Mark Faulk is celebrating a victory now, but preparing for what’s to come

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WEBVTT MECCA: ABIGAIL AND JESS, THEHI-LO IS JUST ONE OF THEBUSINESSES IN THE DONNAYBUILDING THAT SEVERAL IN THECOMMUNITY WERE TRYING TO SAVE.A COUNCILMAN SAYS IT APPEARSTHEIR EFFORTS HAVE WORKED, ATLEAST FOR NOW.MANY CALL THESE BUSINESSES APIECE OF OKLAHOMA CITY HISTORY>> ANYTIME YOU GO INTO ANY CITYIN AMERICA THAT IS UNIQUE IT'STHE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENTTHAT ATTRACT PEOPLE.MECCA: AN OKLAHOMA CITYCOUNCILMAN CONFIRMING TO USTODAY THAT BRAUMS WITHDREW THEIRAPPLICATION TO REZONE THELOCATION.>> BY WITHDRAWING THEIRAPPLICATION, BRAUMS ISWITHDRAWING ESSENTIALLY ANAPPLICATION TO BUILD THE FASTFOOD RESTAURANT THERE ANDCONSTRUCT A LARGE SURFACEPARKING LOT AROUND IT.MECCA: AND WHILE THIS CERTAINLYSEEMS AND FEELS LIKE A VICTORYFOR MANY, THE COUNCILMAN DIDREMIND US TODAY OF WHAT THEYOWNER MADE CLEAR WEEKS AGO ATTHE CITY PLANNING MEETING.>> THE PROPERTY OWNERS ATTORNEYDURING THE PLANNING COMMISSIONMEETING SAID THEY WERE GOING TOTEAR DOWN THE STRUCTURESREGARDLESS.>> WE WILL ALTERNATIVELYDEMOLISH THE PROPERTY NEXTSPRING.MECCA: CELEBRATING A WIN TODAY.>> WHEN I GET A WIN LIKE THIS, IAUTOMATICALLY THINK, WHAT ARETHE NEXT TWO STEPS?MECCA: BUT PREPARING FOR WHAT'STO COME TOMORROW.>> WE HAVE TO CONVINCE TO THEOWNER THE BUILDING IS WORTHSAVING, WHETHER SELL IT TOSOMEONE TO RESTORE IT OR RESTORE

Advertisement Braum's withdraws application to build new restaurant in Classen Circle Mark Faulk is celebrating a victory now, but preparing for what’s to come Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Braum's has withdrawn its application to build a new restaurant in a historic area of downtown Oklahoma City, Councilman Ed Shadid says. The HiLo Club is just one of the businesses in the Donnay building that several in the community were trying to save. Shadid says it appears their efforts have worked, at least for now.Many call these businesses a piece of Oklahoma City history. “The most important thing is that anytime you go into any city in America that is unique it's the things that are different that attract people,” Mark Faulk, who wants the building preserved, said. An Oklahoma City councilman has confirmed to KOCO that Braum’s withdrew their application to rezone the location.“By withdrawing their application, Braum’s is withdrawing essentially an application to build the fast-food restaurant there and construct a large surface parking lot around it,” Shadid said Friday. While this certainly seems and feels like a victory for many, the councilman did remind us of what the owner made clear weeks ago at the city planning meeting.'“The property owner's attorney during the planning commission meeting said they were going to tear down the structures regardless,” Shadid said. Faulk is celebrating a win today, but preparing for what's to come tomorrow.“When I get a win like this, I automatically think what are the next two steps,” Faulk said. “We have to convince the owner the building is worth saving,” he added. “Whether sell it to someone to restore it or restore it himself.”