New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[Mississippi Blues]

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

That part was fairly accurate but the rest sounded like Mr. BS lives in Little Rock.

[HOT ROD]

sounds to me like the agreement between the city and the team will very much open the likelyhood of the tunnel into Bricktown, connecting the district and arena via the enhanced Santa Fe station and transit center. ...

If this is the case, this arena is turning out to be a GOD-SEND for OKC's future and the city and team are once again being great stewards for the people of Oklahoma City and it's visitors. ... Imagine the jump OKC will get once this is complete (from bottom of the list of NBA cities/arenas to one of the best).

[HOT ROD]

also of note:

"The team wants an aggressive timetable to move in 2028,” Freeman said. “We would have to start moving pretty fast to do that. We will need to start demolition of the existing building by early next year so we can quickly be ready for site preparation for work to start.”

hmm, what else happens in the Summer of 2028?

[warreng88]

sounds to me like the agreement between the city and the team will very much open the likelyhood of the tunnel into Bricktown, connecting the district and arena via the enhanced Santa Fe station and transit center. ...

If this is the case, this arena is turning out to be a GOD-SEND for OKC's future and the city and team are once again being great stewards for the people of Oklahoma City and it's visitors. ... Imagine the jump OKC will get once this is complete (from bottom of the list of NBA cities/arenas to one of the best).

If I remember correctly, it didn't have to do with the city, it had to do with BNSF not wanting it there. I know there are more details than that, but that was the basic jist of it.

[Pete]

also of note:



hmm, what else happens in the Summer of 2028?

Yes, these things are not coincidences:

The revised goal for opening the new arena is June 2028.

The LA28 Summer Games open July 14th.

The NBA preseason doesn't typically start until October.

[BoulderSooner]

If I remember correctly, it didn't have to do with the city, it had to do with BNSF not wanting it there. I know there are more details than that, but that was the basic jist of it.

it was all about cost and the city not really caring about getting it done thanks to the former public works director

[warreng88]

Fron the Oklahoman:

City council set to vote on development agreement for new OKC Thunder arena. What's in the plan?

Highlights:

The agreement includes two projects not previously discussed; construction of a 650-space garage and the city reserving 1.4 acres for a potential regional transit hub.

Freeman said the city’s agreement with the team is to first use funding from the $78 million from MAPS 4 that was originally allocated for improvements at Paycom Center. The team’s $50 million would be tapped next, followed by a minimum of $772 million to be financed through the 72-month, one-cent sales tax that is to begin on April 1, 2028.

The agreement set for a vote on Tuesday does not allow the use of arena funding for demolition of the Paycom Center. Voters were told during the campaign the Paycom Center will likely be torn down once the new arena is opened.

The possibility of building a transit hub on the arena site is conditioned on whether voters in Edmond, Oklahoma City and Norman approve creating a regional transit network in an election expected to occur in 2025.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...y/73768687007/

[warreng88]

it was all about cost and the city not really caring about getting it done thanks to the former public works director

Interesting. I knew cost was a factor, but I thought there was a disagreement with the railway in creating a tunnel. Not sure where I got that from. Thanks for the clarification.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The railroad demanded extra measures during construction that drove costs to something like 3-4 times the originally expected budget. They included requiring a signal man be stationed on track level and that every time a train passed (multiple times each day) that all workers AND EQUIPMENT be fully removed from the tunnel until the train had fully moved through. This drove labor and other costs far beyond the originally-allotted amount. It still could/should have happened, even with the outrageous guidelines.

[warreng88]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The railroad demanded extra measures during construction that drove costs to something like 3-4 times the originally expected budget. They included requiring a signal man be stationed on track level and that every time a train passed (multiple times each day) that all workers AND EQUIPMENT be fully removed from the tunnel as the train passed. This drove labor and other costs far beyond the originally-allotted amount. It still could/should have happened, even with the outrageous guidelines.

There you go. Thanks Chad for the clarification.

[BoulderSooner]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The railroad demanded extra measures during construction that drove costs to something like 3-4 times the originally expected budget. They included requiring a signal man be stationed on track level and that every time a train passed (multiple times each day) that all workers AND EQUIPMENT be fully removed from the tunnel until the train had fully moved through. This drove labor and other costs far beyond the originally-allotted amount. It still could/should have happened, even with the outrageous guidelines.

this is correct ... i will add that the city also didn't really push back on any of the "requirements" they pretty much just dropped the project .. (because the office running it didn't really care about it either way)

[Pete]

this is correct ... i will add that the city also didn't really push back on any of the requirements they pretty much just dropped the project .. (because the office running it didn't really care about it either way)

I believe there was also a window to spend the federal grant, so instead the money went towards redoing the plaza on the east side of the tracks and some other small things.

[Tydude]

The New Arena deal passed 7-2. Both Nikki Nice and JoBeth Hammon voted No on this arena deal.

[BoulderSooner]

I believe there was also a window to spend the federal grant, so instead the money went towards redoing the plaza on the east side of the tracks and some other small things.

for sure .. this was a grant that used Maps 3 streetcar/ transit funds as the match ... either way the tunnel still should have been completed .. (and if it needed more money the extra 5 mil 10 mil whatever should have been added to a GO bond issue or maps 4)

[Richard at Remax]

The New Arena deal passed 7-2. Both Nikki Nice and JoBeth Hammon voted No on this arena deal.

this is my shocked face

[Urbanized]

This is in no way meant to be argumentative or contrarian, nor is it a comment in any way about the speculation regarding other potential events in the summer of 2028, but it needs to be said that the hoped-for June completion of the arena is completely coincidental to the other. The June date mentioned would be when the arena would be handed over to the City, its operator (ASM) and the team. It will take months for them to move in and to be ready for the pre-season. I would definitely anticipate a concert or concerts happening before the NBA preseason, but it would simply not be available in time for the other.

Again, this is not a comment on the other rumored event in any way. It is just the reality of taking custody of a new building. There simply isn't enough time to have the new arena available for events in mid July, with a June move-in. This is NOT speculation on my part.

[Pete]

^

The previous stated goal was to be open by the 2029 season; it's now been moved up a year.

[Urbanized]

Yes, because the Thunder is insistent that they be in the building as soon as humanly possible. No other reason.

[Urbanized]

To expand on that, the Thunder has been quietly pushing for 2028 since last year.

[Pete]

In any event, it will be nice to have the arena substantially completed when OKC is on the international stage the summer of 2028.

I said from the beginning that we'll see several projects rush to meet that hard deadline for various reasons, mostly to put our city in the best possible light.

[bison34]

Yes, because the Thunder is insistent that they be in the building as soon as humanly possible. No other reason.

I just love how an only 5% owner is trying to call the shots. Gotta love it.

[warreng88]

I just love how an only 5% owner is trying to call the shots. Gotta love it.

An owner that brings in significantly more in revenue and tourism for that building than anything else would.

[gopokes88]

I just love how an only 5% owner is trying to call the shots. Gotta love it.

Is that the Tulsa one?

[Urbanized]

In any event, it will be nice to have the arena substantially completed when OKC is on the international stage the summer of 2028.

I said from the beginning that we'll see several projects rush to meet that hard deadline for various reasons, mostly to put our city in the best possible light.

100% agree that if the speculated event comes to OKC that there would be many projects pushed through to put OKC in its best light, and also that having a shiny new arena in the skyline B-roll would be a great statement.

One other thing about the Thunder pushing so hard for 2028 is that it will be the 20 year anniversary of the team's arrival in OKC. Not saying that is specifically why they are pushing, because if so that has not been overtly mentioned that I am aware of, but it only makes sense. The number one driver, of course, is that team revenue will be greatly enhanced in the new building. And the team's payroll, among other things, will look far different than it looks today. At the end of the day it's mostly about remaining viable for a long championship window, and enhancing team value.

[gopokes88]

100% agree that if the speculated event comes to OKC that there will be many projects pushed through to put OKC in its best light, and also that having a shiny new arena in the skyline B-roll would be a great statement.

One other thing about the Thunder pushing so hard for 2028 is that it will be the 20 year anniversary of the team's arrival in OKC. Not saying that is specifically why they are pushing, because if so that has not been overtly mentioned that I am aware of, but it only makes sense. The number one driver, of course, is that team revenue will be greatly enhanced in the new building. And the team's payroll, among other things, will look far different than it looks today. At the end of the day it's mostly about remaining viable for a long championship window, and enhancing team value.

Yeah the tax bill just to keep J Dub, Chet and SGA alone will be enormous. Not to mention the prodigal son that wears #35 has been making it very clear he wants to return and retire here.