Edmond historic redevelopment project canceled
EDMOND — Developer Chip Fudge is abandoning plans to restore a decades-old ice plant and creamery in Edmond after determining the project is not financially feasible.
Fudge, a veteran at redeveloping historic buildings along Film Row in downtown Oklahoma City, acquired remnants of the Edmond Ice. Co. at 101 W Second in 2016 and then bought adjoining buildings and lots with plans for restaurants and bars in the area adjoining downtown Edmond.
An application to add the property to the National Register of Historic Places suggests the ice company started about 1900 and continued through about 1949.
“As we all know, restoring historic properties are expensive and challenging, this project was more so because of the site work, parking and easement issues,”
Fudge said. “Even with the tax credits, I could not make it work. We have acquired five properties in this block and will be listing them for sale next week.”
Fudge and his architects at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris met as recently as two weeks ago with Edmond city planners trying to figure out how to proceed.
“It is important to me to do projects to a very high standard,” Fudge said.
“We had a great design and plan from Wade Scaramucci at AHMM but the construction costs came in significantly higher than estimated. The City of Edmond staff was great to work with and very helpful during the building permit process. But at the end of the day, after much time, effort and money, I couldn't get the numbers to work for our restaurants.”