OSU/A&M Regents approve selections for renovation of Stillwater Postal Plaza for university art museum

Friday, February 25, 2011

The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma State University/A&M Colleges selected an architect and construction manager to assist Oklahoma State with the design and renovation of the Postal Plaza in downtown Stillwater as an art museum to display and store the university’s art collection.

Elliott + Associates Architects of Oklahoma City was selected out of more than 78 architectural firms that submitted “Letters of Interest” for the project and Manhattan Construction Co. of Oklahoma City was chosen as construction manager. 

“The creation of an OSU Art Museum will be an excellent complement to the academic activities of the university and especially the OSU Department of Art,” said Chris Ramsay, professor and head of the OSU Art Department. 

“The location of the Postal Plaza building will also serve to provide important cultural enrichment for the entire community of Stillwater and north-central Oklahoma,” Ramsay said.

Funding for both the architect and construction manager are provided by the Capital Master Lease funds. 

The Postal Plaza was purchased by the university in 2010.  The 30,000 square feet of space located at 720 South Husband Street in downtown Stillwater was built in the 1930s and renovated in the 60s.

The renovation will not only provide ample space for storage and display of OSU’s art pieces but also adds a university presence in downtown Stillwater that will further strengthen the connection between the campus and the commercial heart of the city.

The $6 million project is being coordinated by OSU Long Range Facilities Planning and the College of Arts and Sciences.