Bricktown committee approves garage design

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Feb 15, 2007 by Kelley Chambers

A new parking structure proposed for Bricktown got the go-ahead Tuesday, pending a few final design approvals.

Several variations on the parking structure were presented at the Bricktown Urban Design Committee meeting. The project is part of a larger effort to also rehabilitate buildings at 2 and 12 E. California Ave.

John Calhoun, with the city Planning Department, said the committee would only consider approval for the garage at the meeting.

Two variations for the design were presented by Martin Goldstein, an architect with Denver-based MM Partnership. Goldstein said the designs were created by Melissa Shelton Goldstein at MM and described one as modern while the other he described as more traditional.

Committee members seemed to prefer a more traditional design.

"We're presenting you two options," Goldstein told the committee. "And what we thought we would like to do today is ask if one of these works. They both work for us."

Goldstein presented the designs on behalf of the owners of the property, Bricktown Canal Properties Inc. and Harding & Shelton LLC.

The initial plan calls for a two-story structure with the possibility of adding additional floors in the future. If additional floors are added, Goldstein said the lower parking level would likely be converted to retail space.

Avis Scaramucci, the committee's vice chairwoman, asked about the time frame for adding more levels to the structure.

John W. Shelton, of Harding & Shelton, said it's a question of financing and contractual obligations involved in the purchase, but said he does not see either factor slowing down the process of adding additional levels to the garage.

Plans also call for an elevated walkway to connect the garage to one of the renovated buildings.

A concern raised by the committee involved the materials to be used on the exterior of the structure. The renderings showed a red brick facade with yellow limestone columns.

Committee members decided to approve the proposal under the condition that Calhoun be allowed to identify the specific brick and limestone planned for the exterior before it is installed.

Shelton said with the approval of the committee he hopes to begin construction as soon as possible. The garage is expected to take several months to complete and will cost in excess of $1 million.

Goldstein said the owners are also working with the state for historic tax credits for the two buildings. The building at 2 E. California Ave. is a 17,250-square-foot industrial building built in 1909. The building at 12 E. California Ave. is a 23,400-square-foot commercial building that houses two restaurants. It was built in 1929.