There actually is still an Asian Mafia presence here. How much there is from other cultures, I don't know. But that one is definitely present and the air is palpable when a "representative" walks in a room.

There's probably a bigger presence than we realize. There's still an unsolved murder of an Edmond housewife whose husband was a big time poker player. And I don't mean at the casinos.

He was a bookie and that is believed to be the reason for his wife being murdered.

Pete with the announcement of the arena being built in place of what is the Cox Convention center do you see Prairie Surf studios staying in OKC?

Pete with the announcement of the arena being built in place of what is the Cox Convention center do you see Prairie Surf studios staying in OKC?

I've heard they have been looking in the Strawberry Fields area for new space.

I've heard they have been looking in the Strawberry Fields area for new space.

Is it just me, or would this be a really underwhelming use of this space?

Is it just me, or would this be a really underwhelming use of this space?

depends upon what they build, and how it fits in with the surrounding areas. i agree it at first sounds like it at first. and they really have to give me a reason to believe it will be nice. but after seeing how Vancouver has studios that try and just look like old warehouses, but how some of the newer studios are actually very well built buildings that enhance the surroundings, and actually end up becoming a prop for the studios themselves... it could be a great use of space and a great promotion piece for the city, but i would need to see their plans first.

I have always thought a building in Lariat Landing area (just east of the airport on I-44) would be a good space with easy access to the highway and plenty of space to build.

I have always thought a building in Lariat Landing area (just east of the airport on I-44) would be a good space with easy access to the highway and plenty of space to build.
Not sure, but they might not want to have to sound insulate from the sounds of airplanes taking off and landing and loud traffic.

I think they (Prairie Surf AND the City) should consider the Dell Campus. The land is owned by the City and could essentially be given to Prairie Surf as incentive. It’s never going to be fully leveraged by Dell, and in fact the massive parking lot is almost always empty. There also seems to be no momentum to put other tenants there.

It’s a transitional district with industrial and office, so no zoning issues. The entire site can easily be secured via fencing and security gate. The access to all parts of the metro and ESPECIALLY the airport is exceptional. There would even be excellent drive-by visibility, including to people driving through OKC on I-40 and also those arriving via the airport.

I think the required facilities could easily be constructed via tilt-up concrete new-build construction in a short amount of time, and I’m sure the City could find an innovative incentive package to help prime the pump. The City could even own the facilities and still be the landlord, if that arrangement is desirable. It’s a location that makes sense on multiple levels.

I think they (Prairie Surf AND the City) should consider the Dell Campus. The land is owned by the City and could essentially be given to Prairie Surf as incentive. It’s never going to be fully leveraged by Dell, and in fact the massive parking lot is almost always empty. There also seems to be no momentum to put other tenants there.

It’s a transitional district with industrial and office, so no zoning issues. The entire site can easily be secured via fencing and security gate. The access to all parts of the metro and ESPECIALLY the airport is exceptional. There would even be excellent drive-by visibility, including to people driving through OKC on I-40 and also those arriving via the airport.

I think the required facilities could easily be constructed via tilt-up concrete new-build construction in a short amount of time, and I’m sure the City could find an innovative incentive package to help prime the pump. The City could even own the facilities and still be the landlord, if that arrangement is desirable. It’s a location that makes sense on multiple levels.

Didn't know that OKC owned that land. Yeah, it makes a ton of sense. Dell mostly works from home and they could find space pretty easily around town given the vacancy rates in office space.

Didn't know that OKC owned that land. Yeah, it makes a ton of sense. Dell mostly works from home and they could find space pretty easily around town given the vacancy rates in office space.

dell is slowing moving almost everyone back into the office at least some of the time

Isn’t there quite a bit of lane still owned by the city but not used? I believe it was for a Phase 2 or 3 expansion. I think that is what Urbanized is referring to.

Who owns the used car auction lot on Portland. That is also an enormous amount of land that is underused. I think in the mid 2000’s is the last time I ever saw those lots completely full.

dell is slowing moving almost everyone back into the office at least some of the time

Yeah, its only been empty so the last few years since everyone was WFH during COVID, but now Dell's being pretty aggressive about trying to get people back in. There have been some delays and pushback but probably in September or sooner you'll start seeing more activity there.

Published today in Variety: https://variety.com/2023/film/focus/oklahoma-production-1235773804/

Published today in Variety: https://variety.com/2023/film/focus/oklahoma-production-1235773804/

Good article. Both informative and educational.

Hollywood overall is becoming decentralized. Georgia and New Mexico have huge film industries. Good to see OK getting in on the action.

Pete with the announcement of the arena being built in place of what is the Cox Convention center do you see Prairie Surf studios staying in OKC?

Has the City selected the old cox convention center site (Prairie Surf Media Studios) for the new Oklahoma City arena. If so, when was the announcement made.

^^^^^^^^
There has been no such announcement. Myriad/Cox/PSM is an obviously favored location for a number of reasons, but a site will not be officially selected until after the vote passes, assuming it does pass.

^^^^^^^^
There has been no such announcement. Myriad/Cox/PSM is an obviously favored location for a number of reasons, but a site will not be officially selected until after the vote passes, assuming it does pass.

Thanks, Urbanized for the update. That's why I can't find any information on post #723.

Not sure if there is a Prairie Surf business thread, But does anyone want to make predictions about their future now that we know for sure they won't be at the Cox center in 1 to 2 years?

Not sure if there is a Prairie Surf business thread, But does anyone want to make predictions about their future now that we know for sure they won't be at the Cox center in 1 to 2 years?

PS has been looking for a new site over the last two years.

As I said in the New Arena thread, they don't seem to be very busy especially after Tulsa King decided not to return.

They could move into warehouse space but given their entire business model, I would expect them to try and stay in the core and apply for a bunch of TIF and other incentives

I don't see why PSM couldn't locate (at least temporarily) to Crossroads Mall. There are READY buildings there they could use for a variety of their operations and it would help breathe life into the mall/site.

I'm not so sure why PSM must locate in downtown where they OBVIOUSLY can't afford it, nor why the city OWES them beyond potential losses they will have for the year they're bought out of the lease. City doesn't owe them carte blanche for downtown TIF either; In all reality, OKC has been subsidizing PSM all of this time, city should have made the lease similar to an incubator; PSM should be greatful to OKC and work with the city to move to Crossroads without question.

I don't see why PSM couldn't locate (at least temporarily) to Crossroads Mall. There are READY buildings there they could use for a variety of their operations and it would help breathe life into the mall/site.

I'm not so sure why PSM must locate in downtown where they OBVIOUSLY can't afford it, nor why the city OWES them beyond potential losses they will have for the year they're bought out of the lease. City doesn't owe them carte blanche for downtown TIF either; In all reality, OKC has been subsidizing PSM all of this time, city should have made the lease similar to an incubator; PSM should be greatful to OKC and work with the city to move to Crossroads without question.

Don't the department stores at Crossroads have support beams throughout and low ceilings?e Cox Convention Center had basically convention halls with high ceilings, the proper power and rigging for large sets? Also, having hotels and catering/food near by probably helps production resources as well?

thats why I mentioned, temporary. Because Crossroads is ready for tenants and COULD serve PSM while they figure out full-time digs. It could allow an expedited exit from COX while also providing a temporary home at Crossroads while things get figured out long term. ...

As we've discussed, Prairie Surf has been notified by the City that they have to vacate no later than December 31, 2025.

That's going to make it almost impossible for them to get large new productions and certainly no series.


I know they've been looking around for a new spot but they would have to have something move-in-ready by late 2025 in order to ensure continuous operations.

That means they need to make a deal very soon and get all this in motion... Will be very interesting to see what they do.

I wonder if the old heritage hills mall might suit their purposes?

I wonder if the old heritage hills mall might suit their purposes?

Heritage park mall ??

MWC is working on acquiring it ..

https://www.centraloklahomaweeklies.com/2023/10/18/midwest-city-taking-next-steps-to-acquire-mall/

I've said Crossroads. LOTS of inactive but ready space.

I don't think PSM can be too picky on this.

Scot Matteson (Bricktown Boardwalk fame) said in an interview that he's looking forward to working with PSM in the future.

Scot Matteson (Bricktown Boardwalk fame) said in an interview that he's looking forward to working with PSM in the future.

lol. Ringing endorsement.

Scot Matteson (Bricktown Boardwalk fame) said in an interview that he's looking forward to working with PSM in the future.

Does he plan to build a legendary film studio somewhere?

I've said Crossroads. LOTS of inactive but ready space.

I don't think PSM can be too picky on this.

There isn't a lot of already built options. The old Dillard's space has potential. Some work was done to turn that into a convention center. They could make a few areas with high ceilings within that building.

He didn’t elaborate on anything like where or when.

Rachel Cannon resigns as CEO of OKC's Prairie Surf Studios (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2024/04/05/tulsa-king-studio-prairie-surf-studios-ceo-rachel-cannon-resigns/73218588007/)

Article doesn't really explain why she is leaving but hints at losing the Cox Center at the end of 2025 as a part of it.


"With the reality of the building going away, Cannon has decided to step away from infrastructure but plans to continue her mission of building something special for Middle America right here at home," according to the announcement.

Pete beat me to it.

That seems to indicate they are not very optimistic about the future of having a financially viable physical movie studio or at least she doesn't. It has been mentioned before, but they were getting an awesome deal from the city.

The city may not have to wait until December 2025................


or it could be something simple as she doesn't want to deal with extra stress and workload of relocation

Good articles today in the NYT about the film industry in various states including Okla. With a lot of focus on Tx and Okla. I read it in the app so if you have access check it out. Title and byline of one:

Oklahoma’s Booming Film Industry Has Texas’ Attention
To attract movie and television production, states must try to offer the best incentives. The competition drives spending on Hollywood subsidies ever higher.

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-prairie-surf-studios-okc-thunder-playoffs-walkway/60551551

Any news on PSM site being selected as the official site for the new $1 billion downtown arena.


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uezIsYZUxS4/hqdefault.jpg

Any news on PSM site being selected as the official site for the new $1 billion downtown arena.


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uezIsYZUxS4/hqdefault.jpg




They're putting the new arena at Penn Square Mall? Is there even enough room for that? It doesn't make sense.

They're putting the new arena at Penn Square Mall? Is there even enough room for that? It doesn't make sense.

Haha. I definitely have thought about that before.

They're putting the new arena at Penn Square Mall? Is there even enough room for that? It doesn't make sense.

That image kind of looks like a greenhouse also.

That image kind of looks like a greenhouse also.

If Paycom is still the sponsor, it will really look like a green house lol.

Just read this:

". Nationally, film incentives are
universally found to be a poor investment, costing more than $100,000
per job for the few permanent jobs that are created, according to the Tax
Foundation.135 That’s certainly the case in Oklahoma, where the IEC found
that $27 million in film rebates had increased permanent in-state production
company employment by just 145 in 15 years. The IEC further calculated
that the industry returned only 52 cents in Oklahoma tax dollars for every
dollar spent.136 Despite these poor returns, the legislature in 2020 doubled
the annual cap on film credits to $8 million, exempted some films from that
cap, and extended the sunset date.137 In 2021, lawmakers created a new film
incentive that will reduce state revenue by $30 million annually for ten years
for rebates to filmmakers.138"

It's from this - https://okpolicy.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/Budget-and-Tax-Roadmap-OK-Policy-PRINT.pdf#page=43

Just read this:

". Nationally, film incentives are
universally found to be a poor investment, costing more than $100,000
per job for the few permanent jobs that are created, according to the Tax
Foundation.135 That’s certainly the case in Oklahoma, where the IEC found
that $27 million in film rebates had increased permanent in-state production
company employment by just 145 in 15 years. The IEC further calculated
that the industry returned only 52 cents in Oklahoma tax dollars for every
dollar spent.136 Despite these poor returns, the legislature in 2020 doubled
the annual cap on film credits to $8 million, exempted some films from that
cap, and extended the sunset date.137 In 2021, lawmakers created a new film
incentive that will reduce state revenue by $30 million annually for ten years
for rebates to filmmakers.138"

It's from this - https://okpolicy.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/Budget-and-Tax-Roadmap-OK-Policy-PRINT.pdf#page=43

Similar to the economic argument for building a new arena despite it not being directly profitable...I wonder if this takes into account the benefits from the publicity?

Similar to the economic argument for building a new arena despite it not being directly profitable...I wonder if this takes into account the benefits from the publicity?

I’m guessing psm will not draw 30k people downtown tomorrow evening.

I’m guessing psm will not draw 30k people downtown tomorrow evening.

the post I was responding to referred to reasons for doing away with the film tax credit, not prairie surf in particular, and referenced the last 20 years of the film industry in OK. Doing away with it would impact the entire effect the entire film industry in OK. Millions of people have seen movies like Killers of the Flower moon and the state got a bunch of publicity from Twister, etc.

No, Penn square mall will not bring 30k people downtown tomorrow because it is not located downtown.

KFOR is reporting that the new Arena will be at the old Cox Convention Center site.

^^^^^^^
Yes, as I have repeatedly stated, that is and has been the selected location, and that the first confirmation would come not in the form of an announcement but rather when the development agreement was on the agenda. KFOR is simply reporting what appears on next Tuesday's council agenda (https://okc.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=57681) (for reference this is item IX BG on the consent docket):


"Development Agreement with the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority and PBC Sports & Entertainment, LLC, for the construction of the New Arena, generally located between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue and between Robinson Avenue and E. K. Gaylord Boulevard. Ward 7"

The formal announcement of this location should come in the next 2 weeks.

OKC City Council to consider arena development agreement on Tuesday
05/17/2024
Link to story
Link to the agreement
On Tuesday, May 21, the Oklahoma City Council will consider approving a development agreement for the City’s new arena. The agreement will be made between the City and PBC Sports and Entertainment, LLC (PBCS&E), owners of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blue.
Voters approved funding for the new arena in December.
The development agreement is based on the original 2008 development agreement, which was used to improve the current arena and build the practice facility used by the Thunder. It also aligns with the Letter of Intent approved by City Council in September 2023.
The development agreement covers major elements of the process of designing and constructing the new arena.
Agreement overview
Funding
• OKC agrees to spend a minimum of $900 million on the new arena. The new arena will be funded by (listed in order of how the money will be spent):
o $78 million from MAPS 4.
o $50 million from PBCS&E.
o a minimum of $772 million, financed through the 72-month, one-cent special sales tax.
• Any surplus revenue from the one-cent special sales tax after the arena's construction and repayment of financing costs will be allocated to capital improvements and maintenance of the new arena.
• The agreement acknowledges that there are no other sources of revenue to fund the new arena, and so the agreement provides that if the costs appear to exceed available budgeted funds, the parties will work together to value engineer the project. PBCS&E can privately fund portions of the project to avoid removing them through value engineering.
Location
• The agreement identifies the City-owned former site of the Cox Convention Center as the site of the new arena. The City will own and be responsible for maintaining and operating the new arena.
• Approximately 1.4 acres of the site will be reserved for a potential future intercity transit hub.
• PBCS&E can negotiate with the City for a ground lease to develop any unused property on the new arena site at market rate, with revenue from the lease to be used for the arena’s maintenance and improvements.
Construction
• The agreement outlines a collaborative process between the City and PBCS&E in the planning and construction of the building.
• The City and PBCS&E will work together to select the arena’s project consultant, engineer, architect, design and other aspects of construction.
• The new arena will be at least 750,000 square feet.
• The new arena will be built to:
o Benefit the residents of Oklahoma City.
o Meet NBA specifications and requirements.
o Maximize team revenues, ensuring the sustainability of major league professional sports in Oklahoma City.
• The project includes the construction of a new parking garage on the arena site with at least 650 spaces.
Timing
• The Thunder will continue to play home games at the Paycom Center until the new arena opens.
• The agreement maintains the completion date of 2029 as outlined in the letter of intent but provides a path to a target completion date of June 2028, with a contractual obligation to open the new arena by June 2030.
• The Thunder’s 25-year commitment to remain in Oklahoma City begins when they move into the new arena.
Arena Background
The Oklahoma City Thunder has called Oklahoma City home since 2008. In 2023, the initial term of the 2008 use license agreement expired. The Team exercised an option to extend the agreement for three years to allow time to develop a plan for a new arena to keep the Thunder in Oklahoma City for 25 years after the new arena opens. In December 2023, Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly approved a penny sales tax to build a new, publicly owned arena. The new arena will be the fourth downtown arena in city history constructed by the public

duplicate

from the agreement

EXHIBIT A NEW ARENA SITE The New Arena Site is generally located between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue and between Robinson Avenue and E K Gaylord Boulevard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The City/Authority reserves adequate space for the transit hub, approximately 60,000 square feet (1.377 Ac.) of land, accessible from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and as close to the Santa Fe Train Station as reasonably possible. Any amount of said land in excess of 1.377 Ac. must be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Said land is to be for transit hub use and may be combined with other facilities or buildings. Said land will be specifically located during the site plan design of the New Arena. [Legal description and site depiction attached.]

from the agreement

EXHIBIT A NEW ARENA SITE The New Arena Site is generally located between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue and between Robinson Avenue and E K Gaylord Boulevard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The City/Authority reserves adequate space for the transit hub, approximately 60,000 square feet (1.377 Ac.) of land, accessible from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and as close to the Santa Fe Train Station as reasonably possible. Any amount of said land in excess of 1.377 Ac. must be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Said land is to be for transit hub use and may be combined with other facilities or buildings. Said land will be specifically located during the site plan design of the New Arena. [Legal description and site depiction attached.]

PARKING STRUCTURE Parking Garage – minimum 650 spaces

3.1.7 Ground Lease and Ancillary Development. EXECUTION VERSION (a) Upon the Team’s request, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith and seek to finalize and execute one or more ground leases (collectively, the “Ground Lease”), which would grant the Team or its Affiliate an exclusive non-assignable contract option for a ground lease and development rights for all areas on the New Arena Site, as described in Exhibit A, other than areas used for the purposes of the New Arena Project, including the New Arena, parking structure, or transit hub as described in Exhibit A. Because the areas the Ground Lease would cover are properties acquired with General Obligation Bonds earmarked for convention center purposes, the Parties acknowledge that any such Ground Lease must require the payment by the Team or its Affiliate of consideration to the City in the form of fair market value in cash, with such consideration to be used solely for Proposition 8 of 1968 General Obligation Bond purposes, which purposes the Parties agree will include the use of the consideration for future capital maintenance of and improvements to the New Arena, as contemplated by paragraph (c) of this Section 3.1.7. The term of any Ground Lease will be coterminous with the expiration or early termination of the License Agreement. (b) In conjunction with the potential finalization of the Ground Lease, the Team or any of its Affiliates would have the right to develop ancillary development(s) on the New Arena Site. Any ancillary development(s) shall be subject to Applicable Law and NBA Rules and Regulations. (c) Subject to annual appropriations, any payments made by the Team (or its Affiliate) under the terms and conditions of the Ground Lease will be used by the City and/or Authority to fund future capital maintenance of and improvements to the New Arena in accordance with Proposition 8 of the 1968 General Obligation Bond authorizations. (d) In addition, the City and Authority agree that, with respect to the Team’s contract option to develop all areas on the New Arena Site other than the New Arena, parking structure, or transit hub, the City and Authority will not (i) solicit, seek, negotiate, or encourage submission of inquiries or proposals from, or accept any offers from or have any substantive discussions with any other party relative to any potential disposition, sale, ground lease or sale and leaseback of all or any portion of such areas; nor otherwise (ii) develop and/or improve upon such areas, except for the purposes of the New Arena Project, including the New Arena, parking structure, or transit hub as described in Exhibit A.

Can’t wait for renderings

So when does demo on the Myriad start?

So when does demo on the Myriad start?
I am guessing sometime in 2026. The lease of PSM with the city ends at the end of 2025.

There remains a possibility that the team might buy out PSM’s last year. They have incredible motivation to get into the new building sooner rather than later. Once again I will point out that full demo will take the better part of a year, and before demo can start there will have to be infrastructure relocations in order for Paycom to effectively function once the former Myriad/Cox is fully offline.

Two pieces of information that are definitely new here and (in my mind) could/should have been included with the original vote:

1. Land allocated to compliment the transit hub. I understand how including this would have been difficult when the site wasn't fully determined, but they could at least have included "A section of the property no less than 10% of the available area and no more than 15% of the available area will be allocated to OKC to develop for programmed public use".

2. PBC having the ability to develop unused land. I'm not sure exactly how this works - if this is right of first refusal or sole rights. That's a huge deal either way, but if it's sole rights, I'd think that throws out the window any opportunity for the city to subsidize a hotel on the site with the Omni (should the Omni want to participate). This site desperately needs a hotel, you could add in additional amenities like player housing, Thunder offices to scale up the size of the building. However you slice it, this site could really use 200+ rooms, especially if PBC/OKC ever wants to vie for an All-Star game.




from the agreement

EXHIBIT A NEW ARENA SITE The New Arena Site is generally located between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue and between Robinson Avenue and E K Gaylord Boulevard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The City/Authority reserves adequate space for the transit hub, approximately 60,000 square feet (1.377 Ac.) of land, accessible from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and as close to the Santa Fe Train Station as reasonably possible. Any amount of said land in excess of 1.377 Ac. must be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Said land is to be for transit hub use and may be combined with other facilities or buildings. Said land will be specifically located during the site plan design of the New Arena. [Legal description and site depiction attached.]PARKING STRUCTURE Parking Garage – minimum 650 spaces

Are you implying that the use of this land allocated to the transit hub is going to be the Parking Garage or were you just adding that to the list of things?