Moore Warren Theaters broke ground on a new IMAX theater at its Moore location in July on the north side of the existing building, 1000 Telephone Road. Plans call for the $10 million project to be completed by February 2012. The theater will be equipped for 3-D movies. The new auditorium is being built from the ground up, rather than retrofitting an existing screen and auditorium. It will seat 600, and resemble an IMAX that opened at the end of 2010 in Wichita, Kan., which the company reports is the highest-grossing IMAX screen in the country.

West Steak & Shake opened its third Oklahoma City restaurant at 6100 S.W. Third St. in July. The franchisee is Phillip McIntosh. In keeping with the company’s 77-year tradition, the new branch will serve its signature steak burgers and milkshakes. The store incorporates the company’s newest design with a highly visible open grill and milkshake fountain. The design is reminiscent of the company’s original store layouts.

The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City (pictured) opened 100% leased on Aug. 5. Owned by Horizon Group Properties, the mall at Interstate 40 and Council Road has 83 tenants that occupy 348,000 square feet. The largest single tenant is Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, which occupies 27,000 square feet. It is the only outlet center in the state, and Horizon estimates it will draw more than 6 million visitors per year, and generate more than $100 million in annual sales.

BRICKTOWN
Online learning provider Advanced Academics expanded its presence in Bricktown with an additional 9,000 square feet in the Candy Factory, 1 E. Sheridan Ave., bringing its total office space to about 32,000 square feet. Founded in 2000, the company occupied space in the Kingman Building along the Bricktown Canal until moving to the Candy Factory in 2009. The company has a proprietary online learning platform for students in grades six through 12. Its curriculum and instructional services are used by schools and districts in more than 30 states. In the coming year, the company plans to add 50 new jobs.

Northeast
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department plans to join with private partners to build a regional health and wellness center near the intersection of Interstates 35 and 44. The 54-acre site will house a facility to address health issues and preventative care in northeast Oklahoma City.

OCCHD officials plan to offer services such as primary care, mental health, dental and other clinical services, along with fitness programs directed toward children and senior citizens. It will be open to all Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County residents.

It is part of a program called Wellness Now, which is sponsored by the OCCHD and co-chaired by Oklahoma County Commissioner Ray Vaughn and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

The OCCHD reports the center will be in the 73111 area code, where the death rate from cardiovascular disease is 10 times that of the country’s healthiest ZIP codes.

EDMOND
In July, the Chronicle of Higher Education determined the University of Central Oklahoma is a pretty good place to work. In its “2011 Great Colleges to Work For,” the university was recognized in three categories: supervisor or department chair relationship, professional/ career development programs and work/life balance.

The peer group for UCO was colleges and universities with more than 10,000 students. UCO has 2,500 full- and parttime employees.

Faculty and staff at colleges and universities are surveyed each year to determine the rankings. UCO previously was honored in the results for 2008 and 2010. The results showed employees were pleased overall in areas ranging from supervisors making clear expectations of goals, to having the flexibility to balance work with their personal lives.

“We are so appreciative of the daily effort of our faculty and staff to develop personal relationships and prepare our students for success through an experience that transforms their lives,” says former UCO President W. Roger Webb, who retired at the end of July.

Midwest City
Hudiburg Toyota received the 2011 President’s Award from Toyota Motor Sales for exceeding sales, service and customer satisfaction goals. It is presented to the top 5% of Toyota dealers around the country and awarded annually.

“Being recognized for our commitment to customer care and employee training is quite an accolade,” says Jim Patch, general manager of Hudiburg Toyota. “It’s an honor and an indication of our employees’ hard work and how important taking care of our customers is to the Hudiburg family.”

DOWNTOWN
Natural gas pipeline company Enogex, a subsidiary of OGE, plans to move its offices from 515 Central Park Drive to Leadership Square, 211 N. Robinson Ave., early next year. The company will lease 117,000 square feet on five floors. The move will bring about 400 employees Downtown. —Kelley Chambers

Photo by Mark Hancock