it may not need to cost $300M here for it to be world class, but I get what you're saying

In my experience, world class usually just means "slightly better than average" lol

What are the actual odds we see something on the scale of the Atlanta Aquarium that was almost 300 million? To me that is what world class is, what are the actual expectations?

TBF, most of us were pretty happy with Aquaticus. I'd be thrilled to end up with something on par with Jenks. The bar for a successful showing is a low one.

Hopefully, they can move further away from Remington and at least bring back the dolphins.

In my experience, world class usually just means "slightly better than average" lol

In my experience, "world class" is something we make renderings of and sell to taxpayers. Something "slightly better than average" is usually what actually gets built.

During his acceptance speech, the Director James Pepper Henry announced that the museum and the Chickasaw Nation met in the last week with the OKC Zoo to begin planning on a possible world class aquarium on the Okana site. I hope it happens.

these discussions have been going on behind the scenes for quite a while now ...

a new Aquarium should have been a part of MAPS 4 ...

there are a bunch of different ways to fund a new aquarium and a lot of connected people that want to see it happen ..

these discussions have been going on behind the scenes for quite a while now ...

a new Aquarium should have been a part of MAPS 4 ...

there are a bunch of different ways to fund a new aquarium and a lot of connected people that want to see it happen ..

I knew there had been “quiet” discussions, but Pepper Henry announced it to a national audience on Wednesday evening. That to me made it “news” worth reporting. It has now moved beyond “quiet” discussions.

^

Thank you very much for sharing that.

If it is being talked about in a large public forum, that indicates they have made some progress and are hopeful of making this happen.

Remember, the zoo wanted to partner with the Producers Co-op developers on a MAPS 4 aquarium but that never made it very far in the selection process for some reason. My hunch is that the OKANA group had already expressed interest in including the aquarium in their project, which is why the other idea was never advanced.


The Chickasaws clearly have very, very ambitious plans for this project, and as I've mentioned before they are working hard to land the MAPS 4 multi-purpose stadium which would anchor the phases to the west of the museum.

Don’t know what necessarily makes a “world class” aquarium but I assume the Chickasaws being involved is as good of a pathway to that being a possibility than anything else.

In my experience, "world class" is something we make renderings of and sell to taxpayers. Something "slightly better than average" is usually what actually gets built.

100% agree.

In my experience, "world class" is something we make renderings of and sell to taxpayers. Something "slightly better than average" is usually what actually gets built.

Which public projects that the taxpayers were willing to fully fund and the city failed on were sold as world class?

Having been to both the Atlanta Aquarium (twice), and the Baltimore Aquarium, the best aquarium I've visited in the US is the Baltimore Aquarium. If the plan is to build a "world class" aquarium, we should set our sights on that one.

Been to the Monterrey Bay aquarium in California. Outstanding.

Forget Atlanta or Monterrey. If we want WORLD CLASS, I want our own Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, here in OKC.

Most zoo and aquarium nerds (like me) debate whether the Georgia Aquarium or Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is the best in the country. The previously mentioned National Aquarium in Baltimore and Monterey Bay Aquarium are both in the top five. If OKC wants something like those facilities, they will need to dream bigger than what was presented in the feasibility study presented during MAPS discussions. At that time, the plan was 100,000 square feet and about 1 million gallons of tanks. That would put the OKC aquarium in the top ten in the U.S. but nowhere near those listed above. For example, Georgia has over 11 million gallons. Shedd has over 5 million. It’s not all about size, but those numbers are quite different. I would expect OKC to plan something more along the lines of the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It’s excellent, but a notch below the top five.

^

Thank you very much for sharing that.

If it is being talked about in a large public forum, that indicates they have made some progress and are hopeful of making this happen.

Remember, the zoo wanted to partner with the Producers Co-op developers on a MAPS 4 aquarium but that never made it very far in the selection process for some reason. My hunch is that the OKANA group had already expressed interest in including the aquarium in their project, which is why the other idea was never advanced.


The Chickasaws clearly have very, very ambitious plans for this project, and as I've mentioned before they are working hard to land the MAPS 4 multi-purpose stadium which would anchor the phases to the west of the museum.

If that were to happen I would love to see an enclosed moving walk way connecting Bricktown and OKANA together. With the FAM, a "world class" aquarium, and a soccer stadium with MLS aspirations on sight they are most likely not going to have all the amenities on site for guests before and after events/concerts/games. It would also help with the inevitable congestion the entire developments limited access is going to create.

Well you can be not in the top 5 and still have a wonderful facility. Think of Dallas and New Orleans. Those are both really nice aquariums and 10 times better than the joke in Jenks.

The last bit of discussion in this thread really makes me regret not going to the National Aquarium in Baltimore when I was visiting and was in the Baltimore inner harbor area for a few days a few years ago.

Well you can be not in the top 5 and still have a wonderful facility. Think of Dallas and New Orleans. Those are both really nice aquariums and 10 times better than the joke in Jenks.

100% agree. My intent wasn’t to criticize being out of the top five. I’d be ecstatic if we had something along the lines of the aquarium in New Orleans. I just think some may need to temper expectations a bit. I’d hate for us to end up with the best aquarium in our region and have some people say they’re disappointed it didn’t end up like the Georgia Aquarium. I fully trust the OKC Zoo management and the best possible partner they could have to deliver a great facility.

I knew there had been “quiet” discussions, but Pepper Henry announced it to a national audience on Wednesday evening. That to me made it “news” worth reporting. It has now moved beyond “quiet” discussions.

absolutely and thank you for posting it ... it is a big deal ....

Some new photos from Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2023/02/13/johnson-fain-curvilinear-first-americans-museum-oklahoma/

https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2023/02/johnson-fain-curvilinear-first-americans-museum-oklahoma_dezeen_2364_col_15.jpg

Wow!

Enjoyed the presentation, which highlighted the beautiful architect of this long awaited museum.

If OKC wants to differentiate itself, why are we going for ANOTHER aquarium? It seems like every major city in every state has one. I was recently at the Bass Pro aquarium in Springfield, MO, and it is huge and pretty awesome. OKC should set its sights on something innovative and new.

If OKC wants to differentiate itself, why are we going for ANOTHER aquarium? It seems like every major city in every state has one. I was recently at the Bass Pro aquarium in Springfield, MO, and it is huge and pretty awesome. OKC should set its sights on something innovative and new.
The idea isn’t necessarily to be different, but to provide entertainment services that are of value to its residents and visitors. Providing something that others do and enjoy is valuable. Allowing people who are near or are visiting here to use it vs traveling elsewhere means more can enjoy it. It will be enjoyed by many, many who can’t and don’t travel.

I wonder what the effects to the surrounding area will be for this, especially if an aquarium is added. There is such a not-so-hot scene surrounding here with industrial parks, freight train facilities, and vehicle/equipment storage lots.

Perhaps this will spark an AirBNB revitalization to the neighborhood between Eastern and Grand, just north of SE 15th. There is many lots/homes in these areas that have sold in the last couple years for less than 50K.

I am still shocked that we haven't seen more investment in this regards south of the Capitol and east of I-235. It is wild the strangulation hold the interstate has between Deep Deuce and Washington Park area.

The railroad in that area must also be a pretty big barrier along with the Dolese yard, the recycling operation, and the rest of the industry in the area. No N/S crossings between Lincoln and MLK probably makes things challenging.

The railroad in that area must also be a pretty big barrier along with the Dolese yard, the recycling operation, and the rest of the industry in the area. No N/S crossings between Lincoln and MLK probably makes things challenging.

Kind of makes you wonder how this plot of ground got selected for the Museum in the first place doesn't it.

Kind of makes you wonder how this plot of ground got selected for the Museum in the first place doesn't it.

Because it was owned by the state.

Because it was owned by the state.

wasn't it owned by OKC and that is why Okc had a say in the development and ultimatelly a say in the deal with the tribe??

just looked it up yep OKC owned the land prior to 2005 and then granted it for the cultural museum

wasn't it owned by OKC and that is why Okc had a say in the development and ultimately a say in the deal with the tribe??

just looked it up yep OKC owned the land prior to 2005 and then granted it for the cultural museum

OKC donated it to the state, but when a lack of fundraising killed the project the land went back to the city. FYI, Since it was a state project originally there are no building permits for the museum. The city reached a deal with the current owners to finish the museum in exchange for developing the remaining property. (This is an over simplified version, lots of politics involved).

If OKC wants to differentiate itself, why are we going for ANOTHER aquarium? It seems like every major city in every state has one. I was recently at the Bass Pro aquarium in Springfield, MO, and it is huge and pretty awesome. OKC should set its sights on something innovative and new.

An aquarium is just part of a bigger entertainment district. An indoor waterpark isn't new or innovative either but is new to OKC.

Also with everones sort attention spans these days, it's hard to come up with something innovative without millions of dollars having to be poured into it. Just ask universal or Disney where they invest millions on a new land or ride and people still think it's lame

If OKC wants to differentiate itself, why are we going for ANOTHER aquarium? It seems like every major city in every state has one. I was recently at the Bass Pro aquarium in Springfield, MO, and it is huge and pretty awesome. OKC should set its sights on something innovative and new.

How about an award winning Smithsonian affiliated tribal culture museum that's the largest of its kind in the country?

I wonder what the effects to the surrounding area will be for this, especially if an aquarium is added. There is such a not-so-hot scene surrounding here with industrial parks, freight train facilities, and vehicle/equipment storage lots.

Perhaps this will spark an AirBNB revitalization to the neighborhood between Eastern and Grand, just north of SE 15th. There is many lots/homes in these areas that have sold in the last couple years for less than 50K.

I am still shocked that we haven't seen more investment in this regards south of the Capitol and east of I-235. It is wild the strangulation hold the interstate has between Deep Deuce and Washington Park area.

All those industries down south could potentially be developed in the future Starting with the flea market. Maybe shopping for the people staying at the resort to go to?