DOWNTOWN DISCUSSION

Read an excerpt from Steve Lackmeyer's weekly OKC Central chat

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:

When will we begin to see vertical construction in the strawberry fields? Wasn't there a proposed 5-storyish commercial development at one point?

Pat Salame has continued to acquire and clear properties. You can see the results of her efforts to the west of Scissortail Park where she has cleared all of the blighted property creating a much more inviting and safer area surrounding the park.

I will have an update soon. But these efforts are requiring a lot of behind the scenes efforts that include infrastructure and planning. So, stay tuned.

Any other company moves to downtown in the works that you're hearing?

Dale Denwalt reported earlier this week that a large accounting firm focused on the energy industry has opened an office at the 101 Park Avenue. Houstonbased Weaver is expected to employ 80 in its downtown location within five years.

From what I'm seeing, for now we are looking at firms of this size (Hogan-Taylor is moving into the redeveloped Mercedes dealership on Broadway and is also this size, ditto for Ackerman McQueen — I think).

The market is in constant flux, so what was anticipated a few years ago is different today.

Salt Lake City was announced as a NBA All Star host this week. One of the stated requirements for this was the presence of enough hotel rooms. I view OKC as on par with, or perhaps a small step below, SLC. Let's just say we're on our way there, despite not having the beautiful mountains. SLC's mayor boasted of having 6,000 rooms in the area. Where is OKC in relation to that number, and do you believe OKC is on a trajectory to, in the next 20 years, host an event like this?

We are just not there. But if we keep on the trajectory we've been on the past quarter century, sure, it's possible. I just don't see it happening anytime soon. The NBA is a business, and they're not going to have the All Star games in a city that they're not sure they can sell.

Have you noticed that the place Whisky Biscuit in Deep Deuce is already shuttered? I remember you mentioning how the previous owners didn't know how to make up their minds about the business. I wonder if that place isn't haunted. It's not haunted, but it has had a sad track record of operators who don't quite know what to do with the space. The first floor might be too big. I do wonder if a place like Western Avenue's "Sandwich Shop" would do well in this place. Or maybe an old fashioned grill — quit trying to be clever, go with burgers, hot dogs and chicken place on the east side of the first floor and then let the west side be leased to a liquor store or a service-based retail tenant.

Hey Steve, any word on when/if The Hill will build out the rest of that space? Seems a shame. Also, will the Steelyard put up phase 3 and finish off that space south of the fire station?

The Hill is stalled out as the Urban Renewal Authority continues to engage in consultations with lawyers on how to claw back the rest of the project.

Developer Bill Canfield exceeded deadline long ago, and Urban Renewal wants to take back the rest of the land and find a new developer to complete it.

Developer Gary Brooks reports the final phase of the Steelyard is being designed and his goal is to start construction by late 2020.

How quickly after the new convention center opens do you think the Cox gets torn down? I'm afraid the city is going to sit on it for 5 years while it sits vacant.

I think we will begin to see conversations this next year. The city is not eager to clear the site without a plan and developer attached to it.