MAPS 4 Stadium

[gopokes88]

Didn't the Gap MAPs between 3 & 4 also have money for roads, parks, police, sidewalks? Only went for a few years but it did put more money towards it.

[oklanime]

Building an 8k stadium to start out with room to expand in the future is fine and is the reasonable decision for the OKC Energy. USL teams average about 5.8k in attendance, and the highest attendance overall was Sacramento Republic FC with about 10.6k(https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023...ip-attendance/) so it makes since why they would stick to building just 8k right now and build later. Would it be nice if a 20-25k stadium is built? Sure, but the only way to get it built is to show up to the matches and show that there is demand for soccer in OKC.

[Pete]

Press release:

***********

City Council approves use of economic development funds to leverage MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium
01/16/2024

Oklahoma City Council today approved using economic development funds to increase the budget for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium from $41 million to $71 million.

The additional funding is contingent on the multipurpose stadium being located downtown, where an additional $30 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other economic development funds could pay for a portion of the stadium’s construction costs.

“This outcome addresses three challenges,” Mayor David Holt said. “The MAPS 4 stadium project was always funded below the level this city deserves, the project never had a budget for land acquisition, and the land south of Bricktown needs a catalyst. With adoption of this plan by the Council, we have a more appropriate budget for the stadium, we can secure the donation of land, and we will provide the spark this particular property needs. That we can do all of this without general fund tax dollars is a win-win. I want to thank the Energy FC ownership group for their offer to donate the land for the stadium, and I want to thank the City Manager, Kenny Tsoodle with the Alliance for Economic Development, Councilmen Stone and Stonecipher, everyone who was involved in this for the last two years, the Council and the committees and trusts who approved it. We look forward to the next steps and another exciting development for Oklahoma City.”

Property under contract

OKC Energy FC Ownership is under contract to purchase an area of undeveloped property south of Bricktown and east of the Oklahoma City Convention Center from the Producers Downtown Development, LLC. The ownership group plans to donate 7.2 acres of the area to the City for the stadium, which the City will own.

OKC Energy FC Ownership plans to develop the remaining area into a sports-centered entertainment district.

The land donation is dependent on approval from the MAPS 4 Venues Subcommittee and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board, which could take place in early spring.

Stadium details

The stadium design includes a United States Soccer Federation (USSF)-approved pitch, seating for approximately 8,000 guests, locker rooms and suites. The venue is expected to drive the development of a sports-centered entertainment district downtown, a model that has proven to be successful in Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana. A similar project is under construction in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The venue will be the City’s only stadium with a USSF-approved pitch to accommodate professional men’s and women’s soccer. When the area develops, visitors will be able to walk from restaurants, retail and housing to attend events in the new entertainment district.

[Tyson]

Press release:

***********

City Council approves use of economic development funds to leverage MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium
01/16/2024

Oklahoma City Council today approved using economic development funds to increase the budget for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium from $41 million to $71 million.

The additional funding is contingent on the multipurpose stadium being located downtown, where an additional $30 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other economic development funds could pay for a portion of the stadium’s construction costs.

“This outcome addresses three challenges,” Mayor David Holt said. “The MAPS 4 stadium project was always funded below the level this city deserves, the project never had a budget for land acquisition, and the land south of Bricktown needs a catalyst. With adoption of this plan by the Council, we have a more appropriate budget for the stadium, we can secure the donation of land, and we will provide the spark this particular property needs. That we can do all of this without general fund tax dollars is a win-win. I want to thank the Energy FC ownership group for their offer to donate the land for the stadium, and I want to thank the City Manager, Kenny Tsoodle with the Alliance for Economic Development, Councilmen Stone and Stonecipher, everyone who was involved in this for the last two years, the Council and the committees and trusts who approved it. We look forward to the next steps and another exciting development for Oklahoma City.”

Property under contract

OKC Energy FC Ownership is under contract to purchase an area of undeveloped property south of Bricktown and east of the Oklahoma City Convention Center from the Producers Downtown Development, LLC. The ownership group plans to donate 7.2 acres of the area to the City for the stadium, which the City will own.

OKC Energy FC Ownership plans to develop the remaining area into a sports-centered entertainment district.

The land donation is dependent on approval from the MAPS 4 Venues Subcommittee and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board, which could take place in early spring.

Stadium details

The stadium design includes a United States Soccer Federation (USSF)-approved pitch, seating for approximately 8,000 guests, locker rooms and suites. The venue is expected to drive the development of a sports-centered entertainment district downtown, a model that has proven to be successful in Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana. A similar project is under construction in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The venue will be the City’s only stadium with a USSF-approved pitch to accommodate professional men’s and women’s soccer. When the area develops, visitors will be able to walk from restaurants, retail and housing to attend events in the new entertainment district.

Wow, this is great news.

[KHutch66]

is there any chance of potentially extending the canal into this area, the same as previously planned.

[Rover]

is there any chance of potentially extending the canal into this area, the same as previously planned.

What was the previous plan?

[Pete]

What was the previous plan?

It was shown when the Producers Coop group was pitching to have the aquarium built on their property as part of MAPS 4.

Purely conceptual.

[PhiAlpha]

We talk a lot about TIF here but this seems like a pretty excellent use of it. The stadium should kick start and incentivize development in a barren area within the core with some significant hurdles that have so far prevented development there.

[fortpatches]

What was the previous plan?

I think this may be what they were referring to
canal022019.jpg (1472×1024) (okctalk.com)

[Rover]

I think this may be what they were referring to
canal022019.jpg (1472×1024) (okctalk.com)

Yes, as Pete said, a concept, not a plan.

[mugofbeer]

I would LOVE to see the canal system expanded.

[Sonicthunder]

7.2 acres donated to city? is that enough room to fit in an arena as well

[Rover]

7.2 acres donated to city? is that enough room to fit in an arena as well

No

[OKC2017]

you probably need at least 10 acres just to fit the basic stadium structure and still leave some room for future expansion/renovation.

by the way, the austin fc stadium "Q2" looks like a likely design type even though it is soccer specific and not multipurpose.

[mugofbeer]

Journal Record article on the stadium

https://journalrecord.com/2024/02/71...nut-hole-site/

[OKC2017]

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.co...apolis-mls-bid

indianapolis has the political and financial backing to develop a + $1B stadium/mixed use downtown development to secure an MLS team for the city.

[caaokc]

Echo is now majority owner

https://www.energyfc.com/news_article/show/1314347

[Laramie]

OKC needs to invest in a MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium designed for future expansion capabilities.

The new stadium could serve the immediate needs for USL soccer, collegiate Division II football and some high school football games. Construct the initial lower level seating to accommodate 15,000 seats (not 8,000 seats).

Last phase, add an upper deck expansion for 10,000 seats with 25,000 maximum seating capacity.

[Laramie]

UFL Oklahoma City franchise could use Chad Richison Stadium (Capacity 12,000 - UCO campus) as a 3 year temporary home until the MAPS 4 Multipurpose stadium is built in OKC.

The team could build an Edmond fan base which IMO would be a catalyst for an MLS expansion franchise for OKC.

When Mayor Mick Cornett (2005-2018) occupied 'City Hall' he indicated that if Oklahoma City obtained an MLS franchise that Oklahoma City would build a stadium. The last MLS expansion franchise was awarded to Charlotte, NC for $325 million in 2022.

[citywokchinesefood]

OU's soccer field is not anything to write home about, and they are not getting a new pitch any time soon. It would not be the worst idea to try and have them be an additional tenant to book up more event days for the stadium in the future. If the University NorthPark stadium is built it would be a great spot for the OKC blue to play to again add more event dates to the facilities calendar throughout the season. With the upcoming train connection between campus and downtown a cheap or free student pass to and from games could be a great way to increase both men's and women's OU soccer attendance. They would be playing in one of the nicest and largest facilities in the SEC. The 2026 World Cup being hosted in North America has a chance to really drive interest in soccer in America. I think that having a USL team and two division one programs regularly playing games downtown could really jumpstart the district around the stadium with consistent activation.

[aDark]

Hey Pete, or anyone in the know, I read our State of the City. I noticed Mayor Holt didn't provide any timeline for the Maps 4 Stadium to be built. Considering the location was confirmed ~6 months ago, do we expect to have a timeline for the build soon? I assume there would be a pretty significant push to have it completed before the significant TV coverage re the Olympics in 2028. Is that enough time to build an outdoor stadium consistent with what is proposed? Am I reading too much into Mayor Holt not signaling a completion timeline?

[BoulderSooner]

Hey Pete, or anyone in the know, I read our State of the City. I noticed Mayor Holt didn't provide any timeline for the Maps 4 Stadium to be built. Considering the location was confirmed ~6 months ago, do we expect to have a timeline for the build soon? I assume there would be a pretty significant push to have it completed before the significant TV coverage re the Olympics in 2028. Is that enough time to build an outdoor stadium consistent with what is proposed? Am I reading too much into Mayor Holt not signaling a completion timeline?

per this https://www.okc.gov/government/timeline

it is on the 2025 schedule ...

[BoulderSooner]

not that it matters now .. but if the Energy owners were serious about soccer .. they would have spend 5-10 mil of their own money to build a temp stadium that fit USL requirements and played there until maps 4 stadium is ready ..


just as a reminder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Health_Park the Sacramento stadium that seats 12k cost 3 mil to build .. in 2014

[Pete]

^

Right, and remember they had plans to do that at Chisholm Creek at one time.

Their excuse at the time was that fans didn't like the location being so far north, but there are tons of other temporary sites closer to the core.

It's pretty galling that taxpayers are putting up all this money and can't even field a team for what will turn out to be close to a decade. We'll see if the new ownership group is more responsible.

[BoulderSooner]

^

Right, and remember they had plans to do that at Chisholm Creek at one time.

Their excuse at the time was that fans didn't like the location being so far north, but there are tons of other temporary sites closer to the core.

It's pretty galling that taxpayers are putting up all this money and can't even field a team for what will turn out to be close to a decade. We'll see if the new ownership group is more responsible.

and lets be honest ... the city almost for sure would have helped them fund a temp stadium ..