June 9, 2014

Presentation for OK 26th Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference

Source: FSB

Built in 1909, designed by Layton Hawk Smith, Central High School was the first dedicated High School in Oklahoma City.
Built in 1909, designed by Layton Hawk Smith, Central High School was the first dedicated High School in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City / Central High School

Early Chronology / History
•  Built in 1909, Designed by Layton Hawk Smith
•  Collegian Gothic Style, Limestone Clad
•  First Dedicated High School in OKC
•  September 1910 1st students reported to class
•  1919 changed the name to Central High School with advent of additional HS’s under way
•  1920 OKC had; 19 Elems., 5 Jr. Highs, 3 HS’s (Central, Capitol Hill, Classen)
•  1968 stopped being used as HS

•  November 7, 1976 CHS was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
•  1981 sold to Southwest Bell Telephone Co.
•  April 1984 renovation was complete and received Regional AIA Award with accolades for being saved from possible demolition.
•  Became known as One Bell Central
•  2005 SWB consolidated its downtown offices, moved to Dean McGee Ave. and sold the building to American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance Co. who was celebrating its centennial year.
•  AFR never filled the building and in 2010 put the building up for sale.
•  2012 after an intense bidding exercise OCU purchased the building to relocate it’s School of Law downtown.
•  Ironically, their bidding competitor was OKC Public Schools who after selling it 31 years earlier wanted it for their Administrative Headquarters.
•  Central High School continues to have an active alumni association with an active web site.
•  After visiting the web site, Jean Winder Roberts added a comment saying, “This all brings a tear to my eye! I graduated in 1947 and loved that school and my friends with all my heart. This website is fantastic. Thanks.”
•  This is the 8th Soloman Andrew Layton building that FSB has worked on including the State Capitol Dome.
•  The OCU School of Law project is scheduled for completion in December 2014.

One Bell Central

Historic Fabric Saved
Basement; none
First; none
Second
– N and S Entries; Mosaic tile flooring
– E Entry; Mosaic tile flooring and Murals
– Auditorium Proscenium
Third
– Balcony edge detail
Fourth
– Tiered Lecture Hall

Oklahoma City University / School of Law

Chronology – OCU School of Law
Fall 2011; Due Diligence Study
Fall 2012; Building Purchase
January 9, 2013; Program Validation
March 1, 2013; Final Design
April 24, 2013; 50% CD’s
June 19, 2013; 95% CD’s
August 6, 2013; 100% CD’s
September 20, 2013; GC Award
December 2014; Substantial Completion

Historic Preservation Angle
Federal Funding initiates historic preservation submission process
20% Federal Historic Tax Credit
Oklahoma has 20% match (was in a moratorium)
SHPO is the conduit to NPS Historic Preservation
3 Part Submission
Part 1 information about the significance and appearance of the building.
Part 2 describes the condition of the building and the planned rehabilitation work.
Part 3 of the application is submitted after the project is complete and documents that the work was completed as proposed.

Historic Preservation Chronology
2013
April; Owner elects to pursue historic tax credits
May; Exploratory Package to SHPO
July; Part 2 Submission to NPS
August; Part 2 Submission approved by NPS
December 4; Amendment 1-Window Replacement

2014
January 23; Amend 1 approved by NPS
March 31; Amend 2 – Sample Window
May 5; Amend 2 disapproved by NPS
May 30; Amend 3 – Addressing NPS concerns

Read More