The "this has nothing to do with Tulsa" mega-post

[Laramie]

Construction update on the Monarch Building in OKC's Midtown-Automobile Alley.

Images via OKCTalk Forum

[Laramie]

Excerpts from OKCTalk report:

          

          Auto Alley redevelopment project will add to red-hot district (Auto Alley 11 & 23 NW 10th)

A local investment group has purchased two warehouse buildings near NW 10th and Broadway and is planning a full conversion to a mixed-use development.

    
          
Last May, an LLC led by oil and gas and agriculture businessman Richard Hefner purchased the buildings and nearly half an acre for $1.325 million.

Hefner is developing retail and office properties in Shawnee.

The renovation plan by Common Works Architects calls for remaking the 1925 structures to create attractive new tenant spaces and make significant upgrades to the site to enhance pedestrian and vehicular access.

A section of each building will be slightly reduced in size to create more parking and allow for open-air tenant space.

The buildings will be re-oriented to each other and NW 10th Street.

No leases have been signed but the owners are working with multiple tenants.

          

The project will add to the near one dozen development and restoration projects currently underway in the area east of Broadway Avenue in Automobile Alley.

Once largely blighted, dozens of buildings on either side of the railroad tracks have been transformed, at least partially fueled by a new quiet zone for trains and the streetcar which just began providing daily service along Broadway.

OKCTalk full story:  https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44941&p=1067292#post1067292

[Laramie]

Construction starting on $89 million expansion at Will Rogers Airport









Images via OKCTalk forum

Frankfurt Short Bruza are the design engineers for this project expected to be completed in 2021.

The design will provide 145,000 sq. ft. of addition space; it will allow for 9 new gates.   Oklahoma City WWRA is the largest airport in the state; total domestic enplanements rose 3.1 percent from 2017 to 2018.

KWTV-News 9, Oklahoma Cityhttp://www.news9.com/story/39258754/will-rogers-world-airport-reveals-renderings-for-expansion-project

[Laramie]

OKCTalk update on Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark; register & join the discussion @https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29342&page=8&p=1067650#post1067650

[Laramie]

WATCH Live



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvJN-sNR-gc

Watch the renovations unfold at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex - OGE Energy Field!



What are some of key features of the renovations?

Some of the upgrades fans will notice while others will happen behind the scenes.

In Phase III of renovations, which begins in July of 2018, demolition to the outer entrance and press box area will begin.  When fans enter the Complex, they will be met by a beautiful rock and brick facade with new ticket windows and entrances to give the facility a more modern feel. For game day operations, a three-story press box will feature new interview rooms with tunnels leading from the team locker rooms, a broadcast booth and upgrades to existing technology infrastructure.  Elevators, meeting rooms and additional media work areas will also be added.

In Phase IV of renovations, which will begin after the 2019 NCAA WCWS®, the seating capacity expansion will begin.  Upper-deck seating will increase the capacity by an additional 4,000 seats while additional restrooms and suites will enhance the fan experience.

How are renovations possible?

Renovations to the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex - OGE Energy Field are possible following  the 2017 Proposition 5 Bond package that was approved by the citizens of Oklahoma City in September 2017.  This bond package, in addition to private funds raised, will allow for the two final phases of renovations to be completed in time for the 2020 NCAA Women's College World Series.

[Laramie]

OKCTalk update pics on Don E. Porter, ASA Hall of Fame Stadium

Oklahoma City voters approved $27,500,000.00 to fund expansion & improvements to ASA softball stadium to increase seating capacity to 12,500 with a 4,000 seat upper deck; build the necessities like lockers rooms, TV booth for nationally televised games throughout the tournament.  These upgrades and expansion insured that the tournament will remain in Oklahoma City with a long-term commitment until 2035.

New 4,000 expansion upper deck seating will be available in time for the WCWS and World Cup of Softball Tournaments in 2020 and following years.

The WCWS has an estimated economic impact of $12 million to $15 million each year. The greatest portion of these dollars come from out-of-state visitors who fill our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop at our stores, and visit other area attractions while they're here. Over the next few months, the city of Oklahoma City, with our help, will start major improvements to Hall of Fame Stadium. The improvements will create additional seating capacity and provide new restrooms and concessions, locker rooms, media rooms, a renovated press box and many more updates that will enhance the experience for the teams and fans.--Oklahoman, July 5, 2013

Join the discussion @OKCTalk:  https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43218&page=2&p=1067662#post1067662

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Convention Center & Omni Hotel construction updates:


Convention Center construction

The 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall will dominate the ground floor.
A 45,000 square feet of meeting spaces are on all levels of the building, and many also have operable walls to make the spaces flexible.
A 30,000-square-foot ballroom is the main space on the fourth level, complemented by 10,000 square feet of pre-function space and a 4,000-square-foot balcony.


Omni Hotel


    605 guest rooms, inclusive of 29 suites with well-appointed furnishings and regional design influences
    One tower topping out at 17 floors
    Approximately 78,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event and pre-function space all conveniently located on the second floor
    Select guest rooms were designed to cater to professional basketball players and feature larger door frames, taller ceilings and shower heads and longer beds
    Multiple food and beverage options include an all-day dining restaurant; walk-up burger bar; Bob’s Steak & Chop House; emporium and coffee shop; two-level entertainment and      sports bar; pool bar and grill; and a lobby bar and lounge  Full-service spa with seven treatment rooms, relaxation room and dining area
    Modern fitness center
    Pool deck bar with views of Scissortail Park and its amphitheater
    Event lawn next to the pool deck and covered outdoor pre-function space overlooking Scissortail Park
    New street car stop conveniently located caddy-corner to the hotel

[sooneralum2012]

Bob steakhouse? That’s a damn good get. I’ve been in Dallas a few times.

[rebound]

Bob steakhouse? That’s a damn good get. I’ve been in Dallas a few times.

The original Bob's on Lemon was (and I assume still is) awesome.  The rest are all solid but not like that one.  This one will be a "hotel steakhouse", so probably good, but not outstanding.  Kind of like Ruth's Chris.  We have the one here in Tulsa in the Casino, and while I'm sure it's good, there are others in town that I would go to first.     

[Hoss]

The original Bob's on Lemon was (and I assume still is) awesome.  The rest are all solid but not like that one.  This one will be a "hotel steakhouse", so probably good, but not outstanding.  Kind of like Ruth's Chris.  We have the one here in Tulsa in the Casino, and while I'm sure it's good, there are others in town that I would go to first.     

Also like Arthur Bryant's in KC.  They used to have an outlet in the big Casino out by Worlds of Fun (Station I think it was called).  Now they have one at the Kansas Speedway they call Legends I guess.  But the original in DT KC on Brooklyn just can't be beat.  Best burnt ends ever.

[Laramie]

OKCTalk:  Carvana construction update pic


Released March 13, 2019

[Vision 2025]

Wonder what one would do with it when the novelty wears off?

[Townsend]

Wonder what one would do with it when the novelty wears off?

Fish tank for very large fish, giant houdini water escape tank, world's largest gumball machine...

[Laramie]

Fish tank for very large fish, giant houdini water escape tank, world's largest gumball machine...

LMAO!  Those are some pretty good uses...   

[Laramie]

Preliminary plans approved for 1,100-space convention center garage

The view of the future convention center garage is shown as it will appear from E.K. Gaylord looking north. The Boulevard Place apartments
and retail are shown at the northeast corner of the garage. [Renderings by TAP Architecture]

Preliminary plans for an 1,100-space garage that is key to development of the convention center, Omni Hotel and a mix of housing and retail won approval Thursday by a review committee with the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority...  ...The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, meanwhile, is preparing to start demolition of a former OGE Energy data center at the site, Oklahoma City Boulevard and E.K. Gaylord, within the next few weeks.

OG&E Data Center

Oklahoman: March 15, 2019--Lackmeyer:  https://www.oklahoman.com/preliminary-plans-approved-for-1100-space-garage/article/5625883

The cost for the convention center garage was estimated as high as $40 million.  Looks as though the city will be able to construct this venue for an estimated $27.5. $12.5 million below their highest estimate.  Bids on the garage will go out this summer.