What is the status of Buffalo Roam and First Christian Church? I’m curious as to who owns the building and who is paying insurance and utilities.
Just answer the question: Actually, First Christian Church still owns the building. The City leases it from FCC and subleases it to Buffalo Roam. The City pays the insurance premiums, while the utilities and maintenance are the responsibility of Buffalo Roam.
Wait, I need more: The former First Christian Church building, located at 520 S. Osage Ave., was offered to the City via donation by the FCC in 2021. The City Council explored potential uses for the building, including suggestions by some to use it as conference center. A feasibility study, however, determined it would be too expensive to do this, so other options were considered.
Ultimately, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to ask interested parties to submit plans for potential use of the building, pledging to spend up to $2 million to help with any needed renovations. A committee was assembled to review the proposals and make a recommendation to the City Council.
The committee recommended the council consider allowing Buffalo Roam, a film institute and future sound stage, to take over use of the building and ultimately make improvements to the facility. The council approved the request in September 2023.
Terms of the deal include:
- Requires the City to provide $2 million to Buffalo Roam for development.
- The funds will be provided through the Economic Development Fund ($1 million) and from the Tax Increment Finance District No. 1 ($1 million). (TIF districts are areas in which tax increments generated by development are captured to help fund infrastructure needs and/or further development.)
- The funding is subject to approval from the Bartlesville Film Authority and will only be paid as a reimbursement for improvements to the facilities.
- Per the agreement, Buffalo Roam must also provide $2 million in private investment, rehabilitate the FCC building, and construct a new building to house a sound stage.
- Terms of the agreement also allow Buffalo Roam early access to the property so the company can begin construction on a new roof immediately. The company will have access to $280,000 of its $2 million property allowance during the early access period.
As permitted by the contract, the City has extended deadlines for this project as the company works to secure financing. City staff say the company has been in frequent contact with staff and that the project continues to move forward, including a recent meeting to discuss permits required to proceed with construction.
City management staff met with Buffalo Roam this week and say that Buffalo Roam now has a commitment of financing for their portion of the project. Closing is expected to be set for next month.
It is important to note that while public funds have been committed for this project, those funds have not been expended and will not be available to Buffalo Roam until the company has secured the required financing. That is, public funds will only be paid out as matching funds as Buffalo Roam expends funds on the project.
Is that true?
I heard this week that there may be plans to establish a homeless home/shelter in Bartlesville. What is the latest in that area?
B the Light Mission, located in the former National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER) building at 219 N. Virginia Ave., is currently navigating the regulatory process and reportedly plans to open this summer.
When are they doing that?
Do you have any idea when someone might refinish the railroad tracks crossing Hensley Boulevard like they’ve recently done Adams and Frank Phillips?
City staff have not been advised by South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, which owns the property in question, of any plans to make improvements at the Hensley location.