Publish Date:
06/22/2013
TEEMCO Banks on Preserving Gold Dome
by Steve Lackymeyer, Business Writer
[email protected]
When the Gold Dome at NW 23 and
Classen was first threatened with
demolition in 2001, Meg Salyer
stood at the corner with other
p r o t e s t e r s p i c k e t i n g t h e o w n e r,
Bank One. Friday, Salyer , now a
city councilwomen, helped celebrate
overcoming another close call for the
historic landmark.
S a l y e r j o i n e d w i t h t h e b u i l d i n g ’s
l a s t o w n e r, D a v i d B o x , a n d
representatives of the new owner,
TEEMCO as plans were announced
that the building will be renovated
a n d t u r n e d i n t o t h e c o m p a n y ’s
headquarters.
“We’ve been trying for many years
to find an appropriate use for this
building,” Salyer said at the Friday
morning news conference inside the
darkened former bank. “I think we’ve
found it.”
Box, owner of the Greens Country
C l u b a n d B o x Ta l e n t , b o u g h t t h e
building at 112 NW 23 last fall for
$800,000 after it was seized in
foreclosure by Bank 7 from the prior
owner, Dr. Irene Lam. He then sought
to have it demolished in March, but
backed away from those plans after
facing protests from the preservation
and architectural communities.
Arrow Cunningham, spokesman for
Edmond-based TEEMCO, confirmed
the environmental engineering
company has not completed a study
of repairs and renovations needed to
make the building headquarters to its
65-person operation. But after being
reminded that Box estimated the
building needs repairs that will top
$250,000, Cunningham promised the
company is prepared to do what it
wakes to get the job done. The Gold
Dome was built 1958 and is on the
national register of Historic Places.
It is also considered a landmark
along the old Route 66 path through
Oklahoma City.
“We feel the Gold Dome is an
Oklahoma City icon,” Cunningham
said. “It should be around for future
generations to appreciate. We feel to
not restore it and revitalize it would
be unfortunate.”
Neither Box nor Cunningham
would disclose the sales price or
a time-line for renovations, through
a groundbreaking ceremony is
scheduled for July. Box, also owner
of the Greens County Club and Box
Talent, said they also are looking
to separately develop the surface
parking to the east of the Gold Dome.
Ta l k s b e t w e e n t h e t w o p a r t i e s
started 60 days ago; Box described
the negotiations as a fast-moving
process.
“TEEMCO wants the dome to stay,”
B o x s a i d . “ I w a n t i t t o s t a y. A n d
they’re willing to make that happen.”
Source:
L a c k y m e y e r, S . ( 2 0 1 3 , J u n e 2 2 ) .
TEEMCO Banks on Preserving Gold
Dome. The Oklahoman, pp. 1B, 6B.
TEEMCO Press Portfolio
111