View Full Version : Convention Center




Laramie
09-24-2016, 08:27 AM
You'll see MAPS deliver on 90% of the projects originally proposed; there will be some projects downsized because of cost overruns. We've got to continue to select developers who deliver quality projects.

We're getting ready for MAPS IV; with the passing of each MAPS initiative the quality of the projects continue to improve with experience.

Riversports Rapids was uncharted waters, so far it looks good from the gate. So, things get better with experience.

UnFrSaKn
09-24-2016, 02:05 PM
https://twitter.com/stevelackmeyer/status/779757396985978880

ljbab728
09-27-2016, 12:02 AM
An interview by William Crum with Larry McAtee which addresses the current controversy about the parking.

http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/5141604101001#gsc.tab=0

G.Walker
09-27-2016, 01:30 AM
An interview by William Crum with Larry McAtee which addresses the current controversy about the parking.

http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/5141604101001#gsc.tab=0

The best interview I watched all year, & provides much needed transparency re the questions surrounding the big MAPS 3 projects.

BoulderSooner
09-27-2016, 10:10 AM
A couple of things.

Parking has always been known to be needed for both the cc and for the park

The last min 10 mil was stupid. And handled correctly by the committee

The streetcar rail came in under budget the fairground main building construction came in under budget. Those are just off the top of my head

The side walk budget was doubled from congencency funds

The cc money taken from the contingency budget. Was first removed from the cc project at the beginning of this process. So in about every way it was cc money

And as far as staying on budget. Yes projects have had to cut that is the nature of planning projects 10 years in advance and est cost. The committees job is to use the available funds in the best way possible.

Spartan
10-03-2016, 02:10 PM
The fairgrounds arena is not going to be funded by MAPS 3 and has already been said several times it cannot wait until a MAPS 4. This will come from a different funding source as the arena is needed to replace the existing one.

Commuter rail (not counting the street car) was not a part of MAPS 3 so no it would not be "dropped" in favor of CC Parking either.

I have yet to see a funding source for the fairgrounds arena. But I see the state wanting to do a sales tax for teacher pay. The county wants sales tax for a new jail. The city is squeezing its revenue streams for the CC hotel.

I just don't see transit happening in this environment, bc we know it will need to be a partial county sales tax (Okla and Cleve counties). Most RTA's range .5 to 1% in sales tax. Some but not all revenues can come from a special taxing district.

All of these are competing priorities. Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that just doesn't care about the other priorities.

Spartan
10-03-2016, 02:14 PM
Apologies for the double post

Spartan
10-03-2016, 02:16 PM
The elevated BNSF rail viaduct behind this site won't be going anywhere; when the Regional Transit Authority finally gets off the ground, the eventual plan is to use that BNSF line for the north-south commuter rail line from Edmond to Norman. That isn't (and likely won't be) a MAPS project - funding will almost certainly be the responsibility of the RTA - and, unfortunately, commuter rail probably won't happen for another 5 years or more. Those rails are still used by a ton of freight rail traffic, as well as Amtrak's Heartland Flyer.

Yes exactly.

That could have been a cool transit hub in the back of the CC, right where Shields becomes at-grade. Instead it will be loading docks and surface parking fronting Shields probably.

Direct transit link to airport is the single biggest competitive advantage CC planning can provide and we failed to achieve that bc we instead went basic.

jdross1982
10-03-2016, 02:33 PM
"All of these are competing priorities. Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that just doesn't care about the other priorities."

Sorry, but your original statement was that they were to be dropped from MAPS. The problem with that statement is they were never a part of MAPS. No, the funding source for the fairgrounds arena has not been identified but they have also made it known they would be unable to wait until the next round of MAPS to build it.

Area transit in terms beyond the street car were not part of MAPS either. If you want to talk about potential future MAPS projects or MAPS votes vs "other priorities" than I would be on board 100% with that conversation as it is one that will be discussed at length. But my disagreement was solely at the fact that your claim that these projects were simply dropped from MAPS when they were no there to begin with.

Spartan
10-03-2016, 10:27 PM
Well we've seen MAPS projects cut. Nobody cares about the sidewalks and bike trails. Also nobody noticed that one NW 122nd Street senior center (at a church) gobbled up a lot of the funding the others will have to share. The fairgrounds was pushed up as the first project, park and transit were pushed down in the overall phasing.

I was referring mostly to MAPS 4 Neighborhoods which becomes more difficult with the passage of each additional thing. There was great potential for MAPS and an RTA to work together in the future. We are instead dedicating our future revenue streams to pay down fairgrounds and convention facilities.

I just don't see how we will fund an RTA when we're paying for the convention hotel, an impressive fairgrounds arena, more public parking garages, convention center expansion probably, new county jail, and probably sales tax for teachers. Transit will never happen if all of that does. We simply wouldn't be able to afford it all.

I'm for teachers but the rest of those priorities? We can afford transit and we can afford competitive event venues. It doesn't have to be either-or, but it is when you go overboard on one end to the exclusion of the other. I'm just not sure we are making the right balanced investments, for the right kind of growth.

Are the river projects particularly urban? I'm also not sure any of the money for MAPS 3 has gone toward the urban core, when you consider that the streetcar, park, and convention center haven't even gotten started yet. Kind of opposite of the perception. We do however take better care of the fairgrounds than any other part of the city.

jdross1982
10-04-2016, 07:53 AM
I agree that we have seen some projects reduced from MAPS 3 which I see as very unfortunate as I would have much rather seen an extension of a year to 18 months of the tax to cover what was voted on.

When it comes to the hotel I take the stance that this was a necessary evil that is a requirement to go along with the CC and the parking garage should have been expected as well but like others didn't consider that with the long range thinking. OKC's biggest opportunity to get back some of the investment is with the Cox site.(once new CC opens) I could be wrong and would be the first to say it but I that site as a chance to expand sq ft office space with another tower or 2 on that site and bring significant investment to DT.

As for the funding for the fairgrounds arena, I have chosen to withhold judgement until the funding mechanism(s) have been identified. With what has been said previously, this will not be part of MAPS but not sure where that funding will come from as it could be paid for completely through fairgrounds revenue streams.

I also view the river projects as investment in the urban core as it will contribute to the overall landscape of OKC's urban core and will bring in additional investment. Yes the Park, CC and transit are the last of the MAPS projects which will bridge that gap but investment nonetheless. I am also anxious to see the proposals and renderings of development along the northern and western portions of the park.

Going back to finding a way to pay for each of these segments without sacrificing another is going to take some work. Most importantly it is going to take oil to spike and for city and state leaders to use that additional funding as capital projects to reduce long term debts by paying for them up front. Without a spike in oil I would agree it would be very difficult if not impossible to fund each of those items.

Spartan
10-04-2016, 09:17 PM
Well, I think we're pretty much agreed on all of the above, and you must be a very patient and reasonable guy to take my earlier post in stride. I think massive insecurity and pettiness is the general response to anything less-than-rosy (or less than 30 stories) on here.

When I was a kid growing up on the south side, I always dreamed of these things happening in Oklahoma City, so it is very exciting to see some of it come to fruition. I never really considered oil prices in all of that dreaming. I hadn't considered myself to be living amidst an oil bust when I was growing up in the 90s. On one hand it is sad that we've resigned ourselves to the ebb and flow of commodities, and on the other hand it's a little weird because I don't automatically reconcile it with how I dreamed of these projects as a kid.

OKC needs to make investments that diversify the economy. I know that's easier said than done, but medium-sized cities everywhere are building their economies. OKC has a great tool in the MAPS program that it hasn't really used to its full advantage, or even half advantage, because the city is too busy offering it on a platter as a slush fund for the chamber and CVB to get their priorities met to the exclusion of others. I do think they have been driving the bus on MAPS 3 all along, and I think the more we beat up Mayor Mick for stupid things like CC location, the more that became the case. (By the way, when people on the east coast find out I'm from OKC, they always rave about how great he is)

So that's why I'm on fire about this fairgrounds arena that came out of nowhere, on top of this convention stuff. I get it, but I don't. It makes me sad to see honestly, and I know most people on here will never understand how a shiny new anything could make someone sad to see.

Laramie
10-04-2016, 11:34 PM
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention082316b.jpg

Plans for the convention center site (convention center, hotel & adequate parking) will provide a catalyst for OKC to grow its convention & tourism industry.

This recipe for investment in two areas (fairgrounds & convention center trade shows) of the tourism industry will afford us the opportunity to pump out-state money into our local economy that's not directly related to oil & energy--that's the way you grow your economy.

Spartan
10-05-2016, 10:42 AM
Not exactly lol.

You generally want to use your subsidy capacity to catalyze activities that generate incomes here for people who live here. Even if tourism becomes the next big thing for OKC, those are still very low income service jobs for the most part.

Hence why they really need to look at New Markets and enterprise zone funding for the CC hotel.

OKC should find ways to build off biotech, aviation, and some sectors that are underrepresented but possibly opportunistic. OKC is actually very low on logistics and manufacturing for instance. That's how you diversify OKC's economy...not conventions and horse shows.

Urban Pioneer
10-05-2016, 11:01 AM
I agree that we have seen some projects reduced from MAPS 3 which I see as very unfortunate as I would have much rather seen an extension of a year to 18 months of the tax to cover what was voted on.

Other than fewer sidewalks and the grandstands at the river, what exactly was reduced? With a $42 million dollar surplus contingency budget, it's entirely possible to complete the original sidewalk plan and complete some of these other priorities even with the $10 million parking garage.

I actually went to the MAPS Oversight Board meeting and spoke on postponing the the garage decision until we could balance the check book. Optimistically though, it is entirely possible that all of these items can be covered in $42 million, including some options needed for the streetcar system.

Regarding the transit hub, Santa Fe Station is going to turn out great for our broader needs and be the future front door opening out onto the Cox site should that be redeveloped.

jdross1982
10-05-2016, 11:26 AM
The reductions were a number of miles of sidewalks, grandstands at the river, reduction in the size and additional features of the rapids, and most importantly the senior wellness centers were reduced from as many as 6 to 2 I believe.

I am in complete agreement that with the $42 million in contingency funds OKC could complete the remaining sidewalks that were cut out previously and the grandstands (and additional lighting required) along with using the $10 mil for the parking garage. I also believe the garage is mandatory along with the hotel but also believe there should be retail at street level and built with the ability to build on offices or housing.
The problem is you have the park, cc, and transit which are the biggest expense items that fall under the MAPS budget and expecting those to all fall within budget and not dip into the contingency is a bit short sighted. Like I said before, I would much rater extend the duration of the tax to make up for the amount necessary to build the complete list of items voters approved. It may need 6 months or could need 18.

The Santa Fe Station is going to be great when completed and look forward to using it. I think the issue is the idea was for it to serve local rail service, high speed rail and other transit needs and at this time that is most likely not going to happen for a while.

Urban Pioneer
10-05-2016, 11:37 AM
Sorry, I don't know how to multi-quote on this forum.


1. "most importantly the senior wellness centers were reduced from as many as 6 to 2 I believe."

I think four were originally planned.

2. "I also believe the garage is mandatory along with the hotel but also believe there should be retail at street level and built with the ability to build on offices or housing."

Totally agree.

3. The problem is you have the park, cc, and transit which are the biggest expense items that fall under the MAPS budget and expecting those to all fall within budget and not dip into the contingency is a bit short sighted.

​Yep. That is why I went and spoke against committing to this so quickly.

4. Like I said before, I would much rater extend the duration of the tax to make up for the amount necessary to build the complete list of items voters approved. It may need 6 months or could need 18.

​Doing this is distinctly a possibility. Even more so considering that there isn't really a coherent vision for the next MAPS.

5. The Santa Fe Station is going to be great when completed and look forward to using it. I think the issue is the idea was for it to serve local rail service, high speed rail and other transit needs and at this time that is most likely not going to happen for a while.

​It will serve AMTRAK and the streetcar in the near term (two years). Potentially BRT in five. Commuter rail is at least eight years away imhop. "High Speed Rail" like the Acela- who knows. Depends on the President and the congress.

OKCRT
10-05-2016, 06:12 PM
Sorry, I don't know how to multi-quote on this forum.


1. "most importantly the senior wellness centers were reduced from as many as 6 to 2 I believe."

I think four were originally planned.

2. "I also believe the garage is mandatory along with the hotel but also believe there should be retail at street level and built with the ability to build on offices or housing."

Totally agree.

3. The problem is you have the park, cc, and transit which are the biggest expense items that fall under the MAPS budget and expecting those to all fall within budget and not dip into the contingency is a bit short sighted.

​Yep. That is why I went and spoke against committing to this so quickly.

4. Like I said before, I would much rater extend the duration of the tax to make up for the amount necessary to build the complete list of items voters approved. It may need 6 months or could need 18.

​Doing this is distinctly a possibility. Even more so considering that there isn't really a coherent vision for the next MAPS.

5. The Santa Fe Station is going to be great when completed and look forward to using it. I think the issue is the idea was for it to serve local rail service, high speed rail and other transit needs and at this time that is most likely not going to happen for a while.

​It will serve AMTRAK and the streetcar in the near term (two years). Potentially BRT in five. Commuter rail is at least eight years away imhop. "High Speed Rail" like the Acela- who knows. Depends on the President and the congress.

Might be best to extend maps tax and finish these projects and then let the tax die. No more maps taxes after the current one runs out might be the way to go.

dankrutka
10-05-2016, 07:10 PM
Might be best to extend maps tax and finish these projects and then let the tax die. No more maps taxes after the current one runs out might be the way to go.

Why no more MAPS? Maybe the MAPS strucure needs to change to be approved on a project-by-project basis or the focus of projects needs to be shifted, but I don't see why getting rid of the system makes sense. MAPS is the one thing OKC is doing to put itself ahead of other cities.

Laramie
10-05-2016, 08:24 PM
Why no more MAPS? Maybe the MAPS structure needs to change to be approved on a project-by-project basis or the focus of projects needs to be shifted, but I don't see why getting rid of the system makes sense. MAPS is the one thing OKC is doing to put itself ahead of other cities.

:ot:

We could look at a shift as you mentioned Dan, shorted the collection years to two or three with 3 or 4 projects. We could generate $100 million a year. Should help with cost estimates; therefore we lessen the chance of having to cut or downsize the projects.

That's the beauty of MAPS--bundled projects. The City generates a list of projects with voter appeal.

Remember the original 1993 MAPS, had we attempted a project by project initiative (piecemeal), only the DT library would have had a decent chance of passing on its own.

warreng88
10-07-2016, 02:02 PM
Opportunity knocks: Conventions priced out of first-tier markets

Experts say the timing's right for Oklahoma City

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record October 6, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Indianapolis and Portland are vying for a bigger piece of the meeting and convention pie, but there’s still room for Oklahoma City, experts said.

Convention and meeting planners are getting priced out of larger cities, leading them to second-tier metros, said Loren Edelstein, editor-in-chief of Meetings and Conventions magazine.

“As people are locked out of the major cities in terms of securing blocks of meeting space at a decent rate, they’ll be looking at smaller cities they may not have considered,” she said.

Hotel costs make up 25 percent of a meeting planner’s annual budget, according to M&C’s 2015 survey. The average maximum room rate is $220, with the average attendee cost at $1,156, according to the study. The highest budget item is food and beverage.

The city of Oklahoma City heard last week about the $235 million 600-room Omni hotel that would connect to the MAPS 3 Convention Center. The hotel project calls for $85 million in public funding.

Edelstein said the investments in a convention center hotel would be worth it in the long run. Nationwide, the meeting activity generated $46 billion in local taxes in 2009, and the industry has continued to grow since then.

But if a convention center hotel opens, existing hotel rates could rise as well. That will not dismay the business traveler, said Jan Freitag, senior vice president of STR, a data and analytics company.

In Nashville, the Omni hotel with the Music City convention center opened in 2013. The average daily rate increased $7 from 2013’s fourth quarter to 2015’s first quarter. At the same time, the average number of room nights has grown from 430 to nearly 800. Hotel supply has increased 20 percent.

Freitag said it generally takes a couple of years before the average daily rates increase in a market because events like conventions and meetings are booked two years in advance. The market doesn’t reflect the change immediately.

“Even if room rates go up, that doesn’t impact demand,” he said. “The decision about attending the conference is made at a different point than the travel.”

What could affect Oklahoma City’s demand is competition. In Portland, the city is developing a 600-room Hyatt Regency Hotel, connected to the Oregon Convention Center. According to Travel Portland’s analysis, the city missed 16 major conventions because it didn’t have a hotel with its convention center.

The Oregon convention center has 255,000 square feet of contiguous space, 50 meeting rooms, and two grand ballrooms. It also has an 800-space parking garage. Hotel construction will start in early 2017, and it will open in 2019.

The MAPS 3 Convention Center will have a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 45,000-square-foot meeting space, and a 30,000-square-foot ballroom.

In Indianapolis, the city is targeting larger events. Its existing convention center has 566,000 square feet of contiguous space. The convention and visitors bureau has hired a company to see if more hotel rooms are needed, as well as more convention space, said Chris Gahl, Visit Indy’s senior vice president of marketing.

Successful Meetings Editor-In-Chief Vincent Alonzo said it will be important for Oklahoma City to find its convention niche. He said the meeting industry isn’t expected to slow anytime soon. M&C’s survey showed that most people are expecting to have a higher budget and spend more on their meetings.

“The time is right now for destinations like Oklahoma City to get out there and sell themselves because of the factors like hotel rooms being high and first tier being so expensive,” Alonzo said. “There’s real opportunity out there for the Oklahoma Cities of the world to get out there and grab that business.”

Pete
10-27-2016, 08:36 AM
More renderings for convention center (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=337-Detailed-renderings-revealed-for-MAPS-3-convention-center)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cc102616a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cc102616k.jpg

Pete
10-27-2016, 08:37 AM
More renderings for convention center (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=337-Detailed-renderings-revealed-for-MAPS-3-convention-center)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cc102616a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cc102616k.jpg

soonerguru
10-27-2016, 01:08 PM
I may be alone in this assessment, but I really like the look of this design and these renderings.

Spartan
10-27-2016, 01:32 PM
That's a lot of drop ceilings where they could have more creatively/timelessly defined space boundaries.

I'd also like to note that there appears to be a second subsidized CC hotel planned for on the opposite corner from the Omni. So get ready for that. Bc Populous is a one-stop shop for feasibility study, market study, and design they have probably already banked on forcing us to do the second CC hotel here in ten years.

shawnw
10-27-2016, 01:38 PM
I'm not saying it's the best thing ever, but I don't object. And I would not be ashamed to show my out of town visitors. Perhaps not a homerun, but for sure a productive hit putting runners in scoring position.

BoulderSooner
10-27-2016, 01:39 PM
That's a lot of drop ceilings where they could have more creatively/timelessly defined space boundaries.

I'd also like to note that there appears to be a second subsidized CC hotel planned for on the opposite corner from the Omni. So get ready for that. Bc Populous is a one-stop shop for feasibility study, market study, and design they have probably already banked on forcing us to do the second CC hotel here in ten years.

What are you talking about?

The non subsidized Private hotel that is going to be build there

Colbafone
10-27-2016, 01:39 PM
I may be alone in this assessment, but I really like the look of this design and these renderings.

No way you're alone. I think this looks fantastic.

catch22
10-27-2016, 01:51 PM
Looks good!

David
10-27-2016, 02:20 PM
Yeah, it looks great to me, too. Looks competitive with any number of top tier convention centers I have been to in much larger cities.

gopokes88
10-28-2016, 07:51 AM
I like it a lot

Laramie
10-28-2016, 10:01 AM
What are you talking about?

The non subsidized Private hotel that is going to be build there

Agree, we have an opportunity to get another non subsidized private hotel which could add 100-135 more rooms to the convention center site. We could have 700 to 735 rooms available on site by 2020.

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960_blur-165a37b3bd8ed5725fce150929fa403d.jpg
A deal set to be heard Wednesday by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority will allow development to being again on a Fairfield Inn in the area known as Core to Shore. Developer Andy Patel said upgrades will be made to the hotel, including a possible change in brands.

OKC will be poised to meet the demands of the convention industry as more hotel rooms are added to the core.

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 10:27 AM
Agree, we have an opportunity to get another non subsidized private hotel which could add 100-135 more rooms to the convention center site. We could have 700 to 735 rooms available on site by 2020.

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960_blur-165a37b3bd8ed5725fce150929fa403d.jpg
A deal set to be heard Wednesday by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority will allow development to being again on a Fairfield Inn in the area known as Core to Shore. Developer Andy Patel said upgrades will be made to the hotel, including a possible change in brands.

OKC will be poised to meet the demands of the convention industry as more hotel rooms are added to the core.

And even that may not be enough. SoonerCon in Midwest City, which is a smaller event (2k attendees) runs out of rooms. They have 151 rooms at the Sheraton, plus 3 hotels next to the convention center, so about 300+, and there aren't enough. I can't imagine the demands with a larger event (5k plus). Wizard World which is moving to OKC will probably bring in 10k or more attendees.

shawnw
10-28-2016, 10:37 AM
If Tulsa can do it (Wizard Con), we can do it. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like we have way more downtown rooms than Tulsa now.

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 10:46 AM
If Tulsa can do it (Wizard Con), we can do it. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like we have way more downtown rooms than Tulsa now.

It's the demand on the rooms for other purposes. We pulled SoonerCon out of downtown OKC because we couldn't get enough rooms.

shawnw
10-28-2016, 11:10 AM
It's the demand on the rooms for other purposes. We pulled SoonerCon out of downtown OKC because we couldn't get enough rooms.

In fairness though, literally hundreds if not a thousand or more hotel rooms have come online downtown (with many more coming) since SoonerCon was downtown, right?

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 11:57 AM
In fairness though, literally hundreds if not a thousand or more hotel rooms have come online downtown (with many more coming) since SoonerCon was downtown, right?

In 3-4 years? I don't think so.

To be clear, I wasn't trying to be negative about it. At the contrary, I was pointing out the need for these hotels.

shawnw
10-28-2016, 12:08 PM
Yes, in the last 3-4 years hundreds if not a thousand hotel rooms have been added downtown I believe. We can probably look at Pete's downtown hotel guide if it has the dates of opening and do some quick figuring though.

(and I get you weren't being negative, just saying the capacity has been rapidly improving)

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 12:24 PM
Hrm. I'd be interested in seeing that breakdown. I'm not sure of any downtown hotels that opened since 2013. I know of one in Bricktown in development (it may have opened). But in downtown? In fact, I think Sheraton lost rooms (in exchange for more meeting space).

Bellaboo
10-28-2016, 01:03 PM
Holiday Inn Express and 21C Museum Hotel opened.

Aloft and Ambassador a couple of years ago also.

Laramie
10-28-2016, 01:23 PM
Holiday Inn Express and 21C Museum Hotel opened.

Aloft and Ambassador a couple of years ago also.

Aloft - 130 rooms
Ambassador - 55 rooms
Holiday Inn - 124 rooms
21C Museum - 135 rooms
Embassy Suites - 194 rooms*


. . . 444 rooms were added since 2013

* 638 with the Embassy Suites

Downtown Hotel Summary: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=34292

stile99
10-28-2016, 01:25 PM
Depends where you draw the circle. The bottom line is there are approximately 1400 rooms in what visitokc.com considers to be 'downtown', and that's including 21C and the Embassy Suites on North Lincoln. Widening the circle to include Bricktown does inflate the count slightly, but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say 1000 rooms have come online in the last 3-4 years.

bradh
10-28-2016, 01:28 PM
I'm afraid to ask but what is SoonerCon and WizardCon?

Laramie
10-28-2016, 01:29 PM
I'm afraid to ask but what is SoonerCon and WizardCon?

You're not alone.

shawnw
10-28-2016, 01:30 PM
To be clear I'm talking the actual downtown boundaries, not just the CBD

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 01:34 PM
You're not alone.

SoonerCon is the oldest and longest running SCI/Fantasy convention in Oklahoma (with a 5 year gap). It just held it's 25th convention this past summer, but started 30 years ago. I used to run it until I retired last year. Wizard World (not wizard con) is one of the largest commercial convention organizations in the world, holding conventions in a dozen plus city annually. They tend to be big autograph conventions, bringing in stars from shows like Walking Dead and various movie actors. Their attendance often runs into the 10's of thousands. http://wizardworld.com/

Laramie
10-28-2016, 01:35 PM
To be clear I'm talking the actual downtown boundaries, not just the CBD

Would that include the OU Medical/Research which includes GE along with Bricktown (upper & lower)?

Laramie
10-28-2016, 01:37 PM
SoonerCon is the oldest and longest running SCI/Fantasy convention in Oklahoma (with a 5 year gap). It just held it's 25th convention this past summer, but started 30 years ago. I used to run it until I retired last year. Wizard World (not wizard con) is one of the largest commercial convention organizations in the world, holding conventions in a dozen plus city annually. They tend to be big autograph conventions, bringing in stars from shows like Walking Dead and various movie actors. Their attendance often runs into the 10's of thousands. http://wizardworld.com/

Gotta hand it to you Dr. Jerrywall; you're IN-THE-KNOW. We're fortunate to have many knowledgeable posters on the OKC Talk forum.

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 01:37 PM
Would that include the OU Medical/Research which includes GE, Bricktown?

Well if we start stretching, we could include hotels on SE 15th and I-35, and In Del City and Midwest City. However, until we have better public transit, convention events will depend on the hotels within close walking distance to the event center.

shawnw
10-28-2016, 01:39 PM
Would that include the OU Medical/Research which includes GE, Bricktown?

I was including bricktown, but I've never seen a definition of OU/Research including Bricktown....

I freely admit I was off, but I did say hundreds (which was correct) perhaps a thousand, only because I know we were supposed to end up at like 3500 at some point and I thought we were under 2500 when the hotel boom got going.....

Also, the Hilton Garden Inn opened within weeks of Aloft and wasn't included in the numbers above....

jerrywall
10-28-2016, 01:47 PM
Aloft - 130 rooms
Ambassador - 55 rooms
Holiday Inn - 124 rooms
21C Museum - 135 rooms
Embassy Suites - 194 rooms*


. . . 444 rooms were added since 2013

* 638 with the Embassy Suites

Downtown Hotel Summary: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=34292

The Hilton Garden Inn and Aloft threw me, because they were included in our count when we decided to relocate, but I remember now we were anticipating them being available for our 2014 show. Ambassador we didn't include since it's outside of the service area we were looking at. Ditto with Embassy Suites.

Urbanized
10-28-2016, 01:52 PM
Open since 2013: 21C, Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Ambassador, Aloft, Embassy Suites (OUHSC)

Urbanized
10-28-2016, 01:54 PM
Oops. Missed a whole page.

OKCRT
10-28-2016, 05:13 PM
Agree, we have an opportunity to get another non subsidized private hotel which could add 100-135 more rooms to the convention center site. We could have 700 to 735 rooms available on site by 2020.

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960_blur-165a37b3bd8ed5725fce150929fa403d.jpg
A deal set to be heard Wednesday by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority will allow development to being again on a Fairfield Inn in the area known as Core to Shore. Developer Andy Patel said upgrades will be made to the hotel, including a possible change in brands.

OKC will be poised to meet the demands of the convention industry as more hotel rooms are added to the core.


IMO They should change their plans and double the size of that Fairfield since it's going to be in that prime area next to CC. It would be nice to tout 1000 rooms next to CC.

Canoe
10-28-2016, 07:08 PM
I loathe that parking lot next to the park. What are they thinking?

jdross1982
10-28-2016, 07:30 PM
Serving an immediate and short term need while allowing future growth space.

Teo9969
10-28-2016, 07:34 PM
I loathe that parking lot next to the park. What are they thinking?

It will eventually disappear.

Indeed, one of the things the design elements does a good job of is leaving room for future additions to be easily incorporated architecturally. The CC will likely span from SW 4th to SW 7th. We just ain't gots the money right now.

Colbafone
10-29-2016, 09:12 AM
It will eventually disappear.

Indeed, one of the things the design elements does a good job of is leaving room for future additions to be easily incorporated architecturally. The CC will likely span from SW 4th to SW 7th. We just ain't gots the money right now.

That's what Randy Hogan said, ZING!

Architect2010
10-29-2016, 12:01 PM
Aloft - 130 rooms
Ambassador - 55 rooms
Holiday Inn - 124 rooms
21C Museum - 135 rooms
Embassy Suites - 194 rooms*


. . . 444 rooms were added since 2013

* 638 with the Embassy Suites

Downtown Hotel Summary: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=34292

Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites has 255 rooms to add to the top list for 699 rooms. So 893 if you were to include the Embassy Suites? Even without Embassy, 700 rooms in the past 3 years is a great number and we all know we have a plethora of rooms on the way.

Spartan
10-31-2016, 01:22 AM
What are you talking about?

The non subsidized Private hotel that is going to be build there

Are you sure about that?