Latest news with #PriceTower
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions in federal funding for history preservation in jeopardy due to budget cuts
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Preserving history in Oklahoma and across the United States could be at risk due to federal budget cuts. Without the millions in funding, projects restoring and maintaining pieces of state history may be on the chopping block. In President Trump's proposed budget, the Historic Preservation Fund is eliminated. Lynda Ozan, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, says their agency could run out of money by late summer, putting a stop to their efforts. 'We are currently operating on our fiscal year 24 money, which will run out soon. Our fiscal year 25 money should have been released in October of last year,' said Ozan. Oklahoma City: The pinnacle of the sports world Oklahomans working in the agency are also at risk of losing their jobs due to layoffs. Ozan says preserving history is a big part of economic development, as older buildings and historical artifacts are restored over generations. 'Things from road construction to cell tower installations, and then our big tax credit programs like First National or even Price Tower up in Bartlesville that was just purchased, those are going to need our staff to help them through that process,' said Ozan. 'And then, just regular things that we do with our community, whether it's education with children or community outreach through our Main Street program here in Oklahoma to help revitalize downtowns.' Oklahomans are now encouraged to act. 'They need to reach out to their elected officials, whether that is at the local level or all the way up to Washington, D.C.,' Ozan said. Ozan provided an example on one of the ways we see history preserved in Oklahoma, using the mother road, known as Route 66. 'We're coming up on a major anniversary for Route 66. All those small communities are going to see influx of people. We've done a lot of history in these communities that people will now be experiencing because we've helped them do that,' Ozan said. Ozan also recommends asking local lawmakers to walk through the historic buildings in a specific community to show them why they're important. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Frank Lloyd Wright Skyscraper Sells After Canceled Auction
A Frank Lloyd Wright building in Oklahoma, the architect's only realized vision for a skyscraper, has been sold to a company that says it will restore the tower for use as a hotel and residences. The sale of Price Tower, which has been endangered by financial problems, comes after a period of uncertainty when it appeared that the building might be sold through a bankruptcy court proceeding or through an auction. The tower is instead now the property of McFarlin Building LLC, a Tulsa-based company that has restored historic buildings in Oklahoma and Texas. The company agreed to pay $1.4 million last year before disagreements with the owners, a subsidiary of the Copper Tree Group, temporarily tabled that transaction. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which looks to protect Wright's legacy, has been intensely tracking the 19-floor Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla., because of the building's rarity in the Wright portfolio. The conservancy said it was pleased with the transaction. 'We've appreciated getting to know the McFarlin team over the last several months, and our conversations have been very positive,' Eric Rogers, the communications manager for the conservancy, said in a statement. 'We are reassured by their respect for Price Tower's historic significance and their commitment to honoring our preservation easement.'
