The fact of the matter is the Cox center doesn't cut it for a city this size. Its so bad its almost an embarrassment. Smaller cities like Little Rock, AR for crying out loud have better convention centers. I would see the argument that OKC doesn't need this convention center if the current facility wasn't so bad. Charlotte has seen a ton of intangible benefits from its convention center. It has increased activity and vibrancy in Uptown and it has raised the city's profile.