Sept. 14, 2017
OMES Issues Request for Proposals to Redevelop 23rd Street Armory
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Office of Management and Enterprise Services is
seeking proposals for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the 23rd
Street Armory located within the State Capitol Complex at 200 N.E. 23rd
St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Interested parties are invited to submit
proposals for the 23rd Street Armory building, consisting of 72,667 square feet
more or less.
Construction was approved for the 23rd Street Armory as a
nationwide Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in September of 1935. Architect
and Oklahoma Army National Guard Major Bryan F. Nolen designed the building,
which was promoted at the time of construction as being the only armory in the
state erected entirely from revenue generated by oil wells located on the
Oklahoma State Capitol grounds.
The armory played a central role in the support of the
National Guard’s volunteer military program. In addition, it was also open to
the community for civic gatherings, exhibitions and sporting events such as roller
derby competitions, wrestling matches and square dancing. The building’s use as
an armory ceased in 2010 when the property was transferred to OMES after
closure by the Oklahoma National Guard. Since that time, it has been used as a
storage facility for state agencies.
The exterior of the building has classic art deco features
and was constructed of recycled penitentiary bricks. The interior has concrete
floors, steel joists and fire-resistant construction. The armory consists of
offices, classrooms, a barrel-roofed drill hall and several garages with
overhead door entry. As there is limited parking at the 23rd Street Armory,
interested parties may include in their proposal selected adjacent land and
ancillary structures located to the east, south and west.
“The Request for Proposals for the
23rd Street Armory is being issued in compliance with a legislative initiative that
directs the state to dispose of underutilized properties, the proceeds of which
go into the Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund,” said Melissa
Milburn, Director of Real Estate and Leasing Services. “Due to the location and unique history of
the property, it is being offered to the private sector through this process to
allow the state to consider community benefits, including economic, cultural
and job creation as part of the evaluation process.”
The
Request for Proposals period will open on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Three
pre-submittal building tours are planned from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and
Nov. 1, 2017. Proposals are due by close of business on March 15, 2018. For
additional information, contact OMES Real Estate and Leasing Services at inforeals@omes.ok.gov or 405-521-3819.
Media Contact
Shelley Zumwalt Director of Public Affairs 405-535-5198 | shelley.zumwalt@omes.ok.gov
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