We decided here it would be called Union Commons, or something like that, remember?

:-P

I thought we decided on Oklahoma City Park between Oklahoma City Boulevard and the Oklahoma River.:tongue:

I thought we decided on Oklahoma City Park between Oklahoma City Boulevard and the Oklahoma River.:tongue:

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, state of Oklahoma.

How about a new baseball stadium for an MLB team and turn the bricktown one into MSL. :)

How about a new baseball stadium for an MLB team and turn the bricktown one into MSL. :)

Prob need to add about 500k people to the metro and a few more large corps. to get MLB to take a serious look.

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, state of Oklahoma.

on land formally known as Oklahoma Territory

I thought we decided on Oklahoma City Park between Oklahoma City Boulevard and the Oklahoma River.:tongue:

lol, yeah.

Lest we forget where we are.

Ok!

Steve posted today. Confirming Funk is one of many behind the sale here and a soccer stadium with a full-fledge thriving district is in the plans.

https://twitter.com/kevinmotto/status/769499512469544960

Very excited about this!

Huge undertaking but a soccer stadium would be a great catalyst for the rest of the development.

Sounds like an ideal use of this property.


BTW, more evidence things are not "slowing down" as people keep repeating. Tons and tons of things going on and much more to come.

Very excited about this!

Huge undertaking but a soccer stadium would be a great catalyst for the rest of the development.

Sounds like an ideal use of this property.


BTW, more evidence things are not "slowing down" as people keep repeating. Tons and tons of things going on and much more to come.

This has to be an MLS approved stadium,correct?

This is truly going to be a defining decade for OKC. Check out this article from SI- http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/11/05/soccer-specific-stadium-mls-orlando-dc-united-minnesota-miami

This has to be an MLS approved stadium,correct?

I think I remember hearing funk talk about building a stadium that could be expanded to fit the MLS if necessary.

I think I remember hearing funk talk about building a stadium that could be expanded to fit the MLS if necessary.

Correct.

Man this is so cool! OKC is the place to be!

The demo and clean up of this site is going to take at least a year!

The sale itself won't even close until this spring at the earliest.

I'm sure they have to get their minds around the demo and cleanup and also sure them buying it is contingent on getting lots of public assistance, TIF and otherwise.

Steve mentioned in a tweet that this was whatever that was going to make KC and Dallas jealous. Did I miss something about this proposal?

My original guess last year was that it was about the location: FC Dallas and Sporting KC both play in the suburbs rather than having a downtown stadium. There was also mention that whatever it was, Houston has it and Dallas doesn't. Houston has their stadium downtown as well.

Having a sports venue in an urban, mixed use area is pretty great. Even living in DFW, I only go to games at the American Airline Center (Mavs, Stars) because the MLB, MLS, and NFL stadiums are in terrible, sprawled out areas. Maybe people in OKC take Chesapeake for granted. But, done well, this could create a great area for soccer, high school football, outdoor concerts, and more. I hope it comes to fruition.

Obviously soccer isn't the same as baseball, but OKC should strive for any outdoor stadium to frame the city's skyline like Pittsburgh did with PNC Park.

I don't know if there's a better view in baseball.

12929

Obviously soccer isn't the same as baseball, but OKC should strive for any outdoor stadium to frame the city's skyline like Pittsburgh did with PNC Park.

I don't know if there's a better view in baseball.

12929

Charlotte's new baseball stadium has a killer view. Too bad the Bricktown ballpark doesn't face the opposite direction.

Charlotte's new baseball stadium has a killer view. Too bad the Bricktown ballpark doesn't face the opposite direction.

It can't due to evening/afternoon games. You don't want the sun in the eyes of the batter, catcher, and umpire.

http://newsok.com/article/5515660

http://newsok.com/article/5515660

Thanks for the link, UnFrSaKn.


Funk also is coordinating plans with Fred Mazaheri and hotelier Champ Patel, who last year bought the adjoining former lumberyard with plans to build up to three hotels on the site. He said both sides have agreed to put together a master plan for both properties.

Housing may be done first, with retail and parking to follow. Funk said he will not rush into getting a stadium built.

“We are several years away before we will be in a position to actively pursue a Major League Soccer team,” Funk said. “But it is clear, Oklahoma City's best opportunity to secure a Major League Soccer team leads through the OKC Energy. The sustained success of the OKC Energy has caught the attention of the league, underscoring the receptivity of the market to professional soccer. When we are in a position to earnestly pursue a Major League Soccer team, we are confident we will have a compelling case for Oklahoma City to present.”

“I would think the city's involvement would be tied to an MLS franchise,” Cornett said. “We wouldn't be building it hoping a franchise might come, we would build if a franchise were coming. Bob is doing all the right things. If the MLS continues to expand toward a maxed-out 32-team league, I think Oklahoma City fits into those plans.”

Glad to know that city leaders and investors are starting to think 'big.' Let's see what happens with the various phases of this development.


“Our investors and development team are avid downtown Oklahoma City enthusiasts,” Funk said. “As we imagine the possibilities of this development, we want to take advantage of how cultural variety and diversity intersect in Oklahoma City's core to create an incredible urban experience offering something for everyone.”

Obviously soccer isn't the same as baseball, but OKC should strive for any outdoor stadium to frame the city's skyline like Pittsburgh did with PNC Park.

I don't know if there's a better view in baseball.

12929

Love. PNC. Park.

I wish them all the success in the world as long as this does not include another TIF.

I wish them all the success in the world as long as this does not include another TIF.

There was just a new TIF created for this area, along with several others.

So more lost revenue for OKC Public Schools then.

Considering the potential tax revenue this area could bring into the city and state, I don't see a problem with a TIF here. Between the potential commercial development and the stadium, it would bring in a LOT of tax revenue. It would more than pay for itself over time. Not to mention how it could set off further development. Gotta think long term.

Considering the potential tax revenue this area could bring into the city and state, I don't see a problem with a TIF here. Between the potential commercial development and the stadium, it would bring in a LOT of tax revenue. It would more than pay for itself over time. Not to mention how it could set off further development. Gotta think long term.

Chris, you nailed that point.

I am thinking long term for the City and the students. TIF districts have poor oversight. The criteria for selecting which project and which developer receives tax revenue is shrouded in mystery. There appears to be no in end in sight for this process. I am concerned for the students enrolled in Oklahoma City Public Schools now and for the next 25 years and the rest of the city which is getting fed-up with this.

I am thinking long term for the City and the students. TIF districts have poor oversight. The criteria for selecting which project and which developer receives tax revenue is shrouded in mystery. There appears to be no in end in sight for this process. I am concerned for the students enrolled in Oklahoma City Public Schools now and for the next 25 years and the rest of the city which is getting fed-up with this.

This isn't anything new for big league cities to go through. These developments are future long term investments that will benefit the schools. TIF is an investment; no trickle down economics.

Look at cities like Charlotte, San Antonio & Indianapolis; especially Charlotte, a city that OKC seems to follow in its growth, we have a much better whitewater rafting facility--not to mention what ideas we got from San Antonio.

Believe me, our schools didn't get in the shape they are in overnight. It's going to take years of attention to make them better.

They should use maps $ for this over TIF.

The argument that publicly financed stadiums don't work out well for the tax payers is correct but doesn't really apply to OKC. The study only included replacement stadiums for teams already there. A new soccer stadium for an expansion team would grow the market and help drive OKC's growth. One cannot with a straight face argue the Chesapeake arena hasn't benefitted this city tremendously.

You could also make a good case that 20 years from now the NBA and MLS might be the #2 &#3 most popular maybe even 1&2 depending on how the nfl deals with the safety issues long term. Getting in on the ground floor for the mls would be wise.

They should use maps $ for this over TIF.

You can bet they will use both, plus other public sources.

You can bet they will use both, plus other public sources.

Getting rid of this skyline eyesore, a clinking clanking clattering collection of collagenous junk
deserves MAPS & TIF money.

Getting rid of this skyline eyesore, a clinking clanking clattering collection of collagenous junk
deserves MAPS & TIF money.

But it'd be a great disservice to not incorporate items or similar pieces of the co-op in the design of whatever takes its place.

Getting rid of this skyline eyesore, a clinking clanking clattering collection of collagenous junk
deserves MAPS & TIF money.

Speaking of junk, what's the story on the Pull-A-Part yard? That's a nice spot for a high-rise.

Getting in on the ground floor for the mls would be wise.

I agree with your post, but "getting in on the ground floor" is off base. We are so late to the party that even getting a sniff will be extremely difficult.

MLS is in it's 20th season and for the first decade held steady at around 10-12 teams. The next few years they added a team a year, until the expansion explosion. Here are the confirmed teams to be added:
2015: New York City
2015: Orlando
2017: Atlanta
2017: Minnesota
2018: Los Angeles
2018: Miami

Commissioner Don Garber announced a short list of the next 4 expansion teams last month during the All Star game. They include,
2019: Sacramento
2019: St. Louis
2020: Detroit
2020: San Antonio

The next four cities most often discussed beyond those are San Diego, Charlotte, Austin, & Las Vegas.

These cities are miles ahead of us in preparation and funding. Getting on the MLS radar will be very difficult, but money talks.

I'm a 3 year season ticket holder for the OKC Energy and have been dreaming of a downtown stadium since the club first announced they would play their first season at Bishop McGuinness. The thought that we just decide to build a stadium and choose to participate in Major League Soccer isn't how this works. I've followed the league for years and we are nowhere near being considered.

That being said, my question is this: Will the stadium be built if the MLS invite never comes? Would ownership still build the stadium on this site for the Energy to call home regardless of what league they play in?

I agree with your post, but "getting in on the ground floor" is off base. We are so late to the party that even getting a sniff will be extremely difficult.

MLS is in it's 20th season and for the first decade held steady at around 10-12 teams. The next few years they added a team a year, until the expansion explosion. Here are the confirmed teams to be added:
2015: New York City
2015: Orlando
2017: Atlanta
2017: Minnesota
2018: Los Angeles
2018: Miami

Commissioner Don Garber announced a short list of the next 4 expansion teams last month during the All Star game. They include,
2019: Sacramento
2019: St. Louis
2020: Detroit
2020: San Antonio

The next four cities most often discussed beyond those are San Diego, Charlotte, Austin, & Las Vegas.

These cities are miles ahead of us in preparation and funding. Getting on the MLS radar will be very difficult, but money talks.

I'm a 3 year season ticket holder for the OKC Energy and have been dreaming of a downtown stadium since the club first announced they would play their first season at Bishop McGuinness. The thought that we just decide to build a stadium and choose to participate in Major League Soccer isn't how this works. I've followed the league for years and we are nowhere near being considered.

That being said, my question is this: Will the stadium be built if the MLS invite never comes? Would ownership still build the stadium on this site for the Energy to call home regardless of what league they play in?

If you read the story in The Oklahoman, Funk says he's building the stadium for the Energy, so that answers your question. He has also indicated he plans to build it so that it will (either upon completion or through further construction) exceed MLS standards, with the eventual goal of attracting an MLS team.

So, it's kind of a straw man to argue OKC is "nowhere" near being considered, because no one has indicated this is something that will happen in the immediate future, or to say this or that city is miles ahead of us. That why everything in the story indicates OKC and Funk and his group are taking the initial steps to get the city ready for MLS expansion. I believe the word "decadelong" (sic) was used to describe how long they believe the process will be. And I guarantee the announcement of a new stadium in the heart of downtown will get the MLS's attention and put us on their radar, if we weren't already.

MLS is the least popular of the five major sports in the United States (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS), but it is quickly growing. I believe I read somewhere it's the (or one of the) fastest growing of the leagues in terms of popularity (a good Economist article I posted in another thread said it's the growth is due to the popularity of young Americans). So when gopokes88 says get in on the ground floor, I think this is what he means. In a decade, when OKC is considered for expansion, the MLS might have surpassed the NHL and approach the declining MLB (a statement that hurts my heart) or--who knows--a declining, health-conscious NFL in popularity. That's close enough to ground floor.

I think the point is we are nearing the end of expansion in MLS. They won't continue to add teams forever as they are already as large as most professional soccer leagues. With the 8 upcoming, they will be at 28. OKC is not in consideration at this time and by the time we could be, all of the spots will be filled. It's not happening, sorry.

^

A team could always be re-located which happens all the time in other pro sports.

Ok, so we'll have a team in 20 years.

Things have a way of changing in ways you never expect, especially in the mid and longer term.

And certainly, having a facility in place is a huge leg-up on making this happen. Worst case, we have a great, expandable facility for the Energy that is in the city core.

Yeah, we'll just have to wait for Atlanta to barely support their team like they do with all their other teams.

Except the Braves. Kinda.

Things have a way of changing in ways you never expect, especially in the mid and longer term.

And certainly, having a facility in place is a huge leg-up on making this happen. Worst case, we have a great, expandable facility for the Energy that is in the city core.

Is this a bigger priority for OKC or for Bob Funk? I would almost rather use a TIF to draw a public market or grocer, major retail tenants, etc. to downtown. I do support the effort to spur housing and move the co-op, but in an era in which my child is forced into class sizes of 30, with teachers who don't even have teaching degrees, and our state is teetering on bankruptcy, building a facility for a non-existent sports team seems bizarre.

I feel like this needs to be built for the current need of the Energy, with room for expansion, if necessary. Also, it needs to be multi-purpose for concerts, large graduations, high school football games/championships, etc.

^

Yes, that alone would be quite awesome.

The MLS would be nice but 90% of the benefit would be in just having the stadium down there.

If the MLS goes to 32 teams then there is (a) an outside chance OKC could still sqeak into the end of expansion with a great product (which they may have) or (b) that's 31 candidates for relocation. Surely, there will be a place or two that struggle for various reasons (e.g., ownership, attendance). The best OKC can do it put themselves in a position for when there is an opportunity.

Ok, so we'll have a team in 20 years.

Bob Funk Jr., addressed this on KOCO-TV 5 interview at 9 a.m., this morning. He mentioned a 7 year or more timeline.

I think the point is we are nearing the end of expansion in MLS. They won't continue to add teams forever as they are already as large as most professional soccer leagues. With the 8 upcoming, they will be at 28. OKC is not in consideration at this time and by the time we could be, all of the spots will be filled. It's not happening, sorry.

Many people, more connected to the sports world than you, said the same thing about the NBA 10 years ago.

Just because it hasn't been disclosed in a press release from the MLS, how do you know that OKC is not at all in consideration? Have they released an expansion option list for the remaining 4 teams that OKC is not on?

Our candidacy will depend on the continued success of the Energy, having a stadium plan in place, and having an aggressive ownership group pushing for it.

I'm saying we won't have public support to help build the stadium in the first place without a team already coming. Looks like the Mayor agrees.


“I would think the city's involvement would be tied to an MLS franchise,” Cornett said. “We wouldn't be building it hoping a franchise might come, we would build if a franchise were coming. ..."

I'm saying we won't have public support to help build the stadium in the first place without a team already coming. Looks like the Mayor agrees.

I dunno. We built the arena without a team already coming.

I'm saying we won't have public support to help build the stadium in the first place without a team already coming. Looks like the Mayor agrees.

Mayor Cornett was getting an initial feeler out. I'm sure he's tuned in to OKCTALK as well.


Many people, more connected to the sports world than you, said the same thing about the NBA 10 years ago.

Just because it hasn't been disclosed in a press release from the MLS, how do you know that OKC is not at all in consideration? Have they released an expansion option list for the remaining 4 teams that OKC is not on?

Our candidacy will depend on the continued success of the Energy, having a stadium plan in place, and having an aggressive ownership group pushing for it.

That's the key; Oklahoma City already has name-recognition through the NBA. A willing ownership group we have, now all we need is a well-thought out plan for a venue--that will put us on MLS radar.

As Pete mentioned about relocation being another possibility--that was our avenue to the NBA.

And why does everybody think we are going to a 32 team league anytime soon? If they do expand past 28, it will be way down the road.


“Where we are...is we are at a 20 [team] league today, just finishing our 20th season,” Garber said in his opening remarks. “We will be at 24 teams by 2018. And we will go to 28 teams with a timetable that has not yet been laid out. We believe and hope and expect that Sacramento will part of that next round of expansion.”

Though the Commissioner initially stated that there was no timetable on expansion past the 24 franchises, he did later clarify an unconfirmed date.

“What I would say is the next round of expansion is likely happening in 2020,” Garber said.

Garber mentioned that Sacramento wasn’t the only expansion candidate that the league was currently talking to, as the Commissioner put forth the names of five other possible cities for the next wave of new franchises.

“I can say who else we’re talking to, who else publicly has shown interest with the league,” Garber said. “Many of [the conversations] are advanced. Detroit, [a] major market that has a downtown stadium project. St. Louis, an important strategic market again for us in the Midwest that has a real opportunity today with the Rams leaving town. Those are two very important markets that we’re talking to along with Sacramento.

“San Diego is another market that has a lot of things that are going on as it relates to their professional sports and teams,” he added. “There’s activity, a lot of public activity going on in San Antonio and Austin, so you can start seeing there are more markets than there are available slots and we’re very focused on stopping at 28 until we’ve kind of taken a big step back and think about how we manage expansion for the next 10-to-20 years after that.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020

I want this to happen as much as everyone, as I actually do love the game, but I think a lot of people here think it will happen just because MLS is the least popular league and just by saying we want in that we will get a team. It doesn't work like that and will probably take a lot of things to line up perfectly. The first of those being building a stadium AFTER cleaning the entire site and, as publicly stated by Funk, housing, retail, and other things are finished.

I wouldn't count on Miami's team sticking around....you know kinda like the first time they tried it.

I dunno. We built the arena without a team already coming.

To be fair, that was a time when the city was completely desperate to make a name for itself and it is 23 years later and a lot has changed.

Getting rid of this skyline eyesore, a clinking clanking clattering collection of collagenous junk
deserves MAPS & TIF money.

Dr. Smith? Is that you?

I'll be happy to just see those ugly buildings tore down and the site cleaned up. They're such an eye sore. Especially when you have Devon Tower and a new high rise behind them. Such a nice and large plot of land shouldn't be taken up by decades old industrial buildings right next to downtown. Bring in the wrecking balls!

Dr. Smith? Is that you?

Nothing original - ...quote taken from the Great & powerful Wizard in Wizard of OZ in his first response directed at the Tin Man when they were told to go back and get the wicked witches' broom before any requests would be granted.