New Downtown Arena

[BoulderSooner]

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.

this is well said and spot on

[BoulderSooner]

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

pretty close to 0% chance she votes yes on this

[LocoAko]

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

Actually, this is true for just about everyone on council (solidly the majority). You're right that it probably isn't a good thing, especially on an ostensibly "non-partisan" council, but this is far from being unique to Councilwoman Hamon.

[mugofbeer]

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.

Hope you can afford the "3x the cost of a house in OKC." I couldn't afford it if l hadn't bought mine 20 years ago. Now, property taxes are going to skyrocket because of home value appreciation and there is a real fear 1000s will have to sell because they can no longer pay property taxes.

[fortpatches]

Luckily property taxes can only go up by a set amount, regardless of the property value. So at least it cannot increase more than 3% per year, so property taxes increase a lot slower than inflation.

[Bellaboo]

Luckily property taxes can only go up by a set amount, regardless of the property value. So at least it cannot increase more than 3% per year, so property taxes increase a lot slower than inflation.

Is this how it is in Colorado ?

[HOT ROD]

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.

In NO WAY will OKC just have one vote on this should the vote fail in December. You can BET that they will reassemble and change things around, based on exit survey of say - "Owner commitment is too low, that's why I voted No", they'll improve upon it and send to a vote again in (say) April 2024. It will go and be improved until it passes. The city has nothing to lose if it has a few elections to get it right. Everybody (well just about) knows MAPS has improved this city, there's NO WAY they give up on the showcase accomplishment OKC has gained in having a major league team, NOBODY wants the OKC of 1988 again; not even the nay sayers out there who are against the arena plan. It just may not be what the public thinks is fair - so it may need to be voted on more than once.

in any event, I too hope (and am sure) it passes in December; the key is what are we getting out of it? which is why we need renderings and a plan BEFORE the vote.

[Urbanized]

In NO WAY will OKC just have one vote on this should the vote fail in December...

Dream on. It passes this go-round or the team will be sold and eventually moved. Believe it now or believe it later.

This is precisely the same type of civic arrogance that cost Seattle the SuperSonics. The only difference being Seattle had more reasons to believe in their own hype.

[PhiAlpha]

In NO WAY will OKC just have one vote on this should the vote fail in December. You can BET that they will reassemble and change things around, based on exit survey of say - "Owner commitment is too low, that's why I voted No", they'll improve upon it and send to a vote again in (say) April 2024. It will go and be improved until it passes. The city has nothing to lose if it has a few elections to get it right. Everybody (well just about) knows MAPS has improved this city, there's NO WAY they give up on the showcase accomplishment OKC has gained in having a major league team, NOBODY wants the OKC of 1988 again; not even the nay sayers out there who are against the arena plan. It just may not be what the public thinks is fair - so it may need to be voted on more than once.

in any event, I too hope (and am sure) it passes in December; the key is what are we getting out of it? which is why we need renderings and a plan BEFORE the vote.

Don’t you live in Seattle? Did you pay attention to what happened there?

There is absolutely no guarantee that the city will be given another opportunity to vote on this.

[Rover]

which is why we need renderings and a plan BEFORE the vote.

The citizens aren’t voting on whether they like a pretty picture. I hope OKC people aren’t that shallow. We don’t need a picture to understand the gravity of the decision and the consequences of the result. Only young children need pretty pictures to understand a story.

[Canoe]

In NO WAY will OKC just have one vote on this should the vote fail in December. You can BET that they will reassemble and change things around, based on exit survey of say - "Owner commitment is too low, that's why I voted No", they'll improve upon it and send to a vote again in (say) April 2024. It will go and be improved until it passes. The city has nothing to lose if it has a few elections to get it right. Everybody (well just about) knows MAPS has improved this city, there's NO WAY they give up on the showcase accomplishment OKC has gained in having a major league team, NOBODY wants the OKC of 1988 again; not even the nay sayers out there who are against the arena plan. It just may not be what the public thinks is fair - so it may need to be voted on more than once.

in any event, I too hope (and am sure) it passes in December; the key is what are we getting out of it? which is why we need renderings and a plan BEFORE the vote.

We are getting a basketball team for 30 years, our city's name on millions of pieces of merchandise, and overpaid announcers saying OKC Thuner over and over again. BTW is there any chance of have the City take a minority stake in the team?

[April in the Plaza]

Don’t you live in Seattle? Did you pay attention to what happened there?

There is absolutely no guarantee that the city will be given another opportunity to vote on this.

Not true. This ownership group is already on a number of “worst owners in pro sports” lists:

https://www.thesportster.com/enterta...-miami-marlins

https://worthly.com/sports/worst-sports-team-owners/

Should the vote fail and the team ends up leaving OKC, the ownership group will cement itself as some of the worst owners of all time.

That would be a particularly bad look for Records, Cameron, Howard, etc. Definitely an easy way to ruin their legacies.

So there will be multiple votes should the December version not pass.

[Laramie]

This listing an ownership group as among the worst IMO is 'hogwash. ' What does it do for our city to hear that; not a damn thing. We were all excited about getting a Big League sport in our city and state some 15 years ago (2008). You don't see the players getting all bent out of shape like when Rush Limbaugh attempted to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

Among the four major leagues, this is the first time our state has had a major league franchise. Rejoice, now let's make it a long term stay.

Build Oklahoma City a Super NBA arena, one that will make Dallas & Kansas City jealous, and send shock waves through the Fort whatever that's worth.

[chssooner]

Not true. This ownership group is already on a number of “worst owners in pro sports” lists:

https://www.thesportster.com/enterta...-miami-marlins

https://worthly.com/sports/worst-sports-team-owners/

Should the vote fail and the team ends up leaving OKC, the ownership group will cement itself as some of the worst owners of all time.

That would be a particularly bad look for Records, Cameron, Howard, etc. Definitely an easy way to ruin their legacies.

So there will be multiple votes should the December version not pass.

The reasons they are being listed are what will happen if people vote no on this. He has no qualms about shedding assets to make a pretty penny, and doesn't care about the fallout or backlash if he does. So that should be scary enough to get OKC voters to vote yes. OKC isn't Seattle. We have nothing to offer the world, or even the country, on a large scale. People don't flock here from out of state. They go there in droves. We lose the Thunder, we lose billions in free publicity and advertising on TV.

[PhiAlpha]

Not true. This ownership group is already on a number of “worst owners in pro sports” lists:

https://www.thesportster.com/enterta...-miami-marlins

https://worthly.com/sports/worst-sports-team-owners/

Should the vote fail and the team ends up leaving OKC, the ownership group will cement itself as some of the worst owners of all time.

That would be a particularly bad look for Records, Cameron, Howard, etc. Definitely an easy way to ruin their legacies.

So there will be multiple votes should the December version not pass.

LOL, hanging your hat on rich guys caring about what two little known sports websites say about them as owners is pretty laughable. Do so at your own risk.

There is absolutely no guarantee that we'll get another shot at this if it fails. Anything stating the contrary is wishful thinking. There's always the chance that they'll come back to the table but there's an equal or greater chance that they won't.

[Laramie]

Never mind v double post.

[Laramie]

Just wondering why it is taking so long to declare a site for the arena. Could one of the ownership's parcels like the old Ford site be under consideration as well as the PSM site.

What they're asking for the old former Ford site could certainly be a factor in the total cost of the new arena if it were selected.

[chssooner]

Just wondering why it is taking so long to declare a site for the arena. Could one of the ownership's parcels like the old Ford site be under consideration as well as the PSM site.

Because they still have an active long-term lease with a tenant for the property they want to use. Can't tell them to start looking at leaving with 2 years on the lease. Could show bad faith on the city's part with PSM.

[BoulderSooner]

Just wondering why it is taking so long to declare a site for the arena. Could one of the ownership's parcels like the old Ford site be under consideration as well as the PSM site.

What they're asking for the old former Ford site could certainly be a factor in the total cost of the new arena if it were selected.

they officialy haven't even started the process of looking for a site

[Laramie]

Because they still have an active long-term lease with a tenant for the property they want to use. Can't tell them to start looking at leaving with 2 years on the lease. Could show bad faith on the city's part with PSM.

Okay, then entertain a buyout out.

BTW is there anything that would keep the PSM site from becoming the location for the new arena.

[gopokes88]

We are getting a basketball team for 30 years, our city's name on millions of pieces of merchandise, and overpaid announcers saying OKC Thuner over and over again. BTW is there any chance of have the City take a minority stake in the team?

No. That's against NBA rules

[Rover]

Okay, then entertain a buyout out.

BTW is there anything that would keep the PSM site from becoming the location for the new arena.

You want it at Penn Square Mall? Why. Where would you even put it? Makes no sense.

[Rover]

Not true. This ownership group is already on a number of “worst owners in pro sports” lists:

https://www.thesportster.com/enterta...-miami-marlins

https://worthly.com/sports/worst-sports-team-owners/

Should the vote fail and the team ends up leaving OKC, the ownership group will cement itself as some of the worst owners of all time.

That would be a particularly bad look for Records, Cameron, Howard, etc. Definitely an easy way to ruin their legacies.

So there will be multiple votes should the December version not pass.

Did you even READ those articles? The very reason given for them being on the list is that these big city owners were upset they were out maneuvered by someone they thought beneath them. They weren't listed as bad owners because of how they run the team or let the management run the team, or how they spend or don't spend. It was all because they dared MOVE from Seattle to OKC. Perhaps that's the cautionary tale for OKC anyway.

OKC is held up by those in the basketball world as being a first class organization with their only downside being that they are in one of the smallest markets and they have a hard time competing with the glitz of Miami, New York, LA, Bostin, and Chicago for free agents. And, by being small market they have way lest TV money to spend.

So you are so off base in your aspersions that it is actually laughable.

[chssooner]

I'm convinced some people want to call the bluff of a multi-billionaire ownership group. Which is sad, and pathetic. And will hurt OKC for the next century.

[David]

You want it at Penn Square Mall? Why. Where would you even put it? Makes no sense.

I am quite certain he means Prairie Surf Media by PSM.