New Downtown Arena

[Jake]

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...n/70890206007/

[BoulderSooner]

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...n/70890206007/

no thanks ..

doing things to make our arena less competitive in the market place .. is a bad idea ..

[bombermwc]

Couple of thoughts on a couple of comments.

To the point about the vote with the residence that have been here longer, i think you're on to something. I can think back to when i was a kid before MAPS and downtown was dead. Urban Renewal had failed, the oil bust killed any hope of coming out of that renewal with an ACTUAL renewal. Bricktown was only a collection of a couple of buildings that had only partially been made functional. In general, OKC wasn't a place that people wanted to live. MAPS changed everything, little by little. It directly made and impact but also had a MASSIVE indirect impact. We used to have to go down to Dallas to see certain things or get certain stores/etc. But nowadays, you can basically get everything here at home. That wasn't even true10-15 years ago. OKC wasn't an cultural center of art like it is now. OKC wasn't on any radar as far as conventions. We weren't on a map for any sports outside of collegiate. The city grew and was given a spotlight because of what the MAPS projects allowed us to bring in. The local city (and not state) leaders helped foster an environment that was friendly to those groups, but was set up in a way that the residents felt was fair. Spreading the love with each MAPS program is what has kept it going. Everyone gets something with each round. If you weren't here to experience the drought that was the 1990s, well you may not be as excited to keep voting for the tax because you didn't feel the drab state the city was in at the time. If you moved here now from another city and brought the political baggage with you, you may not reset your thoughts to how MAPS is different.....and more importantly why those of us that have been here, are so protective of continuing the push and never going back to the way it was.

To Teo - I think you're underestimating the impact those 100 days of only a handful of hours, brings to the city. This is just like Football at OU. That 85k person stadium only houses 5 events all year that bring in those people. But the financial impact that those games bring both inside and outside the stadium, spur money all year round. Merchandising is one thing. Yes you can say it's generic to OU and not specific to football, but I think most of us would agree that football is the main reason for that merch. All the people that go eat in Norman before or after the games. All the parking money made from various groups around the campus. Jobs for people in concessions or the concession runners inside. The list goes on and on. And that list is the same for Thunder games.

Part of why the current sites are successful, is BECAUSE it's in prime real estate area. Yes the Thunder would still have people go to games if it was in say, Yukon, but do you get excited to go to Yukon? No. But you do get excited to go downtown, walk through Scissortail. Eat in Bricktown, walk the canal. And you are more likely to spend money around the area. Nothing against Yukon, but it's not downtown OKC of today. So yes, the location being in prime area is absolutely a benefit for all of us and should continue to stay there.

[Canoe]

you are missing the biggest city need for a new arena .. .

which is the loading docks / set up area ...

the peake currently can NOT host back to back events .. because of loading and set up space .. that is a major issue for OKC .. and events .. and a huge reason why we need a new arena .. .

the suites are not really an issue ...

the new arena will have tons more restaurants bars/clubs the 300 level of the new building will actually have bar / restaurant space .. the peake doesn't and that space is for the lowest priced tickets ..


there are different big plans for the co-op site ..

You know, having restaurants open looking into the stadium with natural light coming into the stadium would activate the area 24/7. Also having the ability to go to these restaurants while the game or concert is on without paying for a ticket would provide value to more people. Imagine not having tickets to the Taylor swift concert, but have reservations for dinner that night at a restaurant. I think this provides value to more citizens. Then just build a maximum amount or residential around the stadium.

[Cocaine]

a RTA (transit) will never take maps tax dollars ...

and education operations is not a city function also will never take maps dollars .

so try again .

Wait what was Maps for Kids. Couldn't the city always have a redo of that? And its more than just about an RTA. Maps money could be spent on a street car network that actually takes people places. Like from downtown to OCCC, or to the zoo or even to nw expressway.

[BoulderSooner]

Wait what was Maps for Kids. Couldn't the city always have a redo of that? And its more than just about an RTA. Maps money could be spent on a street car network that actually takes people places. Like from downtown to OCCC, or to the zoo or even to nw expressway.

maps for kids built school buildings in the OKC city limits .. that is far different then education operations ..


and new transit projects for sure could be part of another maps .. but without RTA funding that is pretty limited .. a dedicated vote for RTA funding needs to happen if we want wide spread transit growth ..

[citywokchinesefood]

The bottomline to all of this is in the event this does not pass I will be leaving this city. The only reason I have stayed here the last decade is because this city has continually reinvested in itself. I am not a paragon of local business. I made some good calls in the 90s/00s for stocks and crypto and I am going to coast on it for the rest of my life. OKC voting down this arena proposal will be the death knell of this city's growth.

[April in the Plaza]

The bottomline to all of this is in the event this does not pass I will be leaving this city. The only reason I have stayed here the last decade is because this city has continually reinvested in itself. I am not a paragon of local business. I made some good calls in the 90s/00s for stocks and crypto and I am going to coast on it for the rest of my life. OKC voting down this arena proposal will be the death knell of this city's growth.

Not Necessarily:

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP36420

[Laramie]

Cooper believes work on the community benefits agreement could be a huge opportunity for collaboration among the city council members. He said he and Ward 6 City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon had consulted organizers in Milwaukee, and that he was working closely with Ward 4 City Councilman Todd Stone on finalizing the language of the resolution for the agreement.

Clever how Councilperson James Cooper works to see how the new arena can benefit those needing jobs; he also works with JoBeth Harmon, he could be key to bringing her on board.

[citywokchinesefood]

Not Necessarily:

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP36420

I could absolutely be wrong, I have been wrong several times before. To me the general population turning this down would be a turning point for this city. I don't have a lot keeping me here outside of the convenient central location, solid food scene, and low cost of living. Worst case scenario I will just move to Denver.

[caaokc]

Curious to see the results of the survey that went around a while ago.

[gopokes88]

Clever how Councilperson James Cooper works to see how the new arena can benefit those needing jobs; he also works with JoBeth Harmon, he could be key to bringing her on board.

JoBeth is a squeaky wheel. She'll get some grease and fall in line. We saw this same exact thing with Maps 4

[chssooner]

I mean, if $50m is all they will be contributing, maybe some other concessions will be made to make this more palatable for some of the no votes on here and across the city. I'm ok with them trying, at least.

[SouthOKC]

Clever how Councilperson James Cooper works to see how the new arena can benefit those needing jobs; he also works with JoBeth Harmon, he could be key to bringing her on board.

Interesting how her bio states she moved to OKC in 2014 and lives without a car.

I’m really starting to see a clear difference between transplants and people that experienced OKC prior to 1998.

Anyone associated with OKC pre-1998 understands how unrealistic not having a car would’ve been had it not been for MAPS. I think there is a cautionary tale being expressed from those with experience and understanding about the importance of these projects.

MAPS = Metropolitan Area Projects Plan defined as capital projects. It originally passed by narrow margin and become wildly successful due to the obvious impacts on the community. It’s slowly evolved and changed purposes over time. The belief has always been that bundling the several projects was easier to pass than targeting one specific larger project. Which I feel like weÂ’re seeing play out to some level with the focus being on a $1B+ arena. Personally, I feel like this is the crescendo of those early MAPS projects implemented to change OKCs trajectory. Invest into an iconic arena and build something for the people of OKC. I would love to see a rendering sooner than later.

[BoulderSooner]

Interesting how her bio states she moved to OKC in 2014 and lives without a car.

I’m really starting to see a clear difference between transplants and people that experienced OKC prior to 1998.

Anyone associated with OKC pre-1998 understands how unrealistic not having a car would’ve been had it not been for MAPS. I think there is a cautionary tale being expressed from those with experience and understanding about the importance of these projects.

MAPS = Metropolitan Area Projects Plan defined as capital projects. It originally passed by narrow margin and become wildly successful due to the obvious impacts on the community. It’s slowly evolved and changed purposes over time. The belief has always been that bundling the several projects was easier to pass than targeting one specific larger project. Which I feel like weÂ’re seeing play out to some level with the focus being on a $1B+ arena. Personally, I feel like this is the crescendo of those early MAPS projects implemented to change OKCs trajectory. Invest into an iconic arena and build something for the people of OKC. I would love to see a rendering sooner than later.

she is anti business

[Urbanized]

...Anyone associated with OKC pre-1998 understands how unrealistic not having a car would’ve been had it not been for MAPS. I think there is a cautionary tale being expressed from those with experience and understanding about the importance of these projects.

MAPS = Metropolitan Area Projects Plan defined as capital projects. It originally passed by narrow margin and become wildly successful due to the obvious impacts on the community. It’s slowly evolved and changed purposes over time. The belief has always been that bundling the several projects was easier to pass than targeting one specific larger project. Which I feel like weÂ’re seeing play out to some level with the focus being on a $1B+ arena. Personally, I feel like this is the crescendo of those early MAPS projects implemented to change OKCs trajectory. Invest into an iconic arena and build something for the people of OKC. I would love to see a rendering sooner than later.

To be abundantly clear, the arena would NOT be a MAPS project. It would of course have some similarities; penny sales tax usage, public vote, public-facing capital project, quality of life investment. But the entire MAPS brand relies on zero debt, and there will be plenty of debt involved in this project, in order to bridge the time between the start of the project and the time that the tax would actually start to be collected (2028). This project will involve LOTS of debt, although thankfully much of it will be for a far shorter term than a typical bond-funded effort.

[fortpatches]

To be abundantly clear, the arena would NOT be a MAPS project. It would of course have some similarities; penny sales tax usage, public vote, public-facing capital project, quality of life investment. But the entire MAPS brand relies on zero debt, and there will be plenty of debt involved in this project, in order to bridge the time between the start of the project and the time that the tax would actually start to be collected (2028). This project will involve LOTS of debt, although thankfully much of it will be for a far shorter term than a typical bond-funded effort.

Which also means that any potential MAPS 5 likely wouldn't be able to start until 2034 since the Arena is replacing MAPS.

[chssooner]

she is anti business

But yet Oklahoma, for all its "pro-business" attitudes, is at the bottom of the list for business-friendly states. Let's blame 1 liberal city councilwoman for that. Not this state environment that doesn't value education or beautification and other items companies look for. Let's look at 1 councilwoman who wants more info and transparency in the process for almost $1 billion in public funds.

[SouthOKC]

But yet Oklahoma, for all its "pro-business" attitudes, is at the bottom of the list for business-friendly states. Let's blame 1 liberal city councilwoman for that. Not this state environment that doesn't value education or beautification and other items companies look for. Let's look at 1 councilwoman who wants more info and transparency in the process for almost $1 billion in public funds.

I feel like she is here in OKC and was voted into office by her constituents because of OKC beatification efforts. Had it not been for the investments we’re talking about you most likely don’t see the plaza, Classen-ten-Penn, etc.. take off and attract young professionals that vote for her.

[BoulderSooner]

But yet Oklahoma, for all its "pro-business" attitudes, is at the bottom of the list for business-friendly states. Let's blame 1 liberal city councilwoman for that. Not this state environment that doesn't value education or beautification and other items companies look for. Let's look at 1 councilwoman who wants more info and transparency in the process for almost $1 billion in public funds.

CNBC listed Oklahoma #21 for being business friendly this summer

[fortpatches]

CNBC listed Oklahoma #21 for being business friendly this summer

But, CNBC listed Oklahoma #41 in the Top States for Business. (I.E., in the bottom 10)
https://kfor.com/news/local/study-ok...s-for-business

I really dont think any of those studies have any value other than as fodder to throw as someone you disagree with on whether or not some policy/politician/businessman/etc is good/bad/etc for business.

[BoulderSooner]

But, CNBC listed Oklahoma #41 in the Top States for Business. (I.E., in the bottom 10)
https://kfor.com/news/local/study-ok...s-for-business

I really dont think any of those studies have any value other than as fodder to throw as someone you disagree with on whether or not some policy/politician/businessman/etc is good/bad/etc for business.

your link confirms exactly what I posted

[caaokc]

JoBeth is a squeaky wheel. She'll get some grease and fall in line. We saw this same exact thing with Maps 4

Id be pretty surprised if she voted yes at the city council meeting.

[soonerguru]

I feel like she is here in OKC and was voted into office by her constituents because of OKC beatification efforts. Had it not been for the investments we’re talking about you most likely don’t see the plaza, Classen-ten-Penn, etc.. take off and attract young professionals that vote for her.

You can predict her position on any issue approximately 100% of the time. That's not a good thing, in my opinion.

To your point, much of her ward is thriving because of public investment in infrastructure, adding to the quality of life and making OKC a cooler destination for young people like herself.

I'm not questioning her values or principles, it's just her approach. She rarely gets any concessions for anything because the majority on the council just tune her out. James and Nikki -- but mainly James -- are more likely to work with people on the horseshoe to accomplish things they set out to do.

It's a different approach, but when you compare what James has gotten done and JoBeth has gotten done it isn't close.

[Jersey Boss]

CNBC listed Oklahoma #21 for being business friendly this summer

Does "business friendly" equate to low wages, no benefits? Are "business friendly" and "labor friendly" mutually exclusive terms?