DOME REPAIR
Work to resume this fall at Gold Dome
Work is set to resume on the Gold Dome this fall as developer Jonathan Russell attempts to reverse damage done by prior owners when they painted and sealed the geodesic dome.
Russell bought the dome, an Uptown landmark at NW 23 and Classen, three years ago after a prior plan to turn it into a headquarters for TEEMCO fell apart amid allegations and financial wrongdoing and the collapse of the company.
The work done by TEEMCO while the dome was still quietly owned by previous owner David Box was limited to repainting
and sealing the roof.
“The dome had been, since we bought it, relatively dry,” Russell said. “But then it started leaking severely. We knew something had changed. That caused us to start trying to figure out what had happened — it was concerning.”
Russell said he commissioned reviews by three engineers to look at the integrity of the dome and its structure. The findings were alarming.
“One of the problems we found was the dome had been coated in an attempt to seal it,” Russell said. “That’s not good for that building or that roof. And now the sealant can’t be fully removed.
“When they sealed the bottom, they sealed the pressure relief point for the building. They sealed where the building moved and breathed.”
Russell said he is now preparing to spend $200,000 on a plan created by engineers to restore openings critical to the performance of the dome.
“The roof can be repaired,” Russell said. “Our next step is to make that attempt. We have to have a dry building. We’re following their instructions on how to repair it.”
Russell originally hoped, before the latest issues emerged with the roof, to complete a deal with Natural Grocers to occupy the dome. Plans were drawn up but the deal did not go through.
Russell said after a successful repair of the roof, his next plan is to work with the city and state on obtaining historic tax credits for the building and renovating it in a way that will work for leasing.
When TEEMCO executives claimed they had bought the dome from Box, they promised a quick renovation and opening as their headquarters. Russell is making no such promises.
“It’s an extremely difficult challenge,” Russell said. “It’s hard to find people who truly understand what we are dealing with. It’s a Pandora’s box. It’s been monkeyed with several times in the past, each iteration of which caused more problems. There is a reason it has struggled for 20 years.
“One thing I know for certain is doing it the wrong way has caused more damage than good. We’re trying to be very careful that we repair it the right way.”
Lynne Rostochil with Okie Mod Squad is among those supporting Russell’s slow and careful approach. She said the group’s Oklahoma Modernism Weekend drew record attendance when it was hosted last year at the dome.
“The building is very lucky to have an owner like Jonathan Russell who wants to do the best for it that he can,” Rostochil said. “The Gold Dome is one of the most recognized structures in all of Oklahoma.
“People all over the country and internationally know about the building. It’s worth the wait.”