Real estate bus tour

By: J. David Chapman/November 14, 2019

In today’s world of online education, podcasts, and virtual conferences, it is becoming more difficult to hold successful events in person. It requires effort, expense, and time away from the workplace for participants.

The Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors recently held a Commercial Bus Tour and sold out the entire touring coach. I was asked to come along and speak on opportunity zones during the full-day event. The intent of the bus tour was to educate Realtors on opportunity zones and highlight a few new projects in town.

We started the day’s festivities at the renovation of Owl Court in the old town of Britton. Realtor, owner of Commercial OKC Real Estate, and partner in Owl Court Marc Weinmeister gave us a quick tour of the project and inspired Realtors to take a chance and make a difference in their communities by taking on a renovation project such as Owl Court in their city or town.

Back on the bus, we headed to the Capitol View Events Center located at 5201 N. Lincoln Blvd. Specializing in rooftop weddings with a view of both the Capitol and downtown skyline, this event center will host up to 200 people with both inside and roof-top terrace accommodations.

Next, the group was treated to the answer of “What will become of the empty Oklahoma National Guard Armory located at NE 23rd Street and Broadway Extension?” The 87,000-square-foot, once the home to the 45th Infantry, will be converted into a mixed-use venue by Coop Ale Works for a brewery complex including a hotel, restaurant, event space and retail stores. Tip up that Horny Toad and salute the 45th Infantry and Coop Ale Works.

Back on the bus we headed to Yale Theater in Historic Capitol Hill. Built in 1910 as an open-air performing arts center called Capitol Hill Theater, it was renovated in 1921 and renamed Yale Theater. Thanks to local developer Steve Mason, another restoration process has been completed and the theater is up and running again for concerts, community theater, class reunions, happy hour, and other events.

We ended up the successful day with a tour of our new Scissortail Park and reception with a view at the new craft beer venue – Social Capital. Thanks to OKCMAR and the National Association of Realtors for funding this exceptional learning experience.

J. David Chapman is an associate professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).