Ford Center renovations update

[metro]

Please read pages 1-7 for update.

[fuzzytoad]

The fact that some believe she's the biggest pop star at this moment. IMO, doesn't say much for the music industry.

Lady Gaga, The Illuminati Puppet | The Vigilant Citizen

[circuitboard]

The fact that some believe she's the biggest pop star at this moment. IMO, doesn't say much for the music industry.

RC how old are you?

I am going to go out on a stretch and imagine you probably are not the target audience for any pop singer/and or group.

[Richard at Remax]

I hate to continue this topic but who is bigger than her?

[Kerry]

I hate to continue this topic but who is bigger than her?

Do you mean who can draw a larger audience or who can create more media buzz? I would say there are at least 100 acts that can draw a larger audience.

Shim (combination of she and him) doesn't even make the top 50 on this chart.
http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/TopTourOfTheDecade.pdf

[venture]

Perhaps it is time to move the Lady Gaga specific discussion to the A&E section of the board since we have a few tasteless individuals (shocker) posting here. This thread is also about renovations. Yes the announcement of a major concert plays in to that, but any specific discussion about the artist and such should be in another area.

[Richard at Remax]

media buzz

[nighttrain12]

Of course the next issue is, how does this sales tax shortfall affect MAPS3 (whose tax collections start next month) and did Mayor Cornett know about this before the MAPS3 election?

[soonerliberal]

Do you mean who can draw a larger audience or who can create more media buzz? I would say there are at least 100 acts that can draw a larger audience.

Shim (combination of she and him) doesn't even make the top 50 on this chart.
http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/TopTourOfTheDecade.pdf

Considering she just came on the scene in late 2008, one wouldn't expect her to be up that high on a 2000 - 2009 chart.

[Larry OKC]

Of course the next issue is, how does this sales tax shortfall affect MAPS3 (whose tax collections start next month) and did Mayor Cornett know about this before the MAPS3 election?

Undoubtedly he knew all about it as the sales tax collections have been on a steady decline for a year now (often double digits). At first glance one might think something nefarious is going on, but in this case, I don't see it holding up.

Even with the sales tax shortfall as the starting point for MAPS 3, when presuming the same avg yearly growth the City has experienced over the past 10 years, it works out almost exactly to the $100M/year average of MAPS 3. If you want to see the math on it, I had a thread called "Retraction".

The City is excellent at projecting revenue estimates over a long term. The 7 year MAPS for Kids tax came within $2M of revenue projections and that figured out to be within half a percent.

Where they got into trouble was the relatively short revenue projection for the 15 month Ford tax. That shortfall didn't have the advantage of time to bring it back out.

[Martin]

peeps... if you want to talk about pop music stars then start another thread. this thread is about ford center renovations.

back to topic. -M

[nighttrain12]

I thought the Ford Center was going to be closed all summer for phase 2 of renovations..?

Techincally this Summer is/was scheduled for phase 3 of the renovations. Phase 1 was before the Thunder started their first season (new locker rooms, sound and lighting upgrades, etc.).

I think our city leaders dropped the ball on this by not announcing something before a new event was announced for this summer.

[Kerry]

I think our city leaders dropped the ball on this by not announcing something before a new event was announced for this summer.

I think SMG is well aware of the construction schedule and doesn't need press releases from the city to determine when to book events.

[nighttrain12]

The press release would be for the citizens benefit, not SMG who could find these things out behind the scenes. My point being our tax dollars were supposed to be spent this Summer for a major city project and for now, we can only speculate on why that is apparently not going to happen. We deserve to know why and what the new renovation schedule is.

[LakeEffect]

The press release would be for the citizens benefit, not SMG who could find these things out behind the scenes. My point being our tax dollars were supposed to be spent this Summer for a major city project and for now, we can only speculate on why that is apparently not going to happen. We deserve to know why and what the new renovation schedule is.

Then write or call:

City Manager
200 N Walker, 3rd Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405 297-2345
citymanager@okc.gov

Public Works Department
420 W. Main, 7th Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405 297-2581

[ljbab728]

The press release would be for the citizens benefit, not SMG who could find these things out behind the scenes. My point being our tax dollars were supposed to be spent this Summer for a major city project and for now, we can only speculate on why that is apparently not going to happen. We deserve to know why and what the new renovation schedule is.

That may have been your point but it sounded like you were more concerned about having an announcement before a new concert was advertised.

[nighttrain12]

That may have been your point but it sounded like you were more concerned about having an announcement before a new concert was advertised.

Yes, by annoucing a concert in July, it startled me as I have been counting down the days for the Ford Center to close again. I spend a lot of time there (sporting events and concerts). Now suddenly, there is a 'hint' that something is amiss and I want to know why. Thanks for the phone/address numbers but I would think the media would be all over this issue.

[HOT ROD]

i personally think having the concert is a good thing for OKC and surely wouldn't mind pushing or altering the construction schedule to get the biggest act in the world. .....

the construction will happen and Im sure they can do the expansion without messing with the arena. They could splice up the arena work so that expansion could happen this year and arena work could take place next summer.

That's what we get for having a playoff team so quickly. ........

[RodH]

Perhaps the original construction schedule did not consider that the Thunder would be in the playoffs. I believe that the construction was supposed to begin at the end of the season. The end of the season for the Thunder has become uncertain now that they look like they are going to be in the playoffs. Their playoff run could potentially last for about two months.

[HOT ROD]

totally agreed Rod. That was my point - and also that the city could still do the expansion while save the arena work to later.

This would allow for events to take place, but also for the building to be expanded (in the areas not necessary to be used for events.

[betts]

The fact that some believe she's the biggest pop star at this moment. IMO, doesn't say much for the music industry.

I can't comment personally on her musical talent, but my daughters, who've been singing all their lives and are rather heartless in their commentary about singers, went to see her in January. They said the show was amazing and I specifically asked about her voice, since I know they're pretty harsh critics. Both of them told me she has an excellent voice. As far as style of music, that's always been personal taste, and I'm not sure other people's opinions are that important. Like art, people like what they like, and we're never going to get complete agreement on musical genres.

Oh, and to get back on topic, I see people assuming that the reason the improvements have been postponed or foreshortened is due to a tax shortfall. Do we absolutely know that is the case and not related to the Thunder and the potential playoffs?

[OKCisOK4me]

Honestly, I believe its AOK to hold off on the next phase of construction. Personally, I still think that it would look rather cramped against the Crosstown. Why don't we wait for that sucker to be moved south and for the elevated highway just south of the Ford Center to be torn down?

Also, put the majority of the tax money toward the arena and the owners can fund the remainder price of the practice facility. I want my pennies to go toward what I can use and, lol, I'm positive that its not what's being built up on Britton Road...

[SkyWestOKC]

Honestly, I believe its AOK to hold off on the next phase of construction. Personally, I still think that it would look rather cramped against the Crosstown. Why don't we wait for that sucker to be moved south and for the elevated highway just south of the Ford Center to be torn down?

Also, put the majority of the tax money toward the arena and the owners can fund the remainder price of the practice facility. I want my pennies to go toward what I can use and, lol, I'm positive that its not what's being built up on Britton Road...

It'll be a few more years before the new highway opens IIRC.

[Dustin]

I hate to continue this topic but who is bigger than her?

Britney... sad but true.. She could sell 100,000 tickets in less than 12 hours I bet.

[Larry OKC]

...Oh, and to get back on topic, I see people assuming that the reason the improvements have been postponed or foreshortened is due to a tax shortfall. Do we absolutely know that is the case and not related to the Thunder and the potential playoffs?

Think it could be a combination of the two. Still a little fuzzy on if the Ford improvements are truly millions behind or not. Think the last story I saw mentioned it was in the $12M range, but is that in cost over runs or tax revenue shortfall (we know the tax has brought in less than projected). Then is all of that off set by the half-price practice facility (presuming that the bid cost and the actual cost are the same). The practice facility had 3 months of the 15 month tax earmarked for it $24M, mol). The bid came in at $10M. So that’s a “savings” of $14M right there, if the Ford renovations are in the $12M range, seems we are on track (but as noted, phase 3, the construction of the additional sf for team offices and new entrance have yet to be completed).

Waiting a year may actually be in the taxpayers best interest (pun intended).
MAPS may end up with cash surplus | Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City) | Find Articles at BNET

“More important, the MAPS program has earned around $4.7 million of interest income, which will be funneled back into the program. “Most of the additional interest income is due to the delay of the downtown arena. We had anticipated spending that money earlier to begin construction of the arena and since we did not, the money was invested and has now come back with a pretty good return for us.” -- MAPS Program Manager Jim Couch (2/24/99)

Honestly, I believe its AOK to hold off on the next phase of construction. Personally, I still think that it would look rather cramped against the Crosstown. Why don’t we wait for that sucker to be moved south and for the elevated highway just south of the Ford Center to be torn down?

Also, put the majority of the tax money toward the arena and the owners can fund the remainder price of the practice facility. I want my pennies to go toward what I can use and, lol, I’m positive that its not what’s being built up on Britton Road...

As seen above, the Practice Facility is where millions were saved.

I see your point about it being cramped... is the proximity to the crosstown going to be a problem when it does come down? Is there a risk of causing damage to that brand new glass entrance?

That said, the proximity is actually a good thing as with traffic going by there every day, the visibility is there (esp if it has the multi-story NBA graphics). Once relocated a few blocks south, partially below grade, that advantage is gone).