Preservation Group Ends Opposition to 5 Building Teardown Downtown

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A preservation group says it won't appeal a decision by a city board allowing SandRidge Energy Inc. to tear down five buildings as part of a planned development of its downtown campus.

The decision by Preservation Oklahoma announced Thursday removes a roadblock to SandRidge's plans to demolish the buildings, including one of Oklahoma City's oldest structures, the India Temple Building.

"After much consideration, our board has determined that the best course of action is not to appeal the decision of the Board of Adjustment and to move forward from this experience," said Dr. Kay Decker, President of Preservation Oklahoma's Board. "While we are disappointed that the India Temple Building and Oklahoma Savings and Loan Building will be demolished, we also recognize the positive economic impact that SandRidge Energy will have on our City. We look forward to working with SandRidge and Oklahoma City on the sensible development of the downtown area."

The $100 million "SandRidge Commons" plan also includes the remodeling of a 29-story tower once occupied by Kerr-McGee Corp. before its 2007 sale and the former Braniff Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Oklahoma City Board of Adjustment decided to affirm a decision of the Downtown Design Review Committee, which approved SandRidge's plan in April.