Hey, y'all. There are a few "different" kinds of real estate stories down below, but first: OKC Realtors done good, as some of us Okies say, and I'm just going to let 'em tell you themselves.
From the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors:
When Gary Jones received poll results a few years ago, he was shocked.
Jones, the government affairs director for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors (OKCMAR), had asked the membership to rank the policy issues they valued most.
“Over 60% of our members said addressing homelessness was their top priority,” said Jones.
Based on the poll’s results, the organization launched The Way Home (TWH), the philanthropic arm of the association focused on homelessness initiatives. OKCMAR centered efforts on educating and activating thousands of its members, encouraging them to educate themselves on the root causes of homelessness, donate percentages of their sales commissions to TWH and volunteer their time with local nonprofits.
To date, OKCMAR members have donated over $75,000 to TWH. The organization has distributed more than $50,000 to local nonprofits and entities focused on solving homelessness and serving the unhoused.
“We’re strengthening our community,” said Peter Fulmer, OKCMAR Government Affairs Homeless Initiative Chair and broker at Parasol Real Estate. “We’re funding the vital background tools — like repairing an industrial fridge and purchasing volunteer coordination software — which equips these nonprofits to continue their great work.”
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OKCMAR members have also donated goods and volunteered their time, rolling up their sleeves to paint rooms, build shelves and clean service areas.
Benefitting organizations are Focus on Home , City Care , the Homeless Alliance , Skyline Urban Ministry and Key to Home , the city of Oklahoma City’s homelessness initiative.
“We care about housing for all, not just people who are able to buy a house,” said Fulmer. “Everyone deserves a place to call home.”
More information about OKCMAR’s efforts can be found at okcmar.org/thewayhome .
Very cool. Good job, y'all.
Now, that "different" kind of real estate news? Let's get to it. Oh, if you don't subscribe to the digital Oklahoman, please consider one of these deals.
Whatever happened to American Heartland Theme Park and Resort in northeast Oklahoma?
It's like a roller coaster slowly clambering, clanking and inching its way to a steep drop and a head rush: For the American Heartland Theme Park and Resort , the much-talked-about $2.5 billion, 1,000-acre entertainment venue planned for Vinita, not much has been accomplished after a year.
Will the park top the peak and coast the rails for a thrilling ride? Or remain stalled at the crest?
Catching up on bills appears to be the next step − specifically $5.5 million owed to lead design firm FORREC, which filed a mechanic's and materialman's lien for that amount against developer Mansion Entertainment Group and associated OGB Holdings, the property owner, with the Craig County clerk on May 3.
Read all about it.
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority cuts staff, citing short allocation, lower licensing
This isn't real estate news, but it reflects changes in commercial property, both retail and industrial. Stay tuned for an update before long.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority cut its staff Tuesday by 10%, letting go between 25 and 30 employees, a reflection of the shrinking industry.
"With commercial license numbers decreasing, it was imperative we find efficiencies in our operations to ensure we are nimble and ready for future endeavors," Executive Director Adria Berry said in a prepared statement released after meetings with employees.
Berry also cited a "limited appropriated budget."
Read all about it.
Total Wine & More argues Oklahoma liquor store rules are at odds with U.S. Constitution
Again, not real estate news, per se, but it reflects changes in commercial property, retail, which will be significantly affected if a lot of mom-and-pop liquor stores close as a result of Total Wine & More being allowed to enter Oklahoma. Stay tuned!
An attorney for Maryland-based Total Wine & More , a national liquor store chain, ground away at legal roadblocks to its opening a store in Oklahoma on Wednesday before officials whose job is to uphold state law prohibiting it.
Mark Hornbeek, with the Phillips Murrah law firm, went before an administrative law judge to argue against the denial of a license for $2.4-billion Total Wine to own and operate a liquor store by the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, commonly called the ABLE Commission . The judge has 15 days to decide.
Technically, the license applicant is Sooner Fine Wine & Spirits RLLP, a registered limited liability partnership between Total Wine co-founder Robert L. Trone and his wife, Anna Marie Parisi-Trone, who live in Maryland. They want to open a big store at 2135 S Interstate 35 Service Road in Moore, at the Shops at Moore shopping center.
Read all about it.
State of steak: Can one of Oklahoma's most historic professions weather modern markets?
Yep, it's agriculture, but it's real estate, as well. Ranch land is commercial, income-producing land. And the cattle bidness is about my favorite bidness to report on. Oops, I slipped into the vernacular of my own cow-calf upbringin'.
Cattle bosses on the Great Western Trail were dreamers, and the rangy longhorns they drove from Texas through here on the way to Kansas and Nebraska fetched fortunes, but they probably never imagined this future for Indian Territory 150 years later: The humble beef cow is the mother of Oklahoma agriculture.
Markets for cows and calves — and stockers, feeders, even old, worn-out bulls — are on a roll. ... Nationally, with the cattle inventory at its lowest level in more than 70 years, beef prices are through the barn roof. ...
So, is it a good time to be an Oklahoma rancher? "It is. Profitability is really good for anyone that's got some management skills," said Weston Givens, co-owner of Davison & Sons Cattle Co. in Arnett, about 150 miles northwest of OKC. ...
With historic beef prices likely ahead, and beef history behind us this 150th anniversary of the Great Western Trail — the last of Oklahoma's historic cattle trails — here is a look at how the beef cattle business evolved in Oklahoma and how it works in 2024.
Read all about it. And, check out these great pix.
What is the future of Bricktown? Shiny skyscrapers alongside a historic aluminum-sided warehouse
By The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer.
Scot Matteson promises he is ready to begin work this fall on three glimmering towers in what is now a surface parking lot in Lower Bricktown .
If built, they will closely wrap around a six-story U-Haul warehouse the company has refused to sell or restore the historic façade of a 1912 Iten Snow White Bakery hidden by aluminum siding. Brett Hogan, U-Haul area district vice president, argues the warehouse is a landmark and anchor for the entertainment district.
“I think everyone is pleased with the façade and the much-needed services our store provides,” Hogan said. “People can easily identify the store and know it’s a U-Haul location. We have been in Bricktown since 1977, long before it was the popular place to be.”
Read all about it.
Outparcels, pad sites, remnants, and scrapwood
Finally ...
Here is all of my work for The Oklahoman/Oklahoman.com in one place.
Thanks for reading! What's coming up that I need to know about? What have I missed? Email me at rmize@oklahoman.com.
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Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 199 9.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Realtors do good! What theme park? Total Wine! We got cows!
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