State Capital Publishing Company: Proposals sought for historic Guthrie building

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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Office of Management and Enterprise Services on Monday issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the historic Oklahoma State Capital Publishing Company building located at 301 W. Harrison in heart of historic downtown Guthrie.

State Capital Publishing MuseumThe 50,000 square foot building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed and constructed in 1902 by Belgian architect Joseph Foucart. The focal point of the building is a four-story corner tower topped by a concave, pyramidal roof, with each of the levels carried on chamfered granite columns.

Newspaper editor Frank H. Greer founded the State Capital Publishing Company and operated in the building until 1911, when the Co-Operative Publishing Company took over. Shortly after the company closed its doors in 1974, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the building as a Bicentennial Project to be used as a printing museum. Due to a lack of funding to rehabilitate and operate the property, the Historical Society closed the museum in 2012 and it was placed on the state’s underutilized property list as a result.

The release of this RFP is a direct result of legislation that came into effect Nov. 1 , 2014, allowing the state the option to invite written proposals for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of state-owned properties that are considered underutilized when sale of the properties through sealed bid auction is not in the state’s best interest. The State Capital Publishing Company RFP focuses on promoting economic development and stimulating the growth of the community while preserving the building’s historical significance so that it may fulfill its potential.

“The State Capital Publishing Company is one of Oklahoma’s most historic buildings and one of Guthrie’s architectural crown jewels. When you step into it, it’s like stepping back in time, as much of the building has the original flooring and fixtures. We are hoping this will be a major win for the state, Guthrie, the new occupant and this grand historic building,” said Melissa Milburn, director of real estate and leasing services for OMES.  

OMES encourages all qualified responses. Interested parties are invited to attend 1 of 2 pre-submittal building tours to be held Tuesday, April 7, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or Thursday, April 16, 2015, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the site location of 301 W. Harrison, Guthrie, Okla. For additional information, contact OMES Real Estate and Leasing Services at inforeals@omes.ok.gov or 405-521-3819.

RFP Full Schedule of Events:

March 16- April 3, 2015 Notice and advertisement period.

April 7, 2015 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Public Site Visit

April 16, 2015 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Public Site Visit

April 30, 2015 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pre-bid meeting for proposers

May 14, 2015 5 p.m. Date of notice to reply to pre-bid questions.

November 2, 2015 5 p.m. RFP Closes

November 3, 2015 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Public opening of proposals and Statement of Interest for Public Disclosure Form read aloud.

November 12, 2015 RFP Evaluation Briefing– Committee member pre-evaluation meeting to review RFP proposal packets and possible tour of the building.

December 1, 2015 Evaluation Meeting– Committee member RFP evaluation and final scoring; schedule possible oral presentations as needed.

December 10, 2015 Provide recommendation to proceed.

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1 Comment on "State Capital Publishing Company: Proposals sought for historic Guthrie building"

  1. I was the last one to operate much of this equipment in 1966-68. Myrtle Jackson was the owner, and I worked for her after schools and on weekends.

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