New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[David]

Guess what everyone?

Request Number	Request Type	Request Status	Request Date	Request Resolution	Resolution Date	Action Type	Action Schedule Date	Action Date	Action Taken
C21-07918	CODE ENF - Yard Parking	Closed	2/8/2021	No Violation	2/9/2021	First Inspection	2/9/2021	2/9/2021	No Violation

Apparently the inspector could not find a violation. Maybe they should have sent one that wasn't blind?

[TheTravellers]

Guess what everyone?

Request Number	Request Type	Request Status	Request Date	Request Resolution	Resolution Date	Action Type	Action Schedule Date	Action Date	Action Taken
C21-07918	CODE ENF - Yard Parking	Closed	2/8/2021	No Violation	2/9/2021	First Inspection	2/9/2021	2/9/2021	No Violation

Apparently the inspector could not find a violation. Maybe they should have sent one that wasn't blind?

All the workers had gone to lunch, lol...

[DowntownMan]

All the workers had gone to lunch, lol...

This is how most reports go. The action center can be pathetic at times

I emailed this picture to Mayor holt.

New action center number : C21-08092

[DowntownMan]

This is how most reports go. The action center can be pathetic at times

I emailed this picture to Mayor holt.

New action center number : C21-08092

All cars on the concrete now. Still probably shouldn’t be parked there as it says no parking on drive and plaza.
But obviously we’re told to get off grass

[Laramie]

We could certainly understand if the vehicles parked on the plaza area were service or commercial vehicles needed to assist with bringing in supplies or making need alterations.

My question is does a violation of this kind threaten the safety (Fire Marshall's code) of those inside the Cox Center (Prairie Surf Media workers) or is this a leftover concern from when the Cox Convention Center served as the City's main convention center and arena events related to ice hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, rodeos or basketball.

Also, IIRC there is an area where service and commercials vehicles can drive into the Cox Center from the east side of the complex.

If this threatens the safe evacuation of the building; the Fire Marshall needs to be alerted...

[Pete]

New signs set to go up:

[5alive]

Awesome...love it!!!

[HangryHippo]

Those look great!

[David]

Not a fan of the font or the layout for the "the next wave" bit.

Pretty interesting having this in our downtown though.

[tyeomans]

Not a fan of the font or the layout for the "the next wave" bit.

Pretty interesting having this in our downtown though.

I thought the same thing. I'm a graphic designer, so this literally screams at me.

[Laramie]

Thanks for the pics, Pete. Glad the Cox Convention Center is being put to immediate use.

[ChowRunner]

I saw someone post that one of the fist movies to be made at this studio was a biopic about Kurt Warner starring Zachary Levi. I went to Zachary Levi's Instagram page and he posted a few videos easier with what looks like the okc skyli e in the background.

[Pete]

Keep in mind that The Kurt Warner Story is being produced by Kingdom Story Company, which only does faith-based films with very limited release.

Same with The Unbreakable Kid which was also produced by Kingdom and filmed here in OKC; Zachary Levi also starred in that.


Just saying these are probably not films you are going to be able to easily see/stream.

[Teo9969]

Do any of these other studios have arenas in them? I'd think one of the 1st things they should do is reach out to every major studio and ask if they have any indoor sports productions in the pipeline because if you've already got the equipment there plus you have a stadium already built without having to fight for scheduling, this would be a great draw.

[jn1780]

I feel like the city gave them a favorable deal just so the city can say "We have a movie Studio!" Also, they don't want any attention taken away from the new convention center so their completely removing the old cox convention center off the market.

Hopefully, this movie studio starts producing something a little more mainstream. Nothing wrong with these small independent Christian films, but they were producing those before this studio came about.

[HOT ROD]

nothing wrong with the city wanting a movie studio or wanting to take Cox off the market. Truth be told, Cox was already off the market anyway due to COVID and market conditions - so why should the city maintain a white elephant when they can get new life in it temporarily?

As to the nature/scope of the films, I would be concerned if Prarrie focused ONLY on Christian/Religious films and didn't go after all other sectors including big box productions. OKC has an edge with a ready arena available and downtown that wouldn't be as constrained with on-street productions unlike the other big markets. Although Albuquerque has studios - OKC's being right downtown must be a better draw.

We'll have to see how the state (and possibly city) responds to make OKC competitive though but OKC has a fighting chance given its geography, downtown location, and the studio's captive/available resources.

[Urbanized]

I spoke today with a (well-known) broker friend of mine who said most commercial inquiries in OKC right now are either MMJ related or film industry related.

This studio is a definite net gain for OKC during a time when we really need to lean into industries outside of our historic wheelhouse. And this is a rare occasion when we are particularly well-positioned to embrace a dramatic market shift. There is very little downside here.

[Pete]

I spoke today with a (well-known) broker friend of mine who said most commercial inquiries in OKC right now are either MMJ related or film industry related.

This studio is a definite net gain for OKC during a time when we really need to lean into industries outside of our historic wheelhouse. And this is a rare occasion when we are particularly well-positioned to embrace a dramatic market shift. There is very little downside here.

The downside is the city is losing a ton of money on the deal, hoping to make it up through very hard to quantify "economic development".

[coop2773]

The downside is the city is losing a ton of money on the deal, hoping to make it up through very hard to quantify "economic development".

Was an overpaid YMCA basketball team a better use of the space?

[scottk]

Was an overpaid YMCA basketball team a better use of the space?

I mean if this doesn't work out, there are plenty of large churches that could use the space? Save money on the fairgrounds arena and just have state basketball tournaments and Disney on Ice at this location?

[Rover]

The downside is the city is losing a ton of money on the deal, hoping to make it up through very hard to quantify "economic development".

Just curious... did you have another beneficial short term use for the facility that would absorb some or all of the costs, or were you in favor of shuttering it or tearing it down? You have been very critical of this deal, so I assume you think a better one was available. I hadn't heard of any, but perhaps you did.

[Urbanized]

The downside is the city is losing a ton of money on the deal, hoping to make it up through very hard to quantify "economic development".

Yes, I’ve seen your observations/reservations upthread. It should be pointed out that many of the maintenance and utility costs would have continued on a mothballed building.

The biggest downside in my own opinion is that there will likely be some missed opportunities related to sports bookings. But again, I believe the ROI will greatly exceed the cost footprint for the City, and the conversation I had today only convinces me further in this regard.

Please note that I said “very little downside” as opposed to “no downside.”

[Pete]

Just curious... did you have another beneficial short term use for the facility that would absorb some or all of the costs, or were you in favor of shuttering it or tearing it down? You have been very critical of this deal, so I assume you think a better one was available. I hadn't heard of any, but perhaps you did.

I'm not critical of it, just pointing out facts. I've documented the millions to be lost up-thread.

[Pete]

Yes, I’ve seen your observations/reservations upthread. It should be pointed out that many of the maintenance and utility costs would have continued on a mothballed building.

The biggest downside in my own opinion is that there will likely be some missed opportunities related to sports bookings, but again, I believe the ROI will greatly exceed the cost footprint for the City, and the conversation I had today only convinces me further in this regard.

Please note that I said “very little downside” as opposed to “no downside.”

SOME of the maintenance and utility costs but not the large majority.

And there are other directly related costs like paying to move scheduled events and the Blue.

[Urbanized]

SOME of the maintenance and utility costs but not the large majority...

Which I why I said “many” rather than “all.”