Oklahoma City is inching closer to constructing the tallest skyscraper in the country, despite some city officials expressing apprehensions about the building’s structural integrity during a recent planning meeting.
“We’re not trying to emulate the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas or the vibrant energy of Times Square,” she explained, as reported by The Oklahoman newspaper. “We understand that excessive light can be overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities.”
The Devon Energy Center, standing at 50 stories, currently holds the title of the tallest building in Oklahoma City. However, plans for a new building with an impressive 134 stories have been unveiled. Renderings of the upcoming skyscraper display signage that appears to be similar in size to the iconic Devon tower, as reported by The Oklahoman.
Camal Pennington, the chairman of the city’s planning commission, emphasized the significance of the issue during a meeting with developers. He resides in Oklahoma City, just a stone’s throw away from downtown, and has a direct view of the Devon tower from his porch on a daily basis. As a result, Pennington expressed his strong opposition towards the current state of signage, stating that he could not support it.
During the meeting, it was mentioned by another planning commissioner that Oklahoma City is currently not New York City or Vegas, although there is potential for it to become one in the future.
The zoning request was modified by the commission, shifting the focus towards obtaining additional approval from the planning commission and the Oklahoma City council before erecting signs on the building. This change in language eliminates the previous restriction on the size of signage allowed at the site.
According to the developers, construction on the first two towers, Ruby and Emerald, is scheduled to begin later this summer. These towers will stand at 23 stories tall and are expected to be completed within 24 to 30 months.
The upcoming development will encompass a mix of retail outlets, hotels, and residential spaces, along with a ground-level parking structure. Dominating the skyline will be the magnificent Legends Tower, which will boast an array of luxurious residences, hotel accommodations, and affordable income apartments. Additionally, there are exciting proposals to establish a public observatory and a restaurant at the pinnacle of this remarkable tower.
Oklahoma City, with a population of nearly 700,000 residents, has a number of exciting projects lined up for the coming years. Among these is a multipurpose stadium worth $71 million, set to host high school, collegiate, and professional sporting events. The stadium is being constructed in close proximity to the site of the historic 1907 tower, as confirmed by Kristy Yager, the Public Information Director for the City of Oklahoma City.
In December, residents made the decision to support a one percent sales tax for the next six years. The purpose of this tax is to provide financial assistance for the construction of a new stadium for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the city’s NBA team. It is estimated that the stadium project will require a minimum of $900 million in funding.
According to Yager, Oklahoma City is no stranger to cranes and construction downtown. He made this comment in an email to Newsweek on Friday.
According to Matteson, Oklahoma City is currently undergoing a period of remarkable growth and transformation. This makes it the perfect environment to support ambitious projects like the proposed development of The Boardwalk at Bricktown.
According to him, this development is expected to become a landmark destination for the city. It will not only contribute to the growth and diversification of the economy but also attract investments, new businesses, and job opportunities.
