Ideas 4 MAPS

[BoulderSooner]

L.U.L.Z.

Like the Georgia Aquarium? It's in a downtown that is 54% black and sees approximately two and a half million visitors annually. Sure seems like old-fashioned, white, suburban fun.

don't point out facts ... no one wants those ..

[king183]

Why isn't a MAPS aquarium on the COOP site viewed as a bailout to the land owners like the soccer stadium is? It seems pretty clear to me that any MAPS project that is planned for the COOP site will have massive land acquisition costs, including environmental cleanup, that many don't account for, dependent on whether they like the project. If the public is going to be expected to cleanup the COOP site, let's be honest about it and do it as a discrete project instead of through proxies with flashy renderings that will never be realized due to "unexpected" higher land costs.

[tyeomans]

As it currently stands, the Maps 4 initiative doesn't have my vote.

[OkiePoke]

[OkiePoke]

I forgot to mention along with local entertainment, tourist attraction, and generating tax dollars, the aquarium would also provide be used an educational center for local students.

[BoulderSooner]

Why isn't a MAPS aquarium on the COOP site viewed as a bailout to the land owners like the soccer stadium is? It seems pretty clear to me that any MAPS project that is planned for the COOP site will have massive land acquisition costs, including environmental cleanup, that many don't account for, dependent on whether they like the project. If the public is going to be expected to cleanup the COOP site, let's be honest about it and do it as a discrete project instead of through proxies with flashy renderings that will never be realized due to "unexpected" higher land costs.

the zoo planners with the coop developers had already taken this into account the land costs would not have been high ..

and the soccer stadium oppisiton has much more to do with the size and the cost than any thought of a "bail out"

[king183]

the zoo planners with the coop developers had already taken this into account the land costs would not have been high ..

and the soccer stadium oppisiton has much more to do with the size and the cost than any thought of a "bail out"

Not to be flippant, but have they "taken this into account" the same way the owners and Sooner Investment took it into account and greatly underestimated the nature of the problem and associated costs?

[onthestrip]

I thought the COOP land had never changed hands. No one that knows what they are doing is going to close on that land without a development being imminent or some kind of guaranteed plan.

And I also dont know why the aquarium hasnt had more traction, seemed to have a good amount of interest.

[king183]

I thought the COOP land had never changed hands. No one that knows what they are doing is going to close on that land without a development being imminent or some kind of guaranteed plan.

And I also dont know why the aquarium hasnt had more traction, seemed to have a good amount of interest.

That’s my understanding as well: the coop still own it and are using Sooner Investment as their development proxies. I think they likely discovered development there will be far more difficult due to the cost of environmental remediation and are looking for ways to leverage MAPS projects to assist with that cost.

[OKCRT]

I have already decided I will be voting NO on MAPS if they keep pushing soccer stadiums and fancy horse barns. If they put an aquarium like the one in Atlanta on the ballot I am all in. If they want to put a 100 mil. dollar aquarium on the ballot I say no. We need a first class regional draw in OKC.

[OKCRT]

Still say a resort type casino , hotel spa on that CO-OP site would bring tons of money and people downtown. It would prob take away a lot of business from the Norman and Shawnee casinos so the tribes prob. wouldn't go for it but it would bring in big tax revenue to OKC. No matter what people think of casinos they sure do pack the people in.

[drpepper]

I have already decided I will be voting NO on MAPS if they keep pushing soccer stadiums and fancy horse barns. If they put an aquarium like the one in Atlanta on the ballot I am all in. If they want to put a 100 mil. dollar aquarium on the ballot I say no. We need a first class regional draw in OKC.

And when people find out there is a world class aquarium and a beautiful park next to the convention center, they will start organizing their conferences here, that's what San Antonio has been doing very well with their River Walk. How to make OKC richer? Bring over high paying jobs and make the visitors spend money, the rest will come. What else we can do with an aquarium? Fancy restaurants, bars and hotel, romantic wedding venues, a giant laboratory for kids. Aquarium is probably the most impactful MAPS project, it can make money 365 days a year.

[jonny d]

Still say a resort type casino , hotel spa on that CO-OP site would bring tons of money and people downtown. It would prob take away a lot of business from the Norman and Shawnee casinos so the tribes prob. wouldn't go for it but it would bring in big tax revenue to OKC. No matter what people think of casinos they sure do pack the people in.

I am not sure there is a legal way the city can put a casino anywhere, but I could be wrong.

[BG918]

I am not sure there is a legal way the city can put a casino anywhere, but I could be wrong.

It would require an Act of Congress to designate what is currently non-tribal land into tribal-owned property. There’s a reason the casinos around OKC are in Norman and Shawnee.

[drpepper]

An aquarium really hits all the points: local entertainment, tourist attractions, generates tax dollars. One of a few projects that could actually generate money for operations.

If someone wants to lead the charge on trying to get the citizens behind this project, PM me and I will support you and try to help out the best I can.

I think we should first seek help from a talented architect or urban planner who can help project the aquarium as a part of the thriving ecosystem, not just a stand alone building, that will help deliver the message better.

[Laramie]

OKC made 100 acres on the site of American Indian Cultural Center Museum (AICCM) available as part of a deal for the Chickasaw Nation to develop and finish the museum.

Agreement takeaways

To complete the AICCM, leaders are looking at a $65 million price tag. Back in 2012, the city pledged $9 million to the project, which it plans to contribute to the next round of construction. Additionally, the state committed an additional $25 million in bonds when it passed the legislation initially granting the project to the city. Private contributions add the rest at $31 million.

The AICCM Foundation will operate the museum on behalf of the City, and the AICCM Land Development will develop the surrounding property. The Chickasaw Nation will contribute $14 million over the next seven years to support operational costs, including pre-opening costs. The Chickasaw Nation also committed its expertise and resources to help ensure budget targets are met.

Oklahoma Gazette: https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/t...nt?oid=2981073

Closing on the property will enable AICCM Land Development LLC to begin commercial development of more than 100 acres around the museum. Plans are to open the museum in 2021.

Oklahoman: Oklahoma City, Chickasaw Nation close land transaction for the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum: https://oklahoman.com/article/558359...ter-and-museum

[Laramie]

It would require an Act of Congress to designate what is currently non-tribal land into tribal-owned property. There’s a reason the casinos around OKC are in Norman and Shawnee.

True, but Remington Park Racing & Casino is the exception; kinda grandfathered in.

Remington Park Racing & Casino, 1 Remington Place (58th & Martin Luther King Ave., north of the OKC Zoo) : http://www.globalgamingsol.com/



View the impressive Youtube presentation of GGS Solutions in the video above.

[ShadowStrings]

Would be cool to have a mini Vegas strip, with every tribe getting their own casino/hotel. Could have a mini-museum included as well. Obviously not legally possible, but a fun fantasy.

[jonny d]

It would require an Act of Congress to designate what is currently non-tribal land into tribal-owned property. There’s a reason the casinos around OKC are in Norman and Shawnee.

Think the legislature in OK would ever legalize gambling statewide? Think of the revenue they could generate.

[BG918]

Think the legislature in OK would ever legalize gambling statewide? Think of the revenue they could generate.

I hope not, there are plenty of tribal casinos as it is.

[shawnw]

Can you imagine? A CBD shop on one corner and a casino on the other!

:-P

[Johnb911]

Would be cool to have a mini Vegas strip, with every tribe getting their own casino/hotel. Could have a mini-museum included as well. Obviously not legally possible, but a fun fantasy.

It will happen. Haven't you seen Logan??

[Laramie]

I don't patronize casinos; if OKC were to open an area in our city (with state blessings) for a casino strip district, this place will boom. It would also boom with many other unanticipated concerns, like crime, drugs, homicides, bed bug epidemic, prostitution and diseases unknown to man.

If you worry about your husband or wife; this IMO is equivalent to exchanging a light stroke for a massive heart attack.

There's a host of concerns, you'd open Pandora's box if you legalized gambling in a major city of our size in the middle of the U.S.; not limited to the money and development. A panacea of problems our city wouldn't be prepared to handle.

[Jersey Boss]

Curuous as to what you base your strong negativity on? St. Louis and KC are located in the middle of the country without the sky falling in. There is a big casino just south of Norman and none of the dire consequences have visited our fair burg.

[Laramie]

Curuous as to what you base your strong negativity on? St. Louis and KC are located in the middle of the country without the sky falling in. There is a big casino just south of Norman and none of the dire consequences have visited our fair burg.

Again, Jersey Boss, we're not talking about two-four casinos located in a major city scattered throughout. I mentioned a casino strip.

You would create a potential Las Vegas within the middle of the country. Winstar receives lots of support from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it's not by any means located in a major city; yet it has grown into a huge complex--among the largest in the world. Winstar is a cluster of casinos within itself.

We have casinos in our Metro area as well as in the central city (Remington Park). They are scattered throughout.

If we provide a casino area strip where you have say 5-10 casinos with room to expand; you're going to attract who knows what. Especially situated on the I-40/I-35 corridor. You set aside a strip where casino hotels are established; you're going to grow towering hotels; patrons can walk from one casino to the next. Your development strip as with LV will grow.

OKC's geographic location with a strip would IMO be primed for more casino development.