If You Had Deep Pockets, What Would You Do For OKC?

[traxx]

But are the Nascar fans the people we want to bring into Oklahoma? They have a bad stereotype & oklahoma in general is trying so hard to fight off it's bad stereotypes of rednecks & people who aren't cosmopolitan.

Cosmopolitan isn't the be all end all. I don't think we should eschew our down home country roots. I see many posts on here that think that it is a bad image. But when people come to Oklahoma that's what they want to see - cowboys, country and western etc. They don't care to see Simply Fondue or something they can drive down the street and see in their own city.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't have fine arts, performing arts etc. But we also shouldn't forget where we came from (that could be our bread and butter as far as entertainment and tourism)in an effort to try to be the next San Francisco or Chicago - we'll never be that nor should we.

Too many people on here badmouth Toby Keith and his restaurant for being too rednecky, but that's what Oklahoma is and is known for. I think it's great that he stayed in Oklahoma and invested in his home state rather than leaving for the bright lights as soon as he got famous. We need more like him.

We can parlay our image into big money if it's done right. Look at a place like Dallas, they have their finer lifestyle but they never let you forget you're in Texas and they're proud of that not ashamed that Big D and Texas brings to mind the South and country. We should follow that lead. Dallas is uniquely Dallas and Texas, we should be uniquely Oklahoma and not measure whether we've arrived or not by having the next hip restaurant that already exist in 100 other cities.

<steps down off of soap box>

[jdsplaypin]

I think everyone wants a more cosmo OKC. As for Oklahoma in general... let it be rednecked but i'm talking about OKC. As for people wanting to see cowboy heritage when they come to our city I totally agree. I'm very confused why you referenced me to explain our ties with cowboy culture. I never mentioned the word cowboy. Cowboys & rednecks are very different people. I have never met an redneck i'd want to be around besides those on the blue collar comedy squad & they're staying in Ritz Carltons when they travel drinking fine scotches.

[traxx]

I referenced what you said because cowboy and redneck go hand-in-hand. That's where the term comes from, guys who work on the ranch out in the sun and their necks get red from sunburn.

I don't have a problem with OKC becoming more cosmo but we need not forget what makes us different and sets us apart. We need to be unique so that we're remembered not just a clone of other mid-sized cities. I couldn't begin to tell you what Indianapolis is known for or what sets Atlanta apart and makes it different.

[jdsplaypin]

Indianapolis is known for bringing in rednecks to watch races & if we can't agree on that then there's a big pink elephant in the room that noone will look at. & yes, im aware the term redneck came from sunburned necks... but that doesn't make them cowboys. If you asked a cowboy if his closest human co-partner was a redneck he may punch you.
REDNECKS=mullet/flannel sleevless t-shirt/natural light beer/ trailor/ unedumacated.
Cowboy=cowboy hat/ wranglers/ bud light/ street smart

[traxx]

Cowboy=cowboy hat/ wranglers/ bud light/ street smart

Or trail smart.

My point about Indy and Atlanta were that each is a major league city (pro sports) but they are not distinctive.

[jdsplaypin]

Atlanta has a huge rappers base. thats kinda a joke, but that's how i known the ATL

[floater]

I don't have a problem with OKC becoming more cosmo but we need not forget what makes us different and sets us apart. We need to be unique so that we're remembered not just a clone of other mid-sized cities. I couldn't begin to tell you what Indianapolis is known for or what sets Atlanta apart and makes it different.

I don't think anybody wants OKC to become San Fran or Chicago, but it never hurts to be broad in appeal -- in Oklahoma City's case, more cosmopolitan. The friendliness, hospitality, and family values will always be there no matter how urbane OKC becomes. They're in the city's DNA.

It depends on what you define is the city's "character". And is it tangible and marketable? Can you market family values as a destination? I think cowboy culture is cool, but does it really permeate OKC society outside the Stockyards, horse shows and museum?

My guess for OKC would be Native American culture and sports events. But who knows, in the future, there may be an attractive, visitor-friendly quality about our people, places, and tastes that we haven't discovered yet. Three years ago, I would never have guessed we'd be hosting the US warmup for Olympic rowing.

[mranderson]

I don't think anybody wants OKC to become San Fran or Chicago, but it never hurts to be broad in appeal -- in Oklahoma City's case, more cosmopolitan. The friendliness, hospitality, and family values will always be there no matter how urbane OKC becomes. They're in the city's DNA.

It depends on what you define is the city's "character". And is it tangible and marketable? Can you market family values as a destination? I think cowboy culture is cool, but does it really permeate OKC society outside the Stockyards, horse shows and museum?

My guess for OKC would be Native American culture and sports events. But who knows, in the future, there may be an attractive, visitor-friendly quality about our people, places, and tastes that we haven't discovered yet. Three years ago, I would never have guessed we'd be hosting the US warmup for Olympic rowing.

Nothing wrong with taking some license from San Francisco (it is San Francisco, not "San Fran," thank you) or Chicago. We could turn one of the lakes into a mini Wharf or Pier 39. Plus a Second City and some ganster museums and other things. After all, Oklahoma City had one of the largest ganster populations in the nation. Not like Chicago, however, very large.

[jbrown84]

Are you serious?

[traxx]

[QUOTE=mranderson] We could turn one of the lakes into a mini Wharf or Pier 39.QUOTE]

I thought something like that was the original idea for Hefner until that got screwed up. Too often that's the problem with development here. Instead of planning ahead, having an idea and coming at it with a plan they just fly by the seat of their pants and have the motto of "If there's empty land, build something on it, we'll figure it out later," not really thinking does it fit in with the area and the use.

[chuckdiesel]

Oh..1 more thing.

A race track! 1st of all to bring (NASCAR). I hate Nascar, but it is huge and would bring thousands of people to OKC. The track would also need to have a race course as well as the oval. So that it could bring many racing events


Thanks

That would be huge for OKC. As much as alot of people hate NASCAR, it brings in something like 100,000 visitors at places like the one north of Ft. Worth.
That is lots of tourist dollars, lots. Plus more national exposure. Win win if you ask me.

[mranderson]

Are you serious?

Is who serious?

[gsan]

That would be huge for OKC. As much as alot of people hate NASCAR, it brings in something like 100,000 visitors at places like the one north of Ft. Worth.
That is lots of tourist dollars, lots. Plus more national exposure. Win win if you ask me.

Exactly! It would bring people to OKC and morre importantly extra $$$$$.

[MadMonk]

The problem with a racetrack is track location. Where would be a good place for it? Far N. OKC? NW of Edmond? West between Yukon and El Reno? It would take a huge amount of land. You know you would run into NIMBY problems with the noise.

[BricktownGuy]

I think I vaguely remember reading something about some type of racetrack being built near Midwest City or something, but developer was getting alot of heat from area homeowners, due to increased noise, etc. I think I read that in the OKCBusiness print edition within the last year, but I am not totally sure.

[chuckdiesel]

The problem with a racetrack is track location. Where would be a good place for it? Far N. OKC? NW of Edmond? West between Yukon and El Reno? It would take a huge amount of land. You know you would run into NIMBY problems with the noise.

One thing we have in Oklahoma is lots of land. If they were to build one they should look no further than the Texas Motor Speedway north of Ft. Worth. Its right off the interstate on the outskirts of developement.
I would like to think some where around Norman would be perfect. Just south of town or between Moore and Norman.

[mranderson]

The problem with a racetrack is track location. Where would be a good place for it? Far N. OKC? NW of Edmond? West between Yukon and El Reno? It would take a huge amount of land. You know you would run into NIMBY problems with the noise.

Near Will Rogers World Airport. Maybe south of it along I-44.

[Pete]

That's a very good idea, Mr. Anderson.

I'm not a big racing fan but a track would bring in lots of people and there is lots of land in that area, and it would help fill the Meridian hotels. Visitors could also take the water taxis to downtown.

[jbrown84]

I think there was talk of one near Lake Stanley Draper, since there's nothing much out there. Haven't heard anything about it in at least a year though.

[traxx]

Yeah, the 240 area or the Draper area are good ideas. It would need to be in the metro. Goldsby/Purcell would be to far away for race fans to be able to enjoy downtown. It would take to long for them to travel to downtown, especially with all the road construction. When someone's in an unfamiliar town they usually don't want to drive 45 mins to an hour away just for an evening of entertainment when the event that they actually came for is their main entertainment.

[traxx]

Yeah, the 240 area or the Draper area are good ideas. It would need to be in the metro. Goldsby/Purcell would be to far away for race fans to be able to enjoy downtown. It would take too long for them to travel to downtown, especially with all the road construction. When someone's in an unfamiliar town they usually don't want to drive 45 mins to an hour away just for an evening of entertainment when the event that they actually came for is their main entertainment.

[Spartan]

One thing we have in Oklahoma is lots of land. If they were to build one they should look no further than the Texas Motor Speedway north of Ft. Worth. Its right off the interstate on the outskirts of developement.
I would like to think some where around Norman would be perfect. Just south of town or between Moore and Norman.

I live between Moore and Norman. I don't want that thing anywhere near my addition. I might have to stick some "REDNECKS & ANDERSON: KEEP OUT" signs around the gated entrance for our neighborhood. And not to mention that this would kill the rapid growth that is going on between Moore and Norman.

[chuckdiesel]

Okay on second thought maybe Moore/Norman is a bad idea....
I like the area around the airport or on the east side on 240 or maybe somewhere around Frontier City.

[chuckdiesel]

Anywhere they put this it will be a success and bring in tons of people and cash.
It would be a major draw in OKC and benefit the whole city whether you like NASCAR or not. As far as it hurting OKC's reputation and making us look redneck, I don't believe that is the case anymore. Just like hockey NASCAR has made alot of strides and is more widespread and appeals to a broader fanbase today than it used to (I don't know if they ever did but I had heard they were even going to build a track in NYC....don't think they are very redneck)
Anyway probably will never happen but this would be a goldmine if ever made a reality.

[SpectralMourning]

Great job reviving this thread guys.

As for the NASCAR track location, I'd say somewhere with a solid location in between larger cities would be great. I'd suggest Oklahoma City in Lincoln County (I'd figure Chandler or Stroud probably deserve more peace and quiet, but still could sell to the fans,) Stillwater for obvious reasons, or my personal favorite; Lawton. If a track were located in Lawton, it'd be extremely convenient for Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Ft. Sill residence to attend, catering to Soldiers in the area, which I think should be Lawton's principal goal. At any of the locations, it'd be great for the OKANG to do F-16 flyovers or Altus AFB could conduct huge airdrops to impress fans. At any rate, Lawton would be my #1 choice.