Headlines of the Week

Strategic investment key to continued science, tech gains
The Oklahoman
BY MICHAEL CAROLINA
July 26, 2010

It is easy to lose sight of what's working for Oklahoma while dealing with a down economy. Perhaps now is a good time to reflect and refocus on our science and technology journey.

Oklahomans must have watched with wonder as Sylvan Goldman rolled out his innovative shopping cart in 1937. Similarly, Carl Magee unveiled the first parking meter in 1935at Robinson and Park Avenue in Oklahoma City. Wiley Post, Oklahoma aviator and inventor, made headlines in 1934 when he went aloft in the world's first-ever pressurized suit. These examples are a prelude to the innovation climate that we continue to build today.

Today, Oklahoma researchers and firms are involved in developing robots to save lives and gather intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles that keep our soldiers safe in Afghanistan and cutting-edge proton therapy that's making a difference in the lives of cancer patients. Research teams at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have captured the attention of researchers and physicians around the world with their extensive catalog of autoimmune disorders and, most importantly, with innovative ways to treat these disorders.

In 1986, visionary state leaders established the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. Since then, OCAST has supported Oklahoma's research community to develop and commercialize new technologies that result in high-paying jobs, new businesses and enterprises that put us on a sustainable growth trajectory to compete globally.

OCAST focuses on technology sectors that — when added to our staples of energy and agriculture — provide us with the best opportunities to grow and diversify our economy. At the core of our programs are applied and health research but our full suite includes small-business support mechanisms, research and development internships, advanced manufacturing, commercialization services and seed capital for startup businesses.

We leverage the state's investment in OCAST by increasing the flow of federal dollars to Oklahoma researchers. Our model is based on strong governance, stewardship, expert advisers and outside peer review to ensure project awards are based on merit and offer the best return on investment for Oklahoma taxpayers.

We're hitting our stride in advancing science and technology and promoting public/private collaborations to create value for the citizens of Oklahoma. Over the past 23 years, OCAST has awarded $193 million to 2,230 Oklahoma research projects that have, in turn, attracted $3.5 billion from the federal and private sectors in areas such as bioscience, aerospace, high-productivity agriculture, nanotechnology applications and renewable energy.

OCAST has received many national and international calls asking how Oklahoma put together its model for technology-based economic development and how it helped leverage the state's research capacity at its research institutions, foundations and small businesses. And therein lies the challenge — how to keep the momentum and position Oklahoma for continued growth and excellence. I believe we know how to continue to build the state's science and technology agenda and chronology — our real challenge is continued commitment to strategic investment.

Carolina is executive director of OCAST.

MidTown draws unique mix of businesses to revived Oklahoma City area
By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman
July 24, 2010
July 24--As a longtime Mesta Park resident and owner of the Sieber Hotel Apartments, Marva Ellard has seen MidTown transformed this past decade from a blighted area to a thriving mixed-use downtown community.

"I've seen great changes," Ellard said. "The number and quality of the restaurants here have dramatically improved. It's safer and cleaner. And there is a huge interest to live in this part of town."

Ellard's own restored Sieber Hotel is full and she fields calls daily. She boasts the neighborhood has the best mix in all of the city's urban core -- a walkable area that is home to St. Anthony Hospital, offices, a fitness center, schools, restaurants and housing.

But what Ellard and others say is needed most in MidTown is what it is largely missing -- retail.

MidTown Renaissance developer Mickey Clagg couldn't agree more, and is opening up a contest for the best retail pitch for the area's landmark Plaza Court building. The prize will be one year of free rent for a 1,500-square-foot store front (as part of a three-year lease) and one year free membership to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

Clagg said an optometrist is joining the mix at Plaza Court, which is already home to a YMCA fitness center, Irma's Burgers, Subway and James E. McNellie's Public House.

It has only been a couple of years since Clagg, along with partners Bob Howard, took over development of the project from former developer Greg Banta. The pair has overseen the openings of restaurants including the MidTown Deli and Stella, and the introduction of new housing.

"Everyone loves Stella and what they doing," Clagg said. "I think all the restaurants in MidTown are doing well. I think if we had six more buildings like the one with Stella, we could rent them today."

But Clagg doesn't have any more buildings like Stella (a converted old gas station), and the strip along Walker is fully leased. He now is turning his attention to the Packard Building at NW 10 and Robinson, which after some monthslong failed negotiations with potential office tenants, is about to undergo the remainder of renovations.

Work also is starting up again on the conversion of Hadden Hall into apartments, with the Cline Hotel and the 1212 Building on Walker to follow in the future.
"People are coming to MidTown for a different reason: it's historic, there are a lot of cool restaurants you can walk to," Clagg said. "And with Oklahoma City we have an advantage in that downtown is in the middle -- there are over 600,000 people within 15-20 minutes of downtown. We have the third-shortest commute time in the country."

Courting the perfect tenant: Plaza contest seeks creative retailer
The Journal Record
by Brianna Bailey
July 26th, 2010


OKLAHOMA CITY – Plaza Court has come a long way since 2006, when the only remaining tenant in the building was a Subway restaurant. Today, the landmark, 83-year-old, irregular-shaped building is the heart of the thriving Midtown district and houses an artisan bakery and a hip burger joint, among other businesses.

One thing the area has always lacked is retail space and services, said Midtown Renaissance developer Mickey Clagg, who is redeveloping about 30 properties in the Midtown area.

There have been three vacant commercial spaces at Plaza Court for a while, because Midtown Renaissance has been looking for just the right tenants to make the area a shopping and dining destination, Clagg said. The developer just leased one space to an optometrist and hopes to fill more slots with boutique retailers.

“We just decided we couldn’t do any more restaurants,” Clagg said. “We want to have a good tenant mix, so we’ve been holding out for retail.”

Midtown Renaissance is holding a contest to find a new tenant for Plaza Court. The winning business will get a year of free rent in a 1,501-square-foot property – the first year of a three-year lease on the space – as well as one-year, free membership to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

The competition is open to locally owned businesses. Midtown Renaissance will consider a new business that has not been established yet, but the contest is closed to restaurants, franchises and chain retailers. The developer is looking for a creative retail concept or service to fill the space, Clagg said.

“We want something that is unique, something you don’t see at the suburban shopping center or mall,” he said.

Business owners and managers at Plaza Court said they would like to see retailers come into the area to draw more shoppers there.

“Shopping would be nice if you had some time to kill,” said Tracy Gleese, manager of the Plaza Court pub and restaurant James E. McNellie’s Public House.

John McBryde, owner of Prairie Thunder Baking Co., which has been at Plaza Court since 2008, said he is open-minded about what kind of business he would like to have as a neighbor.

The Plaza Court has been completely revitalized since McBryde signed a lease to open his bakery there four years ago, he said.

“It’s been a whole lot of fun to be a part of, and I think we’ve achieved critical mass,” he said.

The deadline to enter the new Plaza Court business contest is 5 p.m. Aug. 16.
Application materials can be downloaded at www.midtownR.com. Finalists will be notified on Sept. 3 and a winner will be chosen by Sept. 14.

Will Rogers opens new terminal
The Journal Record
Brian Brus
July 26th, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – Business travelers and sports teams have a new entryway to Oklahoma City, Will Rogers World Airport officials revealed Monday.

The new corporate and general aviation terminal is northwest of the much larger commercial complex with which most travelers are familiar. At 6,000 square feet, the so-called fixed-base operation, or FBO, facility is geared more toward smaller, private and corporate aircraft.

The opening of the $1.8 million building is the culmination of several years of discussions between AAR Corp. and the Oklahoma City municipal government’s airports trust, Director Mark Kranenburg said.

“After the expansion/renovation of the commercial terminal in 2006, it was evident that the airport needed a complementary general aviation and corporate terminal,” Kranenburg said. “Our longtime relationship with AAR enabled us to collaborate on this project. The result is a facility that reflects the progressive nature of our community.”

Kranenburg estimated the building will handle more than 10,000 flights annually. It was designed by Frankfurt-Short-Bruza Associates engineering firm and built by Silvercliffe Construction, both of Oklahoma City.

The FBO is often a destination for U.S. Air Force jets engaged in training exercises from nearby Vance Air Force Base. And AAR has the fueling contract for the airlines that serve Oklahoma City. Illinois-based AAR serves aviation and government defense clients nationwide through its aviation supply chain, maintenance and general systems segments.

Mayor Mick Cornett attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the airport Monday with several other government officials and civic leaders.

“We believe the modernization of the FBO facility shows what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors join forces for the greater good of the community,” Cornett said. “We can now offer visitors a first-class aviation facility that reflects Oklahoma City’s efforts to stimulate and support our local economy.
“AAR and other companies have a lot of opportunities to invest in communities and airports around the world, and that they would choose Oklahoma City as a wise investment speaks loudly to Oklahoma City’s progression,” he said.

AAR established operations in Oklahoma City in 1971, Chief Executive David Storch said, and now has 615 local employees with an annual payroll of $30 million. The city has one of the best FBOs in the United States, he said.

“I know a few years back that people in Oklahoma City got a little nervous when we announced an expansion in Indianapolis. But I’m proud to say today, as I was back then, that this Oklahoma City base is a very critical part of the AAR business empire,” Storch said.

Into the sky: Devon tower to begin rising at rapid pace
The Journal Record
by Brianna Bailey
July 28th, 2010


OKLAHOMA CITY – Workers have finished the skeleton of the sixth floor of Devon Energy’s new corporate headquarters downtown and will soon begin adding height to the structure at a rate of one floor every eight days.

Devon expects the new tower on Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson avenues to top 500 feet by spring, making it the tallest structure in the city, company Chairman Larry Nichols said at a press conference on Wednesday.

The company expects the 50-story, 1.8-million-square-foot tower to reach its full height of 850 feet in August of 2011.

Workers are expected to begin installing glass into the first three floors of the tower in September.

Nichols said he has been in communication with several companies about taking over some of the roughly 800,000 square feet of office space downtown that Devon will vacate once it moves into its new headquarters in 2012.

At least one company has expressed interest in taking over Devon’s current headquarters at 20 N. Broadway Ave., but Nichols would not reveal if it was another energy company or whether the firm was based in Oklahoma, saying any such announcement would be premature.

The project is on schedule and within its projected $750 million budget, Nichols said.

“It’s a hard time to be doing something like this in a recession, it takes a little intestinal fortitude to look into the future,” Nichols said.

One upside to building in a down market, Nichols said, is that all of the bids on the project have come in at or under budget.

The fact that there is so much new construction taking place in Oklahoma City is something the city should be proud of, said Gavin Kalley, project director for construction of the new Devon headquarters, which is a joint venture between

Oklahoma City-based Flintco Constructive Solutions and Atlanta-based Holder Construction.

“Not many major metro areas can say that right now,” Kalley said.