I liked the OKANA idea but it'll be really nice to see the Coop site get used for something, and so much the better if this jump starts the development on the rest of the site.

Gonna be a shame if the lingering remediation issues prevent any housing anywhere nearby.

That would be a great development for downtown and soccer fans in the area, but no talk of making it work for baseball too?

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark turns 26 years old this year, which is older than Paycom, and it's the third oldest facility in the PCL.

Kind of surprised not much has been said about maybe a more modern stadium for the OKC Baseball Club/Dodgers.

baseball and soccer don't co exist in stadiums ..

and bricktown ballpark is still one of the very very best in all of minor league baseball .. there is 0 reason to replace it ... ever ..(okc continues to renovate it over time and that is great)

That would be a great development for downtown and soccer fans in the area, but no talk of making it work for baseball too?

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark turns 26 years old this year, which is older than Paycom, and it's the third oldest facility in the PCL.

Kind of surprised not much has been said about maybe a more modern stadium for the OKC Baseball Club/Dodgers.

Multipurpose stadiums are pretty terrible for watching or playing any sport. I don't think one has been built outside the high school level in years.

Age really isn't a factor in baseball facilities. Think Fenway and Wrigley. Even Dodger Stadium was built in the 1960's. There is an argument that old stadiums add to the fun and charm of the game.

Said it before and will say it again: pitch this to The Cordish Companies and let them develop this:
https://www.cordish.com/businesses/sports-anchored-districts

Said it before and will say it again: pitch this to The Cordish Companies and let them develop this:
https://www.cordish.com/businesses/sports-anchored-districts

I was just looking at them last week and would love for them to do something like partner with MR/REHCO in the redevelopment of the site between the Myriad Gardens and scissortail. Or where the old arena sits now when the new Thunder Dome is built...

Said it before and will say it again: pitch this to The Cordish Companies and let them develop this:
https://www.cordish.com/businesses/sports-anchored-districts

I don't know how they would feel about tens or hundreds of millions in site remediation. OKC would have to pay for that, or reimburse them.

Said it before and will say it again: pitch this to The Cordish Companies and let them develop this:
https://www.cordish.com/businesses/sports-anchored-districts

I've also mentioned the benefit of an "OKC Live". I've been wondering if that's the future plan for the current Paycom space, assuming the new indoor Arena is on the Prairie Surf spot.

baseball and soccer don't co exist in stadiums ..

and bricktown ballpark is still one of the very very best in all of minor league baseball .. there is 0 reason to replace it ... ever ..(okc continues to renovate it over time and that is great)

Werner Park in Omaha hosts the Storm Chasers (AAA baseball) and a USL soccer team so it's not totally unheard of.

The details aren't adding up here, and that simply may because they haven't been made public. If that site does, in fact, require millions of dollars in environmental remediation, where is that money coming from and what's the plan to remediate it? The stadium proposal is for only 9 of the 34+ acres. Assuming a soccer stadium land-use doesn't require remediation, they should be fine for those 9 acres. But then what for the other 25, especially if the plan is to use it as "a catalyst" for housing?

The details aren't adding up here, and that simply may because they haven't been made public. If that site does, in fact, require millions of dollars in environmental remediation, where is that money coming from and what's the plan to remediate it? The stadium proposal is for only 9 of the 34+ acres. Assuming a soccer stadium land-use doesn't require remediation, they should be fine for those 9 acres. But then what for the other 25, especially if the plan is to use it as "a catalyst" for housing?

The other 25 will be subject to remediation requirements based on use. So residential will require substantially more than office or multipurpose, like this stadium.

I bet the city will chip in to help clean up those other 25 acres at some point in time.

I know renderings are useless at this point. And I know my opinion doesn't mean anything. But every rendering I've seen shows a U-shaped stadium with one endzone open. IMHO this is an idea from the 90's-early 2000's that has already gone away. The MLS 2.0 stadiums (FC Dallas, Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire) were all built around the same time, and all had this same configuration, more or less. The idea was to have a "soccer specific" stadium that could also be used for concerts. Columbus has already built a new, fully-enclosed stadium. Chicago moved back to Soldier Field. Having been to many of the MLS stadia, IMHO Colorado and FC Dallas have the least atmosphere of any I've been to. There are other factors in play, as well, but a LOT of that I attribute to the empty endzone at both. It looks like a stadium where soccer is played, but NOT a soccer stadium.
Since then, except for SJ Earthquakes outdoor bar that they built, EVERY new MLS stadium is a fully-enclosed structure that actually looks like a proper stadium. Anyway, that's just my opinion. Which, I admit, doesn't mean much.


^ ^ ^

Definitely need to go ahead and enclose the stadium.

Our city could use 'naming rights' to provide funds to enlarge the stadium from 8,000 seats to 10,000 seats. Delay an anchor
tenant until a group is serious about moving OKC to the MLS level.

The details aren't adding up here, and that simply may because they haven't been made public. If that site does, in fact, require millions of dollars in environmental remediation, where is that money coming from and what's the plan to remediate it? The stadium proposal is for only 9 of the 34+ acres. Assuming a soccer stadium land-use doesn't require remediation, they should be fine for those 9 acres. But then what for the other 25, especially if the plan is to use it as "a catalyst" for housing?

Isn’t the same guy directing the stadium development the one that owns the team? The same guy that would directly benefit from his team playing in a higher level league and possibly even the MLS. Isn’t it the same guy that’s attempting to acquire and develop the adjoining land?

Who doesn’t budget for land acquisition on this size of development? Who in their right mind would think you don’t need funds to acquire the best possible location? If I were a businessman and owned the OKC Energy I would be very pleased with how this is proceeding.

I agree with wanting a fully enclosed stadium but they cite Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville as an inspiration and that's the definition of a U-shaped stadium. Guess it'll just depend on cost in the end.

I wouldn't call the current plan a true U either. It is what it is, a budget friendly stadium that just got a little boost in its budget. The great thing about U or partial U's is that they can easily be turned into O's in the future. Just look at Gaylord stadium. The USA softball Hall of Stadium is another facility that has been slowly been upgraded over the years.

I wouldn't call the current plan a true U either. It is what it is, a budget friendly stadium that just got a little boost in its budget. The great thing about U or partial U's is that they can easily be turned into O's in the future. Just look at Gaylord stadium. The USA softball Hall of Stadium is another faciality that has been slowly been upgraded over the years.

I'm just glad it'll have shade structures to be honest. Doesn't matter to me if it's "U-shaped" with a bar/patio thing going on.

I'm just glad it'll have shade structures to be honest. Doesn't matter to me if it's "U-shaped" with a bar/patio thing going on.

I'm not 100% sure it will have shade structures, but that was shown in 'Option 2' and coincides with the increased budget.

They could easily get value-engineered out before the stadium is built. Long way to go with financing approvals (TIF and Omni funds), then final design, competitive bidding, etc.

I'm not 100% sure it will have shade structures, but that was shown in 'Option 2' and coincides with the increased budget.

They could easily get value-engineered out before the stadium is built. Long way to go with financing approvals (TIF and Omni funds), then final design, competitive bidding, etc.

Dang, I got my hopes up. Hope it happens. Like the location regardless.

^ ^ ^

Definitely need to go ahead and enclose the stadium.

Our city could use 'naming rights' to provide funds to enlarge the stadium from 8,000 seats to 10,000 seats. Delay an anchor
tenant until a group is serious about moving OKC to the MLS level.

I was just in St Louis and their new soccer stadium is not fully enclosed. I think it cost over $400MM.

I really love that they built their field into the ground. It makes the stadium less daunting at street level.

https://www.hok.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HOK_SKA_CITYPARK_1900x1270_3.jpg

baseball and soccer don't co exist in stadiums ..

and bricktown ballpark is still one of the very very best in all of minor league baseball .. there is 0 reason to replace it ... ever ..(okc continues to renovate it over time and that is great)

if only they could turn the orientation of the field 180 degrees to have the OKC skyline over the outfield...

I know renderings are useless at this point. And I know my opinion doesn't mean anything. But every rendering I've seen shows a U-shaped stadium with one endzone open. IMHO this is an idea from the 90's-early 2000's that has already gone away. The MLS 2.0 stadiums (FC Dallas, Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire) were all built around the same time, and all had this same configuration, more or less. The idea was to have a "soccer specific" stadium that could also be used for concerts. Columbus has already built a new, fully-enclosed stadium. Chicago moved back to Soldier Field. Having been to many of the MLS stadia, IMHO Colorado and FC Dallas have the least atmosphere of any I've been to. There are other factors in play, as well, but a LOT of that I attribute to the empty endzone at both. It looks like a stadium where soccer is played, but NOT a soccer stadium.
Since then, except for SJ Earthquakes outdoor bar that they built, EVERY new MLS stadium is a fully-enclosed structure that actually looks like a proper stadium. Anyway, that's just my opinion. Which, I admit, doesn't mean much.

They've always billed this as a stadium that could be expanded to host the MLS so I don't really think current MLS stadiums are a great comparison. It can always be enclosed if we got an MLS franchise. I don't think it's really worth allocating funds to part of the stadium that would almost always be empty absent an MLS franchise when they could be put to better use.

That would be a great development for downtown and soccer fans in the area, but no talk of making it work for baseball too?

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark turns 26 years old this year, which is older than Paycom, and it's the third oldest facility in the PCL.

Kind of surprised not much has been said about maybe a more modern stadium for the OKC Baseball Club/Dodgers.

Is this comment serious?

The current baseball stadium could be upgraded to be really nice if there was desire to do so. They could start by turning the closed off upper first base deck into some kind of party deck. There is just no desire/money to do so. We are going to building a new basketball arena that will end up being over a a billion dollars so baseball and soccer should be happy with what they have or will be getting.

Great, even more reason for Mazaheri to sit on the Lumberyard property and use it as parking, smh.
Or until the city grows a pair and enforces regulations. That’s always an option too.

Here is Lackmeyer's story with quotes from Funk and Holt. Appears Funk/Energy are buying the land and donating it to the city for the stadium.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/01/02/bricktown-okc-could-get-new-soccer-stadium-maps-4-funding/71991914007/
Are they buying the entire property or just this parcel? Wouldn’t that mean the entire property would need to be cleaned and have the soil remediated? IIRC wasn’t the asking price of the entire development something like 100+ million dollars or am I imagining things?

If anything this makes me think there is more behind this plan that hasn’t been released. A commercial element with retail, restaurants, hotels and housing. I’d expect most of the site work for the entire development to be complete with several other projects under construction if not complete by the time the stadium opens.

Funk is only buying 9 acres and then donating some or all of that to the City for the stadium.

The overall Producers Coop parcel is 34 acres.

Funk is only buying 9 acres and then donating some or all of that to the City for the stadium.

The overall Producers Coop parcel is 34 acres.
So are there going to be plans to at least make the rest of the site developable before or by the time the stadium opens? I wouldn’t imagine they could open this in the middle of a contaminated field. Surely they’d have to remediate the soil and remove contaminants for the whole 34 acres even if they’re just taking a small part of it.

So are there going to be plans to at least make the rest of the site developable before or by the time the stadium opens? I wouldn’t imagine they could open this in the middle of a contaminated field. Surely they’d have to remediate the soil and remove contaminants for the whole 34 acres even if they’re just taking a small part of it.

I think that the requirements are different by use. So probably no, they don't have to remediated under the stadium the same as they would have for residential sites.

I think that the requirements are different by use. So probably no, they don't have to remediated under the stadium the same as they would have for residential sites.

Bingo

SO what you guys are telling me is 9 acres of stadium and 25 acres of parking surface. Nice!

"Contaminants" can mean a lot of different things. Not like were talking about walking through a nuclear wasteland to see a soccer game.

"Contaminants" can mean a lot of different things. Not like were talking about walking through a nuclear wasteland to see a soccer game.

I just envision the show "Chernobyl" on HBO and the clean up they went through. If you have seen the show, you know what part I am talking about...

from the city press release/story

https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4684/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery


Economic development funds could be leveraged for MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium
Post Date:01/02/2024 1:03 PM
On Jan. 4, the Downtown TIF Review Committee will consider using economic development funds to increase the budget for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium from $41 million to $71 million.

The proposal is contingent on the multipurpose stadium being located downtown where an additional $30 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other economic development funds could pay for a portion of the stadium’s construction costs.

The proposal will be considered by the Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust on Jan. 5 and City Council on Jan. 16.

Property under contract

OKC Energy FC Ownership is under contract to purchase an area of undeveloped property south of Bricktown and east of the Oklahoma City Convention Center from the Producers Downtown Development, LLC. The ownership group plans to donate 7.2 acres of the area to the City for the stadium, which the City will own.

OKC Energy FC Ownership plans to develop the remaining area into a sports-centered entertainment district.

The land donation is dependent on approval from the MAPS 4 Venues Subcommittee and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board, which could take place in early spring.

Stadium details

The stadium design includes a United States Soccer Federation (USSF)-approved pitch, seating for approximately 8,000 guests, locker rooms and suites. The venue is expected to drive the development of a sports-centered entertainment district downtown, a model that has proven to be successful in Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana. A similar project is under construction in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The venue will be the City’s only stadium with a USSF-approved pitch to accommodate professional men’s and women’s soccer. When the area develops, visitors will be able to walk from restaurants, retail and housing to attend events in the new entertainment district.

Werner Park in Omaha hosts the Storm Chasers (AAA baseball) and a USL soccer team so it's not totally unheard of.
Yep. I believe the following list of US soccer teams that play in baseball stadiums is still accurate:

USL
Albuquerque
El Paso
Reno
Harrisburg
Tulsa
Fresno
Las Vegas

MLS
NYCFC

SO what you guys are telling me is 9 acres of stadium and 25 acres of parking surface. Nice!

I'm guessing you haven't read the articles and the quotes about further development.

from the city press release/story

https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4684/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

What in the world is going on here???

Holt openly admits there was no budget for land acquisition. So at a minimum the plan was to have someone donate premium land in the downtown vicinity. That part is fact.

Now on the side of speculation what was being discussed behind the scenes? Going into it knowing you were gonna get free land leads me to believe that would always accompany a development opportunity at little to no cost.

I’m pumped that the city is moving these developments along and we’re pushing forward for growth. At the same time
I’m jealous I’m not a major developer in OKC right now with 1% wealth. It appears as though having the right connections can present a sweetheart deal at the burden of tax payers. Which we’re passing this stuff with an overwhelming majority in approval so good for all of us…. I think

I LOVE that Funk is already anticipating building parking garage(s) to accommodate this, rather than the usual sea of parking developers often build around stadiums. That itself indicates to me that they're serious about the entire site not just the 9 acres. ..

I was in Kansas City last week and we took a drive over the river to see the new Women's Soccer Stadium. It is supposed to open this year and it looks similar to the one we are proposing. It's initial cost was $70 million.

18553

What in the world is going on here???

Holt openly admits there was no budget for land acquisition. So at a minimum the plan was to have someone donate premium land in the downtown vicinity. That part is fact.

Now on the side of speculation what was being discussed behind the scenes? Going into it knowing you were gonna get free land leads me to believe that would always accompany a development opportunity at little to no cost.

I’m pumped that the city is moving these developments along and we’re pushing forward for growth. At the same time
I’m jealous I’m not a major developer in OKC right now with 1% wealth. It appears as though having the right connections can present a sweetheart deal at the burden of tax payers. Which we’re passing this stuff with an overwhelming majority in approval so good for all of us…. I think

Eh, I'd rather the city not try to buy land that is in horrible shape, well below the surface, and then have to remedy it before selling. I get that nothing is donated for free anymore, but it feels like a great outcome for all.

Regarding the remediation of the site, my understanding is that won't need to happen for an open-air stadium.

Regarding the remediation of the site, my understanding is that won't need to happen for an open-air stadium.

37 total acres. 9 acres for the stadium. I am guessing two acres for a parking garage. That leaves 26 acres for development. If there is commercial (not hotel or apartments/condos), that wouldn't need as much in the way of remediation, correct?

Below is a link to a proposal by the state in Sep ‘23 to sample the site to collect data for remediation. The contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons which are very broad categories that can include something as innocuous as WD-40 to a carcinogen such as benzene or any hydrocarbon in between. The state must not be too concerned because on page 2 it states that 1) all contaminated soils will be disposed of in the OKC landfill and 2) respirators are not listed as required personal protective equipment. When will the sampling take place, no date is given.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/og/brownfields/producers-coop-mill-remediation%20plan.pdf

What in the world is going on here???

Holt openly admits there was no budget for land acquisition. So at a minimum the plan was to have someone donate premium land in the downtown vicinity. That part is fact.

no the plan was to put it on city owned land

no the plan was to put it on city owned land

Or to work out a deal with the Chickasaws for OKANA or another developer, like the Funks/Coop.

Not a typical MAPS project where there is a committee, they work on a location, etc. The committee for this project hasn't even met -- at least publically.

Very strange.

Below is a link to a proposal by the state in Sep ‘23 to sample the site to collect data for remediation. The contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons which are very broad categories that can include something as innocuous as WD-40 to a carcinogen such as benzene or any hydrocarbon in between. The state must not be too concerned because on page 2 it states that 1) all contaminated soils will be disposed of in the OKC landfill and 2) respirators are not listed as required personal protective equipment. When will the sampling take place, no date is given.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/og/brownfields/producers-coop-mill-remediation%20plan.pdf

So the state issues a report speculating as to what contaniments are buried at this site. They have not done any testing to get specifics. Yet the state has the audacity to say contaniments can be dumped in a landfill. Also without knowing specifics they claim respirators will not be required safety equipment.
2 words come to mind, "Imagine that"!

Regarding the remediation of the site, my understanding is that won't need to happen for an open-air stadium.
I believe you're correct. I have a mental block when I read "remediation". I was the Facilities Manager for Kerr-McGee R&D during the final years of the plutonium plant clean up which R&D was made responsible for. It was a losing sleep level nightmare which I would not wish on my worst enemy. But that was NRC rules and they are ridiculously stringent. The EPA, who I also had to deal with, is much more reasonable.

So the state issues a report speculating as to what contaniments are buried at this site. They have not done any testing to get specifics. Yet the state has the audacity to say contaniments can be dumped in a landfill. Also without knowing specifics they claim respirators will not be required safety equipment.
2 words come to mind, "Imagine that"!

That's for disposal of the test samples and they have a good idea of what could be in the samples based on the history of the site. Landfills are designed to handle toxic waste(people don't follow the rules when it comes to throwing their garbage away). Obviously, during a full site remediation, something else may need to be done besides dumping it all in the landfill depending on the results of the test.

37 cubic yards is being removed, that is about the size of one large roll away dumpster you find at construction sites

That's for disposal of the test samples and they have a good idea of what could be in the samples based on the history of the site. Landfills are designed to handle toxic waste(people don't follow the rules when it comes to throwing their garbage away). Obviously, during a full site remediation, something else may need to be done besides dumping it all in the landfill depending on the results of the test.

37 cubic yards is being removed, that is about the size of one large roll away dumpster you find at construction sites

Municipal landfills are designed to receive household wastes and other non-hazardous waste material, not hazardous waste. That is why OKC operates a hazardous waste collection center on S Portland.

https://www.epa.gov/landfills/basic-information-about-landfills

no the plan was to put it on city owned land

Why wasn’t that announced? Why didn’t that happen?

The guy that owns the team was put in charge of finding the location and picking the layout. It just so happens to be a plot of land he’s attempting and had attempted to acquire. I’m not mad in at all, more so envious of his situation.

If the additional land is acquired by the Funk group that plot (remediation issues included) makes more sense for his private development. A $70M initial public investment by the city is a massive coup for a private developer and the sports entity he hopes to turn into an MLS team. Was anything south of the river even considered? Could’ve been a massive boost to our Hispanic citizens and their local businesses.

Again I’m happy it’s moving forward and we’re working very favorable deals for local businessmen. It’s just starting to feel like we have very large unseen sums of money flowing and new levels of temptation for a city that hasnÂ’t seen anything like this before.

Municipal landfills are designed to receive household wastes and other non-hazardous waste material, not hazardous waste. That is why OKC operates a hazardous waste collection center on S Portland.

https://www.epa.gov/landfills/basic-information-about-landfills

I shouldn't have said "toxic waste" but what I said is basically in the first paragraph of thar link. We don't live in a perfect world where everyone disposes of everything properly. They engineer landfills with thresholds. If the city didn't run a hazardous waste facility its pretty clear where everything would end up. I know a lot of people font have faith in OK agencies, but I have little doubt that department of environmental quality is following federal guidelines.

Why wasn’t that announced? Why didn’t that happen?

The guy that owns the team was put in charge of finding the location and picking the layout. It just so happens to be a plot of land he’s attempting and had attempted to acquire. I’m not mad in at all, more so envious of his situation.

If the additional land is acquired by the Funk group that plot (remediation issues included) makes more sense for his private development. A $70M initial public investment by the city is a massive coup for a private developer and the sports entity he hopes to turn into an MLS team. Was anything south of the river even considered? Could’ve been a massive boost to our Hispanic citizens and their local businesses.

Again I’m happy it’s moving forward and we’re working very favorable deals for local businessmen. It’s just starting to feel like we have very large unseen sums of money flowing and new levels of temptation for a city that hasnÂ’t seen anything like this before.

So, you’d rather the city pay for the land and not put it on a vacant spot adjacent to an entertainment area in the center of the city?

So, you’d rather the city pay for the land and not put it on a vacant spot adjacent to an entertainment area in the center of the city?

My preference would’ve been to utilize a third party without a direct vested interest. Fortunately, for the city we have large swaths of vacant land due to urban renewal in and around the city center.

The city helped create $3B in additional net worth for the Thunder Ownership group by building Paycom. Now we’re looking at adding to the net worth of another private developer and letting him call the shots.

I need to figure out how to get in line.

Why wasn’t that announced? Why didn’t that happen?

The guy that owns the team was put in charge of finding the location and picking the layout. It just so happens to be a plot of land he’s attempting and had attempted to acquire. I’m not mad in at all, more so envious of his situation.

If the additional land is acquired by the Funk group that plot (remediation issues included) makes more sense for his private development. A $70M initial public investment by the city is a massive coup for a private developer and the sports entity he hopes to turn into an MLS team. Was anything south of the river even considered? Could’ve been a massive boost to our Hispanic citizens and their local businesses.

Again I’m happy it’s moving forward and we’re working very favorable deals for local businessmen. It’s just starting to feel like we have very large unseen sums of money flowing and new levels of temptation for a city that hasnÂ’t seen anything like this before.

Vague accusations of wrongdoing with no substance. Maybe look through this 34 page thread to find the answers to the questions you asked?

My preference would’ve been to utilize a third party without a direct vested interest. Fortunately, for the city we have large swaths of vacant land due to urban renewal in and around the city center.

The city helped create $3B in additional net worth for the Thunder Ownership group by building Paycom. Now we’re looking at adding to the net worth of another private developer and letting him call the shots.

I need to figure out how to get in line.

bring something of massive value to the city ..

Remediation will have to occur regardless. The difference is the level of clean up. There are two levels of cleanup. Industrial and residential. A higher contamination level is allowable for industrial sites than residential. In any situation where people are present for a 24 hour period, then residential levels must be attained. Or, if there would be a daycare or school or some such where children are present for large time frames. If the site is to be used for commercial purposes, where people are coming and going and not being present for periods up to 24 hours, then industrial levels (higher minimum) are allowable. If there is the potential for vapor intrusion even after cleanup (usually from groundwater) then both residential and commercial would have to install vapor mitigation features. There is a residential site in the downtown area that has such a system in place. It diverts vapors from the groundwater past the facility. But in the case of an open air stadium, a vapor intrusion system would not likely be necessary unless there are a good deal of non-open air aspects to the stadium. But regardless, the site will have to be remediated regardless of the use. The use will dictate the amount of remediation necessary. But it will be necessary nonetheless.

One thing to note though...if Funk does donate the 9 acres to the city...the City could use Brownfields funds to clean up the 9 acres. A private developer/owner is not able to get "free" brownfields money. Just low interest loans if the city or state has the money available to loan. But if owned by the city...then they could use brownfields money that does not have to be repaid.

With all that said...a residential component to the entire site will require more expense because the amount of remediation necessary will be more.

"Contaminants" can mean a lot of different things. Not like were talking about walking through a nuclear wasteland to see a soccer game.

It should be noted, the site was a former oil field/refinery back in the early parts of the 20th century. That could result in high levels of contamination. it is unknown though as no real site assessments have been conducted. It is without question that there is contamination. How extensive is the question.

Below is a link to a proposal by the state in Sep ‘23 to sample the site to collect data for remediation. The contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons which are very broad categories that can include something as innocuous as WD-40 to a carcinogen such as benzene or any hydrocarbon in between. The state must not be too concerned because on page 2 it states that 1) all contaminated soils will be disposed of in the OKC landfill and 2) respirators are not listed as required personal protective equipment. When will the sampling take place, no date is given.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/og/brownfields/producers-coop-mill-remediation%20plan.pdf

That was not a proposal "by the state." It was by an environmental services company. Additionally, corp com does not have jurisdiction in this case. It will be DEQ. As to impacted soil going to a land fill...it should be noted that landfills all contain liners and other measures to prevent contamination present from impacting the soil and land around the land fill, and from impacting ground water. Further if any of the soil tests out as containing hazardous waste then it will have to be taken to a has-waste land fill. There is only one in Oklahoma. Those costs can be quite high. It does appear though that a phase I and phase II were conducted. How extensive those were is unclear from this proposal. Truthfully, this is not a very in-depth proposal. I would be curious to see the phase I and II reports.

Landfills are designed to handle toxic waste(people don't follow the rules when it comes to throwing their garbage away).

as a rule...land fills are not designed to handle "toxic" waste. Only hazardous waste landfills are so designed. There is only one such landfill in Oklahoma. Clean Harbors, Lone Mountain Site in the Gloss Mountains.

Sorry jn1780. I didn't see your followup post.

As long as this gets built anywhere close to what the renderings look like, this is a great win. That spot is in sore need of some sort of development, and anything to help anchor the new Dream Development also helps. Not loving the lack of transparency, but for an investment of this medium size, seems like some good trends. Also love having the Energy back at a more stable level.

Below is a link to a proposal by the state in Sep ‘23 to sample the site to collect data for remediation. The contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons which are very broad categories that can include something as innocuous as WD-40 to a carcinogen such as benzene or any hydrocarbon in between. The state must not be too concerned because on page 2 it states that 1) all contaminated soils will be disposed of in the OKC landfill and 2) respirators are not listed as required personal protective equipment. When will the sampling take place, no date is given.

https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/og/brownfields/producers-coop-mill-remediation%20plan.pdf

Interestingly...this proposal from the environmental consulting firm specifically excludes ground water sampling and possibly contaminated groundwater disposal are not included in the proposal. Impacted soil is not terribly difficult to remediate. Costly and time consuming, yes, depending on how deep and extensive the soil contamination may be. But groundwater is another animal in and of itself and the proposal excludes groundwater. I find that curious.