The Downtowner this week had a headline sure to grab attention in an economy that was clearly in a tailspin July 30, 1984: “OG&E Sets $22 Million Building.” The story explained the $22 million, 16-story building would almost double the size of its corporate headquarters.

Construction of the building, designed by The Benham Group, was to begin in early 1985 with completion in 1987. Company officials estimated 475 employees worked in downtown headquarters, built in 1928, and another 300 were working in leased office space elsewhere downtown.

Obviously the building wasn’t built – but why? A search of Oklahoman archives shows only one brief story reporting the tower announcement and no follow-ups. But three years later OG&E was reported to be shutting down regional offices and seeking to avoid lay-offs through early retirements.