The MAPS brand and its momentum continue to strengthen its hold on Oklahoma City. What's next:


A 900 feet high Space Tower (Taller than the 844' Devon Tower).
A 75,000 seat Retractable Roof Multipurpose Stadium.
A 1,000 room luxury hotel or a 605 room twin next to the 605 room Omni Hotel.
A lure of a large corporate giant HQ to Oklahoma City.


Any suggestions for the next MAPS extension beyond the new billion dollar arena.

The MAPS brand and its momentum continue to strengthen its hold on Oklahoma City. What's next:


A 900 feet high Space Tower (Taller than the 844' Devon Tower).
A 75,000 seat Retractable Roof Multipurpose Stadium.
A 1,000 room luxury hotel or a 605 room twin next to the 605 room Omni Hotel.
A lure of a large corporate giant HQ to Oklahoma City.


Any suggestions for the next MAPS extension beyond the new billion dollar arena.

Further infill reducing the surface parking lots throughout downtown and bricktown and surrounding the park.

The MAPS brand and its momentum continue to strengthen its hold on Oklahoma City. What's next:


A 900 feet high Space Tower (Taller than the 844' Devon Tower).
A 75,000 seat Retractable Roof Multipurpose Stadium
A 1,000 room luxury hotel or a 605 room twin next to the 605 room Omni Hotel

Any suggestions for the next MAPS extension beyond Paycom Center arena.

This would be my wish list:

1. Public Mobility: Large commitment to public transportation. With a major focus specifically on making the core easy to traverse by bus, bike, streetcar, etc... Linking up to a light rail connecting Norman/OKC
2. Reasons for mobility: Connectivity to the various districts and investment (art installations ,signage, placemaking) in those districts: medical district, capitol hill (Hispanic heritage), asian district, 23rd street, Plaza district, Nichols hills, riverwalk area.
3. Tourism: Okana>Riverwalk>Downtown>23rd>Adventure District. I would love to see OKC build a "world class" children's museum by expanding the omniplex. This is a undervalued opportunity in my opinion! 6 miles of linear distance from some of OKC's top destinations. Now that we've invested in our citizens quality of life let's put some emphasis on bring in tourism revenue to aid in the upkeep and future development.

Further infill reducing the surface parking lots throughout downtown and bricktown and surrounding the park.

That would require some local developers to actually get off their ass and build. Why would they do that when they can just operate an illegal paid parking lot and see no consequences for their actions? Capital costs and labor shortages are only going up. We are currently seeing the largest retirement of skilled labor in American history. For the Boomers that planned for retirement as a cohort they are moving from being the biggest source of capital and labor in our economy to expenditures that are more tied to medical expenses and living off a fixed retirement income. GenX and Millennials do not have the same level of opportunity, wealth, and financial independence that the Boomers were able to enjoy. Our ability to get things done quickly and efficiently is going to diminish for at least the next twenty years without some major innovations in multiple different spaces. I honestly would not be surprised to see the majority of empty lots that are currently downtown to still be underdeveloped 20 years from now. I hope I am wrong, but when you consider the demography of the United States and historic trends it doesn't look bad, but it is not all sunshine either. MAPS is not the vehicle to infill downtown OKC. The stakeholders that own property right now need to be encouraged to develop or sell to others that have the capital to develop. That is the only real way we are going to see any meaningful progress on infill in the CBD and surrounding areas.

The MAPS brand and its momentum continue to strengthen its hold on Oklahoma City. What's next:


A 900 feet high Space Tower (Taller than the 844' Devon Tower).
A 75,000 seat Retractable Roof Multipurpose Stadium.
A 1,000 room luxury hotel or a 605 room twin next to the 605 room Omni Hotel.
A lure of a large corporate giant HQ to Oklahoma City.


Any suggestions for the next MAPS extension beyond the new billion dollar arena.

I could see the Boathouse District/Riversport area getting some MAPS love due to tourism increases from the Olympic events exposure.

That would require some local developers to actually get off their ass and build. Why would they do that when they can just operate an illegal paid parking lot and see no consequences for their actions? Capital costs and labor shortages are only going up. We are currently seeing the largest retirement of skilled labor in American history. For the Boomers that planned for retirement as a cohort they are moving from being the biggest source of capital and labor in our economy to expenditures that are more tied to medical expenses and living off a fixed retirement income. GenX and Millennials do not have the same level of opportunity, wealth, and financial independence that the Boomers were able to enjoy. Our ability to get things done quickly and efficiently is going to diminish for at least the next twenty years without some major innovations in multiple different spaces. I honestly would not be surprised to see the majority of empty lots that are currently downtown to still be underdeveloped 20 years from now. I hope I am wrong, but when you consider the demography of the United States and historic trends it doesn't look bad, but it is not all sunshine either. MAPS is not the vehicle to infill downtown OKC. The stakeholders that own property right now need to be encouraged to develop or sell to others that have the capital to develop. That is the only real way we are going to see any meaningful progress on infill in the CBD and surrounding areas.

I think surface parking lots will be built on when it makes financial sense, and the need for new building is greater than the value of the surface lots. OKC doesn't have need at this time. I think people complain about surface parking all across America, but they serve a purpose. We may complain about cars, but they are the main mode of transportation in America generally, and OKC specifically. Now, and for the lifetime of anyone reading this.

Boomers complained about the Greatest Generation retiring with a bunch of money and taking away all the opportunities for the boomer generation.

IMO the only thing the "skilled labor shortage" has done in the US is make the pay higher for those jobs. Getting the blue collar earning power closer to what it was before the international migration of manufacturing jobs that started in the 1970s. When the money gets good enough, then people will gain the skill.

That would require some local developers to actually get off their ass and build. Why would they do that when they can just operate an illegal paid parking lot and see no consequences for their actions? Capital costs and labor shortages are only going up. We are currently seeing the largest retirement of skilled labor in American history. For the Boomers that planned for retirement as a cohort they are moving from being the biggest source of capital and labor in our economy to expenditures that are more tied to medical expenses and living off a fixed retirement income. GenX and Millennials do not have the same level of opportunity, wealth, and financial independence that the Boomers were able to enjoy. Our ability to get things done quickly and efficiently is going to diminish for at least the next twenty years without some major innovations in multiple different spaces. I honestly would not be surprised to see the majority of empty lots that are currently downtown to still be underdeveloped 20 years from now. I hope I am wrong, but when you consider the demography of the United States and historic trends it doesn't look bad, but it is not all sunshine either. MAPS is not the vehicle to infill downtown OKC. The stakeholders that own property right now need to be encouraged to develop or sell to others that have the capital to develop. That is the only real way we are going to see any meaningful progress on infill in the CBD and surrounding areas.

Maybe the subject of a new thread where posters here can identify where they think is a specific piece of property that should be developed, decide what type of development, and what the actual financial prospects would be. It is really easy for people to demand development if they have no skin in the game and don’t have to think about risk, total costs, profitability, etc. Let’s see some thought out analysis and not pie in the sky demands for private companies.

BTW, generations need to compare their relative opportunities under the context of similar times in their lives, not starting out where others worked to get to. The implication is that it was easy and a smooth road for those who came before us is just wrong.

do you view the okc Convention center as Iconic because all i see is a promise it will be to that standard ..

At the risk of this harkening back to election talk, I'll refrain from additional comment. Ultimately, the public expects something head turning that is instantly recognizable as OKC

Hey, I’m all for it. And I trust the mayor.

Ditto. What substantive reasons do our citizens have to be angry at the mayor or city with how they've handled previous projects?

The convention center turned out way better than I hoped.

While I bemoan the lack of mature trees, the park is a hit.

People may not care for the streetcar route but it was done well and on budget.

The ballpark needed a little more $ but turned out great.

The canal was done very well also; it's just a bit of a shame that private sector investment hasn't been the best or most imaginative.

Other cities are absolutely riddled with corruption and failure. OKC has given me little to no reason to doubt its ability to manage these projects and manage them well.

As for the arena, I don't care if it's "iconic." As stated above, people would argue about what that is anyway. I just want something that is first class and meets the needs of OKC for decades, for both NBA basketball as well as concerts. I will be paying particular attention to what they do to make this a better concert venue. We didn't just vote for a Thunder home, we voted for a new facility for sought-after concerts. I will use what limited influence I have as a citizen to make sure that part doesn't get scuttled.

At the risk of this harkening back to election talk, I'll refrain from additional comment. Ultimately, the public expects something head turning that is instantly recognizable as OKC

the "public" expects one of the best arenas in the NBA .... period ..

As for the arena, I don't care if it's "iconic." As stated above, people would argue about what that is anyway. I just want something that is first class and meets the needs of OKC for decades, for both NBA basketball as well as concerts. I will be paying particular attention to what they do to make this a better concert venue. We didn't just vote for a Thunder home, we voted for a new facility for sought-after concerts. I will use what limited influence I have as a citizen to make sure that part doesn't get scuttled.

this is very well said

Ditto. What substantive reasons do our citizens have to be angry at the mayor or city with how they've handled previous projects?

The convention center turned out way better than I hoped.

While I bemoan the lack of mature trees, the park is a hit.

People may not care for the streetcar route but it was done well and on budget.

The ballpark needed a little more $ but turned out great.

The canal was done very well also; it's just a bit of a shame that private sector investment hasn't been the best or most imaginative.

Other cities are absolutely riddled with corruption and failure. OKC has given me little to no reason to doubt its ability to manage these projects and manage them well.

As for the arena, I don't care if it's "iconic." As stated above, people would argue about what that is anyway. I just want something that is first class and meets the needs of OKC for decades, for both NBA basketball as well as concerts. I will be paying particular attention to what they do to make this a better concert venue. We didn't just vote for a Thunder home, we voted for a new facility for sought-after concerts. I will use what limited influence I have as a citizen to make sure that part doesn't get scuttled.

You got some intense head nods from me while reading this.

Ditto. What substantive reasons do our citizens have to be angry at the mayor or city with how they've handled previous projects?

The convention center turned out way better than I hoped.

While I bemoan the lack of mature trees, the park is a hit.

People may not care for the streetcar route but it was done well and on budget.

The ballpark needed a little more $ but turned out great.

The canal was done very well also; it's just a bit of a shame that private sector investment hasn't been the best or most imaginative.

Other cities are absolutely riddled with corruption and failure. OKC has given me little to no reason to doubt its ability to manage these projects and manage them well.

As for the arena, I don't care if it's "iconic." As stated above, people would argue about what that is anyway. I just want something that is first class and meets the needs of OKC for decades, for both NBA basketball as well as concerts. I will be paying particular attention to what they do to make this a better concert venue. We didn't just vote for a Thunder home, we voted for a new facility for sought-after concerts. I will use what limited influence I have as a citizen to make sure that part doesn't get scuttled.

This is an outstanding post. Outstanding.

Anyone talking about surface parking in DT OKC, I think, is going be surprised how much changes in the next five years. If the arena gets built on the Myriad site, Bob Howard & co will develop the lots to the west of the arena. The old arena will be torn down and redeveloped and I don't think it will be another surface lot. If the new arena is built on the REHCO lots to the west, the Myriad will be torn down as a land swap to Bob Howard & co and be redeveloped. Old arena will be torn down and redeveloped. At least, this is my understanding from talking to people who would be in the know...

We are starting to see a lot of surface lots taken out and redeveloped and that is only going to continue. DREAM, Phillips Murrah, The Citizen, 1204 N Hudson (Pivot office building), Alley's end (some day), Convergence, just to name a few.

the "public" expects one of the best arenas in the NBA .... period ..
For sure. And we will get that.

Ditto. What substantive reasons do our citizens have to be angry at the mayor or city with how they've handled previous projects?

The convention center turned out way better than I hoped.

While I bemoan the lack of mature trees, the park is a hit.

People may not care for the streetcar route but it was done well and on budget.

The ballpark needed a little more $ but turned out great.

The canal was done very well also; it's just a bit of a shame that private sector investment hasn't been the best or most imaginative.

Other cities are absolutely riddled with corruption and failure. OKC has given me little to no reason to doubt its ability to manage these projects and manage them well.

As for the arena, I don't care if it's "iconic." As stated above, people would argue about what that is anyway. I just want something that is first class and meets the needs of OKC for decades, for both NBA basketball as well as concerts. I will be paying particular attention to what they do to make this a better concert venue. We didn't just vote for a Thunder home, we voted for a new facility for sought-after concerts. I will use what limited influence I have as a citizen to make sure that part doesn't get scuttled.

Mark my words and go to social media when the renderings come out for the new arena next year and there will be a ton of people who hate it and people who love it. It won't be universally loved just like anything else.

That would require some local developers to actually get off their ass and build. Why would they do that when they can just operate an illegal paid parking lot and see no consequences for their actions? Capital costs and labor shortages are only going up. We are currently seeing the largest retirement of skilled labor in American history. For the Boomers that planned for retirement as a cohort they are moving from being the biggest source of capital and labor in our economy to expenditures that are more tied to medical expenses and living off a fixed retirement income. GenX and Millennials do not have the same level of opportunity, wealth, and financial independence that the Boomers were able to enjoy. Our ability to get things done quickly and efficiently is going to diminish for at least the next twenty years without some major innovations in multiple different spaces. I honestly would not be surprised to see the majority of empty lots that are currently downtown to still be underdeveloped 20 years from now. I hope I am wrong, but when you consider the demography of the United States and historic trends it doesn't look bad, but it is not all sunshine either. MAPS is not the vehicle to infill downtown OKC. The stakeholders that own property right now need to be encouraged to develop or sell to others that have the capital to develop. That is the only real way we are going to see any meaningful progress on infill in the CBD and surrounding areas.

While I don't disagree that the largest issue is developers sitting on the sideline and not participating in any improvements. I also know the city owns a significant amount of property that can still be developed outside of the known developer issues. Look at the Joe Carter lot (in front of OK Ranch, IHOP and others), the East Bricktown lot (next to ballpark), lots behind the Bricktown OCPD, 420 W Main, Lot south of CC, Undeveloped lot at OKC Blvd between Walker and Lee.

These are all just the start of lots that could get developed that would add to the fabric of DT and BT which would further force the developers to get off their butts.

I once took a friend with me on a business trip to Lyon, France. I thought he would appreciate a weekend touring the incredible wine region, so I took him. After about two hours in incredible scenery and stopping at famous wineries, he stated that Arkansas wine region was better. I turned the car around and took him back to the hotel.

Years later he admitted that it wasn’t a very astute observation. Sometimes we favor the familiar things over the truly great things. But you have to know, and maybe experienced the difference to make a wise observation.


Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone has a design sense or appreciation of context.
I really want to visit Europe and I’m debating about doing it later in 2024. France or UK was my first thought.

I really want to visit Europe and I’m debating about doing it later in 2024. France or UK was my first thought.

YES I visited London and Paris last year and it was a joy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=oWtAjUBlco8

I really want to visit Europe and I’m debating about doing it later in 2024. France or UK was my first thought.

Italy. X 10.

Where you go depends on what you enjoy or are looking for. England, France and Italy all offer different things. Spain is great too. But then Greece is interesting and beautiful. Austria. But I guess we are now way off topic for this thread.

It's nice to see the confidence OKC voters had with the new proposed $900 million arena without seeing any renderings. To think it passed 7l-29% when many of the polls predicted it would fail.

You're going to see more renderings of potential developments. Just want to see groundbreaking on the Dream & Unscripted hotels.

Seeing the future arena and apartments-hotel complex with more towers added to the skyline.

Want to see our arena reflect the impressive Scotiabank Arena in Toronto:


https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1311006912/photo/scotiabank-arena-in-toronto.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=xObKEUw-RrfBeCBJiOPDdoYF2wXVt2do6t1nVxJByy4=
Construction cost: $404 million in 2021/ Broke ground, 1999--$265 million




Naming Rights
How about the 'Devon Thunderdome.' or 'Tom & Judy Love Coliseum.'

It's nice to see the confidence OKC voters had with the new proposed $900 million arena without seeing any renderings. To think it passed 7l-29% when many of the polls predicted it would fail.

You're going to see more renderings of potential developments. Just want to see groundbreaking on the Dream & Unscripted hotels.

Seeing the future arena and apartments-hotel complex with more towers added to the skyline.

Want to see our arena reflect the impressive Scotiabank Arena in Toronto:


https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1311006912/photo/scotiabank-arena-in-toronto.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=xObKEUw-RrfBeCBJiOPDdoYF2wXVt2do6t1nVxJByy4=
Construction cost: $404 million in 2021/ Broke ground, 1999--$265 million




Naming Rights
How about the 'Devon Thunderdome.' or 'Tom & Judy Love Coliseum.'




Naming rights stay with Paycom

I hope they take a page out of Little Caesars Arena - they have restaurants and bars with office space above. Restaurants stay open year round and you can also enter them from inside the arena. It’s really cool.

Naming rights stay with Paycom

Have no problem with the new arena being called Paycom Center); appreciate hearing that Rover, however do you have a link
to the transfer of Paycom's rights' to the new arena.

Our Paycom Center agreement was executed in 2020-21 (15 years); so that agreement would carry over into 2036. You would
think that Paycom could form an agreement with the new arena to transfer those rights.

Have no problem with the new arena being called Paycom Center); appreciate hearing that Rover, however do you have a link
to the transfer of Paycom's rights' to the new arena.

Our Paycom Center agreement was executed in 2020-21 (15 years); so that agreement would carry over into 2036. You would
think that Paycom could form an agreement with the new arena to transfer those rights.

A new arena doesn't break a contract. That is common law. No need for a link. The agreement is with the THUNDER, not the arena. As long as the Thunder are a thing, there is no need for a link stating the agreement will continue.

I hope they take a page out of Little Caesars Arena - they have restaurants and bars with office space above. Restaurants stay open year round and you can also enter them from inside the arena. It’s really cool.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLyjpz7hWs

Impressive NBA Arena in Detroit . . .

Naming rights stay with Paycom

Plus Paycom is a good name. Better than fast food pizza.

Paycom Palace

Paycom Palace

$900 million, Paychom Palace has a nice ring to it. Like the Palace vs Arena, Center, Coliseum & Forum. City will pattern our new arena more closely to Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxZsHUB93ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLyjpz7hWs

Impressive NBA Arena in Detroit . . .



i tend to like the open concourse set up better (like FiServ Forum) but there's obviously a lot of value in having the concourses open on non-event days.

Paycom Palace

Nah, there is already a Palace on the Praire in Norman

I would like to see the Arena that would be an extension of the Myriad Gardens with green space out door cafes, water features lots of greenery bringing the outdoors indoors. Make it magical not sterile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLyjpz7hWs

Impressive NBA Arena in Detroit . . .



I visited downtown Detroit in 2019 and was so surprised with how the Little Caesar Arena blended in with the surrounding buildings. Our Uber driver pointed it out to us as we passed by and it wasn't until we walked down Woodward Ave later that I figured out what he was talking about. It has so much retail attached the arenas just blends in with the streetscape. I am not sure if OKC could pull that concept out but I would love it personally. It doesn't hurt that Detroit has all 4 major league sports and the 3 venues are visible to each other. Plus, the Fillmore and Fox Theaters are right there also. Detroit's downtown is just so much mature than ours. Would building and arena spur development like this? I had heard how dead Downtown Detroit was but that was not my experience at all. Maybe moving all of the sports venues back downtown helped.

Any chance of the group who owns the old Ford site agreeing to a land swap for the Cox/prairie surf site?

Arena between the 2 parks, along BLVD would create an iconic scene. The city wouldn't have to pay for demolition which is more money towards the arena.

The real estate group who has been sitting on this block for decades now would actually have parking & a facility they gain cash flow from.

I know we are in a rush to get rid of the Cox monstrosity but its at least being purposed now. Would rather get great use of that giant empty lot between our 2 world class parks. I know this would kind of kill the idea of keeping the Harvey spine but not sure how super important that is when the spine is basically dead everywhere else south of Devon.

Any chance of the group who owns the old Ford site agreeing to a land swap for the Cox/prairie surf site?

Arena between the 2 parks, along BLVD would create an iconic scene. The city wouldn't have to pay for demolition which is more money towards the arena.

The real estate group who has been sitting on this block for decades now would actually have parking & a facility they gain cash flow from.

I know we are in a rush to get rid of the Cox monstrosity but its at least being purposed now. Would rather get great use of that giant empty lot between our 2 world class parks. I know this would kind of kill the idea of keeping the Harvey spine but not sure how super important that is when the spine is basically dead everywhere else south of Devon.

They wouldn't want the Cox/Prairie Surf facility that sits on the land. The parking garage is the only thing that would make them money. Tearing down the facility would probably be part of any land swap deal which is a possibility.

Any chance of the group who owns the old Ford site agreeing to a land swap for the Cox/prairie surf site?

Arena between the 2 parks, along BLVD would create an iconic scene. The city wouldn't have to pay for demolition which is more money towards the arena.

The real estate group who has been sitting on this block for decades now would actually have parking & a facility they gain cash flow from.

I know we are in a rush to get rid of the Cox monstrosity but its at least being purposed now. Would rather get great use of that giant empty lot between our 2 world class parks. I know this would kind of kill the idea of keeping the Harvey spine but not sure how super important that is when the spine is basically dead everywhere else south of Devon.

If that were to happen, it would probably be a land swap and the city would have to demo the old Myriad site for them as that would cost a ton as well.

The issue you would have would be with the design and not creating another super block which would block off access between the parks. In my mind, I would rather have it on the Myriad site with amenities on the same block, REHCO redeveloped by Midtown renaissance (owners) and the old arena torn down and redeveloped into a Texas Live type of development to bridge everything.

Some of those demolition costs would be offset by money saved not having to dig down for the main concourse to be street level.

Some of those demolition costs would be offset by money saved not having to dig down for the main concourse to be street level.

That would actually be quite a bit of savings, especially not having to haul tons upon tons of dirt. I would suspect the rest of the garage would be removed as well.

Some of those demolition costs would be offset by money saved not having to dig down for the main concourse to be street level.

i think the sub level demo would actually make it more expensive not less ..

That would actually be quite a bit of savings, especially not having to haul tons upon tons of dirt. I would suspect the rest of the garage would be removed as well.

Then you would need to offset the lost parking.

I think the big value is in having the arena on the Myriad site with a focus on year round, non-event revenue generation. And the Paycom site being used for more of the same, while providing seamless interaction with the Convention Center.

i think the sub level demo would actually make it more expensive not less ..

Keyword is Some. And also the assumption is that the city will have to make pay for the Cox demolition no matter what site gets picked. No one is going to build anything on top of the garage in its current state. So its either be demolished for someone else or demolished directly for the arena.


Then you would need to offset the lost parking.
An attached parking garage will probably be part of the Arena complex with or without the Cox center parking.

Then you would need to offset the lost parking.

I think the big value is in having the arena on the Myriad site with a focus on year round, non-event revenue generation. And the Paycom site being used for more of the same, while providing seamless interaction with the Convention Center.

In speaking of big value, I may have an idea for the development and how it could better integrate with the parks and interactive nature of the surrounding places, not to mention increase tourism for the city in general. I've been taking a moment to ponder the possibilities of how to utilize the Paycom site. The first would be to take some of the site and turn it over to the mixed development Boulevard Place, it increases the size of commercial possibilities so that more venders can lease space, and increase the footprint for residential, even with the current height limitations invoked.

My second idea is more of an apple-pie-in-the-sky approach, but would be a huge drive for tourism. It utilizes the aquarium plan, provided we're using the same developers for the one in Atlanta. Granted it won't be as big, but I believe that it would probably be just as profitable.
18526

To give a further explanation of what's going on, I'll highlight some things. The block that houses the Paycom would be demolished and transformed into a mixed commercial parking structure that would encompass both facilities, the new arena and the aquarium. Some of the aquarium grounds would be located on the block as well, but also over Reno Avenue (currently Thunder Drive), that area will mainly consist of a large skybridge structure housing things like a food court, gift shops, arcades, displays of smaller marine life, etc, The four-block superstructure will be the bulk of the aquarium itself, housing a lot of the displays for the larger marine animals, this also will make room for the number of aquatic tunnels that are so often seen in the Atlanta development, giving the viewer an endless view of marine life taking place throughout the exhibit. And of course, there will be a skylight to reinforce the necessity for natural light to enhance the experience. The tunnel for Reno Drive will also house a virtual display along the walls, advertising both the aquarium and the home team Thunder. The space can also be used for advertising of local businesses and developments, while also being a pretty lively place to drive through at night coming to and from Thunder games. Granted, this would probably be a $2.3 billion project, taking into account the currently estimated $1 billion in funding allocated for the arena. But it will be a great interaction to have this aquatic space between the forest of the Myriad and the open air venture of Scissortail Park.

I would like to see an overhead people crossing (probably a couple of them), something similar to Las Vegas that connects across the street from the new arena. This would alleviate the closure of Reno during the game and the massing of people at the intersections waiting for the traffic to be stopped by the cross walk guards. (police)

Something we should all agree on - when the arena opens, there should be a Westbrook statue outside the entrance.

https://x.com/AndrewGreif/status/1738006907019825257?s=20

In speaking of big value, I may have an idea for the development and how it could better integrate with the parks and interactive nature of the surrounding places, not to mention increase tourism for the city in general. I've been taking a moment to ponder the possibilities of how to utilize the Paycom site. The first would be to take some of the site and turn it over to the mixed development Boulevard Place, it increases the size of commercial possibilities so that more venders can lease space, and increase the footprint for residential, even with the current height limitations invoked.

My second idea is more of an apple-pie-in-the-sky approach, but would be a huge drive for tourism. It utilizes the aquarium plan, provided we're using the same developers for the one in Atlanta. Granted it won't be as big, but I believe that it would probably be just as profitable.
18526

To give a further explanation of what's going on, I'll highlight some things. The block that houses the Paycom would be demolished and transformed into a mixed commercial parking structure that would encompass both facilities, the new arena and the aquarium. Some of the aquarium grounds would be located on the block as well, but also over Reno Avenue (currently Thunder Drive), that area will mainly consist of a large skybridge structure housing things like a food court, gift shops, arcades, displays of smaller marine life, etc, The four-block superstructure will be the bulk of the aquarium itself, housing a lot of the displays for the larger marine animals, this also will make room for the number of aquatic tunnels that are so often seen in the Atlanta development, giving the viewer an endless view of marine life taking place throughout the exhibit. And of course, there will be a skylight to reinforce the necessity for natural light to enhance the experience. The tunnel for Reno Drive will also house a virtual display along the walls, advertising both the aquarium and the home team Thunder. The space can also be used for advertising of local businesses and developments, while also being a pretty lively place to drive through at night coming to and from Thunder games. Granted, this would probably be a $2.3 billion project, taking into account the currently estimated $1 billion in funding allocated for the arena. But it will be a great interaction to have this aquatic space between the forest of the Myriad and the open air venture of Scissortail Park.

The aquarium is going to the OKANA development, that has already been established.

Something we should all agree on - when the arena opens, there should be a Westbrook statue outside the entrance.

https://x.com/AndrewGreif/status/1738006907019825257?s=20

Put me in the minority. I just don't see the fascination with Westbrook. I say give him and KD a banner for their MVP years then I'd keep it moving.

Something we should all agree on - when the arena opens, there should be a Westbrook statue outside the entrance.

https://x.com/AndrewGreif/status/1738006907019825257?s=20


Westbrook will be old news in 2029.

Something we should all agree on - when the arena opens, there should be a Westbrook statue outside the entrance.

https://x.com/AndrewGreif/status/1738006907019825257?s=20

nah. that ain't a big league city move, my guy.

I would like to see an overhead people crossing (probably a couple of them), something similar to Las Vegas that connects across the street from the new arena. This would alleviate the closure of Reno during the game and the massing of people at the intersections waiting for the traffic to be stopped by the cross walk guards. (police)
I agree. OKC definitely needs way more sky bridges downtown.

Put me in the minority. I just don't see the fascination with Westbrook. I say give him and KD a banner for their MVP years then I'd keep it moving.

Agree, first retire Westbrook's '0' jersey; then, put statues up for Collison and Westbrook while they are alive (Special Dual Ceremony).

We need an Oklahoma City NBA Hall of Fame Park on the premises of the new Oklahoma City arena.


https://bp1.blogger.com/_pHvSyzdVLH8/SIs2eLOQ31I/AAAAAAAAHU0/G2NMGvKDwHw/s320/P7123394.JPG


Move the current 1989 OLYMPIC FESTIVAL STATUE as the center piece of the new arena's Hall of Fame Park.


Oklahoma City, BIG LEAGUE CITY

https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/8e35ed58c43c4c788fa1802c4f94f31b/Thunder-Collison-Basketball/960x0.jpg?format=jpg&width=1440

Russell will be a first ballot hall of fame inductee. He put this team on his back when someone else tried to put an end to everything they’d accomplished in coming here. He also set some NBA records here that will likely never be broken. Legendary stuff. Russ gets a statue and a jersey in the rafters, 100%.

Also, **** that other guy.

Russell will be a first ballot hall of fame inductee. He put this team on his back when someone else tried to put an end to everything they’d accomplished in coming here. He also set some NBA records here that will likely never be broken. Legendary stuff. Russ gets a statue and a jersey in the rafters, 100%.

Also, **** that other guy.
I have zero hard feelings toward Kevin Durant. He was the first man who showed us this is what happens in a “Big League City”. Thankfully, Thunder leadership had a classier response than when Lebron took his talents to the Miami Heat.

KD did great things in OKC. His team didn’t win a ring. Happens to 29 teams a year.

nah. that ain't a big league city move, my guy.

Yes, it would be. He’s a sure hall of famer and was incredibly loyal to the city. Highlighting big league hall of famers/all time greats is a big league thing to do.

I have zero hard feelings toward Kevin Durant. He was the first man who showed us this is what happens in a “Big League City”. Thankfully, Thunder leadership had a classier response than when Lebron took his talents to the Miami Heat.

KD did great things in OKC. His team didn’t win a ring. Happens to 29 teams a year.

The 'sting' of Durant's betrayal where he followed Draymond Green to GSW is something I will forgive him because he
suffered immensely for his betrayal. He's with Phoenix, I know he can't forget how he turned his back on OKC whenever he plays in Paycom Center.

How long it will take many of us to wash Durant's dandruff out of our hair, depends on each individual. We, OKC are bigger than that. Oklahoma City's future is bright for our State's only major league franchise:


A new $900 million state-of-the-art venue for NBA, concerts, collegiate basketball, gymnastics and wrestling awaits the arena's opening.


As an OKC resident, I'll forever cherish the memories of our very first major league franchise. The pride it brought us to witness the 30-year transformation of our city's 'quality of life.'

And the series 'Saving Grace' (Holly Hunter) that aired while our NBA team flourished, where they talked about the Thunder in the series, would love to see the series continued.



Thank you, All College Tournament--potential return to our city.
Thank you, WCWS for showcasing our city.
Thank you, Larry Nichols for the 844 ft., Devon Tower, State's tallest Skyscraper.
Thank you, Tulsa, Wichita, Lawton, Fort Sill, Fort Smith & Oklahoma for your support of the Thunder.
Thank you, ownership group, OKC voters for continuing the momentum to invest in ourselves.



O-K-C

.

A new arena doesn't break a contract. That is common law. No need for a link. The agreement is with the THUNDER, not the arena. As long as the Thunder are a thing, there is no need for a link stating the agreement will continue.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaKy6amLd78

I would def like to see the same outcome for Okc after the arena is built.

https://ktla.com/sports/new-clippers-arena-rumored-to-be-site-of-2026-nba-all-star-game/

I know we're early in the process, but any idea when we get to see what they have planned? I can't wait to see the renderings! Also, call me ignorant, but how many more seats will the new arena have than Paycom Center?