MAPS 4, Thunder Alley lead chat topics

Oklahoman Business writer Steve Lackmeyer took questions from readers during Friday's OKC Central Live Chat, which is hosted at www.oklahoman.com every Friday at 9:30 a.m. Below is an edited transcript:

So since Ed Shadid lost his legal fight to stop MAPS 4 as a group package, does that mean as citizens we have no alternative but to have to hold our noses and vote for soccer stadiums to get meaningful and needed programs, or vote not and not get the programs that we want? I agree with Ed. These should be voted on separately.

This discussion bewilders me a bit as MAPS 4 is being presented in the same manner as all the other MAPS ballots.

I am hearing complaints from the arena and stadium supporters who don't like the social services part of the ballot and vice versa. The idea is that addressing an array of interests is the one way that these items get funded. It's called compromise.

Is everything for the "Thunder Alley" just south of Chesapeake Arena finalized and just needs to begin construction? If so, is work set to begin soon?

It's far from finalized, but I am told we should get an update soon. Notice the area is pretty torn up right now with utility and pipeline work underway. For those who are not familiar with this project, the owners of the Thunder have teamed up with Hogan Properties to develop an

entertainment zone with a restaurant, bar, sports shop and basketball court for fans.

The property is the excess easement from the old Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway alignment that is now the Oklahoma City Boulevard. The proposal also calls for some surface parking.

Any word of developments coming to fruition in the Strawberry Fields anytime soon?

Look west of Scissortail Park, and you'll see the contribution made to date by Strawberry Fields developer Pat Salame. The area was filled with junk and blight and have been cleared and sodded by Salame as she continues to buy and consolidate holdings in the area.

I'm not aware of another developer who has tried to consolidate so many separately owned properties so close to downtown. I'll try to do an update soon. But so far, as recently as last week, she is continuing to buy and clear lots for her vision of a mixed-use development between Hudson Avenue, Shartel Avenue, the Oklahoma City Boulevard and Interstate 40.

What can you tell us on the progress of the First National Center? On time. Delayed. Hotel still on board? When can we see a model of the apartments?

Steel should be arriving any day for construction of the new garage ramps facing Broadway that will allow for the 1957 mid-block building to be converted into structured parking.

We've seen some models of the hotel rooms. I think we may also have some apartments staged. I will ask.

Any idea when Core Bank will begin construction on the corner of NW 13th & Broadway?

The developer, Richard Lebarthe, is hoping to complete financing and start construction on the first phase in early 2020, as soon as permitting is obtained, and to open in about 15 months

The first phase is a five-story, office and retail building with a drive-through on the first floor at the corner of Broadway and NW 13. The second phase consists of 225 apartments spread out in five-story buildings fronting the corner of NW 13 and Robinson and wrapping around a five-story, 336space garage at the corner of NW 13 and Broadway.

Keep in mind that when you see "wrap up financing," that typically means we could see quite a bit of changes in the hope for schedule.