RFP south of arena

[Laramie]

If owned and operated by the Thunder, that operation would become part of the total concession revenue stream. Configure it like Bleu Garten, where beverage sales are done directly so they get the majority of that revenue. The food could either run by the Thunder's concessionaires or food trucks could pay for the privilege of a spot. Or chill things way down and just do a biergarten or something like that.

BTW, when I say vendors, I don't mean just food/beverage ops - that could also be used for team merchandise and related vendors, kinda like a little festival sort of thing. It's a decent amount of space that could be used for this purpose.

Hell, you could probably even turn part of that corner into greenspace... a small park or gardens that looks visually interesting, especially from the sidewalk and street, but something that isn't intended to compete with MBG/Scissortail. Maybe even put a smaller, semi-permanent monument or something - something that can be moved easily by truck if the underground utilities need to be accessed.

I'm sure there are plenty of other options, but those are some of the first that come to my mind for a better way to activate that space than a parking lot. The key is thinking outside the box for an awkward parcel on a busy corner.

Like your explanation...

[Laramie]

Toronto Raptors Jarristic Park

There's a greater than marginal difference between Toronto and OKC; Toronto's Scotiabank Arena hosts NBA, NHL & NLL (Lacrosse) franchises with 1,600 (9%) more NBA seating capacity than The Peake.

[Pete]

The Thunder Alley submission -- which had been pending in the Downtown Design Review Committee -- has been withdrawn.

Not sure if this means they no longer plan to go forward or if they are just planning a major revision.

[shawnw]

Maybe somebody likes my canal extension idea :-P

[Rover]

The Thunder Alley submission -- which had been pending in the Downtown Design Review Committee -- has been withdrawn.

Not sure if this means they no longer plan to go forward or if they are just planning a major revision.

With the Maps approval for arena addition on that side it would make sense a whole new design needs to happen.

[Pete]

With the Maps approval for arena addition on that side it would make sense a whole new design needs to happen.

Their latest renderings and site plan shows the arena addition as it was considered in their design.

[SEMIweather]

If nothing else, at least we got a much better piece of artwork in Scissortail Park out of it

[catcherinthewry]

If nothing else, at least we got a much better piece of artwork in Scissortail Park out of it

That was my first thought.

[Plutonic Panda]

Any update on this?

[Pete]

My understanding is that it is still going forward, just slowly.

[Plutonic Panda]

This will be nice when it’s done. They still haven’t started on the condo development for some reason. This addition will really make the area feel more connected.

[midtownokcer]

This will be nice when it’s done. They still haven’t started on the condo development for some reason. This addition will really make the area feel more connected.

The south side facing Scissortail Park and the Omni looks terrible with the big concrete barriers and the unkempt grass. I know things take time to plan and progress, but I'm just so ready for the eyesores around this area to be developed already. This includes the parking lots between Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park.

[Pete]

Thunder Alley is still moving forward according to the OKC Economic Development Trust.

There are some environmental issues that need to be addressed.

[David]

Plans for Thunder Alley move forward

Plans for a large entertainment block directly south of Chesapeake Arena are moving forward, with revised plans being submitted for design approval.

The ownership group behind the Thunder submitted the only application for the city-owned property when a request for proposal was issued earlier in the year. Last month, the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority selected the group as the conditional developer for the property.

The new plans are similar to the previous proposal but with some alterations. The design by Bockus Payne calls for an open plaza at the west end with a large basketball sculpture, a 6,000 and 10,000 square foot restaurants, a large plaza in the center and a small amount of covered surface parking on the east end.

The sculpture is planned to be a 24-foot diameter highly reflective polished stainless steel basketball held by bronze hands. In-ground LED lights will illuminate the artwork at night.

The 6,000 square foot restaurant will be a Thunder-themed sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating.

The 10,000 square foot restaurant will be full-service and casual eatery combining food, music and numerous craft beers on tap. The interior design will be industrial with exposed beams and high ceilings. The two restaurants may or may not be connected.

The plaza in the center of the block is designed to be flexible to accommodate large crowds on game days and restaurant parking otherwise. As a part of the recently-approved MAPS 4, a new southeast entrance to the arena will be constructed and immediately adjacent.

The design application states the east end of the property is very limited due to utilities and thus will be used as covered parking.

The design will be considered at a meeting next month. The original proposal also called for buying the property at a discount and receiving tax dollars from the Tax Increment Financing fund.

Are these still the likely plans they will eventually build?

[Pete]

^

Yes, I believe so.

In order to change anything, they would have to resubmit to design review.

[T. Jamison]

Environmental issues appears to be a theme during the OKC Economic Development Trust meeting.

[dankrutka]

Including 20 surface parking spaces in this plan still feels like a prank.

[shawnw]

Feels like "How much parking can we get away with on this land by including a few other amenities"

[Plutonic Panda]

This will be words better than what is there now. Any timeline when this might start?

[Anonymous.]

The parking is for the players and VIPs. They currently scatter park the cars into the loading docks and it is very crowded.

But yes definitely a prank as this is such an important corner. Imagine how cool it would be to live in the coming apartments across the street and have some bars or restaurants in this spot instead. Or gasp, more residential with parking below.

[jn1780]

I love how there is a parking garage to the east and a new parking garage to the south. I get that they are VIP's, but can't there just be valet parking?

[Pete]

They finally put in a sidewalk on the east side Robinson and between the Omni and Paycom Center:

[HOT ROD]

wasn't there always a sidewalk there? I very strongly recall walking between Omni and Paycom when we were there for Christmas (saw the win against New Orleans). Or are you referring to the ADA ramp, which probably is new.

[Pete]

^

Nope, it was just a dirt path until a few months ago.

[shawnw]

Been there at least a couple months now. Kept meaning to note that here but forgot.