As you probably know, I'm from Tulsa. That block across from the BOK is truly not worth saving.

If you look on Google Earth, you will see that there is only one building there. One....very different from the block across from Devon.

Street View (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=36.1533,-95.994708&spn=0.001178,0.002347&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=36.153157,-95.995115&panoid=FPaPG5R8MmqaD2WbIKHSrw&cbp=12,96.64,,0,-0.35)

I was just going by the picture. The block is smaller than it looks. I assumed the other buildings further back were in the same block.

Yeah, I see where it could be easy to make that mistake.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Block%20West%20of%20Devon%20Tower/blockwestofdevonaerial.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/blockeastofboktulsaaerial.jpg

Whoa, look at the BOK!

It may look like very little space in those parking lots on the site, but when you compare those to how much space is taken up by Oklahoma Tower or even other buildings on the same site such as the Auto Hotel, it is pretty easy to imagine how some new construction could fit in.

From March 16 2011


http://vimeo.com/21709513

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http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Block%20West%20of%20Devon%20Tower/BlockWestofDevonTowerMarch162011-16.jpg

Wow. Beautiful photos.

Anyone have any pics from when the top of the Hotel Black pictured above had the mini golf on the roof in operation?

From Doug's website.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/21.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Block%20West%20of%20Devon%20Tower/BlockWestofDevonTowerMarch162011-8.jpg


From this photo it looks like the CST building was meant to be taller with what looks like columns penetrating the roof all the way around and capped off. They also look a little large for a building of that height.

Downtown OKC bus station to close
Published on May 3rd, 2011
Journal Record
Written by: Brianna Bailey

OKLAHOMA CITY – Downtown’s Union Bus Station could close as early as this fall after serving as a hub for travelers for more than 70 years.

The bus station’s minority owner, First Group America, which owns Greyhound bus lines, plans to move its bus terminal to a truck stop off Interstate 40 near E. Reno and N. Martin Luther King avenues. The new bus terminal, at JRS Travel Center, 1901 E. Reno Ave., would serve about 24 to 25 buses a day. The travel center is also home to an Indian restaurant and supermarket.

First Group America conducted a study of the area to find a site that would be closer to the interstate highways and serve its customers better, said Roland Tague, an Oklahoma City attorney who represents the company.

“When I-40 is realigned downtown, the bus terminal will be even further away from the interstate, so I believe that is one of the reasons for the move,” Tague said.

With its streamlined blue tile facade and art deco neon sign, the bus station at 427 W. Sheridan Ave. has been a local landmark since it was built in 1940.

A cafeteria that was once part of the bus station was shuttered a few years ago, but the terminal still bustled with passengers waiting for connecting buses one recent weekday morning. Early bus industry pioneer Howard W. Allen built the Union Bus Station as a hub for his regional intercity bus company called Missouri, Kansas & Oklahoma Coach Lines.

The bus company is long gone, but Howard W. Allen’s grandson, Tulsa real estate investor John Allen, remains the majority owner of Union Bus Station through the company HW Allen Co.

Greyhound informed Allen more than a year ago that it had plans to search for a new terminal. He said the bus company may move its operations out of the building sometime this fall. Allen also expects the regional carrier Jefferson Bus Lines to follow Greyhound. The two bus lines have interconnecting routes.

A call to Jefferson’s corporate office in Minneapolis was not immediately returned on Tuesday.

With no buses, Allen has little choice but to close Union Bus Station, he said.

“It’s kind of our last connection to the bus industry, so for that reason, yeah, it’s a little sad,” Allen said.

Allen said he has no firm plans for the Union Bus Station once Greyhound leaves, but he hasn’t ruled out selling it.

In 2006 and 2007, Oklahoma City real estate investor Nick Preftakes acquired most of the buildings on the block on the northeast side of N. Walker and W. Sheridan avenues where the Union Bus station sits, according to property records.

Preftakes has been tight-lipped about his plans for the area, which is filled with several vacant buildings. Preftakes could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Here's some video from a few months ago of that area, including Union Bus Station.


http://vimeo.com/20668298


http://vimeo.com/21709513

This is good news as it clears the way for acquisition and redevelopment of most of that block.

I still think it would be great to renovate the bus station and move the Lunch Box there. The former bus loading area could become a nice patio facing Walker. There would be room for other uses (maybe retail) as well. Then, the rest of that block could be largely redeveloped.


Should be interesting to see what develops from here on out.

Announcement soon?

http://journalrecord.com/2011/05/03/downtown-bus-station-to-close-real-estate/

I can't even read past the 5th line. I want to know what the article says please.

Downtown OKC bus station to close
By Brianna Bailey
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 03:52 PM Tuesday, May 3, 2011
You have successfully logged in.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Downtown’s Union Bus Station could close as early as this fall after serving as a hub for travelers for more than 70 years.
The bus station’s minority owner, First Group America, which owns Greyhound bus lines, plans to move its bus terminal to a truck stop off Interstate 40 near E. Reno and N. Martin Luther King avenues. The new bus terminal, at JRS Travel Center, 1901 E. Reno Ave., would serve about 24 to 25 buses a day. The travel center is also home to an Indian restaurant and supermarket.
First Group America conducted a study of the area to find a site that would be closer to the interstate highways and serve its customers better, said Roland Tague, an Oklahoma City attorney who represents the company.
“When I-40 is realigned downtown, the bus terminal will be even further away from the interstate, so I believe that is one of the reasons for the move,” Tague said.
With its streamlined blue tile facade and art deco neon sign, the bus station at 427 W. Sheridan Ave. has been a local landmark since it was built in 1940.
A cafeteria that was once part of the bus station was shuttered a few years ago, but the terminal still bustled with passengers waiting for connecting buses one recent weekday morning. Early bus industry pioneer Howard W. Allen built the Union Bus Station as a hub for his regional intercity bus company called Missouri, Kansas & Oklahoma Coach Lines.
The bus company is long gone, but Howard W. Allen’s grandson, Tulsa real estate investor John Allen, remains the majority owner of Union Bus Station through the company HW Allen Co.
Greyhound informed Allen more than a year ago that it had plans to search for a new terminal. He said the bus company may move its operations out of the building sometime this fall. Allen also expects the regional carrier Jefferson Bus Lines to follow Greyhound. The two bus lines have interconnecting routes.
A call to Jefferson’s corporate office in Minneapolis was not immediately returned on Tuesday.
With no buses, Allen has little choice but to close Union Bus Station, he said.
“It’s kind of our last connection to the bus industry, so for that reason, yeah, it’s a little sad,” Allen said.
Allen said he has no firm plans for the Union Bus Station once Greyhound leaves, but he hasn’t ruled out selling it.
In 2006 and 2007, Oklahoma City real estate investor Nick Preftakes acquired most of the buildings on the block on the northeast side of N. Walker and W. Sheridan avenues where the Union Bus station sits, according to property records.
Preftakes has been tight-lipped about his plans for the area, which is filled with several vacant buildings. Preftakes could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Downtown’s Union Bus Station could close as early as this fall after serving as a hub for travelers for more than 70 years. The bus station’s minority owner, First Group America, which owns Greyhound bus lines, plans to move its bus terminal to a truck stop off Interstate 40 near E. Reno and ...

What is the logic behind dumping bus travelers out on the edge of town? Why aren't they waiting to move and become part of the intermodal transit hub?

Here's hoping the historic structure will be incorporated into something new. Here we go...

I'm hoping they will sell to someone who will renovate the building. This news makes me hopeful, as an architect I know told me they are in the process of acquiring an older building in the downtown area and are going to make it a diner. The way he talked, it was a great building, and I'm going to hope it's the bus station, which woud make a great diner.

What is the logic behind dumping bus travelers out on the edge of town? Why aren't they waiting to move and become part of the intermodal transit hub?

I would bet it's so the owner can take advantage of OKC Downtown and it's property values, sell while it's good.

What is the logic behind dumping bus travelers out on the edge of town? Why aren't they waiting to move and become part of the intermodal transit hub?

Because they need to move before the freeway moves and who knows when the multimodal hub will be built.

[I would bet it's so the owner can take advantage of OKC Downtown and it's property values, sell while it's good.

Yep, especially since Preftakes has been trying to buy it for some time.

It's really pretty amazing because 20 years ago, that location was considered one of the worst in town.



They bus station can be easily moved again later. They need very little infrastructure.

What is the logic behind dumping bus travelers out on the edge of town? Why aren't they waiting to move and become part of the intermodal transit hub?

It would seem bus travelers have someone come pick them up rather than get off the bus and there they are where they need to be.

And the intermodal transit hub would come to them...rather than them going to the intermodal transit hub.

From the bus line point-of-view it makes too much sense. The time to get off the highway and travel many blocks to get to the bus station is too long. It would be much quicker (and for them time is money) to get off and the bus station is right there.

Wouldn't this make a great Interurban restaurant? When I was going to college in Norman the one there had a really great atmosphere. I could see Union Bus Station being developed into the flagship, and slightly more upscaled downtown OKC Interurban.

I agree with Pete and David. It really gives off a good "diner" vibe. And you could even keep the Union neon sign. Just a classic architectural space.

With as much character as it and the rest of that block has, I hope that doesn't make it a prime dynamite target.

I would bet it's so the owner can take advantage of OKC Downtown and it's property values, sell while it's good.

I imagine the price just went way down now that the bus lines said they are moving out. If Preftakes waits about 6 months he can probably buy it at a Sheriff's auction for pennies on the dollar.

I suspect there's already a gentleman's handshake on the sale. I think the owner would be more likely to move knowing there's an offer on the table for the land. Whether it's Preftakes or someone else, it would not shock me to learn that was the case.

I'm really really hoping this is the "awesome" site for a diner I was told about by a local architect.

I suspect there's already a gentleman's handshake on the sale. I think the owner would be more likely to move knowing there's an offer on the table for the land. Whether it's Preftakes or someone else, it would not shock me to learn that was the case.

You are probably correct (sell it to me when you don't want it anymore).

Pennies on the $? You must be stoned.
This is a premium location and will bring good $. I can not wait to see who snaps this up and what they will do with it.

Pennies on the $? You must be stoned.
This is a premium location and will bring good $. I can not wait to see who snaps this up and what they will do with it.

Yup this is prime real estate now. New skyscraper a block away. Myriad Gardens being completed. Streets being worked on.

This property is in a great location.

Yeah, it be nice to move the Lunch Box there, because we know more than likely they'll be kicking them out soon, and they are too much of an institution, and one of only a few downtown institutions left.

Will probably end up being demolished knowing our track record in this city.

Are they not going to sell to Nick Preftakes, This might get really interesting and nasty in the next few weeks..

There will be a bidding war on this property and it could get ugly, I cannot wait!!!

Will probably end up being demolished knowing our track record in this city.
Given this comment which, unfortunately may be the truth, let me throw something radical out there. How about moving the building? Not in the traditional sense of an old house going over country roads while the cows gaze on in amazement, but more of taking the most iconic aspects of the building, including of course the sign, but also most of the exterior and interior fittings including tile work, and even the glass fixtures (wonderful old aluminum framing if I remember correctly) and affixing these to a new "Union Diner" located.... in bricktown, in midtown, on the Boulevard, on Automobile Alley, or somewhere like that. It would preserve, at least the soul of the building, if not the actual location. I think even retaining the basic footprint of the building would be possible as it would make a grand dining/entertainment space.

I think this may need to be an option since, if you look at the arial shots of this block, it is such a prime corner that it may be difficult to make its redevelopment economically realistic without removal of the station. The parking lots surrounding the station are really small if the plot of the building itself is not included. Too small for a major new structure like a high-rise condo or hotel with convention facilities. Unfortunately, there was no vision like this with the Indian Temple building that could have saved it, but perhaps we can at least plant the idea of a relocation of the station if demolition seems imminent.

Don't get me wrong, my preference would be to renovate in situ, but like Patrick said, OKC does not have a good track record in this aspect.

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I can't help but think of what was pointed out about Carpenter Square. It seems like it was intended to be a taller building. Why doesn't someone add onto it, and convert the bottom into what it used to look like? On a map, it looks like it takes up the same footprint as First National or slightly smaller. Union Bus Station could be a diner, and you could incorporate One North Hudson (Hotel Black) and the Motor Hotel. Did Preftakes buy the north side of the block as well? The city owns Main Place don't they?

I am guessing this is just a temporary location till the transportation hub is complete, while the new site has decent access to the interstate the only things around it are couple of convene stores and motels.

Preftakes v. Who?

Maybe Devon? But I have always assumed that the two were in cahoots, especially how Preftakes definitely knew about the tower way before anyone else.

I imagine the price just went way down now that the bus lines said they are moving out. If Preftakes waits about 6 months he can probably buy it at a Sheriff's auction for pennies on the dollar.

The bus lines moving have absolutley nothing to do with the value of this property dropping, if anything, it increases the value. With the bus lines gone, the new owner wouldn't have to worry about trying to buy out any long term lease agreements and can do what he pleases with the property.

From the end of Steve's article

Future plans
Allen said he's uncertain how the property will be used in the future, and isn't sure if he will keep the building standing.
Added Tanenbaum: “The building is out of code. I wanted to turn it into a theater and a jazz club. What I do know is there is no reason why that should be a bus station anymore.”
Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-union-bus-station-set-to-close/article/3564868#ixzz1LT3zv0TS

Here is an idea for that block. Note use of Union Station.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8318229/Union%20station%20diner%20block.pdf

Posted this over on the Preftakes thread as well, but there is clearly a great possibility for using the Union Station as a draw in that area: including the Union Station Diner Sidewalk cafe!!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8318229/Union%20station%20diner%20block.pdf

I see several good possibilities as a result of the closing of the bus station. Probably at the top of my list of good things about the closing would be the reduced noise from that area with buses no longer idling at that location. In addition the smell of burning fuel will no longer take place. The elimination noise and pollution are very positive things....

It sounds like Allen (owner) is posturing when he talks about developing or even demolishing the bus station.

In the article, the attorney for the bus line says that his intention is to sell it, which is probably why this change is happening in the first place. The timing is right for him to get a good price and he knows it.

Regarding this as a possible location for the Lunch Box... I didn't realize (according to their web site) they are only open only 10:30AM - 3PM, M-F.

The bus station would be better served by a place that served breakfast and even late night dinner and certainly needs to be open on the weekends.

I'm not encouraged by Allen's real estate portfolio, so I would say he's posturing as well. This is a downtown property, I don't believe he has that kind of development experience, to say the least. Furthermore, downtown OKC development requires connections, he has none, both Tanenbaum and Preftakes have many. Allen is not developing this himself.

I am also encouraged by Tanenbaum's idea of what this could have been. A Jazz club would be an awesome boost to the neighborhood. I hope to see it developed by someone with more interests in the Arts District so that it will fit into some overall picture. It could be a huge hit, esp with the park right across the street.

As for the bus station, I don't see this as a temporary move. They seem to have decided on the merits of the new location. They acknowledge that they're moving away from downtown, even state that downtown isn't where they need to be, "not where their customer base is." We know what that means...

Chalk it up to gentrification.

Past articles stated that Preftakes was interested in purchasing the property, don't be surprised if Preftakes does purchase old bus station, then demolishes it. This is a big block, I can see Preftakes dividing up block, and selling different portions to different developers, and keeping a portion to himself. I can't see why Devon wouldn't want to build housing on that block, for employees.

I think this may need to be an option since, if you look at the arial shots of this block, it is such a prime corner that it may be difficult to make its redevelopment economically realistic without removal of the station. The parking lots surrounding the station are really small if the plot of the building itself is not included. Too small for a major new structure like a high-rise condo or hotel with convention facilities. Unfortunately, there was no vision like this with the Indian Temple building that could have saved it, but perhaps we can at least plant the idea of a relocation of the station if demolition seems imminent.

Don't get me wrong, my preference would be to renovate in situ, but like Patrick said, OKC does not have a good track record in this aspect.

I actually think this is a good idea. But I wonder what the cost would be to preserve the inside elements and then apply them to a new building who would take that risk?

Unfortunately, I don't see this building hanging around forever. Whoever is going to buy it is most likely doing so because of the property it sits on, not the building itself.

Past articles stated that Preftakes was interested in purchasing the property, don't be surprised if Preftakes does purchase old bus station, then demolishes it.

I wouldn't be surprised if developers in this city tore down anything for nothing more than a parking lot. The truth is that the Bus station adds instant character to that block that can not be replaced by any new construction. It would serve as an immediate draw and a successful redevelopment and reuse project would create interest right off the bat. If someone tears it down to do another suburban looking development downtown, its value will be compromised immediately just by sheer saturation. If any new development is done on the block, saving the bus station would create a link to the area's past that would ensure the district maintains a unique position in the downtown area's growing number of viable districts. IMO, it would be a big mistake to destroy the block's cornerstone of character only to hope that maybe, one day, what replaces it will have as defining a place in the district's architectural and community make up.

There is a very large lot immediately adjacent to this property on the east, with enough room to build a towering high-rise full of Devon employees.

I can't see why Devon wouldn't want to build housing on that block, for employees.

Why? Devon is in the business of drilling for fossil fuels, not developing multi-family housing. Not every oil company CEO has to control everyting like McClendon.

Why? Devon is in the business of drilling for fossil fuels, not developing multi-family housing. Not every oil company CEO has to control everyting like McClendon.

Actually many large corporations invest in corporate housing for employees and business partners..

I'm pretty sure this concept already exists in downtown. It's called The Centennial (Bricktown, Lower Canal). Devon wouldn't be doing anything radical.

Guys, Sandridge is going to buy the place to demolish so they can locate their plaza south campus!

On a more serious note, don't be surprised if the place is demolished and replaced with a 7-11 or On Cue.

I'm pretty sure this concept already exists in downtown. It's called The Centennial (Bricktown, Lower Canal). Devon wouldn't be doing anything radical.

A company buying a few condos that someone else developed is different than building their own residential building.

Back to the station. Wont be surprised to see it demo-ed but would hate to see it happen. I always loved the blue facade and sign on the corner.