Is it true that the road in front of the convention center will be named after the former Mayor?

"Mick Cornett Drive," I think it's the two blocks, SW 4 Street between Robinson Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard; between the convention center and the new Omni hotel.

https://i.imgur.com/aNEl0AL.jpg
Not sure if this is the street...

Are there any known plans (private or city) for the land south of the CC parking lot where the construction equipment is currently staged?

Are there any known plans (private or city) for the land south of the CC parking lot where the construction equipment is currently staged?

Not yet.

The city is trying to acquire the property to the east of that parcel, the only thing they don't own in that area.

"Mick Cornett Drive," I think it's the two blocks, SW 4 Street between Robinson Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard; between the convention center and the new Omni hotel.

https://i.imgur.com/aNEl0AL.jpg
Not sure if this is the street...

Well I look forward to visiting the Mick Cornett Drive Experience.

Well I look forward to visiting the Mick Cornett Drive Experience.

Be happy it's not called Big League City Avenue. Or Oklahoma City Street.

Be happy it's not called Big League City Avenue. Or Oklahoma City Street.
lulz. Definitely this.

Still not too late to change the name of the boulevard to Big Friendly Boulevard lmao

be happy it's not called big league city avenue. Or oklahoma city street.

lol.

Driving home from I-235 to I-40W you can see the back of the convention center and same view driving past it on Shields. I would love to see a large mural across the back of the CC. Something depicting the growth of the city from land run, oil boom, to modern big league city.

Driving home from I-235 to I-40W you can see the back of the convention center and same view driving past it on Shields. I would love to see a large mural across the back of the CC. Something depicting the growth of the city from land run, oil boom, to modern big league city.

Same with the east facade of the Omni, which is currently very bare and mostly concrete.

Same with the east facade of the Omni, which is currently very bare and mostly concrete.

Boulevard Place will cover a portion of that east wall. Still wish there was either more glass, design, or LED down that side though

This is the roundabout on Robinson just south of the convention center (photo from Saturday).

No way this gets competed and Robinson reopened this month as was planned.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention121220a.jpg

No way there will possibly be an accident from someone speeding northbound over the highway bridge not expecting a roundabout (and thus people stopped in befuddlement) shortly thereafter

Not sure, but next week is showing the 50's temp wise. Maybe there is a chance.?

Cox Center transformation into Prairie Surf Studios requires more than new signage
https://oklahoman.com/article/5678142/cox-center-transformation-into-prairie-surf-studios-requires-more-than-new-signage

^

I'm in the process of digging further into the numbers, as opposed to yet another puff piece of how great this is.

That article fails to mention that the one booking thus far is from a very small production company that was already filming another project in OKC.


The Oklahoman also ran an editorial promoting this deal with the city while quoting the same completely incorrect numbers for rent as did their reporter. Just incredibly irresponsible.


More than anyone, I hope this proves to be a big success. But the job of a journalist is to present facts, not just serve as promotional press without any independent research/confirmation or context.

BTW, it is NOT journalism just to print what a couple of people tell you. A responsible journalist is to do their own work before they conduct an interview.

Confused at this point as to the actual agreement with Cox Center.


What are the terms and conditions of the actual agreement?


The lease is for five years with three one-year extension options. It calls for stepped-up lease payments from Prairie Surf starting at $150,000 for the first and second years, $300,000 for the third year, $450,000 for the fourth year, $600,000 for the fifth year, and $825,000 plus all utility costs in excess of $1.1 million for each annual extension option.

Aubrey McDermid, assistant city manager who oversaw the negotiation, told the city council the deal is not intended to turn the Cox Center into a permanent home for the studio.--Oklahoman--10/09/2020

Will the City have to pay anything for upgrades, alterations, maintenance and/or upkeep.

Review: https://oklahoman.com/article/5677907/lease-approved-okcs-cox-center-now-in-the-movie-business

Thanks, Pete for looking into this. We'll await your response.

Confused at this point as to the actual agreement with Cox Center.
What are the terms and conditions of the actual agreement?


See post #388 Pete went over it in pretty good detail.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23849&page=16

See post #388 Pete went over it in pretty good detail.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23849&page=16

https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/coxrent.jpg

Thanks, Southsider2...

Pete, you need to replace Steve Lackmeyer at the Oklahoman.

https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/coxrent.jpg

Thanks, Southsider2...

Pete, you need to replace Steve Lackmeyer at the Oklahoman.

i'm pretty positive that would be a demotion for him

I'm working on getting the cost to relocate the Blue and the 21 events that had already been booked into the Cox Center.

I was able to establish that this lease is with an LLC with no personal guarantees, so if this company doesn't make it to the end of the 5th year, the city will lose even more money.

I'm working on getting the cost to relocate the Blue and the 21 events that had already been booked into the Cox Center.

I was able to establish that this lease is with an LLC with no personal guarantees, so if this company doesn't make it to the end of the 5th year, the city will lose even more money.

In years past, the Blue has played several of their games at the Thunder Training center. Without fans of course.

In years past, the Blue has played several of their games at the Thunder Training center. Without fans of course.

They haven't decided where they will go, but the city does have to pay a significant amount to relocate them.

Veering off topic but I really wish they would relocate the Blue to Wichita or Lawton or something. Have some sort of community involvement away from OKC.

Veering off topic but I really wish they would relocate the Blue to Wichita or Lawton or something. Have some sort of community involvement away from OKC.

It's for the betterment of team development to have them close. especially with the 2 way contract rules. They said it helped to move them from Tulsa and that was before 2 way contracts.

It's for the betterment of team development to have them close. especially with the 2 way contract rules. They said it helped to move them from Tulsa and that was before 2 way contracts.

Don't they also use the Thunder training facility?

while practicing in OKC/Edmond, the Blue should play their games in Lawton or Enid. One hour bus ride would not be bad and will be interesting for these town.

I think so, and they have been known to play at the original training facility. They probably use these alternate facilities when the Cox was in use. I sat with some of the Iowa Energy players in Club level a few years ago that had played their game against the Blue earlier in the day at the Training Center. Probably 3 years ago.

while practicing in OKC/Edmond, the Blue should play their games in Lawton or Enid. One hour bus ride would not be bad and will be interesting for these town.


The Thunder are not having in the arena fans this year, so I doubt the Blue would have fans too.

It’s unsure if there will even be a G-League season this year, and if there is it may be in a bubble format in Atlanta.

Even if the Blue don't play this season, the city has to pay to permanently relocate them.

The Cox Center will not be available to them at any time in the future, and they had a long-term lease.

The Thunder are not having in the arena fans this year, so I doubt the Blue would have fans too.

I don't think the Thunder have ruled out having fans this season. They just said they're not starting the season with fans. I could see the Thunder allowing some fans for the last month if a significant number of people have been vaccinated. It would be smart to require vaccination or a COVID test for entry, but I'm sure they fear the anti-vaxxer push back from people like the Governor of the state.

To those wanting the Blue outside OKC to generate interest, the Thunder already had them in Tulsa for that very purpose and determined that the low interest didn't outweigh the convenience of having them closer. But, yeah, it makes no sense to have fans at Blue games this season (if there is one for the G League). So, the Thunder just need to find a solution by next season.

Veering off topic but I really wish they would relocate the Blue to Wichita or Lawton or something. Have some sort of community involvement away from OKC.

Agree 100%

If the Thunder were to move the team to Enid's Chisholm Trail Expo Center which seats 6,000 for basketball--problem solved, you could keep the team in Oklahoma.

Enid is 67 miles from OKC, 1hr., 20 minute drive max charter bus. The community supported the Oklahoma Storm of the USBL, so it's a proven minor league basketball community. Money could be made with this franchise in a community like Enid.

I understand having the two-way players ready to go for the Thunder; however how many players are we talking about...

Agree 100%

If the Thunder were to move the team to Enid's Chisholm Trail Expo Center which seats 6,000 for basketball--problem solved, you could keep the team in Oklahoma.

Enid is 67 miles drive from OKC, 1hr., 20 minute drive max charter bus. The community supported the Oklahoma Storm of the USBL, so it's a proven minor league basketball community. Money could be made with this franchise in a community like Enid.

I understand having the two-way players ready to go for the Thunder; however how many players are we talking about...

almost no chance of the blue moving out of the OKC metro

^

And from what I was told yesterday by the City, they are not considering leaving the OKC area.

As the team is in a rebuild, I assume they’d want to have quick access to their players on the Blue. I doubt they’d leave OKC.

As the team is in a rebuild, I assume they’d want to have quick access to their players on the Blue. I doubt they’d leave OKC.

Nobody is talking about the Blue leaving the OKC Metro but have them play the games in Enid or Lawton.

Laramie just made a great point for Enid. I think, when public is allowed back, is can be a nice boost for the Team and the Community.

I bet the players wont mind the bus ride to play in front in a couple of thousand of people instead of playing in front of a couple of hundred at the COX.

Nobody is talking about the Blue leaving the OKC Metro but have them play the games in Enid or Lawton.

very curious about your geographic boundaries for the OKC metro

I don't think the Thunder have ruled out having fans this season. They just said they're not starting the season with fans. I could see the Thunder allowing some fans for the last month if a significant number of people have been vaccinated. It would be smart to require vaccination or a COVID test for entry, but I'm sure they fear the anti-vaxxer push back from people like the Governor of the state.

To those wanting the Blue outside OKC to generate interest, the Thunder already had them in Tulsa for that very purpose and determined that the low interest didn't outweigh the convenience of having them closer. But, yeah, it makes no sense to have fans at Blue games this season (if there is one for the G League). So, the Thunder just need to find a solution by next season.

They were planning on having fans before the winter wave kicked in so its a very good bet they will allow fans in March once the springtime decline starts on top of the vaccinations. If it wasn't for spring I would say we wouldn't have enough vaccinations to make a difference by the time the season ended.

The Blue moving to the new State Fair Arena seems inevitable whenever that gets built. It'll be interesting to see what they do between now and then. Maybe a temporary move to Hamilton Fieldhouse on UCO's campus?

The Blue moving to the new State Fair Arena seems inevitable whenever that gets built. It'll be interesting to see what they do between now and then. Maybe a temporary move to Hamilton Fieldhouse on UCO's campus?

they have different as of yet unannounced long term plans

They haven't decided where they will go, but the city does have to pay a significant amount to relocate them.

So is this in addition to what was given to the Blue in exchange for them ending their lease early?


The Blue agreed to end their one-year lease early in exchange for the flooring, scorers equipment and other items that belonged to Cox center and was used by the team.

So is this in addition to what was given to the Blue in exchange for them ending their lease early?

Yes.

The city is letting them take all that equipment but also paying to move them. Not sure of the exact cost, but working on it.

What are the chances of the Oklahoma City Blue playing their home games at Oklahoma City University's Abe Lemons Arena or University of Central Oklahoma's Hamilton Field House for the interim. Truly believe the new arena at the Fairgrounds will eventually be their permanent home.

I know we've shredded this thread on the convention center as far as staying on topic..

Refresh my memory - This is the MAPS 3 Convention Center Thread...

Nvm

Three words:

Lloyd Noble Center

It's hard enough for OU to get good crowds at the LNC unless the team is competing for a conference title. I can't see the Blue drawing very well there, though I do think it's questionable that they'd ever draw well anywhere in the OKC Metro.

Three words:

Lloyd Noble Center

Norman would nice...


Historic McCasland Field House

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZMtruLZZh1mRRthHU_jzEUU_dxNJia wVWFQ&usqp=CAU

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRp-304b2twEdYeKuD2EDsfiTUIwpDKBvzmFg&usqp=CAU

Why not just move them into the new convention center in an exhibit hall with a court and some bleachers for the time being. No fans are going to be there anyways and it's right across the street from the thunder offices at CHK.

I think I heard somewhere that the G-League will have a short season in a bubble somewhere ?

Awful lot of contractors left working still. How much has the city collected in liquidated damages?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122020a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122020b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122020c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122520a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122520b.jpg

I am still curious about how much the city has collected in liquidated damages with all the work still going on. Which contractors have been barred and blacklisted from working for any more city jobs due to being incomplete?

I am still curious about how much the city has collected in liquidated damages with all the work still going on. Which contractors have been barred and blacklisted from working for any more city jobs due to being incomplete?

They seem to be pretty much done on the inside.

The street work is a different contract but their published schedule was that they were to be done in December. They'll be lucky to finish before February.

Did they at least arrest the guy that loosened the bolt on the main truss and disconnected the suppression pipe?

Did they at least arrest the guy that loosened the bolt on the main truss and disconnected the suppression pipe?

I haven't heard anything about this.

I haven't heard anything about this.

He has been posting these conspiracy theories that the structure has been sabotaged by a rogue worker who has a personal disagreement with the city building this.

Did they at least arrest the guy that loosened the bolt on the main truss and disconnected the suppression pipe?
Did we all miss where this was reported by a reliable source? If so, did they find it to be malicious and intentional? Please report the facts, not rumor or gossip or theory.

Well it very well could be true. And if it is, not only does the city need to collect on liquidated damages, and not only that but sue the Bejesus out of the guy involved and have him arrested. Lives could be in danger at that point.