Melton Building

Among all the opposition during the fifteen year period of urban renewal, Howard Melton was the most successful; and even his fight ended in defeat. Melton began his battle in 1971 by delaying the demolition of the neighboring Huckins Hotel in court. Later he brought suit against the Urban Renewal Authority arguing that using the power of the state to transfer property to a private third party via eminent domain was illegal. Melton was successful in delaying the demolition of his building but in 1982 the courts decided that his building must go. Even so, it was not demolished until 1998 when the Renaissance Hotel was built.

Among all the opposition during the fifteen year period of urban renewal, Howard Melton was the most successful; and even his fight ended in defeat. 

Melton purchased the building at 20 W Main in 1945 for his family's medical supply business. He later claimed the business had already been relocated twice because of eminent domain and so when plans were drawn up for a 30+-story office tower and hotel complex on a site that included his building, he dug his heels in.

Melton began his battle in 1971 by delaying the demolition of the neighboring Huckins Hotel in court. Later he brought suit against the Urban Renewal Authority arguing that using the power of the state to transfer property to a private third party via eminent domain was illegal. Melton was successful in delaying the demolition of his building but in 1979 the city council voted that his building must go. 

By then preservationists had taken interest in Melton's fight. They made the case that the 1906 building was the last territorial era building Downtown and applied to place it on the Natl Register of Historic Places. But in a 1980 federal suit brought by Melton, a judge decided it was not historical and ordered it to be sold to the Authority. Melton tried one final time to delay, this time challenging the price he was to be paid for the value of his building. This final case drug into 1982, but it proved the final act and the Melton Building was sold to the Authority. 

1982 was a watershed year for urban renewal, though. That was the year of the collapse of Penn Square Bank and the subsequent oil bust that afflicted the local economy for a decade. Although the planned office tower had already been built (Continental Resources Bldg now), the hotel plans were scrapped for lack of money and investors. So the Melton Building stood; occupied by an art gallery that leased the space from the Authority. 

The wrecking ball finally came for the Melton Bldg in 1998 to make way for the Marriott Hotel. When asked if he was going to renew his feud to save his former building Melton replied, "One wears out. I'll be 83 next month. I don't think you change the attitudes of people or their mind-set to the new and modern; and to hell with the old."

"Hinton, Mick. "Council Votes 7-2 for Melton Building's Demolition." (Oklahoma City) May 16th, 1979. .11.

Lackmeyer, Steve. "Historic Melton Building To Make Way for Hotel." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) March 23rd, 1998. .1.

Melton Building Must Go." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) May 12th, 1979. .12.

Staton, Marilyn. "New Deadlines Wanted for Hotel Project." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) July 22nd, 1982. .10.