parts of Cherokee, Mayes, Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties, is currently represented by Senate Majority Leader Kim David, who will be term limited out of office in 2022.

The House plan retains a majority Hispanic district in Oklahoma City and three majority African American districts, two of which are in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa.

Legislative district maps will have to be approved through the typical legislative process. Maps will be introduced next week in the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee.

Excerpts from the Oklahoman, April 21, 2021.

   
                                                                                  $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center

                                                  $236 million Omni Oklahoma City Hotel  & Convention Center

                                                  $  24 million Convention Center & Hotel Parking Garage 1,100

What's left of Blessed Stanley Rother's remains will be moved for Resurrection Memorial Cemetery to its final resting place on the grounds of the Basilica.

The martyred priest's body was then placed in a new casket with golden vestments, along with a document signed by those in attendance. A ribbon was wrapped around the casket, sealed with the archdiocese's seal in wax.

The Salve Regina was sung as the casket was re-interred, and a prayer service followed.

“It was a holy day. Father Rother’s presence was felt by many, and we are blessed as the Catholic Church in Oklahoma to present Father Rother’s life to the world,” Archbishop Coakley commented.

A temporary sign now marks Fr. Rother's original gravesite in Okarche, located about 40 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, where the original vault and casket have been re-buried, and a permanent memorial marker is planned.

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Oklahoma soon to dedicate the  Indigenous art in new $175 million First Americans Museum.

More than 25 years in the planning, First Americans Museum will open in September 2021 with new commissions and objects from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American. Indian.
      
     $  9 million - City of Oklahoma City
     $31 million - Private Donations
     $25 million Bonds - State of Oklahoma
     $65 million of dedicated funds

     $  2 million - annual operation losses for 7 years - Chickasaw Tribe will cover.
     $ 65 million will be underwritten as a portion of the completing construction.
 

The FAM will tell the stories of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations through song, dance and art; through food; through the latest in interactive exhibits; and through its very location, at the spot where cultures come together.

The museum is located in Oklahoma City - 659 First Americans Boulevard (Off South Eastern Avenue/Crossing Oklahoma River), the confluence on Interstates 35, 40, 235 and 44 will make it accessible as a tourist attraction.


WINIKO: LIFE OF AN OBJECT - Mezzanine Gallery

This exhibit will feature approximately 140 objects on a long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Many of these objects were collected in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from tribes in Oklahoma. The material culture of all 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma will be represented in this exhibition.

Each one of these cultural items has a unique story to tell. Many of these objects will be reunited with descendent family members of their original makers.

The First Americans Museum will be massive, with more than 175,000 square feet for exhibits, a theater, a gift shop and other interactive amenities including an adult and kids climbing room modeled after a pop-up storybook.

Chickasaw Nation closed on the acquisition of more than 100 acres of the undeveloped land surrounding the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City.  The parties’ completing the real estate transaction pursuant to their agreement of August 2017 marks an important step forward in construction of the First Americans Museum.

The 100 acres of undeveloped land was apart of the agreement between the Chickasaw Tribe and City of Oklahoma City to finish the museum.

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Devon Energy Tower continues with replacement of windows that were damaged two years ago with the malfunctioning of a window washing basket.

Devon spokesperson Lisa Adams did not detail how many windows are left to be replaced.  "I don't have an end date for the work to be replaced, Adams said.  The window replacement process on this building is complicated and the work is done whenever the conditions are right and the work can be done safely."--Oklahoman, Thursday, May 6, 2021

  
Local developers Mark Beffort and Andy Burnett who previously teamed up a decade ago, co-developed West Village, a mix of apartments and retail along Film Row, and restored the 1910 Pioneer Building at 103 Dean A. McGee Avenue near Sandridge Tower.  Among the more recent noteworthy projects in their portfolio include Heartland Headquarters.  They purchased the unfinished Aloft Hotel (3111 Highland Park).


Interviewed by the Oklahoman, “We plan to continue the rich tradition that Colcord has established as the most iconic, boutique, full-service hotel in Oklahoma City," Beffort said. "Since it is in our backyard, we believe it is a strong addition to our portfolio of downtown OKC property."



Mark Beffort  is also the lead partner in the ownership of Leadership Square, City Place Tower, Oklahoma Tower and Corporate Tower.


  
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Oklahoma City Velocity Link:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/aerospace-industry-producing-11.6-billion-impact-in-oklahoma-city-region/ (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/aerospace-industry-producing-11.6-billion-impact-in-oklahoma-city-region/)


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What was once a hideout and haven for vagrants drinking themselves into a stupor; this once blighted area in now home to a community of families with an expanding source of amenities inside this 90 acre development.  The former Downtown Air Park now houses the once infamous Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel.  The Wheeler District offers security and
an organized neighborhood watch that bonds this miniature city inside a large city.

 

Sales tax summary

General Fund sales tax collections for March were about $20.5 million. That’s around $1.3 million (6.6%) above the projection and $870,000 (4.4%) above the same month last year.

General Fund sales tax revenue is about 4.9% (about $8.8 million) above the fiscal year-to-date projection and 3.3% (about $6.5 million) below this point last year.

Use tax summary

General Fund use tax collections, which typically fluctuate more than sales tax collections, were about $4.7 million for March. That’s around $1.8 million (38%) above the projection and $1.7 million (36.5%) above the same month last year.

Oklahoma City’s March sales and use tax summary:  https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3811/18 (https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3811/18)

Good news for Oklahoma City's ambitious MAPS 4 $978 million initiative being collected over over eight years:

MAPS 4 includes 16 projects:

    Parks ($140 million)
    Youth Centers ($110 million)
    Senior Wellness Centers ($30 million)
    Mental Health and Addiction ($40 million)
    Family Justice Center operated by Palomar ($38 million)
    Transit ($87 million)
    Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights ($87 million)
    Homelessness ($50 million)
    Chesapeake Energy Arena and related facilities ($115 million)
    Animal Shelter ($38 million)
    Fairgrounds Coliseum ($63 million)
    Diversion Hub ($17 million)
    Innovation District ($71 million)
    Freedom Center and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center ($25 million)
    Beautification ($30 million)
    Multipurpose Stadium ($37 million)

(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/06/05/NOKL/c5b84477-9129-4f25-951a-1ea18bef238c-5e3295ccb5c1078d4f0fa76b041081b0.jpg?width=1320&height=820&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)

Crossroads, the first multilevel regional mall in Oklahoma City, first opened in 1974 and is slightly bigger than the city's other large indoor shopping centers, Quail Springs and Penn Square Malls.

(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/06/05/NOKL/141c2938-de08-43bb-ab8a-b5fb239e446e-8d4318b7031dc6b2b57b7323d88f3cef.jpg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)

The property formerly known as Crossroads Mall and Plaza Mayor has been sold after years of uncertainty about the future of the indoor shopping center.

The 800,070-square-foot property consists of the in-line mall, and the former JC Penney and Dillard’s spaces at 7000 Crossroads Bouleward.

Price Edwards handled the transaction, which saw Linn's Crossroads Plaza LLC pay $6.5 million to CRM Properties Group LLC for the once struggling mall, which sits on 60 acres of land near where Interstates 35 and 240 meet in southeast Oklahoma City.--Oklahoman, June 5, 2021



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      Link:   https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/06/10/former-sandridge-energy-headquarters-renamed-strata-tower/7619601002/ (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/06/10/former-sandridge-energy-headquarters-renamed-strata-tower/7619601002/)



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Here are a few selected pics:

    (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/alleysend061521a.jpg)

    (https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/alleysend061521c.jpg)

Phase 1 will have 168 total apartment units spread over two five-story buildings.  

Phase 2 will include the construction of another five-story building abutting 4th Street. It will incorporate 110 additional units. Phase 2 will also be a mixed-income development, with 70 affordable units and 40 market rate apartments. Additionally, more parking will likely be constructed to accommodate additional site parking needs.

View more pics at OKCTalk.com https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=38885&page=33&p=1170397#post1170397 (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=38885&page=33&p=1170397#post1170397)

The Residences at Classen Curve will be a five-story multifamily project with 325 for-rent units and will be Hines’ first multifamily project in Oklahoma. The project will be situated immediately adjacent to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s within a vibrant high-end lifestyle retail center. The Residences at Classen Curve will be the only Class A community in Oklahoma City with walkability to a grocery store, and it will also be walkable to over 15 restaurants and multiple fitness concepts.

Units will average roughly 900 square feet and the project will feature resort-style amenities including: a private fitness center, private amenity courtyards, pool, club room, coworking lounge, dog run, package facilities and significant bicycle storage to take advantage of adjacency to the Lake Hefner bike trail.

Construction on The Residences at Classen Curve is slated to begin in 2020 with occupancy in late 2021.--OKCTalk.com

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If you have driven along Interstate-44 just south of Will Rogers World Airport recently, you cannot help but notice Amazon’s new fulfillment center expansion going up just north of their current facility that opened in 2019. When it opens later this year, the new facility should nearly double Amazon’s warehouse space here to 1.6 million square feet and add another 500 jobs to the Oklahoma City metro...

...The health of the Oklahoma City metro’s warehouse and distribution sector is reflected in recent data published by labor market analytics firm Emsi that shows between 2010 and 2020, the number of jobs within the sector grew by 56% or 10,000 jobs. That growth rate even outpaced the state and nation, which saw jobs grow at a rate of 33% and 21%, respectively. If you compare Oklahoma City’s job growth to the state and nation within the last five years (2015-2020), it is even more pronounced.

Read the full story at Velocity:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/okc-s-warehouse-and-distribution-sector-thriving-e-commerce-playing-pivotal-role/ (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/okc-s-warehouse-and-distribution-sector-thriving-e-commerce-playing-pivotal-role/)


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A land swap between the Oklahoma Industries Authority and the Commissioners of the Land Office is expected to add $1.3 million in annual distributions to schools while providing Oklahoma City 577 acres to lure new industry.

                              (https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/07/02/NOKL/d7723e22-d140-47d7-9a37-8dd5ac7f70fa-reserve-01.jpg?width=300&height=318&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)

The revenue generated by the office buildings and retail center will increase the agency’s contribution to schools, currently $6.1 million, by another $1.3 million.

The land acquired by the Industries Authority has easy access to I-240 and I-35 and the Santa Fe rail yard and has Oklahoma City utilities and electric and natural gas service.


Winsupply under construction...

                         (https://www.phcppros.com/ext/resources/NEWS/April-2021/Winsupplyto-Open-New-Regional-Distribution-Center-in-Oklahoma-City-2.jpg?t=1619020239&width=1080)

Winsupply to Open New Regional Distribution Center in Oklahoma City:  https://www.phcppros.com/articles/13243-winsupply-to-open-new-regional-distribution-center-in-oklahoma-city (https://www.phcppros.com/articles/13243-winsupply-to-open-new-regional-distribution-center-in-oklahoma-city)

              There is one going up in Buffalo, and another planned for Missoula. The South Side of Chicago is getting one, and so are Seattle and
              Spokane. Oklahoma City just opened one, and Los Angeles is getting at least a half-dozen more.

Wall Street Journal:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-hollywood-production-in-overdrive-the-soundstage-is-a-hot-commodity-11625833268?mod=e2tw (https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-hollywood-production-in-overdrive-the-soundstage-is-a-hot-commodity-11625833268?mod=e2tw)

Parking:  Development of the 550 space parking lot won’t hurt parking supply in the entertainment district because it includes a proposed garage and is close to the city’s new 1,100-space convention center garage; also this development has plans for a parking garage; it will service the residences (302), two hotels (178) and 300 public spaces included in the 780 new spaces of underground covered parking.

Griffin Communications announced Monday an agreement to purchase the Century Center building in Oklahoma City.

The media organization will move its News 9 studios, newsroom and corporate headquarters into the space, and will be spending more than $26 million, including $10 million in renovations, to buy the building.  In addition to News 9, the company owns News On 6 and The Tulsa CW in Tulsa.

New drug manufacturer, hotel to anchor $240M OKC innovation district development


Wheeler Bio is part of a growing vision for innovation district.

A start-up pharmaceutical manufacturer with a reported potential to employ thousands is set to anchor a $240 million mixed-use development being built next year at the gateway to Oklahoma City’s innovation district.--Excerpt from Oklahoman, July 18, 2021

Note:  This is an envisioned proposal that includes a lot of moving parts--the biggest piece--financial backing.  Oklahoma City does have funds being generated in its recently passed MAPS 4, 16 project development that targets $71 million for the Innovation District.

Tinker AFB is the center of the aviation industry in Oklahoma City, and the industry is a primary driver of diversification beyond oil and gas. There are more than 26,000 people employed on the base, and the annual economic impact on the region is approximately $4.83 billion. Job growth in the last 10 years has been responsible for growing population and average incomes in the region, according to a study recently released by the Chamber.

Velocity link:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/tinker-expansion-plan-to-enhance-safety-create-opportunities-for-future-mission-growth/?back=super_blog (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/tinker-expansion-plan-to-enhance-safety-create-opportunities-for-future-mission-growth/?back=super_blog)

A 20,000-square-foot warehouse would be built next to the office building. The EightTwenty plan proposes a building constructed of architectural concrete and glass with exterior solar protection via architectural shading and an iconic facade facing west toward downtown and I-235.

Our Company

Light travels from the sun at 670 million miles per hour, taking eight minutes and twenty seconds to reach the earth. In that journey, every aspect of life is powered.

EightTwenty exists because we believe our greatest resource, the sun, is underutilized— that responsible, advanced stewardship of the sun’s power can lift up our communities for generations to come.

We provide products and services that empower individuals and communities to harness solar energy for their own independence; instilling trust in all that we do.

                          Site financing & construction:  Spring 2022

These pics via OKCTalk.com shows that work has restarted on  Oklahoma City's Aloft North, a 120 room hotel at 13111 Highland Park Boulevard.  It is the second Aloft Hotel in OKC joining the first one built in Downtown-Bricktown, Oklahoma City that has 130 room hotel accommodations.

  

I would assume (hope) the Paycom logos will come off the sidelines.  

If you dislike the Love's NBA patch, well, here's a patch quilt for the floor you probably won't like.   A menagerie of a partnership.:D    

I think it looks great.   Go Paycom, Go Thunder.

(https://i.imgur.com/WaFIeIg.jpg)
Oklahoma City is one of 14 cities nationwide that experienced a growth of 100,000+ in the last decade.

The cities with the largest population increases — listed in alphabetical order by state, not by the size of the increase — were:

         Phoenix

         Los Angeles

         Denver

         Jacksonville, Fla.

         New York

         Charlotte, N.C.

         Columbus, Ohio

         Oklahoma City

         Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, Texas

         Seattle

OKC’s population increased from 579,999 in 2010 to 681,054 in the newest census data – that’s an increase of 101,055!

                         (https://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17043&d=1628811932)

Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area 1,425,695 (+172,708 / 13.8%)

Oklahoma - total population (2020): 3,959,353.  Oklahoma saw a population increase of 208,000, bringing the state’s total population to just under 4 million and making it the 28th most populous state.

United States Census:  https://www.census.gov/en.html (https://www.census.gov/en.html)

On Thursday, construction crews lifted the dome onto the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine.

“This was a momentous moment in construction of the shrine that will become a visible beacon of faith for thousands of people from around the world. They will come to visit our state and city, and come to learn about our ordinary priest from Okarche who lived an extraordinary life,” said Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City. “I am grateful for everyone who has played a part in this project and look forward to the dedication next year.”--Sooner Catholic

Construction is finished on the $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center, but grand opening celebrations will have to wait for what is the most expensive capital project in city history.

The convention center, designed by Populous and GSB, spans 500,000 square feet, including 275,000 square feet of space divided into an exhibit hall, meeting space and ballrooms.

About 45,000 square feet of meeting spaces are on all levels of the building, and many have operable walls to make the spaces flexible. The rooms can be configured to provide up to 27 meeting spaces, allowing the city to host multiple conventions simultaneously.

Mayor David Holt said the convention center is part of an “unparalleled synergy” shared with Scissortail Park, the Omni, Chesapeake Energy Arena and the Oklahoma City streetcar.

The 17-story Omni Oklahoma City Hotel features 605 guest rooms, including 29 suites with well-appointed furnishings and regional design influences that take inspiration from the pastoral landscape of the Oklahoma terrain. Hotel guests are welcomed with touches of elegant tradition paired with a sophisticated mix of contemporary and approachable comfort. The hotel’s design pays homage to the state and weaves in the rustic, earthy tones of the landscape into each space.

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a 511-bed hospital offering a full range of surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services.

State-of-the-art Heart and ICU Hospital Expansion
INTEGRIS Health has made it our mission to partner with people to live healthier lives, and in keeping with that promise we are excited to announce the construction of a state-of-the-art Heart and ICU Hospital expansion at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Northwest Expressway campus.

The Heart and ICU Hospital expansion on the INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Northwest campus will keep to the promise of INTEGRIS Health’s Mission to partner with people to live healthier lives. The expansion includes a 209,000 square foot building and will have 64 ICU beds, multiple cardiac catheterization labs, cardiovascular operating rooms, hybrid operating rooms, electrophysiology heart labs, and convenient cardiac diagnostic testing areas. The new space is designed with the patient in mind, making navigating the hospital and clinics as easy as it has ever been in one convenient location. Construction begins immediately and will be completed in 2024.

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center has long been known as Oklahoma’s leader in caring for the most complicated medical needs—from the state’s only Burn Center to the hospital that performs the most solid organ transplants. The new Heart and ICU Hospital expansion at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center will help Oklahomans for many generations to come!

The new 209,000 square foot building will have 64 ICU beds, multiple cardiac catheterization labs, cardiovascular operating rooms, hybrid operating rooms, electrophysiology heart labs, and convenient cardiac diagnostic testing areas. The new space is designed with the patient in mind, making navigating the hospital and clinics as easy as it has ever been in one convenient location.   

Construction begins immediately and will be completed in 2024. “INTEGRIS Health is a not-for-profit, community health system, which means it is governed by Oklahomans for the benefit of Oklahomans,” said Timothy Pehrson, President and CEO of INTEGRIS Health. Pehrson continued, “when the project was presented to the Board, they were delighted with the concept of continuing INTEGRIS Health’s legacy of being the most trusted partner for health in Oklahoma. The new Heart and ICU Hospital expansion at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center will help Oklahomans for many generations to come.”

            

This garage is part of First National Center renovation; total cost north of $275 million—do little to explain what the renewal and rebirth of the First National Center into housing, apartments, retail and dining actually means to OKC.  Largest private renovation investment in the State of Oklahoma.

  


      

  
“We called it a big league building for a big league city,” said Steven Watts, CEO of Rose Rock Development Partners.

Boulevard Place will be eight stories tall and 260,000 square feet. There will also be 5,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor.

9 Oklahoma's Own--Tuesday, August 24th 2021, 12:22 pm  By: Karl Torp

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The application to the Oklahoma City Planning Department indicates construction will start first with 322 apartments, a pool and courtyard and garage parking that will be fronted by 20,848 square feet of retail.

The designs submitted to the city are schematic and could change.--Oklahoman, Lackmeyer, August 25, 2021

  

Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine & Basilica cam:  https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black (https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black)

All the dome caps (or whatever they are called) appear to have been lifted.  Great view from I-35 south @ 89th Street--caution:  KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD.  You can exist off N.W. 12th Street, drive north to S. E. 89th Street to the construction site--it's impressive.

.

Awesome view of the Basilica as you travel south on I-35. Can get a glimpse of the project.  All domes are in place see construction cam:   https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black (https://webcampub.multivista.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aPublicWebcam.embed&WebcamPublicEmbedUID=94BCCE88-AE07-4F31-A958-474BE766DA40&width=700&height=400&background=black)

Should be able to see more of this project filed in November--interior construction will speed up in the winter months.  Construction target 2022 for the Basilica.

The Pilgrim Center is apart of this project.

                  (https://archokc.org/pictures/2019/3/Camera4.jpg)
                                                            A Place of Pilgrimage

Standing as a beacon of faith and a visible sign of the Church’s presence in Oklahoma, the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine will be a resource for the entire archdiocese. The Shrine will welcome pilgrims from throughout Oklahoma, the United States and beyond.

The Shrine Church will be designed in the Spanish mission style, mirroring Blessed Stanley’s church in Santiago Atitlán.

                                            (https://cdn2.civitatis.com/guatemala/antigua-guatemala/galeria/santiago-atitlan-iglesia.jpg)

With the popularity of the WCWS and the proximity of Remington Park whose parking lot is used for WCWS parking, you would have thought that a developer-investor or The Tribe itself would have taken advantage of this parcel.  

The Universities of Oklahoma & Texas move to the Southeastern Conference could result in the SEC softball tournament being moved from Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa to USA Hall of Fame Stadium in OKC.  

Having one or two nice hotels (200 - 400 rooms with expansion possibilities) on site would benefit Remington Park & Casino along with the annual WCWS and possibly the Southeastern Conference annual softball tournament being moved to Oklahoma City as a prelude to the WCWS tournament.


The SEC softball tournament is played in Tuscaloosa (Capacity: 3,940) vs a much larger off campus neutral site USA Hall of Fame Stadium (Capacity: 11,500 - 12,600).  This on campus facility favors the University of Alabama.

 
Imagine the benefits of a hotel or two in The Adventure District.  Patrons could spend the night at Remington Park (especially those having mixed drinks) without having to leave the premises after an evening or night of drinking.  The teams and fans of the SEC and WCWS could shorten their drive and be within walking distance of Hall of Fame Stadium.

   
(https://okhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NEWS9.jpg)

Video feed--link below:

https://www.news9.com/story/612d68481d84c60bef6d6af8/first-americans-museum-in-se-okc-gives-news-9-an-exclusive-tour-ahead-of-its-opening-weekend (https://www.news9.com/story/612d68481d84c60bef6d6af8/first-americans-museum-in-se-okc-gives-news-9-an-exclusive-tour-ahead-of-its-opening-weekend)


Throughout the building are design elements that are meaningful to the 39 tribes represented in the state of Oklahoma. Their stories are told in several galleries beginning with the history of how the tribes arrived in Oklahoma...

...The Smithsonian Museum has also loaned 140 objects that can be seen on the museum's second floor. Many of the artifacts belonged to Oklahoma families, generations ago.

Visitors will be able to take in the visuals, try Native American cuisine in the restaurant and visit one of two theaters beginning on September 18 and 19. The museum staff expects thousands of visitors to walk through the doors opening weekend.

Tickets for opening weekend are on sale for $5. There will be native dancers outside and entertainment for all ages.--News 9 Oklahoma's Own.


                                                                                      Project Cost:  $175 million

Forgive me for not completing this project with information...

The building permit application for this project was filed on May 7, 2021.  The new construction will add substantially to living options at Chisholm Creek, joining the 287 units at the Argon Apartments, 13600 North Blackwelder Avenue.  Adding to the 180 acre development with more projects planned for the future.

                    (https://www.nationalcorporatehousing.com/sites/default/files/styles/768x500/public/properties/argon.jpg?itok=Rbl_nsLk)

Chisholm Creek will have 587 luxury apartments with Chisholm Creek comprised of the really upscale establishments in Uncle Julio's, Red Solo Pub, Cabela's, COSTCO, TopGolf and an Events Center.  Concerts at the Creek feature live music every Thursday and Friday night and Coffee & Cars happens the first Saturday of every month. Special events like Battle of the Brews and a Halloween party for kids are just examples of the types of activities Chisholm Creek offers.

Chisholm Creek has rolled with the punches and has actually expanded its square footage with its newest addition, The Shops at Market Street, and added several new concepts to its dining and retail offerings.

The Shops at Market Street is a new strip of boutique retailers at Chisholm Creek. The new addition opened in March and features an impressive mix of local flair and new-to-market national brands. Established local retailers like Plenty Mercantile, Shop Good, OKC Soda and Apple Tree Chocolate have opened locations there as well as national-restaurant chain Chicken Salad Chick.

                    (https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/chickenfoot.jpg)

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                    (https://okcretail.com/clientuploads/Districts/TopGolf.jpg)

                    (https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/chisholmcornhole.jpg)

Graphics by Marcus Elwell  Velocity / Development / October 14, 2020

Developments like these which are under constructions, being planned with solid financial footing has helped boost Oklahoma City's growth in the last 10 years.  

Mayor David Holt reacted, 'One is not usually surprised by Census data, but today’s news was a bombshell for those of us who follow this topic.  The official 2020 count exceeded the most recent estimate by 18,740 people.'

OKC's 2020 growth estimate was 662,314; adjusted to a final count of 681,054.

        (https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c9cdf5cb9144913b527b450/1580159734037-OW7A9P57P0VMP2AVNEQ1/Camera4.jpg?format=1000w)

The site will be developed over time, along with the Spanish colonial-style church, an additional element will be a $5 million pilgrim center and museum will be added over time.

Former site of Historic Douglass High School (5th & High) before being moved to the Oklahoma State Fairground at 10th & Eastern (Now MLK Jr.,Blvd) the site now offers affordable housing for the elderly.  Once a vibrant area where Safeway, TG&Y, Grady's Hamburgers (8th & Kelley), Bulter's BBQ and the Fifth Street Diner (My mother owned), the historic site which includes an auditorium and gymnasium provides senior citizens a quiet space that includes reopening of the school indoor pool and lots of workout equipment for its patrons.

The old historic 3,500 seat Page Stadium on the site of Booker T. Washington Park was demolished in the late 70s.  The park has since been upgraded thru OKC's MAPS Initiative to provide space for Little League football (Page Stadium) with seating to accommodate 500.  Washington Park no longer provides outdoor Swimming (large pool & toddler pool) on the site.

Two Videos: The Douglass at Page-Woodson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLQHRx3G0Tw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLQHRx3G0Tw)  

https://vimeo.com/embed-redirect/216108994?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=66258197

          Expanded 133,022 sq. ft. to the existing 410,000 sq. ft., airport terminal.
          Four additional gates.
          New security checkpoint lanes.
          Non-ticketed observation: Friends & family of travelers can watch aviation
          activity.
          High-tech improvements.
          Expanded shopping and dining amenities.
          Commissioned artwork by Matt Goad viewable from the public mezzanine.


                                            Terminal Expansion & Renovation Cost:  $89 million

Press release:

***********

New Terminal and Checkpoint Opens This Week!
Allow for more time to find the right checkpoint for your ticket as we make this transition

OKLAHOMA CITY, September 13, 2021 –Travelers will start seeing some changes this week when they arrive to check-in for their flight. The long-awaited new terminal checkpoint will start processing passengers beginning Wednesday, September 15.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint will be moving to their new location on the East side of the terminal from the current position in the West terminal, but it will take a few days to fully transition. TSA is asking the public to allow for ample time to check-in and to navigate their way to the new terminal checkpoint area as they make this change from the old to the new.

The new checkpoint will allow for three (3) standard lanes and one (1) Precheck lane. By September 22, passengers will see two precheck lanes and four standard lanes to further expedite the screening process.

The checkpoint movement will begin Tuesday, below is the transition schedule and outlines where passengers will need to go.

Tuesday, (9/14) - The Annex checkpoint (overflow) will be closed for good.
Wednesday (9/15) – Precheck and standard passengers will use the current (old) checkpoint. All Delta, Frontier and Southwest Airlines passengers will use the new checkpoint.
Thursday (9/16) – All standard passengers will use the new checkpoint and all precheck passengers will use the current (West) checkpoint.
Friday (9/17) – All standard and precheck passengers will use the new checkpoint. The current checkpoint (old) will be closed for renovation to make way for a new meter greeter lobby.

Passengers can ask for directions at the Traveler’s Aide information booths and ticket counter agents are available to help. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and flyokc.com for updates.

The Love Family Women’s Center will be a 175,000-square-foot, four-story building on the campus of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. It will feature an obstetrics emergency department staffed by obstetricians.

Forty percent of the $98 million project is funded through generous local donors. When construction is complete in fall 2023, Mercy will have a total of 73 patient rooms to serve women in the new center, increasing the capacity for deliveries by 40%.

A large portion of this project was generously funded through Mercy Health Foundation Oklahoma City. It is the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Mercy.

  
The family of Tom and Judy Love gave a $10 million lead donation to this project. Cathy Keating a co-chair with Judy Love led the way in raising more than $30 million toward the $40 million fundraising goal.

                                                                               Project estimated cost:  $98 million