Devon Energy Begins Construction on New $750 Million Tower in Downtown OKC
October 7, 2009 – The Oklahoman reports construction has begun on Devon Energy’s new $750 million tower in downtown Oklahoma City. The tower will be 50 stories and 850 feet high, making it the tallest building in Oklahoma.
Lead architect Jon Pickard tells The Oklahoman the Devon tower "groundbreaking" may be alone among skyscraper projects being launched this year.
The entire project is expected to complete by late 2012.
New Arena Football League to Make Tulsa Its Headquarters
September 29, 2009 - The Journal Record reports a newly formly arena football league will be headquartered in Tulsa and bring with it an estimated $1.3 million economic impact.
The newly formed Arena Football League 1 will include a minimum of 16 franchises and begin play in 2010. Both Oklahoma arena teams, the Tulsa Talons and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, will compete in the new league.
The newly created league will unite the former Arena Football League, arenafootball2 and other indoor football teams under the Arena Football 1 banner.
Broken Arrow High Tech Manufacturer Planning Expansion
July 17, 2009 – The Journal Record reports high-tech simulator manufacturer AMI will move into 50% larger quarters this fall, with plans to boost its workforce by 15%.
While production of its core flight-simulator remains steady, the Broken Arrow-based subsidiary of L-3 Communications says it’s also seeing success with submarine simulators and nuclear power plant control-panel models, reports the Journal Record.
East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Breaks Ground on Headquarters Expansion
June 10, 2009 – The Journal Record reports East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative has broken ground on a $5 million headquarters expansion and renovation project in Okmulgee.
The new headquarters will include a new 21,374-square-foot brick structure featuring a circular steel and glass entrance. The cooperative’s existing 26,022-square-foot headquarters will be renovated to provide work areas, community rooms and storage needs.
Although East Central generates its own power for a 3,000-square-mile region in and south of Tulsa, the headquarters will tap a 60-well geothermal environmental system originally installed in 1977, says the Journal Record. East Central is also considering seeking LEED Silver certification.
