PLOT DEVELOPMENT
Proposals are sought for two prime spots in Core to Shore
Developers are being invited to pitch proposals for two prime properties controlled by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority in the area known as “Core to Shore.”
One stretch of land is south of the Chesapeake Energy Arena and runs along a newly opened section of the Oklahoma City Boulevard. The other property is at SW 10 and Harvey adjacent to the lower section of Scissortail Park.
The arena frontage, between E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and Robinson Avenue, is across from the future 17-story, 605-room Omni Hotel and a proposed eight-story Boulevard Place tower that is set to include 241 apartments and a mix of retail wrapped around a garage being built by the city.
Cathy O’Connor, director of the Urban Renewal Authority, said the land adjacent to the area is being acquired as part of deal with the Oklahoma Transportation Department to pursue redevelopment of former Interstate 40 right of way vacated when the highway was moved south.
“They don’t look like they are that big,” O’Connor said of the arena frontage properties. “But they are big enough to build something that would be a nice addition for visitors and fans. We think that an entertainment-based use, something that activates the street in front of the arena, is best.”
O’Connor added the development might need to be focused along the east half of the arena frontage so that the future main entrance to the arena is not blocked. Representatives of The Thunder were approached to ensure they won’t need the
stretch for a future expansion of the arena, she said.
A second request for proposals is going out for a block of parcels between SW 10 and SW 11 west of Harvey Avenue. Only one parcel in the block is not owned or under contract to be purchased by Urban Renewal, and O’Connor said the owner of the one parcel might be among those submitting development proposals.
Both requests for proposals were approved by the Urban Renewal board of commissioners on Wednesday.
“It will be interesting to see the creativity people bring to the proposals,” Commissioner Mark Beffort said. “I can see something unique, but they also must be something that complements the arena and the park.”