Could we lose these murals?

NO one could be happier than we are that SandRidge Energy opted to move into Kerr McGee's landmark tower that's made up part of Oklahoma City's downtown skyline for the past three decades.

But the future of three older buildings on the former Kerr-McGee campus is less certain.

These buildings -- at 111 Robert S. Kerr Ave., 135 Robert S. Kerr Ave. and 324 N Robinson Ave. -- could end up being torn down. Tom Ward, chief executive officer of  SandRidge, also says he is keeping an open mind on whether the properties can be redeveloped and promises to meet with civic leaders and preservationists before making any final decision.

To lose these buildings would be sad, given one of them was a temporary home to Oklahoma's Legislature for four years and another was home to Braniff Airlines. The other? Well, it was Kerr-McGee's headquarters, once upon a time. And on an interior floor covered with bird-dung and feathers, we found these images on the wall. To lose these images would be tragic. Hopefully, the property's new owner will take care to be sure they are preserved, no matter what happens to the buildings.