in the council meeting last week or the week before .. they talked about a screen on the north side on the okc arena

Pretty sure the screen is still a go and proposed for the West side, that rendering is facing south, but I could be wrong.

http://media.trb.com/media/alternatethumbnails/story/2011-02/59264203-07143340.jpg

If that is facing south then the sun started setting in the south!!!:ohno: Look at the bottom right corner, about an inch up, the sun is setting:doh:!!! Someone needs to get real with their renderings:butbutbut!!!

http://filehive.com/files/080731/1fordexterior5.jpg

This final upgrade is really going to make the arena into an upper class NBA facility IMO. When all is said and done there are not going to be that many arenas in the NBA that will be as slick as this one IMO.

This arena is a joke. The BOK center in Tulsa is SOOO much better and they don't even have a team. The real problem with this arena cannot be fixed. The angle of the seating and lack of leg room in "Loud City" cannot be fixed. This arena sucks!!!

http://media.trb.com/media/alternatethumbnails/story/2011-02/59264203-07143340.jpg

If that is facing south then the sun started setting in the south!!!:ohno: Look at the bottom right corner, about an inch up, the sun is setting:doh:!!! Someone needs to get real with their renderings:butbutbut!!!

Life is good if this is all you can find wrong with a conceptual drawing. Maybe it's the sunset reflecting of of windows.

It's not the BOK, which I agree is stunning architecturally (to an architectural novice, granted), but it's ours and it houses the Thunder, of whom I am quite fond. I think the new entrance is very attractive and while it smacks a wee bit of putting lipstick on a pig, since the majority of the arena will remain our homely (in the Tokien sense of the word and perhaps generic as well) old ...cough...Ford Center, it is a definite improvment. I'm very excited, if the rumor is true, about having Iron Starr in the arena as well, which will be a massive upgrade from the Old Number 7 Club, if that's it's name. I'm hoping the plywood stalls in the bathroom with Home Depot brand slide locks will be going as well.

This arena is a joke. The BOK center in Tulsa is SOOO much better and they don't even have a team. The real problem with this arena cannot be fixed. The angle of the seating and lack of leg room in "Loud City" cannot be fixed. This arena sucks!!!

Wow. Tell us what you REALLY think. Must be a Tulsan with big league envy or a contractor who wasn't picked.

I've been to a number of other NBA arenas and ours competes just fine with leg room and angles. This has never been the issue. The issue has always been the lack of amenities and slick architectural elements. The upgrades significantly improve that aspect with new flooring, fixtures, etc., new restaurants, casual areas and collecting area in the new entry, as well as improving the general spartan look of the outside.

And, the truth is, the best part of the arena is the product it serves us. NBA, world class concerts and other entertaining, etc. So, regardless of the space ship that landed in downtown t-tow, OKC Arena is still superior in so many ways.

This arena is a joke. The BOK center in Tulsa is SOOO much better and they don't even have a team. The real problem with this arena cannot be fixed. The angle of the seating and lack of leg room in "Loud City" cannot be fixed. This arena sucks!!!

While I think the BOK is better, your complaint is a joke. I have season tickets in Loud City and the leg rooom is fine. How tall are you? Lol.

This arena is a joke. The BOK center in Tulsa is SOOO much better and they don't even have a team. The real problem with this arena cannot be fixed. The angle of the seating and lack of leg room in "Loud City" cannot be fixed. This arena sucks!!!
The leg room must be great in those upper decks, to compensate for being at least 40 feet further back from the court.

I wouldn't pay attention to NDN, I've never seen a serious post from her ever. And clearly has never been to any other NBA arenas.

Betts, Iron Starr is not a rumor, it was formally announced along time ago.

I have season tickets in Loud City and I'm 6'4''. While it isn't roomy, I have no problem and I'm not ever uncomfortable.

I agree the outside of the arena isn't that great looking, but it's definitely not terrible. The entrance will be a much-needed upgrade. it would be nice if they could add some kind of lights around the entire outside and maybe the roof.

I'm 6'6" and have been to many games in Loud City. No complaints about the leg room here.

in the council meeting last week or the week before .. they talked about a screen on the north side on the okc arena

Please note the mention of inside and outside audio visual improvements.

http://www.newsok.com/article/3539203le

Leg room (remember the cup holders?) and sound system were the major complaints of the Arena when it first opened. IIRC, space between rows was deliberately done to squeeze more seats in the smaller footprint. Among other "value engineering". The city's response/defense about sound quality for concerts was it wasn't designed to be a concert facility (even though concerts have been the bread-n-butter that not only kept the Ford profitable but one of the top concert venues in the country its first few years). It didn't stop acts from coming or people attending. it was designed for sporting events (but the same sound quality complaints were present there as well).

thanks Rover for the pic, that's the one I remember

If that is facing south then the sun started setting in the south!!!:ohno: Look at the bottom right corner, about an inch up, the sun is setting:doh:!!! Someone needs to get real with their renderings:butbutbut!!!

That is the sunrise. People are lining up early to get playoff tickets.

And I guess he doesn't remember the threads in the past where I showed the similarities in the facilties. I'll repost that graphic here...gasp, they're the same.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43309757@N05/5433680116/ And before you get your panties in a twist, what my whole point of the overhead shot is, they're arenas. They have different styles on the outside as far as the facade goes, but they are basically the same beast. Heck, look at how the doors even point folks. Once the Ford Center (not gonna call is OKC Arena) gets it's last round of updates, it's a whole new design on the outside, as well as a whole new floorplan on the inside. The concrete finishes dissapear...something that's still going to be there with the BOK.

We just saw in previous posts how the scoreboards differ. OKC = lots of screen space for whatever you'd like to put up there, much like Own Field. BOK = lots of Williams advertisement space, not much space for actual content.

I'm not trying to down BOK, she's a sexy looking b*tch on the outside folks. I wish Ford Center had that kind of interestingly shaped exterior. HOWEVER, once you walk inside, it's the same plain jane arena you'll find anywhere in America. At least with the renovations, you're seeing a MUCH different Ford Center than when it opened. Hey, Tulsa might do the same as BOK evolves. But until the last phase is done on FC, they're arenas.....bowls with seats.

and i guess he doesn't remember the threads in the past where i showed the similarities in the facilties. I'll repost that graphic here...gasp, they're the same.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43309757@n05/5433680116/ and before you get your panties in a twist, what my whole point of the overhead shot is, they're arenas. They have different styles on the outside as far as the facade goes, but they are basically the same beast. Heck, look at how the doors even point folks. Once the ford center (not gonna call is okc arena) gets it's last round of updates, it's a whole new design on the outside, as well as a whole new floorplan on the inside. The concrete finishes dissapear...something that's still going to be there with the bok.


We just saw in previous posts how the scoreboards differ. Okc = lots of screen space for whatever you'd like to put up there, much like own field. Bok = lots of williams advertisement space, not much space for actual content.

I'm not trying to down bok, she's a sexy looking b*tch on the outside folks. I wish ford center had that kind of interestingly shaped exterior. However, once you walk inside, it's the same plain jane arena you'll find anywhere in america. At least with the renovations, you're seeing a much different ford center than when it opened. Hey, tulsa might do the same as bok evolves. But until the last phase is done on fc, they're arenas.....bowls with seats.
amen!

And I guess he doesn't remember the threads in the past where I showed the similarities in the facilties. I'll repost that graphic here...gasp, they're the same.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43309757@N05/5433680116/ And before you get your panties in a twist, what my whole point of the overhead shot is, they're arenas. They have different styles on the outside as far as the facade goes, but they are basically the same beast. Heck, look at how the doors even point folks. Once the Ford Center (not gonna call is OKC Arena) gets it's last round of updates, it's a whole new design on the outside, as well as a whole new floorplan on the inside. The concrete finishes dissapear...something that's still going to be there with the BOK.

[QUOTE]We just saw in previous posts how the scoreboards differ. OKC = lots of screen space for whatever you'd like to put up there, much like Own Field. BOK = lots of Williams advertisement space, not much space for actual content.



I'm not trying to down BOK, she's a sexy looking b*tch on the outside folks. I wish Ford Center had that kind of interestingly shaped exterior. HOWEVER, once you walk inside, it's the same plain jane arena you'll find anywhere in America. At least with the renovations, you're seeing a MUCH different Ford Center than when it opened. Hey, Tulsa might do the same as BOK evolves. But until the last phase is done on FC, they're arenas.....bowls with seats.

Really, man? REALLY?

I am just going to put this here: http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2008/08/12/bok-center-vs-ford-center/

Don't have the exact quote handy but even Bennett gave the BOK very high marks. As far as "not much space for actual content (bolded quote in the previous post), someone else mentioned that whatever content is there is obliterated by the numerous Williams logo/signs that are in fixed positions. Imagine that many network logos cluttering up the screen on your TV. One of them is bad enough.

I think the Ford/OKC Arena's exterior design would have worked better if it had been built within Bricktown (instead of nearby)

Hey Chataqua - that blog misses the point alltogether.

1 - Yes Ford Center was built with 90 million...in the late 90's. It would have cost more to build today, and we've spent more than that already on improvements. It hasn't been a 90 million building since it opened. That blog was out of date as soon as it was written.

2 - I already said the outside of the BOK is great. But even that blog mention the exact thing I did....inside, it's an arena...whoopie.

3 - The scoreboard??? Really? Since when is slapping a bunch of square screens together in a jumble cool? Here's a vid of the new Ford Center scoreboard. Take a look and tell me where you see any huge permanent advertisement space that takes up hundreds of square feet of eye territory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuTWMftxeh0 Becuase that's totally the same as the BOK center that is mostly STATIC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzzIB2N1bk8

Don't have the exact quote handy but even Bennett gave the BOK very high marks. As far as "not much space for actual content (bolded quote in the previous post), someone else mentioned that whatever content is there is obliterated by the numerous Williams logo/signs that are in fixed positions. Imagine that many network logos cluttering up the screen on your TV. One of them is bad enough.

I think the Ford/OKC Arena's exterior design would have worked better if it had been built within Bricktown (instead of nearby)

What did you expect Bennett to say; this place sucks?

No kidding, ever heard of politics and political correctness/ posturing? He owns the WNBA team that plays in the arena as well as the DLeague mens team.

No kidding, ever heard of politics and political correctness/ posturing? He owns the WNBA team that plays in the arena as well as the DLeague mens team.


He doesn't own the WNBA team and his D-league team doesn't play there. But nice try.

Even so, you get my point, and at one time he did own it, possibly at the time of those comments quoted when e team first moved here.

I'm not sure I understand this discussion. I don't really see this as an arena competition. Tulsa has a beautiful arena. I too was underwhelmed by the interior, but I haven't really ever been overwhelmed by an arena interior, although I haven't visited them all and haven't been to the grand dame...Madison Square Garden...since its renovation. American Airlines in Dallas is impressive in that you can see a LOT of money was spent, but I don't like the design and think they tried too hard to make it classy without success. Again, for Oklahoma City, the important thing is that we've got a great product inside the arena, and we haven't got any arena debt, but do have a decent arena that will be nice when finished. It will not be the penultimate, but we didn't spend penultimate money. I'm quite satisfied, myself.

Wait a second. Tulsa has this nice downtown arena and the NBA D-League team doesn't play in it? Why not?

Even so, you get my point, and at one time he did own it, possibly at the time of those comments quoted when e team first moved here.

actually he never owned the wnba team in tulsa .. it was bought and moved from Detroit the seattle team is still in seattle

Wait a second. Tulsa has this nice downtown arena and the NBA D-League team doesn't play in it? Why not?

Metro, to my knowledge Bennett has never owned any part of the Shock.

The 66rs don't play in the BOk center because it's way too big, they never have played there. 18,000 seats for maybe 1-2,000 people in the stands? That makes no sense. They currently play a block down the street at the Convention Center Arena which seats I think 9,000 people. They used to play at the Expo Square Pavilion and in Bixby at the Spirit Bank Center which both seat 4-5,000 I think.

The BOK center is plenty busy with concerts, shows and the much more popular Oilers and Talons.

Swake2 I appreciate you having the correct facts and posting them as opposed to...

It's true. Bill Cameron is the majority owner of the Shock. Clay Bennett owned the Storm but sold them to local ownership in Seattle rather than moving them, although Tulsa had been suggested as an option before he sold them. So, I could see how the confusion could exist.

Metro, to my knowledge Bennett has never owned any part of the Shock.

The 66rs don't play in the BOk center because it's way too big, they never have played there. 18,000 seats for maybe 1-2,000 people in the stands? That makes no sense. They currently play a block down the street at the Convention Center Arena which seats I think 9,000 people. They used to play at the Expo Square Pavilion and in Bixby at the Spirit Bank
Center which both seat 4-5,000 I think.
The BOK center is plenty busy with concerts, shows and the much more popular Oilers and Talons.

Ok thanks for correcting me, I forgot Bennett made the deal to keep Storm in Seattle, but I'm pretty sure he owned it for awhile before he sold it to the female ownership group in Seattle.

Again, either way, that's not my point, go back and reread my point. Typical Tulsan to look over the fact and argue semantics of how their arena is better. Again, the point is what would you expect him to say about Tulsa when he relies on some ticket buyers for the Thunder and D League support in Tulsa, as well as TV market. It was a business move. And Bill Cameron, his buddy and co-owner of Thunder, and owner of Shock, is also from OKC.

What did you expect Bennett to say; this place sucks?
Not exactly, but wondered about the Ford improvements (if they would be on par with a non-NBA arena just up the road)...possible partial justification for "needing" a new arena here.


No kidding, ever heard of politics and political correctness/ posturing? He owns the WNBA team that plays in the arena as well as the DLeague mens team.

Believe he made the statement before they had purchased the development league team. Hadn't heard that Bennet was in the WNBA ownership group? Why would he do that when he owned a WNBA team (the Seattle Storm) and then sold it off?

on edit, I see others have pointed this out, so disregard that part

He did indeed own the Storm but sold them back to the Seattle ownership group before the relocation happened. (after insisting that the Storm was not for sale).

Typical Tulsan to look over the fact and argue semantics of how their arena is better.

Typical flamethrowing Metro. All I did was point out the gross inaccuracy of your post.

I actually have never commented on which arena is better. Right now, I don't have to, it's obvious. Once the pretty drawings become reality for the changes at the former Ford Center we can reassess. I don't think I have ever even seen any final plans, if someone has them, I would like to see them in this thread. But, until the work is done we are only guessing at what the arena in Oklahoma City is going to be like.

There are plenty of pictures of the "final plans". Just follow this link and you'll see them for yourself:

Final Plans (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Oklahoma+City+Thunder)

What a bunch of ego positioning this thread has turned into. This thread shouldn't have anything to do with Tulsa. Who in OKC really cares about the BOK center and how it compares to the OKC Arena? Both serve their purpose. I am glad Tulsa finally upgraded their situation. Yea for them.

I have been to any number of arenas where the NBA plays and some where they don't. OKC inside matches up just fine in critical areas of seat size and leg room, number of seats, comfort of seats and sight lines. Where it failed on opening is finish material in common areas, size and quality of gathering areas, quality of concessions, number of suites and loges, etc. OKC got a basic and basically functional big city arena at start up. Believe it or not, it was actually very comparable to the average then, but not elegant. The new additions and the ones to get underway will address most of the flash issue and a great deal of the functional issues. The previous poster is correct in that the interiors are much the same, especially BOK and OKC, and practically every other areana built in the US in the last decade that is of that size. It is the lobby, entry and exterior fru-fru where most of the difference occurred. After the new addition is built, THEN we can have our childish pi$$ing contest over Tulsa and OKC...do you like the spaceship in downtown Tulsa or the warehouse in OKC?

Planned arena sign conflicts with ordinances
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 09:29 PM Friday, February 11, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – A 1,575-square-foot LED video screen that is part of planned renovations on the Oklahoma City Arena runs afoul of downtown zoning ordinances that restrict large, illuminated signs. The sign also could feature advertising from corporate event sponsors.

Many big-ticket concert tours the arena might attract come with corporate sponsorships attached, meaning the LED sign might occasionally flash a corporate logo or two to promote events, said Tom Anderson, special projects manager for Oklahoma City.

The sign would primarily be used to broadcast the Oklahoma City Thunder schedule, as well as broadcast an occasional game.

“Certainly any naming rights sponsor I would anticipate would want some rights associated with the use of it,” Anderson said. “We would also like the flexibility of being able to put some element of advertising on it, which would be advantageous to help enhance any revenue.”

Plans for the sign show a 20.4-foot-by-74.4-foot LED screen that would be mounted on the north side of the arena and face W. Reno Avenue.

The sign is part of a $5 million contract the Oklahoma City Council awarded to Ford Audio-Video Systems Inc. last week to make internal and external audiovisual improvements at the arena. Plans for the screen are part of improvements worth $36 million that are part of a third phase of an ongoing, $100 million overhaul of the arena paid for by a 1-cent sales tax voters approved in 2008.

The LED screen will be similar to existing video screens inside the arena, only larger, said Wayne Courville, a construction manager for Oklahoma City. The renovations are slated to ramp up as soon as the NBA season is over and wrap up by May 2012.

Because the sign might include incidental advertising from corporate event sponsors, it would be considered a non-accessory sign, which would make it subject to stricter zoning guidelines, according to a city staff report.

“No non-accessory sign shall be constructed, erected, or placed in any way on the roof or walls of a building,” city code states.

The large LED video screen would produce 7,000 nits of illumination, which is about the same amount of light generated by 28 LCD computer screens. City code bars signs in nonresidential areas from generating more than 500 nits at night and more than 6,500 nits during the day, according to a city report on the LED screen. However, the sign can be adjusted to comply with city illumination limits during the day, the report said.

The LED screen also would clash with a city code that limits the height distance from the lot line.

The Downtown Design Review Committee is slated to consider plans for the LED screen at its next meeting Thursday. In a report to the committee, city staff recommended approving design plans for the arena LED screen, on the condition the city grants zoning variances for the size, height, mounting location and illumination level of the sign.

In 2008, the Downtown Design Review Committee raised questions over plans the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber had to build a 30-foot-by-55-foot external LED media sign as part of a new headquarters building at NW Fourth Street and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard, even though chamber officials promised they wouldn’t sell advertising space on the sign.

The Design Review Committee never approved plans for the chamber LED sign and now plans to build the new headquarters are on hold, said Marcus Elwell, a chamber spokesman.

...
Plans for the sign show a 20.4-foot-by-74.4-foot LED screen that would be mounted on the north side of the arena and face W. Reno Avenue. ...


north side of the arena?

As to the conflict, grant a variance or rewrite the danged thing. Either way, end of problem.

Wasn't it just this past summer that the Council went round-n-round on the whole sign ordinance thing? Hard to believe no one thought about this before now. LOL

i don't see a problem with this .. the sign on the chamber building was at 4th and broadway ... this is facing reno and the Cox building .. and it will be a great addition to our building

Well in 99% of the cases, I would agree that the sign ordinance thing is good. We don't need people putting crap up around homes and making a bunch of light pollution at night. That's why variances exist though. A sign placed in downtown between the two arenas, no where near any residential stuff is fine. You can grant a variance while maintaining the ordinance.

You don't want ordinances being no-tolerance policies folks. The NTP is the mark of an idiot....flash with no brain. You always want to be able to have special cases discussed.

Although this isn't strictly on topic, I know we've had discussions about whether renovating the arena to bring a team here was "worth the money". I've always maintained that the positive press the city gets is immeasurable. Today I had received some proof. I'm in Chicago visiting my daughters and the Thunder came up. My younger daughter said, "It's the funniest thing....whenever anyone asks me where I am from and I tell them they immediately say some variation on, 'Oh, you have the Thunder and Kevin Durant. Cool.'" Ten years ago, I don't think anyoen would have said anything but. "Oh" to her, or "Is that where they had that bombing?"

Although this isn't strictly on topic, I know we've had discussions about whether renovating the arena to bring a team here was "worth the money". I've always maintained that the positive press the city gets is immeasurable. Today I had received some proof. I'm in Chicago visiting my daughters and the Thunder came up. My younger daughter said, "It's the funniest thing....whenever anyone asks me where I am from and I tell them they immediately say some variation on, 'Oh, you have the Thunder and Kevin Durant. Cool.'" Ten years ago, I don't think anyoen would have said anything but. "Oh" to her, or "Is that where they had that bombing?"

If there were a like button for this post, I would push it. I've seen the same thing everywhere I go. People now associate us with things like the NBA, economic growth and sustainability, and energy (business, towers, etc.). That's a huge change. I think the improvements to the arena will help slightly as far as public perception goes. It will make it appear more like a "big league" arena, rather than just a simple building that houses one of the best NBA teams in the country.

I'm all for the OKC Arena upgrades. Still am confused about the elaborate main entrance for the Southwest side. Seems to be a cart before horse theory. The bulk of attendees will be coming from and entering from the north, and the "boulevard" is a long, long way off, so why build it on the SW side?

How much of the Ford Center (Im not gonna call it what it's called now) can you see from Bricktown? Not much. Pretty much only right when you get up on it (on the west side of the railroad wall). The SW corner accommodates a wide open angle of the arena and downtown especially for night sky shots when the games are being broadcast nationally.

I'm all for the OKC Arena upgrades. Still am confused about the elaborate main entrance for the Southwest side. Seems to be a cart before horse theory. The bulk of attendees will be coming from and entering from the north, and the "boulevard" is a long, long way off, so why build it on the SW side?

I don't know about it being a really long ways off. I think its about 3-4 years away.

I don't know about it being a really long ways off. I think its about 3-4 years away.

More like 2--3, at the most, once the new Interstate is completed, you'll see things involving the old I-40 and the new boulevard move rather quickly.

More like 2--3, at the most, once the new Interstate is completed, you'll see things involving the old I-40 and the new boulevard move rather quickly.

For the most part cars will be just passing by that exit early on as season ticket holder parking is in the Santa Fe parking garage, and many use the cox center parking or arena parking. The street car, entertainment and/or urban housing south of the boulevard are really the things that can make the entrance used. Otherwise it is just nice for the cameras and PR.

Call me negative but I would say at least 5. Most private development will likely not start till after i40 is done, more still will wait on the boulevard being completed and streetcar at least being too late to change for their location/stops.

More like 2--3, at the most, once the new Interstate is completed, you'll see things involving the old I-40 and the new boulevard move rather quickly.

I don't know how long it will take them to build the boulevard, but I think three years from now is a safe bet. The two major boulevard construction projects don't go up for bid until April and May of 2013. Three years would mean they finished 6-7 months after letting which seems way too generous to me. Penn to Western should be easy. It sounds like their basically just going to repave and restrip the old I-40.

BRIDGE & APPROACHES
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 1.5, BNSF BRIDGE AT BOULEVARD
17428(25) FFY 2013
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.040 Mi. Let 01/2013 $6,011,125

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
I-40 CROSSTOWN: WP 4.5, GR, DR, BR & SURFACE THE BOULEVARD FROMBNSF
17428(60) FFY 2013 EAST TO I-40
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 0.750 Mi. Let 04/2013 $15,000,000

GRADE,DRAINING,BRIDGE & SURFACE
WP 5.1: OVRLAY & STRIPE I-40 MAINLINE FR PENN TO WESTERN, GR, DR, BR &
SURFMULTI-LANE RDWY ON FORMER I-40 XTWN BR ALNMT FR CLASSEN TO
E.K.GAYLORD.
17428(80) FFY 2013
OKLAHOMA Div. 4 IS040 2.170 Mi. Let 05/2013 $15,000,000

Here's a future prediction: After the southwest entrance is built, you will hear people complaining about long lines at the north entrance because of reduced staff. This will force people to walk around. It would be rediculous if they did that, but I would not put it past them. LOL

If there were a like button for this post, I would push it. I've seen the same thing everywhere I go. People now associate us with things like the NBA, economic growth and sustainability, and energy (business, towers, etc.). That's a huge change. I think the improvements to the arena will help slightly as far as public perception goes. It will make it appear more like a "big league" arena, rather than just a simple building that houses one of the best NBA teams in the country.

So today I went to a movie in Chicago. Prior to the movie there was a 5 minute ad for the All Star game and the NBA in general. There were only a few teams featured, but multiple shots of the Thunder and the OKC arena, probably as many as any other team. Again, we are getting an incredible amount of publicity from the Thunder. Also, announcers on the television here are calling them "Oklahoma City" rather than the Thunder, I've noticed. We are getting our money's worth with this team in so many ways.

I'm all for the OKC Arena upgrades. Still am confused about the elaborate main entrance for the Southwest side. Seems to be a cart before horse theory. The bulk of attendees will be coming from and entering from the north, and the "boulevard" is a long, long way off, so why build it on the SW side?

So you think in a few years when the south side area is more developed we should spend more money to build the grand entrance when the cost will be much higher? For once the planners are thinking ahead and will save money in the long run and people are complaining.

So today I went to a movie in Chicago. Prior to the movie there was a 5 minute ad for the All Star game and the NBA in general. There were only a few teams featured, but multiple shots of the Thunder and the OKC arena, probably as many as any other team. Again, we are getting an incredible amount of publicity from the Thunder. Also, announcers on the television here are calling them "Oklahoma City" rather than the Thunder, I've noticed. We are getting our money's worth with this team in so many ways.

I sincerely hope that is the case, and if it is, the City needs to be banking all of that money coming from it to pay for the replacement arena. Or better yet, let the private, for profit owners of the team pay for their own new arena (place of business). Let the flaming commence....

I sincerely hope that is the case, and if it is, the City needs to be banking all of that money coming from it to pay for the replacement arena. Or better yet, let the private, for profit owners of the team pay for their own new arena (place of business). Let the flaming commence....

should the owners then if they build their own arena keep all the profit and tickets sales for the events all year long?

ON the South side of the building, they couldn't build an entrance before because of I-40. And there was no reason to at that time. It was a one-sided entrance building. When I-40 is gone (remember that portion of the highway is destined to NOT be elevated anymore and come done...see the Robinson exit information), then there will be room and you won't have to park and then walk around the entire building to get in. It's more of a convenience thing for access from all sides.

And as for public/private - I think between the 3 arenas in town, OKC has proven that when a city keeps its head on its shoulders, it can run a facility well and still make money on it. But we also have to continue to improve the facilties. None of our arenas are historic in comparison to something like Madison Square Garden or something, so you won't see renovation after renovation. But what we do have, is an incredible position in having two lots across the street from one another.

Here's how I see it happening.....in another 20 years or so we'll be ready to look at a new arena and by that time, the new convention center is built so the Myrid is ready to come down. BAM, there's the land for the new building so there isn't anything to purchase, just some demo to do. By then, the Myriad will be 50...time to go. We'll maintain the "across-the-street" status and the Ford Center becomes what the Myriad is now...the secondary arena for meetings, hockey, etc. The hand-me-down's from one arena to the other have done great things for the Myriad in terms of updating it lately (ie the scoreboard from the Ford Center), so we are really in a good place to continue. I think the city sees the value in what is here with the Ford Center and the Thunder. Now the question is, can we maintain that in the future or will one side become greedy and think they deserve more of the pie?

So you think in a few years when the south side area is more developed we should spend more money to build the grand entrance when the cost will be much higher? For once the planners are thinking ahead and will save money in the long run and people are complaining.

Not complaining. I just don't see the utility of building a "grand entrance" that no one is going to use for several years. I say build a pretty facade on the SW side for tv cameras, and make the northwest and northeast entrances opulent, fan friendly and accessible.

Not complaining. I just don't see the utility of building a "grand entrance" that no one is going to use for several years. I say build a pretty facade on the SW side for tv cameras, and make the northwest and northeast entrances opulent, fan friendly and accessible.


Yeah, we dont want to think ahead of what it will be and align it with the master plan. Instead, satisfy everyone right now, then complain later that the south entrance isnt inviting enough etc..
Plan ahead??? No way!!

I think that the new entrance is as much about creating more space as it is about a new entrance. The southwest corner is really the only area where the arena could be expanded. When I-40 opens next year Robinson will become a primary route of entry into dowtown for westbound interstate drivers.

I think that the 1st stretch of the new Blvd. will be in front of the new Grand Entry. That stretch might be usable sooner than most think.