After OKCTalk broke the story that Braum's was planning to acquire the buildings and demolish them for a new store location in July 2017, several large protests led the ice cream and dairy chain to abandon their plans and soon a new owner, Josh Thomas, made the acquisition.
But after chasing off tenants and failed promises of renovation, the neglected properties have fallen into further disrepair. Photos taken earlier this week reveal broken windows, crumbling walls, graffiti, and other signs of deterioration.
After falling behind for several years, public records show that property taxes are now current.
But the iconic HiLo Club halted patio work to the east, as the owner of the bar did not want to make the additional investment after Thomas stopped communication. Today, the work remains unfinished and the future is unknown.
Thomas bought the historic Donnay Building, the building housing the Classen Grill and a few adjacent lots near NW 50th and Classen in 2018 for $1.3 million.
The property is now listed with a $2 million price tag.
