New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[caaokc]

Can’t wait for renderings

[SoonerDave]

So when does demo on the Myriad start?

[Tydude]

So when does demo on the Myriad start?

I am guessing sometime in 2026. The lease of PSM with the city ends at the end of 2025.

[Urbanized]

There remains a possibility that the team might buy out PSM’s last year. They have incredible motivation to get into the new building sooner rather than later. Once again I will point out that full demo will take the better part of a year, and before demo can start there will have to be infrastructure relocations in order for Paycom to effectively function once the former Myriad/Cox is fully offline.

[Teo9969]

Two pieces of information that are definitely new here and (in my mind) could/should have been included with the original vote:

1. Land allocated to compliment the transit hub. I understand how including this would have been difficult when the site wasn't fully determined, but they could at least have included "A section of the property no less than 10% of the available area and no more than 15% of the available area will be allocated to OKC to develop for programmed public use".

2. PBC having the ability to develop unused land. I'm not sure exactly how this works - if this is right of first refusal or sole rights. That's a huge deal either way, but if it's sole rights, I'd think that throws out the window any opportunity for the city to subsidize a hotel on the site with the Omni (should the Omni want to participate). This site desperately needs a hotel, you could add in additional amenities like player housing, Thunder offices to scale up the size of the building. However you slice it, this site could really use 200+ rooms, especially if PBC/OKC ever wants to vie for an All-Star game.

from the agreement

EXHIBIT A NEW ARENA SITE The New Arena Site is generally located between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue and between Robinson Avenue and E K Gaylord Boulevard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The City/Authority reserves adequate space for the transit hub, approximately 60,000 square feet (1.377 Ac.) of land, accessible from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and as close to the Santa Fe Train Station as reasonably possible. Any amount of said land in excess of 1.377 Ac. must be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Said land is to be for transit hub use and may be combined with other facilities or buildings. Said land will be specifically located during the site plan design of the New Arena. [Legal description and site depiction attached.]

PARKING STRUCTURE Parking Garage – minimum 650 spaces

Are you implying that the use of this land allocated to the transit hub is going to be the Parking Garage or were you just adding that to the list of things?

[bison34]

Can’t wait for renderings

Probably still have 1 or 1.5 years before those come out.

[Dob Hooligan]

Two pieces of information that are definitely new here and (in my mind) could/should have been included with the original vote:

1. Land allocated to compliment the transit hub. I understand how including this would have been difficult when the site wasn't fully determined, but they could at least have included "A section of the property no less than 10% of the available area and no more than 15% of the available area will be allocated to OKC to develop for programmed public use".

2. PBC having the ability to develop unused land. I'm not sure exactly how this works - if this is right of first refusal or sole rights. That's a huge deal either way, but if it's sole rights, I'd think that throws out the window any opportunity for the city to subsidize a hotel on the site with the Omni (should the Omni want to participate). This site desperately needs a hotel, you could add in additional amenities like player housing, Thunder offices to scale up the size of the building. However you slice it, this site could really use 200+ rooms, especially if PBC/OKC ever wants to vie for an All-Star game.




Are you implying that the use of this land allocated to the transit hub is going to be the Parking Garage or were you just adding that to the list of things?

I always thought PBC was gonna get control of the land. I think (could be wrong) Milwaukee did that with the Bucks ownership when they did the new arena. The ability to build out the land, combined with the Fred Jones property they co-own is what makes the Thunder a key component of a 50 year plus multi-billion dollar urban development, IMO.

[Teo9969]

I always thought PBC was gonna get control of the land. I think (could be wrong) Milwaukee did that with the Bucks ownership when they did the new arena. The ability to build out the land, combined with the Fred Jones property they co-own is what makes the Thunder a key component of a 50 year plus multi-billion dollar urban development, IMO.

What Fred Jones property that who co-owner?

[PhiAlpha]

What Fred Jones property that who co-owner?

Think he’s talking about the old dealership lot that Bob Howard is part owner of.

[Dob Hooligan]

Think he’s talking about the old dealership lot that Bob Howard is part owner of.

Yes.

[Teo9969]

Yes.

But that's also Fred Jones who isn't part of the Thunder ownership group.

Anyway, while I understand all of this area needs to come together, uh, together, and that having commonality in ownership can have a positive impact on the planning, it's still a lot to take in that they just "get" the rights to develop, especially considering the Omni deal and also that PBC is not a development firm.

Hopefully, the thought is to combine the capital this group has with the Omni and potential city subsidies to put up a first class Omni that can work in conjunction with the first Omni, if so, then I feel pretty good about the deal, especially if the city subsidies are at least in part funded by this tax.

[Laramie]

But that's also Fred Jones who isn't part of the Thunder ownership group.

Anyway, while I understand all of this area needs to come together, uh, together, and that having commonality in ownership can have a positive impact on the planning, it's still a lot to take in that they just "get" the rights to develop, especially considering the Omni deal and also that PBC is not a development firm.

Hopefully, the thought is to combine the capital this group has with the Omni and potential city subsidies to put up a first class Omni that can work in conjunction with the first Omni, if so, then I feel pretty good about the deal, especially if the city subsidies are at least in part funded by this tax.

Would be great to add another 400-600 rooms--boosting the Omni's room count to 1,000-1200 rooms.
OKC could bid on more larger events. Also build the Zoo Aquarium downtown to add a tourist attraction.

[HOT ROD]

no, I dont want us to limit ourselves to Omni. They had a chance to build something wonderful and chose purposefully to short sight OKC even when we handed them a significant TIF.

Now, there's more players than Omni, including the Boardwalk people who obviuosly have vision in mind about OKC that Omni didn't. Omni has 15 more years iirc regarding their exclusivity agreement, let's see if Boardwalk "forces" them to do something or will they continue to sit and limit OKC's downtown development.

BTW, for all that are bad mouthing Boardwalk and Legends Tower, it actually is HELPING OKC in more ways than just the skyline change or multiple highrise hotel and residences. Boardwalk 'may' encourage Omni to do something with it's exclusivity agreement. I'm SURE omni will feel the impact in a bad way WHEN Boardwalk is built, and especially if/when Legends Tower is built; if Omni just sat there and did nothing. In my mind, Omni should purchase the land next door and build another tower, this time something higher than 20 floors - to as many on here have said, give OKC more than 1000 hotel rooms basically connected to the convention center. That should ahve been done in the beginning but Omni has a chance to fix it.

Perhaps this might be the long delay preventing Rose Rock from building an 8 floor building. Shouldn't take YEARS upon years to build a relatively simple residential mid-rise, particularly considering the other projects that fast track (especially in Tulsa). Hopefully this is in the works, and Im sure Boardwalk/Legends would be the fire under the behind for it to materialize.

[G.Walker]

The problem was that the original consultant for the Omni hotel development was short sighted and didn't take into account future growth, the hotel itself wasn't even designed for future expansion. I have said all along, the only chance we have of OMNI expanding is taking over the stagnant Boulevard Place land, they would be able to add more rooms there. That is the only plausible place for expansion.

However, I believe once the new arena is built, we will get another signature hotel adjacent or very close to the arena. We are five years out from the arena being completed, a lot can happen.

[Tyson]

no, I dont want us to limit ourselves to Omni. They had a chance to build something wonderful and chose purposefully to short sight OKC even when we handed them a significant TIF.

Now, there's more players than Omni, including the Boardwalk people who obviuosly have vision in mind about OKC that Omni didn't. Omni has 15 more years iirc regarding their exclusivity agreement, let's see if Boardwalk "forces" them to do something or will they continue to sit and limit OKC's downtown development.

BTW, for all that are bad mouthing Boardwalk and Legends Tower, it actually is HELPING OKC in more ways than just the skyline change or multiple highrise hotel and residences. Boardwalk 'may' encourage Omni to do something with it's exclusivity agreement. I'm SURE omni will feel the impact in a bad way WHEN Boardwalk is built, and especially if/when Legends Tower is built; if Omni just sat there and did nothing. In my mind, Omni should purchase the land next door and build another tower, this time something higher than 20 floors - to as many on here have said, give OKC more than 1000 hotel rooms basically connected to the convention center. That should ahve been done in the beginning but Omni has a chance to fix it.

Perhaps this might be the long delay preventing Rose Rock from building an 8 floor building. Shouldn't take YEARS upon years to build a relatively simple residential mid-rise, particularly considering the other projects that fast track (especially in Tulsa). Hopefully this is in the works, and Im sure Boardwalk/Legends would be the fire under the behind for it to materialize.

You say what few people are willing to even consider. With you there.

[Laramie]

no, I dont want us to limit ourselves to Omni. They had a chance to build something wonderful and chose purposefully to short sight OKC even when we handed them a significant TIF.

Now, there's more players than Omni, including the Boardwalk people who obviuosly have vision in mind about OKC that Omni didn't. Omni has 15 more years iirc regarding their exclusivity agreement, let's see if Boardwalk "forces" them to do something or will they continue to sit and limit OKC's downtown development.

BTW, for all that are bad mouthing Boardwalk and Legends Tower, it actually is HELPING OKC in more ways than just the skyline change or multiple highrise hotel and residences. Boardwalk 'may' encourage Omni to do something with it's exclusivity agreement. I'm SURE omni will feel the impact in a bad way WHEN Boardwalk is built, and especially if/when Legends Tower is built; if Omni just sat there and did nothing. In my mind, Omni should purchase the land next door and build another tower, this time something higher than 20 floors - to as many on here have said, give OKC more than 1000 hotel rooms basically connected to the convention center. That should ahve been done in the beginning but Omni has a chance to fix it.

Perhaps this might be the long delay preventing Rose Rock from building an 8 floor building. Shouldn't take YEARS upon years to build a relatively simple residential mid-rise, particularly considering the other projects that fast track (especially in Tulsa). Hopefully this is in the works, and Im sure Boardwalk/Legends would be the fire under the behind for it to materialize.

OKC (MSA 1,477,926) should have requested 700-800 room hotel when they selected the Omni. Birmingham (MSA 1,184,290) very similar in size to OKC built an 838 room Sheraton Birmingham. They built for the future.

Like it or not, Omni will continue to be the official OKC convention center hotel--they have first rights of refusal.

[Laramie]

[Mr. Blue Sky]

no, I dont want us to limit ourselves to Omni. They had a chance to build something wonderful and chose purposefully to short sight OKC even when we handed them a significant TIF.

Now, there's more players than Omni, including the Boardwalk people who obviuosly have vision in mind about OKC that Omni didn't. Omni has 15 more years iirc regarding their exclusivity agreement, let's see if Boardwalk "forces" them to do something or will they continue to sit and limit OKC's downtown development.

BTW, for all that are bad mouthing Boardwalk and Legends Tower, it actually is HELPING OKC in more ways than just the skyline change or multiple highrise hotel and residences. Boardwalk 'may' encourage Omni to do something with it's exclusivity agreement. I'm SURE omni will feel the impact in a bad way WHEN Boardwalk is built, and especially if/when Legends Tower is built; if Omni just sat there and did nothing. In my mind, Omni should purchase the land next door and build another tower, this time something higher than 20 floors - to as many on here have said, give OKC more than 1000 hotel rooms basically connected to the convention center. That should ahve been done in the beginning but Omni has a chance to fix it.

Perhaps this might be the long delay preventing Rose Rock from building an 8 floor building. Shouldn't take YEARS upon years to build a relatively simple residential mid-rise, particularly considering the other projects that fast track (especially in Tulsa). Hopefully this is in the works, and Im sure Boardwalk/Legends would be the fire under the behind for it to materialize.

You want to really see downtown development come to a screeching halt? Let them build that monstrosity, and expression of Little City Syndrome™️, they call Legends Tower. Thankfully, it won’t happen, but if it does? Kiss a single other skyscraper away for many decades. Cheerleading for OKC becomes ridiculous when people truly believe that tower makes sense, that we can support the NFL and MLB, that we need subways or other transit of that scale. Oklahoma City doesn’t need hobbyists to “dream big” by demanding the biggest, baddest whatever, and then pronounce anything short of that as a failure.

[Laramie]

Have no problem with building a large apartment complex if there is demand. My preference is that if you're going to build a 1900 ft., tall building--build two 850 foot towers slightly taller than Devon Tower. It would make the skyline look more symmetric adding balance to the existing skyscrapers.

As for the new arena, would love to see some kind of symbol or sphere atop the arena where it stands out and grasp the attention branding it as an arena being synonymous with Oklahoma City.

[kevin lee]

You want to really see downtown development come to a screeching halt? Let them build that monstrosity, and expression of Little City Syndrome™�, they call Legends Tower. Thankfully, it won’t happen, but if it does? Kiss a single other skyscraper away for many decades. Cheerleading for OKC becomes ridiculous when people truly believe that tower makes sense, that we can support the NFL and MLB, that we need subways or other transit of that scale. Oklahoma City doesn’t need hobbyists to “dream big” by demanding the biggest, baddest whatever, and then pronounce anything short of that as a failure.

This is a very weird opinion, and based on what evidence? So one skyscraper will dictate ALL downtown developments because some deem it a monstrosity? That sounds worse than the guy who said people would move out of OKC because there wasn't enough buildings lit up and the skyline was too dark.

[jn1780]

You want to really see downtown development come to a screeching halt? Let them build that monstrosity, and expression of Little City Syndrome™️, they call Legends Tower. Thankfully, it won’t happen, but if it does? Kiss a single other skyscraper away for many decades. Cheerleading for OKC becomes ridiculous when people truly believe that tower makes sense, that we can support the NFL and MLB, that we need subways or other transit of that scale. Oklahoma City doesn’t need hobbyists to “dream big” by demanding the biggest, baddest whatever, and then pronounce anything short of that as a failure.

Don't worry. This is like arguing if the Enterprise would win against the Death Star. Equally fictional and pointless

[PhiAlpha]

don't worry. This is like arguing if the enterprise would win against the death star. Equally fictional and pointless

But… DID THE FAA APPROVE THAT BATTLE?!? Are we DESERVING of it? lol

[BoulderSooner]

Are you implying that the use of this land allocated to the transit hub is going to be the Parking Garage or were you just adding that to the list of things?

was just adding to the list as i was reading the exec summary

[Swake]

This is a very weird opinion, and based on what evidence? So one skyscraper will dictate ALL downtown developments because some deem it a monstrosity? That sounds worse than the guy who said people would move out of OKC because there wasn't enough buildings lit up and the skyline was too dark.

Not a weird opinion, It's very basic supply and demand economics.

[Mississippi Blues]

Kiss a single other skyscraper away for many decades.

Promise?