Things Get Heated At Meeting About Historic Pawhuska Building

A Pawhuska city councilman ruffled feathers Monday night when he called a beloved downtown building an embarrassment.

City council member Steve Holcombe wanted to declare the Triangle Building a nuisance, saying it violates safety and health codes. But, what he didn’t know, is that the building's owners are already making progress on it.

Built in 1912, the Triangle Building sits at the heart of downtown Pawhuska, and those who live there can't imagine their town without it.

“This is like part of our family. It's our town. And it has no voice, so we have to speak up for it," supporter Crystal Copple said.

Many people spoke during Monday's city council meeting. Holcombe, a new councilman, moved to declare the building a nuisance property, even suggesting demolishing it.

"Deadlines set for getting things done and back up to code, at least, so it's not an embarrassment to this town," he said.

What Holcombe didn't know is that the building's owners are already working on the Triangle Building - investing $2 million into renovations.

Developers Bob Jack and John Snyder, owner of Tulsa's Mayo and Aloft Hotels, own the Triangle. Jack was at the meeting Monday and things got heated.

Jack: “What do you want to do? You want to knock it down?"
Holcombe: "No, I'm telling you, I want to fish or cut bait!"

Jack told council members serious renovations will be made over the next six months, and they will be worth the wait.

“I think it's going to be absolutely a shining star for the city once we get done with it," Jack said.

None of the other council members seconded Holcombe's motion to declare the Triangle Building a nuisance property and the motion died.