Put your chips on 9; gambling in time.

Meanwhile, the biggest gift we received was from an NBA ownership group which comprised most of the deepest pockets of investors in Oklahoma City & Tulsa. These investors had 10x the purchasing power of our 1997 NHL expansion derby group.

sure about that?

my opinion of the Cox, the city should have kept the stadium and the Blue and other sporting events wouldn't have to move. They could have just carved out the ballrooms and halls for the studios "gifting" that for a couple of years.

That's my ONLY issue with this, otherwise I think it is a net win for the city as it makes a strong statement in a very growing, visible industry (ask ABQ).

sure about that?

my opinion of the Cox, the city should have kept the stadium and the Blue and other sporting events wouldn't have to move. They could have just carved out the ballrooms and halls for the studios "gifting" that for a couple of years.

That's my ONLY issue with this, otherwise I think it is a net win for the city as it makes a strong statement in a very growing, visible industry (ask ABQ).
I recall George Kaiser was an original investor, and might still be. I don’t wanna be a google know it all, so someone else can answer that. And I think he is considered the richest man in Tulsa and maybe the whole state.

I love the Incomparable Myriad Arena, but the events committed to there the next couple years aren’t large attendance events. There are plenty good alternatives in town.

I recall George Kaiser was an original investor, and might still be. I don’t wanna be a google know it all, so someone else can answer that. And I think he is considered the richest man in Tulsa and maybe the whole state.

I love the Incomparable Myriad Arena, but the events committed to there the next couple years aren’t large attendance events. There are plenty good alternatives in town.

George Kaiser wasn't an original investor but bought out Tom Ward's share in the team. AFAIK he is still an owner.

He is by far the richest person in Tulsa with a net worth of $10B. The next richest is Lynn Schusterman at "only" $3.4B.

George Kaiser wasn't an original investor but bought out Tom Ward's share in the team. AFAIK he is still an owner.

He is by far the richest person in Tulsa with a net worth of $10B. The next richest is Lynn Schusterman at "only" $3.4B.

Good recall, BG918, just want to mention a few thing before we get back on topic, Kaiser's net worth is now listed at $13.2 billion:

Oklahoma Celebrity Net Worth: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/map/united-states/oklahoma/

Tom & Judy Love are among the wealthiest in Oklahoma--estimated $5 billion. With Judy being a very vocal Thunder fan, you would think they would eventually be among the Thunder's ownership group.

Did McClendon's share of the franchise ever get sold...

South-facing sign is up:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/prairiesurf040721a.jpg

https://kfor.com/news/local/new-oklahoma-city-film-studio-one-step-closer-to-full-production-inside-old-convention-center/

I guess this means the building is now closed to the public? No more parking in the Santa Fe garage and walking all the way to the Chesapeake Arena under shelter.

I guess this means the building is now closed to the public? No more parking in the Santa Fe garage and walking all the way to the Chesapeake Arena under shelter.

That is correct.

I like their logo on this side, that emblem is a nice design.

Let's see how this works out with Prairie Surf Studios. They will have room for growth. As far as The Blue, there are a number of places they can play in our city since their attendance seldom exceeded 1,000. The gymnasium at the Original Classen High School (Closed) could be used. You want to generate a crowd, have the Blue play in Enid, call them the Enid Blue or whatever, you'd draw a good crowd in the 6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center and bus the team back to OKC. Start those games at 6 p.m., or earlier. The Oklahoma City Thunder could play their annual 'Blue vs white' exhibition game in Enid--you'd draw a capacity crowd.


https://www.enidbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/26758070_1732048116817011_1662019761997121462_o.jp g
Chisholm Trail Expo Center Coliseum

We know the organization doesn't place a high priority on promotion of the Blue development franchise; however this G League franchise could be used to charge up a community like Enid which has been hit hard by the loss of Continental Resources.

I understand Tulsa's situation, they felt belittled being a farm or development team for their in state rival city--suddenly in the last 20 years watch OKC become a 'big league city' in sports with an NBA franchise which the Tulsa area helps support.
.

Let's see how this works out with Prairie Surf Studios. They will have room for growth. As far as The Blue, there are a number of places they can play in our city since their attendance seldom exceeded 1,000. The gymnasium at the Original Classen High School (Closed) could be used. You want to generate a crowd, have the Blue play in Enid, call them the Enid Blue or whatever, you'd draw a good crowd in the 6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center and bus the team back to OKC. Start those games at 6 p.m., or earlier. The Oklahoma City Thunder could play their annual 'Blue vs white' exhibition game in Enid--you'd draw a capacity crowd.


https://www.enidbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/26758070_1732048116817011_1662019761997121462_o.jp g
Chisholm Trail Expo Center Coliseum

We know the organization doesn't place a high priority on promotion of the Blue development franchise; however this G League franchise could be used to charge up a community like Enid which has been hit hard by the loss of Continental Resources.

I understand Tulsa's situation, they felt belittled being a farm or development team for their in state rival city--suddenly in the last 20 years watch OKC become a 'big league city' in sports with an NBA franchise which the Tulsa area helps support.
.

In regards to putting the team in Enid, I think these guys might have something to say about it:

https://www.news9.com/story/6074e35ce236d70bbbc910ef/outlaws-ride-into-enid-as-new-pro-basketball-team

In regards to putting the team in Enid, I think these guys might have something to say about it:

https://www.news9.com/story/6074e35ce236d70bbbc910ef/outlaws-ride-into-enid-as-new-pro-basketball-team

Thanks Warreng88, also discovered that Enid has an indoor football league team called the Oklahoma Flying Aces, they are in the same league with the Omaha, Wichita & Sioux Falls: https://www.enidnews.com/sports/local_sports/flying-aces-2021-schedule-released/article_2da440b2-ec62-5318-bff5-9b45768a35ef.html


https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/enidnews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/a6/da691c99-1c03-5a0b-8166-9276ead6f81d/5f8514c5427e0.image.jpg?resize=800%2C600

Great news to know that Enid is doing fine. Far better than cities of its size.

Let's see how this works out with Prairie Surf Studios. They will have room for growth. As far as The Blue, there are a number of places they can play in our city since their attendance seldom exceeded 1,000. The gymnasium at the Original Classen High School (Closed) could be used. You want to generate a crowd, have the Blue play in Enid, call them the Enid Blue or whatever, you'd draw a good crowd in the 6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center and bus the team back to OKC. Start those games at 6 p.m., or earlier. The Oklahoma City Thunder could play their annual 'Blue vs white' exhibition game in Enid--you'd draw a capacity crowd.


https://www.enidbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/26758070_1732048116817011_1662019761997121462_o.jp g
Chisholm Trail Expo Center Coliseum

We know the organization doesn't place a high priority on promotion of the Blue development franchise; however this G League franchise could be used to charge up a community like Enid which has been hit hard by the loss of Continental Resources.

I understand Tulsa's situation, they felt belittled being a farm or development team for their in state rival city--suddenly in the last 20 years watch OKC become a 'big league city' in sports with an NBA franchise which the Tulsa area helps support.
.

by choice, right. ..

I'm tired of this "Tulsa" attitude like OKC owes them something. .. OKC has grown largely despite Tulsa and the state. If Tulsa choses to support the OKC Thunder then they're entitled to it but we don't owe them anything just like how OKC people support Tulsa's music scene (and to a much lesser extent now, shopping scene) - yet I never hear anybody crying about how Tulsa therefore OWES OKC. ..

It's high time for some OKC folks to move away from this overly humility and just be proud of OUR city. Do you really think Tulsa thinks they OWE OKC anything? Yet I'm sure OKC is the biggest outside supporter of everything up there. So why does ANYTHING in OKC have to owe itself to Tulsa's support? Tulsa didn't want the Blue, tough $*** for them then. They didn't want nor support the WNBA either, which was their major league team handed to them. ..

That said, I think Wichita would GLADLY accept the OKC Blue and IMO it makes sense since Wichita is bigger than Tulsa (city wise, not metro) and has a bigger TV market (not that that particularly matters but still) so therefore you would add that catchment market to OKC. I know the Thunder probably already add KS as an external catchment but they don't include it in the direct OKC market numbers - whereas with the Blue up there (and therefore Thunder TV rights) they probably could. ..

I can't think of any good reason why the Blue would leave OKC. There's a big advantage for the team in having them close and fan support for the G League is too limited to merit the additional hassle of moving the team somewhere else. I suspect they'll stay.

As for the post above, I'm not even sure where to start. The notion that Wichita (city: 382,368; metro: 644,888) is bigger than Tulsa (city: 391,906; metro: 991,561) is incorrect, but if you've ever visited both, you'd never consider Wichita "bigger." In fact, maybe the best way to describe Wichita is a smaller Tulsa. If you've ever spent time in both places (I lived in both), you'd know that Tulsa feels like a much bigger city than the numbers indicate. As for the rest of the post, there are so many manufactured narratives that it's not worth addressing them all.

^^^^

Agree. I don't think the G League is very focused on live attendance. Appears moving the teams to the city of the "Big Club" is the wave of the future. Gives the Thunder organization a way to get all their players in the same training, nutrition and style of play mindset. Can do call ups on the game day afternoon. Builds up team chemistry. Advantage to Myriad was it was a former major event center that was across the street from the current arena. Otherwise, no big deal.

The Peake is not booked a lot of nights. I wonder if the Blue might just play many of their games there and have an alternate home when needed.

The Peake is not booked a lot of nights. I wonder if the Blue might just play many of their games there and have an alternate home when needed.

In the past, the Blue has played other teams at the Thunder practice facility. Very good setup imo.

Dan - I stand corrected about the stats on Wichita. I have been too and visited both cities countless times and yes while Tulsa feels much bigger I always thought Wichita had the edge in actual city pop.

As to your reference of the rest of my manufactured narratives - I am entitled to my opinion and this IS a chat forum last I knew. Knowing people from Wichita and being from OKC born and raised I can vouch that my 'manufactured narrative' as you call them are shared by many in those cities whereas Tulsans often feel that OKC owes them for some reason - just as exactly as Larry wrote in his post (which I think we should stop). ..

Of course, you’re entitled to your opinion. As someone from Tulsa who knows lots of people from Tulsa, I’ve never heard a single person utter anything close to what you claim. Maybe there’s a secret cabal of OKC-owes-us Tulsans, but I haven’t met them yet.

Of course, you’re entitled to your opinion. As someone from Tulsa who knows lots of people from Tulsa, I’ve never heard a single person utter anything close to what you claim. Maybe there’s a secret cabal of OKC-owes-us Tulsans, but I haven’t met them yet.

Tulsan here and I don’t recall anybody, in my circles at least, give off vibes that OKC owes Tulsa anything. Actually I notice a lot of admiration for what OKC is doing, from people here in the city. For me personally I spend a lot more time researching and reading about OKC developments than I do the city I’ve lived in for 30 years. I just saw a list (I think from KFOR, if I recall correctly) and Tulsa was ranked 1 or 2 for people that are migrating to OKC. I think that says a lot, for how Tulsan’s feel about OKC.

Of course, you’re entitled to your opinion. As someone from Tulsa who knows lots of people from Tulsa, I’ve never heard a single person utter anything close to what you claim. Maybe there’s a secret cabal of OKC-owes-us Tulsans, but I haven’t met them yet.

as someone who has many friends from both Tulsa and around the rest of the state... i have met many people who think Tulsans are this way, but have never actually met a Tulsan who is. But i have seen first hand friendships ended because someone in the group kept pushing the person from Tulsa because they thought they felt that OKC owed Tulsans something, till finally the Tulsan just got tired of it happening literally every time we met up, and just said they weren't going to be part of the group anymore. (side note, this also made me leave the group and i'm still friends with that Tulsan).

no guys, I agree that most Tulsans are way cool and love having OKC. But there is no doubt a contingent of Tulsans who think anything in OKC is due to it being the capital and therefore owes its success to Tulsa (in the view that that city's tax/success is why OKC is therefore successful).

I've had discussions with Tulsans who had no idea of OKC's economy and that it was naturally larger than Tulsa's even without the state government. ...

I do agree that this Tulsa bias has significantly decreased or even eliminated within the 10-20 years but I personally was responding to Larry's post where it appeared to be that OKC owed Tulsa.

I do agree - Perhaps it is true that OKC people need to move away from the former Tulsa bias and we all just enjoy both cities for what and who they are. :)

Due to the unavailability of the Cox Center arena as it is now under the control of Prairie Surf, the FFA is moving their large annual convention to Tulsa.

Huge loss for OKC; don't know how long they've been coming to town but it's longer than I can remember.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/06/29/oklahoma-ffa-annual-convention-moving-okc-chesapeake-energy-arena-to-tulsa-convention-center-bok/7800112002/

In the Tulsa World story on the FFA relocating, they said it would be a $8.9 million annual impact and a lot of that goes to downtown hotels, restaurants and attractions. They have a 5-year deal in Tulsa, so that is about $45 million in total. And of course the odds are they will be staying in Tulsa for longer than that 5-year term.


Anyone still want to argue that basically giving Prairie Surf free rent and total control of this city-owned facility was the smart move?

Add this expense to moving the Blue and some other scheduled conventions and paying a good chunk of their utilities.

Was the FFA convention not large enough for our brand spankin' new center?

Was the FFA convention not large enough for our brand spankin' new center?

They need an arena as well as convention space.

Why couldn't the city have guaranteed FFA dates with the new convention center; unless there's something in the works for a bigger group that would have been in conflict. Keeping the Cox available IMO would have provided options if another larger group is negotiating with the city. We have a 14,000 seat arena (The Blue, possible ECHL franchise option) could use, how is PSM utilizing the arena...

Should have kept the whole Cox Center as an overflow or auxiliary facility; would this have kept the FFA in OKC...

Agree 100% Pete. The agreement with PSM took away options for future convention center expansion and/or overflow- auxiliary use.

I've seen the FFA members walking around downtown; that's a massive convention group to lose for the hotel sector.

^

OKC can no longer guarantee the FFA an arena, which they need.

Their convention is in April and more years than not the Thunder are in the playoffs, so CHK can't be guaranteed. So that's where the Cox arena allowed the city to provide a guarantee.

With Cox out of the picture, Tulsa was more than happy to guarantee the BOK center for the five-year period they wanted. And as I said, I'm sure they'll just stay there as a permanent home.


I know the FFA has been coming to OKC since at least the early '80s (when I first started working downtown) and probably well before that.

Anyway the city can carve out the arena agreement portion of the Cox Center, does PSM need all that space...

Tulsa was able to guarantee; the BOK Center will be committed for a 5 year time frame, you're right Pete, they will be there beyond five years. Although their convention center (former Civic Assembly Center) was renovated in 2020 (arena portion doesn't exist anymore), they spent $55 million in upgrades.

BOK Center is magnificent--beautiful interior & exterior.

Haven't seen Tulsa CC upgrades; how does it compare to our new convention center complex; anyone who has seen both care to comment.

I presume we'll have a chance to win it back once the new state fair arena is operational. Too bad we don't have that monorail to get them downtown. :-P

...Anyone still want to argue that basically giving Prairie Surf free rent and total control of this city-owned facility was the smart move?…

When Bob Stoops came to OU, wide receiver Ahmed Kabba bolted the Sooners and Oklahoma fans TRIPPED. He’d been the leading receiver the previous year, catching 8 passes in an offense that was admittedly hardly prolific. He was obviously one of the better athletes on those woeful Blake teams, and I think people were afraid they’d never again see that level of production.

Stoops seemed puzzled when he was asked about it. He said: “he’s a fine young man, and we wish him well. But I think we'll be able to find someone who can catch eight balls for us next season."

I presume we'll have a chance to win it back once the new state fair arena is operational. Too bad we don't have that monorail to get them downtown. :-P

A monorail's really more of a Shelbyville idea.

When Bob Stoops came to OU, wide receiver Ahmed Kabba bolted the Sooners and Oklahoma fans TRIPPED. He’d been the leading receiver the previous year, catching 8 passes in an offense that was admittedly hardly prolific. He was obviously one of the better athletes on those woeful Blake teams, and I think people were afraid they’d never again see that level of production.

Stoops seemed puzzled when he was asked about it. He said: “he’s a fine young man, and we wish him well. But I think we'll be able to find someone who can catch eight balls for us next season."

You'll have to follow up this post later and let us know which conventions OKC lands that equate to Antwone Savage, Curtis ***an, Andre Woolfolk, and Damian Mackey.

"How ya gonna keep them down on the farm( After they've seen Tulsa)"

"How ya gonna keep them down on the farm( After they've seen Tulsa)"

Tulsa just wrapped themselves up an FFA blue ribbon prize. Anxious to know why Oklahoma City couldn't make a long-term commitment.

^

OKC can no longer guarantee the FFA an arena, which they need.

Their convention is in April and more years than not the Thunder are in the playoffs, so CHK can't be guaranteed. So that's where the Cox arena allowed the city to provide a guarantee.

With Cox out of the picture, Tulsa was more than happy to guarantee the BOK center for the five-year period they wanted. And as I said, I'm sure they'll just stay there as a permanent home.


I know the FFA has been coming to OKC since at least the early '80s (when I first started working downtown) and probably well before that.

Was this not inevitable at some point? The long term plan was to tear Cox down anyway and the Peak will always have a potential conflict in April. It seems as though if they couldn't make something work between the new convention center with the Peak or the State Fair Arena with the Exhibit Halls...that it was destined to leave at some point anyway. Granted...that would likely have been at least 10 years down the road and the city is definitely losing revenue on it, but even without Cox, it seems like we do still have the facilities in place to accommodate it long term and they preferred the situation/location and lack of competition in Tulsa.

The movie studio was definitely a gamble with the odds stacked against success but even with losing the FFA deal, it still seems a little too early to call it a mistake or failure. That said, in 5 years if the studio proves to be a massive flop, then unfortunately you're completely right.

^^^^^^^^^
All of this

You'll have to follow up this post later and let us know which conventions OKC lands that equate to Antwone Savage, Curtis ***an, Andre Woolfolk, and Damian Mackey.
Or, which movies/streaming series equal CeeDee Lamb, Sterling Shepard, Mark Clayton, or Hollywood Brown.

FFA likely won’t be the only thing lost in the mix here. But I’d expect that Prairie Surf will ultimately help generate well beyond $8.9 million in economic impact for OKC each year.

A monorail's really more of a Shelbyville idea.

This is why we need a "like" feature on this site.

Stoops seemed puzzled when he was asked about it. He said: “he’s a fine young man, and we wish him well. But I think we'll be able to find someone who can catch eight balls for us next season."

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/06/29/oklahoma-ffa-annual-convention-moving-okc-chesapeake-energy-arena-to-tulsa-convention-center-bok/7800112002/


"It hurts my heart," said Sue Hollenbeck, special projects manager for the city and former director of sports business at the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's significant. People are going to feel it."

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ffa063021a.jpg

"How ya gonna keep them down on the farm( After they've seen Tulsa)"

Or after they've seen Karl Hungus?

It's too bad that particular convention is leaving. Really, it is. But you know, things change. The world evolves. New conventions that OKC has never had will come in due to the new convention center. Maybe Prairie Surf will strike gold and we'll look back in 5 years and say, Thank God we traded the FFA for (future thing).

I don't mean to be flippant, but if the FFA involves primarily schoolchildren, they probably aren't spending much money in bars and on high quality food.

^

$8.9 million annual economic impact.

This does open up a question about the types of conventions OKC should be shooting for.

St. Louis, because of its central location for driving and airline connections, has, for some reason always been a location favored by religious groups. The AME Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentacostals and the like have huge conventions here. Well, that's great. But a certain segment of the business community rolls their eyes because these groups sleep 2 or 4 to a room, order cheap boxed lunches or have picnics and don't patronize downtown bars and restaurants. Much better to have corporate trade shows, business conferences, people that sleep 1 to a room and are on expense accounts.

Again, it is too bad about the FFA. But it is an interesting discussion, probably off topic.

It's too bad that particular convention is leaving. Really, it is. But you know, things change. The world evolves. New conventions that OKC has never had will come in due to the new convention center. Maybe Prairie Surf will strike gold and we'll look back in 5 years and say, Thank God we traded the FFA for (future thing).

I don't mean to be flippant, but if the FFA involves primarily schoolchildren, they probably aren't spending much money in bars and on high quality food.
It’s a five yr move, after which time we might have the new fairgrounds arena completed. It used to move around and then settled on OKC before. Trust me, people from Guymon and Altus would much rather go to OKC than drive to far NE Oklahoma. Central location is much better.

Sometimes you have to take one step back to begin to move 10 steps forward. We have to quit reading one page and think we know the story of the whole book.

Does anyone have any metrics or articles on the recovery that conventions are having right now? I would assume coming off the pandemic and a world with eyes opened to virtual/video interactions, that convention demand is at an all-time low.

Would love for our new CC to land some good conventions, losing the FFA definitely sucks, I would not have guessed the nearly $9MM impact.

The FFA stays downtown and walks to the arena and their convention space.

They can't do that at the fairgrounds, which right now has an arena they could be using.

You can be very sure they won't be coming back to OKC, probably ever.

i used to work just east of downtown... during the ffa convention each year, you'd see people in ffa uniforms walking back and forth between bricktown in literal droves... i'd imagine those dollars are going to be missed.

Trust me, people from Guymon and Altus would much rather go to OKC than drive to far NE Oklahoma. Central location is much better.

it's an extra hour to an hour an a half from each of those locations... for a multi-day event where the participants stay in-town, i doubt that's going to be a big issue.

They need an arena as well as convention space.

We were bound to lose that convention eventually then, unless we expect the Cox to sit around forever as a convention center annex or something. We should have built an arena into the new convention center if there were important conventions we wanted to keep or acquire that required one.

Or after they've seen Karl Hungus?

Damn, the references are lit today!

^

OKC can no longer guarantee the FFA an arena, which they need.

Their convention is in April and more years than not the Thunder are in the playoffs, so CHK can't be guaranteed. So that's where the Cox arena allowed the city to provide a guarantee.

With Cox out of the picture, Tulsa was more than happy to guarantee the BOK center for the five-year period they wanted. And as I said, I'm sure they'll just stay there as a permanent home.


I know the FFA has been coming to OKC since at least the early '80s (when I first started working downtown) and probably well before that.

how many days is the FFA convention normally? if it's just one or two days, then why could they not guarantee the arena? other NBA arenas are able to be used during these times for events. they just adjust the schedule unless the event would prevent the arena from being used for more than two days....

i agree it's awful that we are losing it. but i'm trying to figure out all of the angles here of ways in which this couldn't be kept.

Wouldn't mind seeing the Thunder lease re-done (when is it up?) now that there isn't another downtown arena available where it is made easier to use our city-owned arena for more functions. FFA might not be the only convention that needs both an arena and convention space. Also, for there to be any possibility for the convention center and arena to be used jointly in the future, there definitely needs to be pedestrian improvements between the two. Heck that should be happening regardless.

^

Right now, you can't even walk directly from the convention center to the CHK arena, as there is no sidewalk on the east side of Robinson north of the boulevard.

Now that Thunder Alley has withdrawn their application and that project does not look imminent, this needs to be addressed straight away.

Right, that's what I meant by should happen regardless

how many days is the FFA convention normally? if it's just one or two days, then why could they not guarantee the arena? other NBA arenas are able to be used during these times for events. they just adjust the schedule unless the event would prevent the arena from being used for more than two days....

i agree it's awful that we are losing it. but i'm trying to figure out all of the angles here of ways in which this couldn't be kept.

With many arena concerts that did not appear at the Chesapeake for a number of years, some speculate the Thunder were less than accommodating or flexible in scheduling. IDK, just have heard it more than once.

With many arena concerts that did not appear at the Chesapeake for a number of years, some speculate the Thunder were less than accommodating or flexible in scheduling. IDK, just have heard it more than once.

oh, i absolutely think this is the case... that is what i was trying to confirm in this... that we might not have needed to lose it, had the city not give the Thunder god-like scheduling power.

The sidewalk and streetscape were promised as part of Project 180 and just completely skipped, like so many other areas.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunderalley063021a.jpg

^

Right now, you can't even walk directly from the convention center to the CHK arena, as there is no sidewalk on the east side of Robinson north of the boulevard.

Now that Thunder Alley has withdrawn their application and that project does not look imminent, this needs to be addressed straight away.

This is a very good point, it's straight up embarrassing to have that right across the street from the Omni and preventing clean pedestrian access to the arena.