I understand the issue completely. It isn't true for most of the area we are talking about. The area we are talking about is 90% of the revenue generation for OKC.

Cut my particular area out, just south of Bethany, along with all the businesses just south of Bethany, and Bethany would gladly take on the revenue and the management. That probably makes a lot more sense than having it managed by OKC anyway. It would be 7 miles closer.

I get the ideas. The simple minded 'let it rot and pour it all into downtown' isn't the answer.

New Urbanism is as much about connected centers of activity than one central place of activity.