State Fairgrounds

[hoya]

I'm of mixed opinion on the old attractions. While I've got a soft spot for the space needle and the monorail, I also recognize that they may not make a lot of sense from a purely economic perspective. Now that doesn't mean that there isn't value in preserving them, and perhaps the State Fair Board has underestimated the importance of these things to the community. Although maybe those horse barns are making money hand over fist and the city is making out like a bandit by catering to that group. I'm open to be convinced either way.

What really bothers me is the lack of transparency. Our fairgrounds look pretty ugly and unimpressive, and we've had a dedicated tax going to support them for a long time. I don't think it's unreasonable that we want to know how that money has been spent, and whether the State Fair Board has been a good steward of public money.

[SoonerDave]

Then how does someone - anyone - suggest as an OKC resident that the Fairgrounds management as it stands now is no longer acceptable? Maybe it's a dumb question, but you have to start somewhere.

[Pete]

Then how does someone - anyone - suggest as an OKC resident that the Fairgrounds management as it stands now is no longer acceptable? Maybe it's a dumb question, but you have to start somewhere.

City Council would have to take it up; and/or the new city manager.

[Plutonic Panda]

City Council would have to take it up; and/or the new city manager.

Pete, has there been any updates to the manager position? I'm surprised there hasn't been much wind of this position lately. Huge deal given this is the single-most powerful position in the city.

Any particular interests you might have heard of? Could we gather if Cathy gets it, TIFs, incentives, and operating styles such as the one the state fair board sticks by, are here to stay, maybe even become more prevalent?

It would be nice to know who is seriously interested so we could get a look at the future direction of the city.

[Pete]

I know several locals are interested but not sure who else may be brought in to interview.

Cathy O'Connor is very, very sharp and she's done a lot of great things for OKC.

I might not always agree with all the incentives we give out, but I do have a lot of respect for her and would understand why she might be the person of choice.

[Plutonic Panda]

I should add, I wasn't saying that in a negative light about her. I don't know much about her, though for some reason I do feel she'd be good for business. It just concerns me the way The Alliance operates which as been brought up here. That why I asked.

[Dob Hooligan]

Having spent 36 years as a fairgrounds business neighbor, I am of the opinion that the space needle is a great landmark that does not need to work. It lights up beautifully at night, and, along with the arena, makes for a great vision for the "border to border" I-44 traveler. I would rather spend $100 grand to stabilize it as a statue and nightlight, before we spend a million to make it something that works 10 days every year.

[5alive]

^^^^

[BLJR]

Having spent 36 years as a fairgrounds business neighbor, I am of the opinion that the space needle is a great landmark that does not need to work. It lights up beautifully at night, and, along with the arena, makes for a great vision for the "border to border" I-44 traveler. I would rather spend $100 grand to stabilize it as a statue and nightlight, before we spend a million to make it something that works 10 days every year.

I like that idea. Pete, the petition says about 1,300 people have signed it. Seriously, is this thing even enough to move the current needle's status? Seriously wasn't trying to make a joke, but it just happened...

[mugofbeer]

I was in Ft. Worth for the OU-TCU game and drove around the new arena in Ft. Worth. It is almost finished and is an absolutely awesome facility. It is definitely aimed at rodeo/livestock type shows, the Stock Show along with sports. If OKC doesn't come up with some pretty nice designs for a State Fairgrounds Arena replacement soon and undertake a campaign of why it's needed, Ft. Worth is going to sweep much of what OKC has in horse and livestock shows across the Red River.

[Geographer]

I was in Ft. Worth for the OU-TCU game and drove around the new arena in Ft. Worth. It is almost finished and is an absolutely awesome facility. It is definitely aimed at rodeo/livestock type shows, the Stock Show along with sports. If OKC doesn't come up with some pretty nice designs for a State Fairgrounds Arena replacement soon and undertake a campaign of why it's needed, Ft. Worth is going to sweep much of what OKC has in horse and livestock shows across the Red River.

I absolutely LOVE the arena. We live nearby and are in the area going to the museums and zoo quite a bit. They did an absolutely marvelous job matching the architectural style to the surrounding area. They built a historic-looking arena that will be state of the art. I'm thoroughly impressed and it will add a ton of value to the area.

[Rover]

So, are we suggesting the Fairgrounds build the new arena at that level? Think anyone here has the stomach for the budget?

[Plutonic Panda]

Yes. Build one that competes with Fort Worth’s or get used to use the idea of OKC having the horse shows that it does to be a thing of the past.

[Pete]

They are proposing a pretty plain jane arena with even more barn space:

[shawnw]

if the landscaping in that plan would actually happen that might be something nice

[Plutonic Panda]

Hopefully they propose a more ambitious design in the official proposal.

[Pete]

Dickies Arena in FTW:

[Bullbear]

Impressive. I don't see them building that at the fairgrounds tho

[shawnw]

wow. i was not expecting to be impressed.

[HangryHippo]

wow. i was not expecting to be impressed.

Why not? Dickies Arena is incredible. Fort Worth didn't spare any expense on it - it looks incredible.

[David]

How much barn space can the fairgrounds even hold before we reach barn saturation?

[shawnw]

Why not? Dickies Arena is incredible. Fort Worth didn't spare any expense on it - it looks incredible.

based on earlier statements I was expecting that it was a quality build. but after seeing it and the level of detail that went into it I was truly impressed. that's all.

[BLJR]

Comparing those 2 arena's, we either need to get back to the drawing board and up our game for an arena, or figure out what we can do with 2 dozen empty horse barns when they head to FTW
.....

[Ian Drake]

Uggh, the Fort Worth Arena: The real life incarnation of Albert Speer and Hitler's Volkshalle. Why in the h would we want to copy something from TX, and furthermore something that resembles such far right wing political ideals?

[jonny d]

I don't like the Dickies Arena, personally. Just seems kinda bland to me. I don't hate it, either. Just not a huge fan. Maybe it is the brick color. I think the OK fairgrounds could use a new arena, but I hope they don't mimic this arena.