The project to build a hotel in Chandler is on hold.
Developer TJ Remy failed to break ground by Aug. 22, as stated in the contract. According to City Manager Jason Orr, he is to transfer the property back to the City of Chandler, though Remy has yet to do so.
At the City Council meeting on Sept. 10, the Council voted to have City Attorney Larry Lenora send a second letter to Remy’s lawyer after going into executive session. The letter will outline how they might resolve the situation and include time limits on the response, according to the motion made by Ward I Council member Rick Evans.
“The City Council has determined Mr. Remy failed to meet his obligations as stated in the contract with the City, and their action is certainly justifiable considering the status of his other commercial developments and legal issues,” said Orr. “Despite numerous promises from the developer, the City has never received a set of building plans or a building permit application for his proposed hotel in Chandler.”
Former Mayor Gene Imel said the City was aware of previous legal issues involving the developer when the contract with Remy was being discussed, but they weren’t deemed important. He added that they had been looking for a developer to build a hotel for years, and Remy was the only bidder.
According to the Oklahoma State Courts Network, Remy is currently involved in a foreclosure suit filed by Tinker Federal Credit Union on April 9, 2024. He may have also been involved in another foreclosure suit in 2016 that was dismissed without prejudice by all parties.
Orr was positive that Chandler would still get a hotel in the near future.
“I don’t think we would have a problem finding another developer with all the exciting things we have going on in this town,” he said.
The City Council also approved an agreement with Kimley-Horn for $84,300 for design services related to McClanahan Park. Orr said the firm will put together a design, provide all the construction documents, work with the contractors, and bid everything out. The park is being funded in large part by a $650,000 grant from the Route 66 Commission, with $150,000 being matched by the City of Chandler.
The Council also voted to send a contract to the board for Clearview Cemetery for their approval. Once the contract is finalized, the Council will vote on accepting the title to the cemetery.
Halli Murray and Ian Radcliffe, both seniors at Chandler High School, have been named the September Lions of the Month by the Lions Club.
Halli Murray has a 4.0 GPA and is currently ranked first in the Class of 2025. She has been on the A Honor Roll for six semesters. Murray has also won Academic Excellence awards since 2021 and received the Chandler Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting Festival Queen Scholarship in 2023.
Murray is the president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Oklahoma State Honor Society. She made OSDTDA Academic All-State, third place in Hip-Hop and second place in Jazz in 2021 with varsity pom. In 2022 and 2023, she was part of the OSDTDA Jazz State Champion and Hip-Hop State Champion teams. She has won an individual Academic All-State Award from the OSDTDA from 2021 to 2023. In 2022, she won the OSDTDA Be Bold Award Team Scholarship.
Murray has been involved in many activities. She is the Student Council Treasurer, Senior Class Treasurer and Track and Field Manager. She was the class treasurer in her sophomore and junior years. She is a member of the BancFirst Student Board of Directors, Youth Advocacy for Health and Leadership, Gifted and Talented, Positive Peers, Postponing Sexual Involvement, Peer Mentors and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In sports, Murray has been in varsity pom, basketball, and track and field.
Murray has participated in community service activities such as Chandler Recycles, Christmas Kid, making Christmas and Valentine’s Day cards for the Chandler Nursing Home, Soup Da Doop, Wise Guy Girl Power, volunteering at powerlifting meets, performing at the Red Ribbon Assembly, and reading books at Eastside Elementary.
Ian Radcliffe has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked first in the Class of 2025. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and Gifted and Talented.
Radcliffe made ECOCDA Honor Choir in 2021 and 2022, OkCDA Mixed Choir in 2022 and OkMEA All-State Mixed Chorus in 2023. For band, he has made the Cimarron Valley Honor Band in 2022, 2023 and 2024, ECOBDA Band in 2023 and 2024, and OkMEA Band second alternate in 2024. He made OSSAA Regional All-Star Cast in 2023 and the OSAI Chorus from 2021 to 2024.
Radcliffe is involved in many activities. He is a member of the BancFirst Student Board of Directors, Business Professionals of America, Academic Team, Peer Mentors, Positive Peers, Theatre Troupe 1825 (secretary in 2022-2023 and president since 2023), Music Makers, and Band.
Radcliffe has been involved in community service activities, including membership in First Baptist Church Chandler, the FBC Praise Team, and the FBC Youth Praise Team. He has also participated in the Community Gospel Choir and made cards for the Chandler Nursing Home and veterans. He was a Chandler Recycle volunteer and helped out at VBS at FBC Chandler.