Edgar, stand up comedy is in your future. Or present.

*drops mic*

The horse and pig shows are lucrative for the city but no one cares about them. The fairgrounds are a private enterprise now. They sold off the people's artifacts, razed the hip cool space age monorail, razed the historic SFS and now we have no motorsports in OKC. Was that progress?!

There are a lot more people who care about the horse and pig shows than what was demolished. The SFS probably had at most 2000 people every friday and the old run down "space age" monorail was used 2 weeks of the year.

Besides the new building is targeting more events besides horse and pig shows such as auto and boat shows so yes I do call that progress besides being in an ugly building.

and people came from all over to race on Friday nights and stayed in hotels and ate in restaurants but the elitists tore down our track because they didn't like their ses status.

I miss the speedway as much as anyone. There was an occasional Texas or Kansas car one regular driver from Wichita but other than that everyone was from in state. The track didn't generate much out-of-towner revenue. And while it was packed in the 60s, 70s and 80s it got too expensive for many to keep cars and with fewer cars the attendance went way down. I wish the track was still there but I can see where it being gone isn't making much financial difference to anyone.

I miss the speedway as much as anyone. There was an occasional Texas or Kansas car one regular driver from Wichita but other than that everyone was from in state. The track didn't generate much out-of-towner revenue. And while it was packed in the 60s, 70s and 80s it got too expensive for many to keep cars and with fewer cars the attendance went way down. I wish the track was still there but I can see where it being gone isn't making much financial difference to anyone.

right, wasn't an expense and gave the guys who bust stones in the shop all week fixing our cars a place to race on Friday night- the people's fairgrounds.

right, wasn't an expense and gave the guys who bust stones in the shop all week fixing our cars a place to race on Friday night- the people's fairgrounds.

Edgar, what do you think makes more money: all the animal shows listed above multiple nights a week or the races 40 or Friday nights a year?

were they mutually exclusive?

right, wasn't an expense and gave the guys who bust stones in the shop all week fixing our cars a place to race on Friday night- the people's fairgrounds.

How was it not an expense? My understanding was that there was significant hazards with the electricity and other maintenance issues? It needed $400,000 in immediate electrical repairs alone. Every building is an expense whether it is electricity, plumbing, water etc. I know the few times I had been there....it was in need of serious help. It wasn't ADA compliant either. The racing promoter paid $40k a year to lease it which I can't believe would put a dent into the needed repairs.

I believe the plan is to use the old speedway area for the fair midway once they start construction on the new Expo building.

Edgar doesn't add much to the conversation.

Like Jeepnokc said, any structure is an expense. Utilities, maintenance and repairs have a cost. I used to do some contract electrical work at the Fairgrounds from time to time and I have to agree that the speedway electrical system was a disaster. Also, the deadline for public buildings meeting ADA compliance was approaching. that would have meant an elevator, restroom renovations and other changes. I loved the track but it just wasn't financially feasible to keep it.

The races weren't what they used to be either. In the 60s & 70s a regular Friday night was 30 Super Modifieds and 40 Modifieds. During the 80s & early 90s it dropped to 25 Sprint cars and 30 Modifieds. Street stocks had been added and they drew probably 50 cars. By the end there were nights that 10 to 15 Sprints, 10 to 15 Limited Sprints and 30 street stocks was normal. Those car counts meant 2 heats and an A Feature each for the Sprints and Limited Sprints and 4 heats, a B and an A Feature for the street stocks. Not that much of a show. Building and running a car is expensive and it became too much for a lot of guys.

If it was a true money maker, a replacement would have been built. Either by the city or a private venture. Obviously not worth the investment to even maintain the building....I watched races there a few times. Sometimes it's okay to just let things go. I understand the nostalgia of the fair. Loved the monorail, loved riding the space needle, love the bubble roofed building. I miss those things, but if they are money pits and only used a few times a year and produce no income, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars.

I would support putting in new attractions like that to improve the fair. Not necessarily a new monorail, but something new and different to make the fair more than just heart attack food and bad carnival rides.

How was it not an expense? My understanding was that there was significant hazards with the electricity and other maintenance issues? It needed $400,000 in immediate electrical repairs alone. Every building is an expense whether it is electricity, plumbing, water etc. I know the few times I had been there....it was in need of serious help. It wasn't ADA compliant either. The racing promoter paid $40k a year to lease it which I can't believe would put a dent into the needed repairs.

bs, the track had ramps leading to the seating area. Often saw dsiabled citizens taking in the races.
The powers wanted it gone for whatever reason. Electricians offered to do the work gratis and were rebuffed.

Like Jeepnokc said, any structure is an expense. Utilities, maintenance and repairs have a cost. I used to do some contract electrical work at the Fairgrounds from time to time and I have to agree that the speedway electrical system was a disaster. Also, the deadline for public buildings meeting ADA compliance was approaching. that would have meant an elevator, restroom renovations and other changes. I loved the track but it just wasn't financially feasible to keep it.

The races weren't what they used to be either. In the 60s & 70s a regular Friday night was 30 Super Modifieds and 40 Modifieds. During the 80s & early 90s it dropped to 25 Sprint cars and 30 Modifieds. Street stocks had been added and they drew probably 50 cars. By the end there were nights that 10 to 15 Sprints, 10 to 15 Limited Sprints and 30 street stocks was normal. Those car counts meant 2 heats and an A Feature each for the Sprints and Limited Sprints and 4 heats, a B and an A Feature for the street stocks. Not that much of a show. Building and running a car is expensive and it became too much for a lot of guys.

and now we have no motorsports

If it was a true money maker, a replacement would have been built. Either by the city or a private venture. Obviously not worth the investment to even maintain the building....I watched races there a few times. Sometimes it's okay to just let things go. I understand the nostalgia of the fair. Loved the monorail, loved riding the space needle, love the bubble roofed building. I miss those things, but if they are money pits and only used a few times a year and produce no income, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars.I disagree with this. I think it is a lack of ambition and leadership to effectively market these kind of things. I would love to see a motorsport venue here in OKC, preferably a formula 1 racing here. Bring back the monorail and revamp the Space Needle. Not every single thing in the city needs to generate revenue.

I believe the last figures that I saw on the horse shows were 181 million annually and that was 2 years ago. And those are new dollars to our area. Definitely a plus for the okc economy.

The state fair of Texas just ADDED a new space needle. I rode it when down for OU/TX. As much as anything I would support getting it back on line. Modernization of the needle should have been a part of the OK State Fair's MAPs project list.

The state fair of Texas just ADDED a new space needle. I rode it when down for OU/TX. As much as anything I would support getting it back on line. Modernization of the needle should have been a part of the OK State Fair's MAPs project list.


If only someone had thought to pitch it as a big league horse therapy device, it just might have been. MapsIV anyone?

Somebody has a sad.

Elitist.

These elitists?

15 Best Oklahoma State Fair Photos of all Time | The Lost Ogle (http://www.thelostogle.com/2013/09/12/15-best-oklahoma-state-fair-photos-of-all-time/)

This is one of the reasons I haven't been to the fair in years.....Hard to remember when I went last....lol

and people came from all over to race on Friday nights and stayed in hotels and ate in restaurants but the elitists tore down our track because they didn't like their ses status.


Those people that would come to race from all over are from Tulsa and Wichita..... they drive in the day of the race, buy hot dogs at the track, and drive home after the races are over.....not much content to your theory of contributing to the tax base.....also, the race season was for the summer only, and only one day a week at that, the horse and pig shows are year round.....racing was very weak at SFS, plus the ADA issues and cost to correct the infrasturcture was insurmountable..... it had to go...

What is going on on May East of the fairgrounds. The roads were in good shape, but they have torn up the southbound lane and the median?

Is that related to the Aztec site on Pershing?

New roof on tap for Oklahoma City arena

Arena at Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park, known as the “Big House,” will get new roof, documents show

By William Crum
Published: March 13, 2014

The Jim Norick Arena’s roof is a unique design that has had its share of problems in recent years.

On July 27, 2010, a concrete section of the roof fell in, landing in an unoccupied seating area, according to a city manager’s memo dated Dec. 7, 2010.

An investigation found that a part called a “roof tendon coupler” had failed because of corrosion, the memo stated.

Nobody was hurt, but the incident led to stepped-up monitoring of the roof’s condition once repairs were completed.

When it opened in 1965, the arena was described in The Oklahoman as the “largest coliseum-type structure in the Southwest constructed with the longest catenary roof span in the world.”

Read the rest of William's article at: New roof on tap for Oklahoma City arena | News OK (http://newsok.com/new-roof-on-tap-for-oklahoma-city-arena/article/3942595)

Permit application today to demolish the Travel & Transportation Building and construct the new $45 million Expo Building.

R.I.P., TNT. Saw some good shows there once upon a time, including a show by Nirvana and one by Pearl Jam.

I was at that Nirvana show. Didn't see Pearl Jam there. Did get to see Beck.

My best memory from there was seeing Alice in Chains on their Dirt tour.

I was out there last weekend to check out Buchanan's and the street rods, and noticed that most of the old speedway has been paved over.

Got this e-mail today:

Council approves plans for the MAPS 3 State Fair Park expo building

Today the Oklahoma City Council approved final plans for Phase 2 of the MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds project which is a new 279,000-square-foot expo center building. The expo center will offer 201,000-square-foot of contiguous floor space at State Fair Park, among other amenities. Once complete, the building will be the largest event space in Oklahoma City.

Construction on the expo building will begin shortly after the 2014 State Fair and is expected to be completed early 2016. It will be built where the Travel & Transportation Building, Carriage Hall and courtyard are today.

“This new expo building will allow us to elevate our position in the marketplace and give us an edge in attracting a different type of regional and national show that has previously bypassed Oklahoma City due to our inability to provide the necessary square footage under one roof,” said Tim O’Toole, President & CEO, Oklahoma State Fair, Inc.

The expo building’s modern design will feature a 12,000-square-foot lobby, concession areas, a ticket space, commercial kitchen and additional parking for 500 cars with a total of more than 2,000 cars including Phase 1 improvements. A combination of glass and translucent wall panels will create an open, light-filled entrance. The building was designed with maximum flexibility in mind. The open floor plan will allow for a variety of configurations depending on the event’s specific needs including banquet and catering facilities equipped to serve in excess of 3,500.

The MAPS 3 budget for the expo building is $54 million, allowing $44 million for actual construction. An additional $4.7 million in MAPS 3 funds are being invested in new parking lots and other site improvements, separate from this project. The expo building’s construction is one among a series of improvements taking place at State Fair Park.

The MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Subcommittee provides guidance to the project and is made up of nine mayor-appointed citizens: Chairman Bob Nelon, Vice Chair Dee Morales, Ann Simank, J. Blake Wade, Mike Turpen, Chris Turner, Eric Roberts, Tim O’Toole, Shawn D. Clark and Madeline Mitchell. Every MAPS 3 project is currently underway, either in planning, design, construction or land acquisition.

MAPS 3 updates are available by subscribing to the MAPS 3 e-newsletter at City of Oklahoma City | Public Information & Marketing (http://www.okc.gov/maps3). Updates are also available on http://www.twitter.com/maps3 and www.facebook.com/maps3okc. Log on to City of Oklahoma City | Public Information & Marketing (http://www.okc.gov/maps3) for project details and to read the implementation plan.

About MAPS 3
MAPS 3 is a $777 million construction program designed to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks.

Got this e-mail today:

Council approves plans for the MAPS 3 State Fair Park expo building

Today the Oklahoma City Council approved final plans for Phase 2 of the MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds project which is a new 279,000-square-foot expo center building. The expo center will offer 201,000-square-foot of contiguous floor space at State Fair Park, among other amenities. Once complete, the building will be the largest event space in Oklahoma City.

Construction on the expo building will begin shortly after the 2014 State Fair and is expected to be completed early 2016. It will be built where the Travel & Transportation Building, Carriage Hall and courtyard are today.

“This new expo building will allow us to elevate our position in the marketplace and give us an edge in attracting a different type of regional and national show that has previously bypassed Oklahoma City due to our inability to provide the necessary square footage under one roof,” said Tim O’Toole, President & CEO, Oklahoma State Fair, Inc.

The expo building’s modern design will feature a 12,000-square-foot lobby, concession areas, a ticket space, commercial kitchen and additional parking for 500 cars with a total of more than 2,000 cars including Phase 1 improvements. A combination of glass and translucent wall panels will create an open, light-filled entrance. The building was designed with maximum flexibility in mind. The open floor plan will allow for a variety of configurations depending on the event’s specific needs including banquet and catering facilities equipped to serve in excess of 3,500.

The MAPS 3 budget for the expo building is $54 million, allowing $44 million for actual construction. An additional $4.7 million in MAPS 3 funds are being invested in new parking lots and other site improvements, separate from this project. The expo building’s construction is one among a series of improvements taking place at State Fair Park.

The MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Subcommittee provides guidance to the project and is made up of nine mayor-appointed citizens: Chairman Bob Nelon, Vice Chair Dee Morales, Ann Simank, J. Blake Wade, Mike Turpen, Chris Turner, Eric Roberts, Tim O’Toole, Shawn D. Clark and Madeline Mitchell. Every MAPS 3 project is currently underway, either in planning, design, construction or land acquisition.

MAPS 3 updates are available by subscribing to the MAPS 3 e-newsletter at City of Oklahoma City | Public Information & Marketing (http://www.okc.gov/maps3). Updates are also available on http://www.twitter.com/maps3 and www.facebook.com/maps3okc. Log on to City of Oklahoma City | Public Information & Marketing (http://www.okc.gov/maps3) for project details and to read the implementation plan.

About MAPS 3
MAPS 3 is a $777 million construction program designed to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks.

So no car show for the 2015 fair since they have to demolish the building?

So no car show for the 2015 fair since they have to demolish the building?

Could it be moved to another building?

Could it be moved to another building?

They pretty much use every building. Could be a situation where the building is not done, but they have an enclosed shell of a building they can use and final work takes place after the fair.

The State Fairgrounds are a sad shell of what they used to be. As badly in need of maintenance as some of the facilities were, seems the monorail and raceway could have been saved. I loved hearing the stock cars on weekend nights. I see no character there anymore -

So no car show for the 2015 fair since they have to demolish the building?
I do electrical work for the Auto Show every year. They don't use the Modern Living building and they will use it to replace the T&T building until the new building is complete. Then all the new cars will be in the new building with the antique cars, hot rods and misc. displays being in the International and Made In Oklahoma buildings.

I like the idea of the extra space to help get other conventions. however I feel the design is just a big barn.. they kinda phoned it in
seems it wouldn't have taken much to make it a bit more interesting.

I like the idea of the extra space to help get other conventions. however I feel the design is just a big barn.. they kinda phoned it in
seems it wouldn't have taken much to make it a bit more interesting.First, I have no artistic ability. Where this type of building is concerned I can't see past function being way more important than form. I could never be a designer. Please keep that in mind.

Having said that I can't see how a big, open space building needs a great deal of design. It must provide its intended function. It needs to be big. It needs to have a lot of wide-open floor space. It needs adequate restroom and concession facilities. It needs to make visitors look at the displays on the floor, not be taken in by the wow factor of the building. The building is not intended to be and will never be an attraction in and of itself. A huge, concrete floored barn with adequate lighting, electrical and data connections throughout, and adequate facilities pretty much fits the need.

I like the idea of the extra space to help get other conventions. however I feel the design is just a big barn.. they kinda phoned it in
seems it wouldn't have taken much to make it a bit more interesting.

I feel the same. Looks like they're just building a big barn.

Of course, I think Dallas has a really beautiful fair park, but they don't build them like that anymore.

First, I have no artistic ability. Where this type of building is concerned I can't see past function being way more important than form. I could never be a designer. Please keep that in mind.

Having said that I can't see how a big, open space building needs a great deal of design. It must provide its intended function. It needs to be big. It needs to have a lot of wide-open floor space. It needs adequate restroom and concession facilities. It needs to make visitors look at the displays on the floor, not be taken in by the wow factor of the building. The building is not intended to be and will never be an attraction in and of itself. A huge, concrete floored barn with adequate lighting, electrical and data connections throughout, and adequate facilities pretty much fits the need.

Yes it needs all of those things internally.. however the outside can be interesting architecturally and still have all the bones it needs to be a successfull space.

The State Fairgrounds are a sad shell of what they used to be. As badly in need of maintenance as some of the facilities were, seems the monorail and raceway could have been saved. I loved hearing the stock cars on weekend nights. I see no character there anymore -
Agree. The Oklahoma state fair and fairgrounds is a joke, compared to what it used to be. Sad.

Agree. The Oklahoma state fair and fairgrounds is a joke, compared to what it used to be. Sad.


If it was a true money maker, a replacement would have been built. Either by the city or a private venture. Obviously not worth the investment to even maintain the building....I watched races there a few times. Sometimes it's okay to just let things go. I understand the nostalgia of the fair. Loved the monorail, loved riding the space needle, love the bubble roofed building. I miss those things, but if they are money pits and only used a few times a year and produce no income, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars.

I haven't been to the Fair since I was a kid since I'm usually too busy in he Fall since college and graduating and working non stop, but the Fairgrounds have basically been expunged of all the mid-century landmarks?

So what exactly is of value to go and see there? Just some sheds to showcase horses and new RV shows?

Council awards construction contract for MAPS 3 State Fair Park expo building

Today the Oklahoma City Council awarded a contract to Atlas Construction to build a new 279,000-square-foot expo building at State Fair Park as part of the MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements project.

The expo building will offer 201,000-square-foot of contiguous floor space at State Fair Park, among other amenities. Once complete, the building will be the largest event space in Oklahoma City.

Site and foundation work for the building will begin shortly after the Oklahoma State Fair ends. It will be built where the Travel & Transportation Building, Carriage Hall and courtyard are today. The building will open in 2016.

The expo building’s modern design will feature a 12,000-square-foot lobby, concession areas, a ticket space, commercial kitchen and additional parking for 500 cars with a total of more than 2,000 cars including Phase 1 improvements. A combination of glass and translucent wall panels will create an open, light-filled entrance. The building was designed with maximum flexibility in mind. The open floor plan will allow for a variety of configurations depending on the event’s specific needs including banquet and catering facilities equipped to serve in excess of 3,500.

The MAPS 3 budget for the expo building is $54 million, allowing $44 million for actual construction. An additional $4.7 million in MAPS 3 funds are being invested in new parking lots and other site improvements, separate from this project. The expo building is one of many improvements taking place at State Fair Park.

The MAPS 3 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Subcommittee provides guidance to the project and is made up of ten mayor-appointed citizens: Chairman Bob Nelon, Vice Chair Dee Morales, Ann Simank, J. Blake Wade, Mike Turpen, Chris Turner, Eric Roberts, Tim O’Toole, Shawn D. Clark and Madeline Mitchell. Every MAPS 3 project is currently underway, either in planning, design, construction or land acquisition.

Atlas General Contractors Home Page (http://www.atlasgc.com/index.html)

And that maintaining and operating it has had it's ups and downs....

State Fair to begin improvements after this year's fair | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/news/state-fair-to-begin-improvements-after-this-years-fair/27991592)

Pork?

I don't have a subscription, but here's an interesting story that I don't believe has been mentioned:

Unfair play? Bid shopping for new expo center alleged; OKC Council awards $36.9M contract to accused company | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/09/10/unfair-play-bid-shopping-for-new-expo-center-alleged-okc-council-awards-36-9m-contract-to-accused-company-general-news/)

Whatever they do, i hope they don't tear down the old Kitchens Of America building,... now known as the Centenial. I've always liked it's design, especially the wood ceilings.

91309131

Wish they had not fixed something that wasn't broke. When they put up that newish building and it still had an inflatable roof I used to have a blast pranking my DW. I would always have her go first through the turnstile doors, as any Gentleman would, then I would take the next section and push. For years she believed the line I feed her about pressure differential. Right before they changed it she saw another hubby/boyfriend do the same thing and turned around and hit me.

Wish they had not fixed something that wasn't broke. When they put up that newish building and it still had an inflatable roof I used to have a blast pranking my DW. I would always have her go first through the turnstile doors, as any Gentleman would, then I would take the next section and push. For years she believed the line I feed her about pressure differential. Right before they changed it she saw another hubby/boyfriend do the same thing and turned around and hit me.

That was all about reducing operating expenses. It cost more to keep it pressurized and it got ripped up at least twice from Oklahoma weather.

I don't have a subscription, but here's an interesting story that I don't believe has been mentioned:

Unfair play? Bid shopping for new expo center alleged; OKC Council awards $36.9M contract to accused company | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/09/10/unfair-play-bid-shopping-for-new-expo-center-alleged-okc-council-awards-36-9m-contract-to-accused-company-general-news/)

Unfair play? Bid shopping for new expo center alleged; OKC Council awards $36.9M contract to accused company

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record September 10, 20140

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the metro area’s larger electrical subcontractors has accused a general contractor of bid shopping on the city’s new expo center at the state fairgrounds.

Alan Hadley, owner of Metro Tech Electrical Contractors, brought his grievance to the City Council this week. He alleged that Bixby-based Atlas General Contractors was trying to manipulate its subcontractors into lowering their prices so that Atlas could meet its obligation after winning the MAPS 3 project agreement with a significantly lower bid than competitors.

City officials originally estimated that the construction would cost $42 million. Council members on Tuesday approved the Atlas contract at $36.9 million. The other seven bids that were received in July clustered in the range of $40 million to $42 million. Hadley told council members that Atlas effectively left $3 million on the table and then tried to find a way to cover the difference.

Bid shopping is a construction industry term referring to the unethical practice of divulging contractors’ bids to each other in order to push figures lower. The American Subcontractors Association has promoted anti-shopping legislation in several states.

Hadley said his concerns were based on email conversations with Atlas President Mike Owen. Owen accepted a subcontract bid from a competing electrical company several days after Atlas was granted the overall project, Hadley said, and Atlas then used that bid from Baker Bros. Electric Inc. to leverage Hadley to lower his own price. The email that Hadley shared with The Journal Record showed Owen had forwarded Baker’s bid with the warning, “For your eyes only!”

A few days later, Owen provided Hadley with a letter of intent to grant Metro Tech the electrical subcontracting work on the expo center so that he could negotiate with suppliers for prices.

“The definition of bid shopping pretty clearly shows how they operate,” Hadley said. “And unfortunately, a lot of the GCs (general contractors) operate that way.”

“I would be careful on your end with raising the ethical question,” Owen wrote in an email to Hadley. “You have now put us in a very awkward position with Baker Brothers, who was the low bidder on bid day.”

Owen said Wednesday that Hadley’s behavior was unusual, given that they’ve worked together several times over the years and are involved on two projects now. He said Hadley was upset that Owen had ultimately given the contract back to Baker Bros.

“What he said is 100 percent, totally false,” Owen said. “In a small construction community in Oklahoma City – or the state of Oklahoma, for that matter – we, as a major player, given that we primarily focus on public works, it would not be in our best interests to shop somebody out.”

Owen said that the email to Hadley dated Aug. 8, a week after the overall contract bid on the expo center was announced, was merely a summary discussing the scope of work. Baker Bros. was the low bid on bid day with a base of $6.9 million adjusted to $7.48 million to account for alternate elements, he said.

The reason the $36.9 million bid was so much lower than the other contractors is because Owen has better connections with subcontractors such as Baker Bros., he said.

Baker Bros. President Paul Baker said Hadley’s perspective on the matter was slightly off. He knew Owen had communicated with Hadley after bid day, Baker said, but that rarely happens in the industry. The reason Atlas had given Baker’s subcontract to Hadley was because of bonding and manpower concerns, he said; when those concerns were laid to rest and Hadley’s relationship with Owen became tense, the subcontract deal was reversed again.

“I think they were trying to use us as a wedge to get him to lower his price a little bit,” Owen said.

Pragmatism wins out in the local industry where so many of the players have known each other for decades, Baker said.

“I’ve known the president of Atlas for close to 20 years and I’ve done a lot of work with him,” Baker said. “I’ll dance with the one who brought me.”

Hadley said he was disappointed with City Council members’ failure to look into the problem before awarding the contract to Atlas. He urged city officials to refine their rules and oversight. The council declined his request to withhold the contract and suggested Hadley hire an attorney.

“As I walked away from council, I wish I would have suggested some things for them to implement in the future in dealing with tax-funded jobs to protect subcontractors,” he said.

Went to the fair last night. its a shame that it is such a shadow of what it once was in my opinion. seems so small now and not that interesting. things I made mental note of missing from the fairgrounds. Cottonwood post, Grandstands, Monorail, atoms to arrows space needle, the airplanes that use to be on display years ago. the inflateable roof of the old "international building" and it seems none of the fountains work anymore other than the waterfall in front of the old kitchens of america building. it just seemed really small and the buildings have fewer and fewer exhibitors than the old days.. I guess I am officially the old guy who says. "Back when I was younger"

Contractor questions Expo Center bid

by William Crum Published: September 29, 2014

An electrical contractor said the city council should look into circumstances surrounding the construction contract for the MAPS 3 Expo Center at State Fair Park.

The council awarded a $37 million contract earlier this month to Atlas General Contractors.

The city received eight bids on the project; six were clustered in a narrow range from $40 million to $40.6 million.

Alan Hadley of Metro Tech Electrical Contractors told the council that Atlas, after winning the project, came back to Metro Tech seeking a nearly 9 percent reduction in its price for electrical work.

"This general contractor has left $3 million on the table and the subcontractors are the ones paying the price," Hadley said.

City Manager Jim Couch said dealings with subcontractors are "behind the bid" and beyond the city's reach.

Hadley said the dispute should serve as a "red flag as to what kind of project you're going to get."

In an interview, he said the city "should have awarded it to the lowest responsible bid, because if the bid is responsible there's no need to go back to the subs."

Worth considering: Expo Center construction is to begin soon; the building is to open in 2016.

Contractor questions Expo Center bid | News OK (http://newsok.com/contractor-questions-expo-center-bid/article/5346749)

Not an issue if the city actually makes sure Atlas delivers what was bid on. I just wish I had higher confidence the city actually did that.

This is pretty common among contractors. Not exactly earth shattering news. And just because a contractor bids more it doesn't mean they still won't go back to subs for a reduction.

From the JR:

Bigger and better: Construction set to start on largest event space in OKC

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record October 13, 20140

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau already has marketing pitches planned for the new, 279,000-square-foot expo building at State Fair Park, agency President Mike Carrier said.

City officials are scheduled to break ground Tuesday morning on the $54 million project at State Fair Park near Interstate 44 and I-40. The center has been planned since city residents approved a temporary 1-cent sales tax in 2010 for a $777 million package of projects referred to as MAPS 3.

In September, the City Council agreed to give the work contract to low bidder Bixby-based Atlas General Contractors. The building is expected to open in 2016.

Carrier said the center will allow current event organizers to consolidate their activities in a single, contiguous space instead of being spread throughout several buildings. The expo building will provide a 12,000-square-foot lobby, concession areas, ticket space, commercial kitchen and parking for 2,000 cars. The floor plan will allow for a wide range of configurations depending on the event, including banquet and catering facilities equipped to serve more than 3,500 people.

Not counting amenities and support service space, the convention floor space itself will total about 200,000 square feet. The building will be the largest event space in Oklahoma City.

“We have not identified any new business for it yet,” Carrier said. “But what you’re going to see is several existing customers at the fairgrounds are going to be in a better position to expand their shows. And that obviously provides a better customer experience.”

Carrier referred to expos for automobiles, boats, crafts, guns and recreational vehicles that the city attracts each year. The expo hall is expected to bring in a different type of event than the new $225 million MAPS 3 convention center, which would provide about the same amount of space. A citizens advisory board for the convention center agreed in September that more exhibit space would be better and suggested a 25-percent increase to the downtown convention center project.

“Where this helps us is to look at new opportunities for use of the fairgrounds by approaching national consumer show producers and trade shows who have not been able to come into Oklahoma City before because we did not have sufficient space,” Carrier said.

However, his staff has not approached potential new clients with news of the expo hall yet, he said. Carrier said that won’t be a problem because product expo organizers typically need less lead time to pick a destination than convention planners.

“Once the building is under construction, we’ll be able to give them a much better feel for what’s going on,” he said.

The typical expo attendee is expected to spend about $235 per day in local products and services such as hotel rooms and restaurants, officials said.

State Fair Park President Tim O’Toole could not be reached for comment about how the older buildings will be used once events are moved to the new center. Another spokesman said those facilities will attract other sizes of events as space becomes open.

I feel the same. Looks like they're just building a big barn.

Of course, I think Dallas has a really beautiful fair park, but they don't build them like that anymore.

Yes Dallas does. Many of those structures are what was left following the 1936 World's Fair (Texas Centennial Exposition).

OKC looked at the possibilities of hosting a 1989 World's Fair, the cost probably outweighed the benefits. We later opted for the 1989 Olympic Festival.

Shocker...

Asbestos removal adds to MAPS 3 expo center project costs

The Oklahoma City MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board on Thursday agreed to increase the State Fair Park expo center budget to account for removal of asbestos from the Travel & Transportation Building, which is set to be demolished starting next week.

by William Crum Published: November 20, 2014

The MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board agreed Thursday to increase the State Fair Park expo center budget to account for removal of asbestos from the Travel & Transportation Building, which is set to be demolished starting next week.

Project managers were surprised by the extent of asbestos in the concrete and concrete block walls of the 64,000-square-foot structure, which is about 50 years old. Removing it will add $259,000 to the construction budget, bringing it to $37.3 million.

The expo center will include a 200,000-square-foot exhibition hall intended to accommodate trade shows, farm implement shows and other events that are too big for existing halls in Oklahoma City. It is expected to open in the spring of 2016.

Asbestos removal adds to MAPS 3 expo center project costs | News OK (http://newsok.com/asbestos-removal-adds-to-maps-3-expo-center-project-costs/article/5368737)

How can anyone feign surprise at finding asbestos in a 50ish year old building? Seems the surprise would be if it wasn't there.