Proposals sought for historic Guthrie building
State Capital Publishing Company property built in 1902
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Office
of Management and Enterprise Services on Monday issued a request for proposals
(RFP) for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the historic Oklahoma
State Capital Publishing Company building located at 301 W. Harrison in heart
of historic downtown Guthrie.
The 50,000 square foot building
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed and
constructed in 1902 by Belgian architect Joseph Foucart. The focal point of the
building is a four-story corner tower topped by a concave, pyramidal roof, with
each of the levels carried on chamfered granite columns.
Newspaper editor Frank H.
Greer founded the State Capital Publishing Company and operated in the building
until 1911, when the Co-Operative Publishing Company took over. Shortly after the
company closed its doors in 1974, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the building as a Bicentennial Project to be used as a printing
museum. Due to a lack of funding to rehabilitate and operate the property, the Historical Society closed the museum in 2012 and it was placed on the state’s underutilized
property list as a result.
The release of this RFP is a
direct result of legislation that came into effect Nov. 1 , 2014, allowing the state the option to invite written proposals for the purchase or
lease and redevelopment of state-owned properties that are considered
underutilized when sale of the properties through sealed bid auction is not in
the state’s best interest. The State Capital Publishing Company RFP focuses on promoting economic development
and stimulating the growth of the community while preserving the building’s
historical significance so that it may fulfill its potential.
“The State Capital Publishing Company is one
of Oklahoma’s most historic buildings and one of Guthrie’s architectural crown
jewels. When you step into it, it’s like stepping back in time, as much of the
building has the original flooring and fixtures. We are hoping this will be a
major win for the state, Guthrie, the new occupant and this grand historic
building,” said Melissa Milburn, director of real estate and leasing services
for OMES.
OMES encourages all
qualified responses. Interested parties are invited to attend 1 of 2
pre-submittal building tours to be held Tuesday, April 7, 2015, from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m. or Thursday, April 16, 2015, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the site location of 301 W. Harrison,
Guthrie, Okla. For additional information, contact OMES Real Estate and Leasing Services at inforeals@omes.ok.gov or 405-521-3819.
Pictures of the building can
be found at: https://www.ok.gov/OSF/images/StateCapitalPublishingBuildingExterior.jpg
https://www.ok.gov/OSF/images/StateCapitalPublishingBuildingInterior.jpg
Media Contact
JOHN ESTUS
Director of Public Affairs
(405) 521-3097 | john.estus@omes.ok.gov
 About the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services
provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and
information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the
Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Supporting our partners through unified business services. For more information, visit OMES.OK.gov.
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