address=100 W. Reno Ave. (http://goo.gl/maps/HJFPV)
cost=$87,800,000 originally, current renovations total $105,000,000
architect=Benham Companies
start=Spring 1999
finish=Summer 2002
contractor=Flintco
sq. feet=586,000 sf
http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/arena1.jpg
Description
Enter description here.
Latest News
Enter latest news here.
Milestones







Links
Gallery
Civic Buildings

No, they said they would do that AFTER the season was over because it would cause that whole side to be closed down.

what do your visions tell you?

what do your visions tell you?

Nothing... I guess that means they cancelled it, huh?

No it actually probably certifies that it's still on, y' know..

The new Thunder Shop opened up today inside the OKC Arena this morning, which is part of the renovations. Not sure if the new Iron Starr is going in the space where the old Thunder Shop was? tuck?

The old shop will be a Thunder pro shop where u can personalize ur own jersey and what not

The new Thunder Shop opened up today inside the OKC Arena this morning, which is part of the renovations. Not sure if the new Iron Starr is going in the space where the old Thunder Shop was? tuck?

We will be in the new main entrance on the SW side...near Jack Daniels place, which will go away.

Iron Starr? If it is the same place that was near the Gazette, it was one of the worst "BBQ" places...shocked they are still in business

Seriously Larry? I love Iron Star. It's not traditional barbecue, to be sure, but I think the food is delicious.

Iron Star is going in? AWESOME! Great local restaurant!

Seriously Larry? I love Iron Star. It's not traditional barbecue, to be sure, but I think the food is delicious.

Seriously. The food was horrible. From the meats to the sides (worst mac & cheese I have ever had) But to each their own.

I am definitely "old school" when it comes to things like BBQ and ethnic places. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ joint, it needs to be along the traditional lines. If you are Mexican (or TexMex) the food and decor needs to be along those lines. Italian, Indian, German etc etc. Don't make the mistake Taco Bueno did a few years ago (when owned by Carl's Jr) and the decidedly non-mexican building exteriors and generic hospital cafeteria interiors. Doesn't fit.

Not that the new Bueno re-built just north of 63rd & May is much better. They are trying a casual concept with same food but sit down table service. That part is fine but the building is a hodge podge of styles. There are some Mexican/SW elements but part of the building looks like it was a Red Lobster/Long John Silvers and the towers are transplanted ones from IHOP. They don't know what they want to be. Haven't seen the inside yet so can't comment there.

Similar to some of the combo places where Taco Bell/Long Johns/KFC/A&W share space in the same building and they incorporate elements from each chain in the exterior. Its confused.

Somehow Iron Starr (or a concept like it) is what I fear will be put into the "upscale" Myriad Garden place.

Interesting Larry, I've never given chain fast food so much thought with the architecture and decor.

I can see why you don't like Iron Starr.

btw, I love Iron Starr, may eat there today. Miss the COOP happy hour, wish they would bring that back.

Where can I find more info on the Ford Center interior renovations?

I am definitely "old school" when it comes to things like BBQ and ethnic places. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ joint, it needs to be along the traditional lines. If you are Mexican (or TexMex) the food and decor needs to be along those lines. Italian, Indian, German etc etc. Don't make the mistake Taco Bueno did a few years ago (when owned by Carl's Jr) and the decidedly non-mexican building exteriors and generic hospital cafeteria interiors. Doesn't fit.

Not that the new Bueno re-built just north of 63rd & May is much better. They are trying a casual concept with same food but sit down table service. That part is fine but the building is a hodge podge of styles. There are some Mexican/SW elements but part of the building looks like it was a Red Lobster/Long John Silvers and the towers are transplanted ones from IHOP. They don't know what they want to be. Haven't seen the inside yet so can't comment there.

Similar to some of the combo places where Taco Bell/Long Johns/KFC/A&W share space in the same building and they incorporate elements from each chain in the exterior. Its confused.

Somehow Iron Starr (or a concept like it) is what I fear will be put into the "upscale" Myriad Garden place.

Larry...sorry you're not a fan. I must correct you on 2 points: 1) We never called ourselves a BBQ Joint. 2) You're way off on the Myriad Garden restaurant

Nothing... I guess that means they cancelled it, huh?

I know they didn't cancel it. My Devon pic was courtesy of the new smoking area this year--outside. There used to be an interior room on the SW side of the arena that is now unavailable because that whole facade will be renovated.

I love Iron Starr. That's all.

All I have to say is really Larry.????????

I think having Iron Starr going in the arena symbolizes much more than a restaurant in an arena. It symbolizes the Good Egg Group, and the Starr, as something that is wholly and completely Oklahoma City. Something unique to HERE. Not prefab BS menus like at every concession stand in the arena from Ben E. Keith or Sygma. But a sit-down place with excellent food, service, concept, OKC born and raised in our OKC Arena with our Thunder. It says: we have original, exceptional, unique concepts that wonderfully complement our big new arena with our new team. It's our collective cultural voice. We're HERE.

OKC ever since I was born and can remember (1980) has been, largely, an inelegant city with big box retailers, chain restaurants HQed God-knows-where, and strip malls. Local gems have always been undersung, except for maybe local tex mex. Everyone shopped at Walmart. The fam goes to Chilis on a Friday night. Our dollars go out of state while our civic pride stagnated. No local culinary culture. NOW look at us. Ludivine. Table One. Iguana. West. Each and every GEG establishment. Picasso's on Paseo. We got something going on here! And it's something that is not just internally pleasing to OKC, but something we can outwardly boast! I love taking out-of-towners to Cheever's or RePUBlic. I love watching their opinion of OKC be redefined.

I think it's a huge huge deal that it's going in...the kind of thing where an out-of-towner walking through the arena for a Thunder game or concert would be like, "What the hell is an 'Iron Starr'?" And an OKCian could proudly say, "You don't know? I gotta show ya." Wander in, have a seat, drink a Native Amber and enjoy some IS UrbBBQ pulled pork and sides while the Thunder put away yet another "big market" team.

I can't wait.

Totally agree with Mallen. And another big reason why this is good is because concessions at the OKC Arena has severly lacked so far. So has the bar options. Bringing in an Iron Starr and having a new bar (that Jack Daniels bar is pathetic) will bring the arenas entertainment offerings to a whole new level. Really looking forward to the completion of Phase 3

Seriously. The food was horrible. From the meats to the sides (worst mac & cheese I have ever had) But to each their own.

I am definitely "old school" when it comes to things like BBQ and ethnic places. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ joint, it needs to be along the traditional lines. If you are Mexican (or TexMex) the food and decor needs to be along those lines. Italian, Indian, German etc etc. Don't make the mistake Taco Bueno did a few years ago (when owned by Carl's Jr) and the decidedly non-mexican building exteriors and generic hospital cafeteria interiors. Doesn't fit.

Not that the new Bueno re-built just north of 63rd & May is much better. They are trying a casual concept with same food but sit down table service. That part is fine but the building is a hodge podge of styles. There are some Mexican/SW elements but part of the building looks like it was a Red Lobster/Long John Silvers and the towers are transplanted ones from IHOP. They don't know what they want to be. Haven't seen the inside yet so can't comment there.

Similar to some of the combo places where Taco Bell/Long Johns/KFC/A&W share space in the same building and they incorporate elements from each chain in the exterior. Its confused.

Somehow Iron Starr (or a concept like it) is what I fear will be put into the "upscale" Myriad Garden place.

Iron Starr is very good and is highly thought of by most people. Sorry you have a mad on for them. Maybe it is too clean or something.

Why not make half the concessions local? Then there could be a variety of options with the generic stuff too. Maybe Iguana, Ted's, Hideaway, Sushi Neko... I know they'd have to have limited options, but it still seems like it would be good exposure and profitable...

I think having Iron Starr going in the arena symbolizes much more than a restaurant in an arena. It symbolizes the Good Egg Group, and the Starr, as something that is wholly and completely Oklahoma City. Something unique to HERE. Not prefab BS menus like at every concession stand in the arena from Ben E. Keith or Sygma. But a sit-down place with excellent food, service, concept, OKC born and raised in our OKC Arena with our Thunder. It says: we have original, exceptional, unique concepts that wonderfully complement our big new arena with our new team. It's our collective cultural voice. We're HERE.

OKC ever since I was born and can remember (1980) has been, largely, an inelegant city with big box retailers, chain restaurants HQed God-knows-where, and strip malls. Local gems have always been undersung, except for maybe local tex mex. Everyone shopped at Walmart. The fam goes to Chilis on a Friday night. Our dollars go out of state while our civic pride stagnated. No local culinary culture. NOW look at us. Ludivine. Table One. Iguana. West. Each and every GEG establishment. Picasso's on Paseo. We got something going on here! And it's something that is not just internally pleasing to OKC, but something we can outwardly boast! I love taking out-of-towners to Cheever's or RePUBlic. I love watching their opinion of OKC be redefined.

I think it's a huge huge deal that it's going in...the kind of thing where an out-of-towner walking through the arena for a Thunder game or concert would be like, "What the hell is an 'Iron Starr'?" And an OKCian could proudly say, "You don't know? I gotta show ya." Wander in, have a seat, drink a Native Amber and enjoy some IS UrbBBQ pulled pork and sides while the Thunder put away yet another "big market" team.

I can't wait.

Thank You Very Much!!

Local food at the ford center is a very very good thing. The concession choices are terrible at best.

Iron Starr is very good and is highly thought of by most people. Sorry you have a mad on for them. Maybe it is too clean or something.

If you are a fan, great. Like I said, to each their own.

I agree the food choices are very lacking. I know that was one of the things they touted when the second round of renovations were completed, I see very little change in choices or quality. The BOK Center in Tulsa offers five different local options, anything from pizza to sushi.

If you are a fan, great. Like I said, to each their own.

It's one thing not to like a restaurant. It's another altogether to call the food "horrible" when it isn't.

I agree the food choices are very lacking. I know that was one of the things they touted when the second round of renovations were completed, I see very little change in choices or quality. The BOK Center in Tulsa offers five different local options, anything from pizza to sushi.

I am very disappointed in the quality of the concessions at the Okc Arena, and notice very little improvement.

Here is a list of the current concession vendors;
Angie’s Bakery
Billy Craig BBQ
Casa Azul
Candy Land
Dog House by Schwab’s
Fast Break
ICBY Yogurt
Loud City Grill
Pizza Hut
Red River Bistro
Steak*eze
Sunset Strips

I think the Ford Center needs a Chili's. :chef:

Seriously. The food was horrible. From the meats to the sides (worst mac & cheese I have ever had) But to each their own.

Are you drunk? lol! Iron Starr hands down has the best Mac and cheese ever.

Amen to that brother. Best Mac and Cheese ever (except for maybe Red Prime's Green Chile Mac)

CCOKC - Red Prime and Iron Starr are both managed by the same company, Good Egg Dining...Mac & Cheese is yum

Is this the "OKC Arena Renovations" thread or the "Dawg Larry" thread?

I have just learned my lesson to only go to the original at 36th and Shartel and they always have amazing food, great service. I will not go back to the one in Campus Corner, but have had many great experiences at 36th since I decided against the Campus Corner location.

I will say it is difficult for me to go to a restaurant, sit down at a table with a white table cloth and the fake little candle thing, and tell a water I want the mac and cheese. That aside, I've seen people order it and heard good things about it.

Is this the "OKC Arena Renovations" thread or the "Dawg Larry" thread?

Anytime someone calls the Iron Starr "horrible"...well, that thread is gonna get jacked. :)

Ford Center was a great name...particularly given the events of recent times...so much better than a snack food or a great big financial institution...silly to have not worked out an amicable deal...

Anytime someone calls the Iron Starr "horrible"...well, that thread is gonna get jacked. :)

I wouldn't call it horrible. But in my opinion, Iron Starr just tries too hard. I've been a couple of times and love the concept. But each time everything was thickly coated in spices....like the container cap fell off and everything landed on the plate. This was EVERYTHING that my wife and I ate. Also, the meats were very dry.

It's just my opinion but there was no effort at blending or balance...just dump it on. Too much is too much.

I love the concept and love the location but I won't go back.

Anytime someone calls the Iron Starr "horrible"...well, that thread is gonna get jacked. :)

How about this, lol... "I've never even eaten Iron Starr--ONCE!"

Seriously. The food was horrible. From the meats to the sides (worst mac & cheese I have ever had) But to each their own.

I am definitely "old school" when it comes to things like BBQ and ethnic places. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ joint, it needs to be along the traditional lines. If you are Mexican (or TexMex) the food and decor needs to be along those lines. Italian, Indian, German etc etc. Don't make the mistake Taco Bueno did a few years ago (when owned by Carl's Jr) and the decidedly non-mexican building exteriors and generic hospital cafeteria interiors. Doesn't fit.

Not that the new Bueno re-built just north of 63rd & May is much better. They are trying a casual concept with same food but sit down table service. That part is fine but the building is a hodge podge of styles. There are some Mexican/SW elements but part of the building looks like it was a Red Lobster/Long John Silvers and the towers are transplanted ones from IHOP. They don't know what they want to be. Haven't seen the inside yet so can't comment there.

Similar to some of the combo places where Taco Bell/Long Johns/KFC/A&W share space in the same building and they incorporate elements from each chain in the exterior. Its confused.

Somehow Iron Starr (or a concept like it) is what I fear will be put into the "upscale" Myriad Garden place.



There is so much funny in this post, I really don't know where to start. The fact that you consider Taco Bueno anything other than crappy fast food is hilarious.

How about this, lol... "I've never even eaten Iron Starr--ONCE!"

How about this? Your Loss.

How about this? Your Loss.

How about this?? It's not my loss until they go out of business AND since it looks like they're not going out of business any time soon, I have plenty of time to try it. Boy some people just cant handle the sarcasm...

Boy some people just cant handle the sarcasm...

Sarcasm doesn't translate well on the internet. I've learned the hard way.

how about this, lol... "i've never even eaten iron starr--once!"

gogogo! :)

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story


OKC Arena enters last stage of renovations
Jesse Wells Reporting KFOR

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


OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Arena is about to get an extreme makeover. Tuesday morning, the city council is set to award more than $36 million in construction contracts.

That will kick off the last major phase of renovation on the building.

From a huge new entrance to new concourses, this is the part of the renovation you won't be able to miss.

On the inside, new flooring, lighting and walls will completely alter the look of the main level concourse.

On the outside, the southwest corner will be transformed into a grand new entrance.

"It'll change our crowd flow and hopefully become more efficient in the way we move around the arena," said the arena general manager Gary Desjardins.

"This is a huge milestone for us," said OKC special projects manager Tom Anderson.

Anderson is thrilled the bids for the final phase of construction came in 10 percent lower than the city predicted.

"Getting this really good bid on the most significant portion of the renovation project is just huge for us," said Anderson.

The savings will mean the city will have an extra $3 or $4 million to add even more amenities to the building before final construction wraps.

"It was a real windfall for us," said Anderson. "It puts us in good financial position and gave us a little flexibility moving forward."

The last phase of construction won't be quick; it will last all year long and continue during the OKC Thunder's next season.

The goal is to finish by May of 2012.

Copyright © 2011, KFOR-TV

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story



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



http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story

if the modern street car is not stopping in front of here, this will be the least used entrance to the building.

if the modern street car is not stopping in front of this entrance, it seems like this will be the least used entrance to the building.

This side of the building will be along the new boulevard, catty-corner from Central Park, and also facing the Ford dealer site. It will take some time but this will become the new front door to downtown. It will be served by the streetcar at some point.

How about the construction bids coming in "10% lower than the city predicted"? Now having an extra $3 to $4 million dollars to work with and add more amenities.

This side of the building will be along the new boulevard, catty-corner from Central Park, and also facing the Ford dealer site. It will take some time but this will become the new front door to downtown. It will be served by the streetcar at some point.

Still most of the parking is on the north side, and season ticket holders parking is in the santa fe parking garage.

We still get the big screen on the outside right? They said they had extra money to do that.... I sure hope so!!

Yes,where's the big screen at? Did they cut that out? I sure hope not as that was part of the cool factor.

They did cut a few things originally because the sales tax came in somewhere around 10 million low, and with the economy the way it is they thought it would be better to scale back the enhancements than ask for more money since they still got like 90% of what they expected.

We still get the big screen on the outside right? They said they had extra money to do that.... I sure hope so!!
I doubt it. Such a spectacular item would have been in the graphic were it to be included. We've got to learn to stop trusting in the most magnificent views which are put forth in city graphics. Another example is the pedestrian bridge. I hope that I'm mistaken but I doubt that I am. I, too, will miss having this very special feature, but I'm glad to have what we will get, just the same. Perhaps one day we will actually be delivered something quite spectacular and which sets us apart from other cities ... but not today.

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

Prer sure the screenis still on and proposed for the NORTH side, that rendering is facing south
Can you stop posting from your cell phone while driving?

Prer sure the screenis still on and proposed for the NORTH side, that rendering is facing south
I don't think so, Metro. I've got an image somewhere but haven't found it yet ... pretty sure the video display was on the south.

I think it's more northwest facing, I typed north, but either way I could be wrong, but nonetheless I'm pretty sure it is still a go and didn't get nixed.

I was watching a meeting on the city channel last month. I do not remember the details but there was a report on the arena. The person making the report said that there would be a screen but it would be on the north side. They also said the new southwest entry would be wired for a screen in case the money became available for it too. The reason given for moving the screen to the north side was to take advantage of the gathering space on Reno.

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story



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



http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-okc-arena-last-renovations-story,0,7134807.story


I doubt it. Such a spectacular item would have been in the graphic were it to be included. We've got to learn to stop trusting in the most magnificent views which are put forth in city graphics. Another example is the pedestrian bridge. I hope that I'm mistaken but I doubt that I am. I, too, will miss having this very special feature, but I'm glad to have what we will get, just the same. Perhaps one day we will actually be delivered something quite spectacular and which sets us apart from other cities ... but not today.

Think they just grabbed the wrong rendering (before the one with the added video screen). Notice that it as dated rendering at best because it still says "Ford Center". Don't recall the video display being among the deleted items due to the revenue shortfall (but may be mistaken).

You must be thinking of the Chamber Headquarters with the big screen in the front.

No, one of the Ford Arena renderings had a large video screen too (In that area right above the "Ford Center")

I remember seeing that as well, you're not crazy. But there were so many different versions, who knows if that got pulled out or not.

LED screens that size are actually pretty cheap these days compared to what the old jumbotrons cost. So It may not have been that big of an item to cut out. Although I'd rather have seen the practice court stay than keep an outdoor TV.....they work so well and all that Toby Keith took his down after he NEVER used it.