New Downtown Arena

[caaokc]

Although our city plans on funding a $900 million+ new NBA arena on the PSM site, we should also look at funding an $84 million multipurpose stadium with the $42 million (OKC's share) allocated thru MAPS 4 funds.

Now would be the time to build an 18,500 seat state-of-the-are NBA-NHL arena (PSM site) and a 25,000 seat (expandable) $84 million multipurpose stadium in partnership $42 million--Chickasaw Tribe share near the FAM & OKANA developments.

The stadium could be tailored for soccer, American Football, large outdoor concerts and festivals.

I wish they would've gone with the stadium design with a larger canopy covering more seats

[Thunderbolt]

Although our city plans on funding a $900 million+ new NBA arena on the PSM site, we should also look at funding an $84 million multipurpose stadium with the $42 million (OKC's share) allocated thru MAPS 4 funds.

Now would be the time to build an 18,500 seat state-of-the-are NBA-NHL arena (PSM site) and a 25,000 seat (expandable) $84 million multipurpose stadium in partnership $42 million--Chickasaw Tribe share near the FAM & OKANA developments.

The stadium could be tailored for soccer, American Football, large outdoor concerts and festivals.

The current lot where Paycom Center is would a smart location for the MAPS 4 stadium. City already owns the land. Could create some kind of shared parking structure for new arena + stadium.

Imagine that block of a world-class arena, new multipurpose stadium, Myriad Gardens, Convention Center, Sciscortail. A true entertainment/social district.

[chssooner]

The current lot where Paycom Center is would a smart location for the MAPS 4 stadium. City already owns the land. Could create some kind of shared parking structure for new arena + stadium.

Imagine that block of a world-class arena, new multipurpose stadium, Myriad Gardens, Convention Center, Sciscortail. A true entertainment/social district.

How big do you think the Paycom lot is? I don't know if it is big enough for a soccer stadium. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

[Thunderbolt]

How big do you think the Paycom lot is? I don't know if it is big enough for a soccer stadium. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

It may require removing the parking garage and Courtyard Marriot on that same block. I'm not sure of the specific space requirements, but it could be doable. For reference, this is what that block would look like if the Bricktown Ballpark were on top of it.

[Laramie]

Just not for putting everything downtown. The Paycom Center could be repurposed as part of the new convention center with a 16,000 permanent seat arena. Let's get ECHL AA hockey vs Tulsa & Wichita in our portfolio.

The MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium should be on city-owned land tied with the FAM & Okana Resort to take advantage of OKANA parking.

We just invested IIRC $28.5 million on a 1,200 space convention center parking garage. Since there's this push back on surface parking; a garage will be needed for the stadium and future developments having a garage would attract.

[gopokes88]

The location isn't really up for debate or discussion. It's going to be Cox Center

[Pete]

The location isn't really up for debate or discussion. It's going to be Cox Center

Yes, it has long been decided.

[Thunderbolt]

The location isn't really up for debate or discussion. It's going to be Cox Center

I am referring to the MAPS Multipurpose Stadium, not the new NBA Arena. Could be a potential use of the vacated Paycom Center lot.

[Urbanized]

The multipurpose stadium won’t go in the Paycom location. I’m not saying I know where it WILL go; just saying I’m 100% certain where it WON’T go: the Paycom site.

We can start with the fact that the stadium site will be selected and the project will likely even be underway YEARS before Paycom is vacated.

[BG918]

Hopefully by then the Downtown Ford site will have a large vertical mixed-use project underway that could expand onto the Paycom site directly to the east

[SEMIweather]

The current Paycom Center location is far too important to use on a multipurpose stadium for a soccer team that was struggling to reach 50% attendance in Taft, and has likely alienated a large portion of the small fanbase that they did have. And I say this as someone who really enjoyed attending Energy games before they folded, and will enjoy going to soccer matches in the MAPS 4 stadium provided that Prodigal no longer has a majority stake in the team. But it is probably going to be a long process to get this city to care about soccer again given the trajectory of the Energy from (roughly) 2018 to the present day, and not worth risking the current arena site on.

I will continue to attempt to manifest that the best solution for the Energy/MAPS 4 stadium situation is for the Chickasaws to buy out Prodigal, take control of the team, and kick in some extra money so that the stadium is something to be proud of (because the $41 million currently allocated will not go very far with construction costs these days). IMO, it just makes too much sense for something like this not to happen given what Pete has previously posted about the likelihood of the MAPS 4 Stadium being built in the FAM/OKANA complex.

[Thunderbolt]

The current Paycom Center location is far too important to use on a multipurpose stadium for a soccer team that was struggling to reach 50% attendance in Taft, and has likely alienated a large portion of the small fanbase that they did have. And I say this as someone who really enjoyed attending Energy games before they folded, and will enjoy going to soccer matches in the MAPS 4 stadium provided that Prodigal no longer has a majority stake in the team. But it is probably going to be a long process to get this city to care about soccer again given the trajectory of the Energy from (roughly) 2018 to the present day, and not worth risking the current arena site on.

I will continue to attempt to manifest that the best solution for the Energy/MAPS 4 stadium situation is for the Chickasaws to buy out Prodigal, take control of the team, and kick in some extra money so that the stadium is something to be proud of (because the $41 million currently allocated will not go very far with construction costs these days). IMO, it just makes too much sense for something like this not to happen given what Pete has previously posted about the likelihood of the MAPS 4 Stadium being built in the FAM/OKANA complex.

Not a fair argument to say a downtown stadium would fail because Taft only got 50% attendance - apples and oranges comparison. Taft has no restaurants or bars surrounding it and isn't a destination. A downtown stadium could really thrive by being in the heart of the action.

And I do think the city will care about soccer again - the timing is perfect with the stadium opening a year after the World Cup being in the United States.

All that being said, agree that an ownership change and partnership with the Chickasaws is probably the best answer to long term soccer growth. West of OKANA on the river could be real option. Imagine if it's open before the 2028 Olympics - it would continue to add to the river scene.

[Laramie]

The average NBA arena capacity is 18,790. NBA arenas on the average are getting smaller.

A new OKC arena around (18,600) will more than adequately fill the Thunder's needs.

OKC should look at the five NBA city arenas above us with 2 million MSA

24. San Antonio - 2,655,342) - AT&T Center (18,418)
25. Portland - 2,09,489 - Moda Center (19,393)
27. Sacramento - 2,416,702 - Golden 1 Center (17,608
33. Indianapolis - 2,141,779 - Bankers Life Fieldhouse (17,923)
34. Cleveland - 2,063,132 - Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (19,432)

Average for the above five cities' arenas = 18,555

Small Market Cities:

40. Milwaukee - 1,559,792 - Fiserv Forum (17,341)
42. Oklahoma City - 1,459,380 - Paycom Center (18,203)
44 Memphis - 1,332,305 - FedExForum (18,119)
46. Salt Lake City - 1,266,191 - Vivint Arena (18,306)
47. New Orleans - 1,246,176 - Smoothie King Center (16,867)

Note: Let's not build an arena with a smaller capacity than our current Paycom Center.

[SEMIweather]

18,405 sounds like a perfect capacity for the new arena to me.

[Thunderbolt]

18,405 sounds like a perfect capacity for the new arena to me.

I would think overall capacity will be close to Paycom Center's current 18,000ish, but we will see a significant increase in luxury seating and club spaces. That's where they can make a lot more revenue.

[shai2022]

I would think overall capacity will be close to Paycom Center's current 18,000ish, but we will see a significant increase in luxury seating and club spaces. That's where they can make a lot more revenue.

It's also what the modern fan wants. The goal is to get you to the arena early, and keep you there late. I am hoping and expecting some form of the nixed "thunder alley" concept that includes office, retail, multi-family, and entertainment surrounding or attached to the arena.

[gopokes88]

I'd bet it comes in around 17,405

[Thunderbolt]

It's also what the modern fan wants. The goal is to get you to the arena early, and keep you there late. I am hoping and expecting some form of the nixed "thunder alley" concept that includes office, retail, multi-family, and entertainment surrounding or attached to the arena.

Yep - they'll want to incorporate ways to bring people there 365 days a year. Folks on here have mentioned comparisons to Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Not only is it a beautiful arena, but they built it with the "Deer District" of bars, shops and eateries that are utilized even on non-event days.

https://deerdistrict.com/

[caaokc]

It's also what the modern fan wants. The goal is to get you to the arena early, and keep you there late. I am hoping and expecting some form of the nixed "thunder alley" concept that includes office, retail, multi-family, and entertainment surrounding or attached to the arena.

I really hope they bring back the version of Thunder Alley that plays playoff games for fans outside. Milwaukee and Toronto do it and it looks electric. I miss it!

[Laramie]

I really hope they bring back the version of Thunder Alley that plays playoff games for fans outside. Milwaukee and Toronto do it and it looks electric. I miss it!

Hope they use most of the $70 million Mayor Holt paused to finish the Paycom Center and Thunder Alley projects.

[BoulderSooner]

Hope they use most of the $70 million Mayor Holt paused to finish the Paycom Center and Thunder Alley projects.

what??

[jn1780]

Hope they use most of the $70 million Mayor Holt paused to finish the Paycom Center and Thunder Alley projects.

Um, are we misunderstanding you? That money is being saved for a new arena. Thunder Alley would have no future in the original spot. Something like it would be included on the arena site.

[Laramie]

what??

Um, are we misunderstanding you? That money is being saved for a new arena. Thunder Alley would have no future in the original spot. Something like it would be included on the arena site.

It's all (Funds) going to the new arena. IIRC there were some upgrades they could do with current Paycom Center but the 70,000 sq. ft of additional restaurant space was scrapped. Hope they could transfer some funds to Thunder Alley.

We'll know more when Mayor Holt announces plans for the new arena.

OMG: I'm feeling like I'm to miss the Paycom Center; yet we don't know how it's going to fit in OKC's plan--afterall
it was our first big league large arena.

[caaokc]

They have maps money not included in the paused 70mil that's going toward the Paycom (New seats, scoareboard, etc) - The Thunder alley stuff was a tif project separate from maps, right?

[Pete]

^

Yes, Thunder Alley was never part of MAPS.