Mesta Park Neighborhood may get a shot at reclaiming blocks lost to the surface parking in the 1960s as part of a development plan being considered by Rick Dowell following his $14 million purchase this week of the longtime home of American Fidelity Assurance Co.

Dowell, a prominent downtown developer whose work includes several properties centered at NW 5 and Walker and the 20-story Dowell Center, 134 Robert S. Kerr Ave., recently purchased the 10.1-acre, five-building American Fidelity campus at 2000 N Classen for $14 million.

The sellers, New Jersey-based Eaton Enterprises, bought the 316,000-square-foot complex for $9.5 million in 1997 and were attempting to sell it for $25 million. Dowell, who recently sold an apartment complex in Norman, was seeking a quick buy with the proceeds to take advantage of a 1031 tax exchange.

“I searched all over,” Dowell said. “I looked at properties in Tulsa. No one really paid attention to this one because it had been the same tenant for forever.”