Downtown goings-on

Dunkin’ Donuts will anchor this new retail development at 323 NW 23 shown in this rendering by Phase One Design.

Every Friday morning, or at least most weeks, a discussion begins with readers where they can ask questions about downtown development and events or provide their own commentary. And on any given week, it’s my task to answer dozens of questions.

One answer during Friday’s OKC Central Live Chat was based on outdated information. I was asked whether a deal to bring Dunkin’ Donuts to Uptown NW 23 was dead. The only deal I knew about was one that was considered by a property owner that never came to fruition.

What I didn’t know at the time was that Mark Hyde with Equity Commercial Realty finalized a lease with Dunkin’ Donuts on what is now a surface parking lot at 323 NW 23.

Dunkin’ Donuts is leasing a 2,452-square-foot storefront with a drivethru while another 3,524 square feet remain available for lease.

The property owner, Nichols Hills doctor Yong Hong, is set to start construction on the building that will include two other retail bays as well as a 30-space parking lot to the north across from Cheever’s Cafe.

Hyde said a 30-foot addition on the west end of the existing Beauty Supply building will be razed and the remainder of the store facade also will be “dressed up.”

Here is an edited transcript of Friday’s online chat:

Oklahoma City and several of its suburbs have been meeting about how to create a regional transit authority that might include either light rail or bus rapid transit. The interest is out there, but funding is the big question. A communitywide discussion is next. I suspect that politically the best way for any funding proposal to proceed would be for Norman, Midwest City or Edmond to lead on the proposition (wherever the most momentum might exist) and to go from there. But some may decide this is not the way to go or that the investment is not needed.

Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., the Bricktown Association and the city’s public works department are all working on plans to address these issues. But if there are immediate concerns you should contact the city’s Action Center at 297-2535.

This one is easy: Break up the first floor into a restaurant and retail, convert the other floors into housing. The way to make this happen, however, is far more challenging. The project needs historic tax credits, which are in jeopardy. The property needs an owner that is willing to sell at a price that will allow for such a redevelopment to be possible. I have no idea if that’s the case with the owner, VEREIT, a national real estate investment trust with a troubled history. And the project would need nearby

parking.

timing. Much needed. The venue does NOT duplicate Brickopolis. It is much, much better than Red Pin and I expect it to be great boost for the entire area just as summer gets started.

A lot of work is going on inside already preparing for construction. In the meantime, design work is ongoing.

Some serious discussions may be needed on whether the design review committees have confused design review with catering to the influential or popular people.

Panhandle Oil and Gas approves payment

Directors of Panhandle Oil and Gas Inc. this week approved a payment of the regular 4 cents per share quarterly dividend. The dividend will be payable on June 13 to shareholders of record on May 31.

Oklahoma City-based Panhandle Oil and Gas is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company.

Debit cards to feature state landmarks

Arvest Bank and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department collaborated to create a series of specialty debit cards that showcase some of the

Recent major sales in Oklahoma County totaled more than $51 million, according to deeds released from County Clerk David B. Hooten’s Office. Major sales are those of $200,000 or more.

$1,000,000 or more

KG AL Holdings LLC from 5 Corporate Plaza LLC, 3625 NW 56, Suite 100, $4,350,000.

KG AL Holdings LLC from 3 Corporate Plaza LLC, 3613 NW 56, Suite 105, $4,350,000.

Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust from KayBee Investments Co. LLC, property near the northeast corner of N Rockwell Avenue and W John Kilpatrick Turnpike, $4,083,500.

Kenneth W. Laird and Malinda K. Laird from Aaron M. and Emily L. Gaydosik, 6719 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills, $1,660,000.

CC Bethany LLC and Moses K. Ouzounian and Meada F. Ouzounian, cotrustees of the Ouzounian Trust, from Olde Orchard Townhouses LP, 7323 NW 23, Bethany, $1,550,000.

ADR Guilford LLC from Andrew and Beth Ann Ridley, 2608 Guilford Lane, $1,160,000.

K&E Ventures LLC from 74th Industrial Investors LLC, 6401 SE 74, $1,050,000.

$999,999 to $300,000

Weokie Credit Union from Kay-Bee Investments Co. LLC, property near the northeast corner of N Pennsylvania Avenue and NW 122, $840,000.

FAE Holdings 478658R LLC from 5013 N.W. LLC, 5013 N Western Ave., $785,000.

Shawn and Kara Nix from Michael R. and Mitzi S. Colella, 4433 Frisco Bridge Blvd., Edmond, $685,000.

Camp Plenty Towers LLC from Kalidy LLC, 14816 Bristol Park Blvd., $644,000.

Joseph V. Swales from William D. and Lorrie A. Tharp, 1404 Glenbrook Terrace, Nicholls Hills, $630,000.

Shari Denise Rostochil and Douglas Brett Rostochil from Brandon A. and Alycea Chandler, 2728 Summit Lake Blvd., Edmond, $595,000.

Clifford Investments LLC from Covell & Kelly Group LLC, property near the southwest corner of W Covell Road and N Kelly state’s most popular state park attractions.

The six debit card designs feature images from throughout the state, including Beavers Bend, Boiling Springs, Lake Murray, Osage Hills, Robbers Cave and Roman Nose. The cards will be available to new and current Arvest Bank customers at any Oklahoma Arvest location across Oklahoma, as well as the communities the bank serves in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, beginning Monday.

Debit cards are free to customers who open a new account with Arvest or they may be purchased to replace an existing card for $7.50.

FROM STAFF REPORTS Avenue, Edmond, $557,500.

Scott A. Cavett from Heidi Brown Shear, trustee of the Heidi Brown Shear Revocable Trust, 12913 Castlerock Court, $545,000.

Pierce Family LLC from Benjamin M. and Emmalee Jo Barresi, 3032 Charing Cross Road, $512,500.

Joseph K. Goerke from Johnny L. and Dawn M. Jennings, 8324 NW 132 Circle, $500,000.

John C. Harned from Floyd S. Tippett Jr. and Denise J. Tippett, also known as Denise J. Mathews Tippett, 8105 NW 146, $499,500.

Michael Gregg O’Mara and Laura L. Treat from Dantis and Heather N. Justine, 3108 Lakeshire Ridge Way, Edmond, $495,000.

Elijah L. Harrington from Casey and Danielle Bookout, 3417 Barberry Court, Edmond, $483,000.

Andrew Tod Davis and Katherine Horn-Davis from French Construction Co., property near the northeast corner of N Western Avenue and W Covell Road, Edmond, $470,000.

David E. and Patricia S. Hire from Willowbrook Investments LLC, 4700 SW 23, $465,000.

ESO Central LLC from S4 Investments LLC, 7201 Newcastle Road, $455,000.

Jon K. and Karen Yocam from Mark R. and Alison L. O’Rear, 4309 Slate Bridge Road, Edmond, $453,000.

Sirata LLC from Jalal LLC, 3232 S Western Ave. and property near the southeast corner of SW 29 and S Western Avenue, $450,000.

Casey Adam Bookout and Marie Danielle Bookout from Franklin Lee Wheeler and Nancy Louise Wheeler, trustees of the Nancy Louise Wheeler Revocable Trust, and Franklin Lee Wheeler and Nancy Louise Wheeler, trustees of the Franklin Lee Wheeler Revocable Trust, 9916 Hidden Hollow Lane, $440,000.

Leigh Elizabeth English, trustee of the LESS Revocable Trust from David W. and Penelope S. Buxton, 11600 Twisted Oak Road, $435,000.

Michael Jay Lawter from Alfred and Jennifer Ly, 704 NW 51 Circle, $430,000.

Jim Curran and Kim Curran from Brian W. and Noell A. Boyer, 2700 Cattle Drive, Edmond, $415,000.