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 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 [email protected] or (405) 521-3819.