State of the City Address - Oklahoma City

[Laramie]

https://www.okcchamber.com/index.php...tateCity6_1_23

Date: 07/20/2023
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 p,m,
Oklahoma City Convention Center
100 Mick Cornett Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109



City of Oklahoma City

[GaryOKC6]

This is one of my favorite chamber events. Hands down!

[Pete]

Almost certainly, the broad strokes of the new arena will be revealed at this event.

[AnguisHerba]

Almost certainly, the broad strokes of the new arena will be revealed at this event.

Arena + transit investment. Put $100 on it.

[HOT ROD]

well, did anybody go? Not a peep from the Jokelahoman (at least the online version). ...

[HangryHippo]

It’s July 20th…

[HOT ROD]

haha, oop. sorry

[burksooner]

Does anyone know if there will be a live stream or added to youtube like last year?

[BoulderSooner]

Does anyone know if there will be a live stream or added to youtube like last year?

per holts twitter it will be streamed live at OKC's facebook page

[Laramie]

Does anyone know how to stream it live from this thread site: General Civic Issues.

[sooner88]

I'll be in attendance, anxiously waiting some big news.

[ChrisHayes]

I know the proposed new arena is what most are talking about, but did Holt mention anything else really noteworthy, or hint at some stuff coming in the future?

[Pete]

I know the proposed new arena is what most are talking about, but did Holt mention anything else really noteworthy, or hint at some stuff coming in the future?

No, just summarized our growth and accomplishments and talked about the MAPS 4 projects.

At least half his time was spent on the arena.

[stlokc]

I’ll freely admit I didn’t watch this, but it strikes me that the mayor of a city of 700,000 should have a lot to talk about: taxes, homeless issues, education, the airport, police/fire, health care, general economic development… Half his time was really spent on the arena? ��

[catch22]

I think the only people who tune into these things are most interested in economic development topics. So there’s really not an audience to speak to on those issues in that format. It’s not the 1800’s where people gathered around to hear what the mayor wanted to say. It’s an annual publicity event to brag and in this case start building some public relations ahead of a pivotal vote in the city’s future history.

[stlokc]

You’re right and it comes down to the function of the office as OKC has defined it. Many mayors are in the weeds on crime, social issues, and the like. OKC’s mayor really is a PR position. For better or worse.

[Pete]

I’ll freely admit I didn’t watch this, but it strikes me that the mayor of a city of 700,000 should have a lot to talk about: taxes, homeless issues, education, the airport, police/fire, health care, general economic development… Half his time was really spent on the arena? ��

He touched on those other subjects but remember, this is a Chamber of Commerce event.

[AnguisHerba]

You’re right and it comes down to the function of the office as OKC has defined it. Many mayors are in the weeds on crime, social issues, and the like. OKC’s mayor really is a PR position. For better or worse.

He actually spent the second most amount of time talking about homelessness, which I'm sure was intended to also serve as a silent rebuttal to the "but what about..." crowd when it comes to public arena funding.

[GaryOKC6]

Here is a transcript. https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/ins...ack=super_blog

[Laramie]

The number 1 complaint I get from relatives and friends are how 'rough' the inner city streets are here throughout the city. I quickly let them know, we are doing replacement and repairs--the funds (nearly $1 billion) are there--and priority will address the worst areas of our city.