Neighbors, review panel recommend proceeding with $37 million Roosevelt school development

The Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday is set to designate the team of Marva Ellard and Cathy O’Connor to convert the blighted former Roosevelt school into housing.

The school, at 900 N Klein Ave., was last the headquarters for the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration until it was abandoned in 2017. The potential designation of the developers was revealed during a presentation Monday night to the Oklahoma City Public Schools board.

The $37 million proposal by Coalign (Ellard and O’Connor) seeks to convert the Roosevelt into 96 apartments and build an additional 79 apartments with ground floor retail facing Western Avenue.

Kenton Tsoodle, director of the Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority, said his staff and residents in the Metro Park Neighborhood unanimously supported recommending Coalign among the three groups that competed for the project.

“We had some really good proposals, but what stood out was the new construction bringing new value to the property,” Tsoodle said. “There was a lot of interest in that new construction piece.”

Ellard said the site is ideally located within walking distance of public transit, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and Midtown. The school was designed by noted architect Solomon Andrew Layton and built in 1924.

“If this building were a person, I would be a stalker,” Ellard joked. “It’s a wonderful building. It's a Solomon Layton building. Many of the best, most historic buildings in this city are owned by the school district.”

The school attracted multiple proposals in 2019 when the district first teamed up with the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority to offer the property for redevelopment. The school district pulled out of the deal without explaining why after Urban Renewal chose a group led by Tulsa restaurateur and developer Elliott Nelson.

The school district sat on the property before deciding in 2022 to spend $764,540 to tear down the landmark. Metro Park neighborhood protests prompted the school district to put demolition on hold and ultimately team up again with Urban Renewal to seek new proposals.

What are the plans for the former Roosevelt school?

Ellard, who submitted a proposal in 2019, said the Coalign proposal will require the use of historic tax credits and assistance from a proposed new tax increment financing district being contemplated along the Classen Boulevard corridor. The school district’s agreement to once again entertain sale proposals included a required payment of $2 million, which is part of the Coalign proposal.

The Coalign project includes restoring the school’s swimming pool, including the overhead skylight, and the auditorium, which may be turned into an entertainment space.

Ellard said the gym likely will be converted into apartments with other amenities to include a fitness center and outdoor terraces.

“Part of our goal is to re-create the streetscape on Western Avenue and encourage development of that area,” Ellard said. “The most fascinating part of this is what it can do for Metro Park. The neighborhood enjoys a fabulous location, and what’s been holding it back from its potential is the Roosevelt school.”

Should the redevelopment authority board approve designating Coalign as developer for the school, the school board will vote on May 5 on whether to authorize negotiating a final deal with Coalign.

Ellard said if all goes well, she hopes to start construction in early 2026. She said the building is in good structural condition but will require extensive removal of trash and debris left by homeless people and recent fires.

“Historic buildings are not a speedy construction project,” Ellard said. “We want to get this one right. We can show these schools can have another life and be positive neighbors.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC school targeted for demolition eyed for $37 million development