metro
01-16-2008, 08:34 AM
Mayor begins campaign for sales tax to bring in NBA
The Journal Record
January 16, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber tipped off its campaign in support of a $120 million arena makeover Tuesday.
President Roy Williams, chamber Chairman J. Larry Nichols and Mayor Mick Cornett revealed the “Citizens for a Big League City” promotion and its associated Internet site at Greater Oklahoma City Chamber - Legislative Action - Big League City (http://www.BigLeagueCity.com). The online links provide information and maps about the proposed changes to the downtown Ford Center and the addition of more than 270,000 square feet. “We feel like high turnout is going to help us,” Cornett said of March 4 election. “We want as many people to go to the polls as possible. We want as much acceptance and opportunity for people to vote up or down whether or not they want to be an NBA city, whether or not they want to invest in the Ford Center.”
The campaign will rely heavily on broadcast media, he said, and will likely push the same message Cornett has focused on since he put the issue before the city council at the beginning of the year: “The momentum of Oklahoma City. Whether you’ve ever been in the Ford Center or not, if you believe in this city, you have to understand that this is in the best interests of the city,” Cornett said.
Supporters have little time to convince voters to commit to a 1-cent, 15-month sales tax. The goal is to make the arena NBA-worthy so that the league’s board of governors will be more likely to allow Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett to move the SuperSonics team from its current home in Seattle. The board’s decision is expected in early April.
If the sales tax passes but the NBA doesn’t allow the team’s relocation, the tax would shrink by three months to fund upgrades the arena needs anyway, city officials said.
Nichols said several leadership subgroups within the chamber voted unanimously to support the initiative.“Having an enhanced arena that not only can support an NBA league team, but can also support in a more elegant, in a more efficient way, all of the different uses of the Ford Center, (will) have a big impact upon this city,” Nichols said.
“This is good for Oklahoma City. It creates jobs. It creates wealth. It brings people into our city.”When the city hosted the Hornets for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina’s damage to New Orleans, the team created more than 200 jobs and had an economic impact of more than $66 million, Nichols said.
The Journal Record
January 16, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber tipped off its campaign in support of a $120 million arena makeover Tuesday.
President Roy Williams, chamber Chairman J. Larry Nichols and Mayor Mick Cornett revealed the “Citizens for a Big League City” promotion and its associated Internet site at Greater Oklahoma City Chamber - Legislative Action - Big League City (http://www.BigLeagueCity.com). The online links provide information and maps about the proposed changes to the downtown Ford Center and the addition of more than 270,000 square feet. “We feel like high turnout is going to help us,” Cornett said of March 4 election. “We want as many people to go to the polls as possible. We want as much acceptance and opportunity for people to vote up or down whether or not they want to be an NBA city, whether or not they want to invest in the Ford Center.”
The campaign will rely heavily on broadcast media, he said, and will likely push the same message Cornett has focused on since he put the issue before the city council at the beginning of the year: “The momentum of Oklahoma City. Whether you’ve ever been in the Ford Center or not, if you believe in this city, you have to understand that this is in the best interests of the city,” Cornett said.
Supporters have little time to convince voters to commit to a 1-cent, 15-month sales tax. The goal is to make the arena NBA-worthy so that the league’s board of governors will be more likely to allow Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett to move the SuperSonics team from its current home in Seattle. The board’s decision is expected in early April.
If the sales tax passes but the NBA doesn’t allow the team’s relocation, the tax would shrink by three months to fund upgrades the arena needs anyway, city officials said.
Nichols said several leadership subgroups within the chamber voted unanimously to support the initiative.“Having an enhanced arena that not only can support an NBA league team, but can also support in a more elegant, in a more efficient way, all of the different uses of the Ford Center, (will) have a big impact upon this city,” Nichols said.
“This is good for Oklahoma City. It creates jobs. It creates wealth. It brings people into our city.”When the city hosted the Hornets for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina’s damage to New Orleans, the team created more than 200 jobs and had an economic impact of more than $66 million, Nichols said.