Stadium District (formerly Producers Coop)

[UnFrSaKn]

http://m.newsok.com/okcs-downtown-de...rticle/5518568

Lackmeyer: We are looking at a decade before we see a possible stadium south of Bricktown.

[ChrisHayes]

The decade until the stadium is a bit disappointing, but hopefully there's general development there much sooner.

[Pete]

Co-op finds itself in tall cotton
By: Brian Brus The Journal Record January 10, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – A strong cotton harvest is helping the Producers Cooperative Oil Mill’s relocation to Altus from the Bricktown district in Oklahoma City.

Co-op President Austin Rose said the co-op is still planning to sell the 37-acre site to an investor group led by Bob Funk Jr. for a soccer stadium. Details of the deal have been kept quiet, and Rose said there have been no problems since his members approved the sale in June.

Increased mill operations have been a blessing to Altus, Chamber of Commerce President Brian Bush said. The move produced about 25 new positions, which has helped support other jobs in town, he said. And the mill’s presence has generated synergy: Producers Cooperative entered a joint venture with two other co-ops to buy and operate a grain elevator, which has let them move more product by train instead of being limited to trucks.

The transition couldn’t have come at a better time. This season’s cotton crop in Oklahoma has bounced back from drought and looks to be the biggest it’s been in years. Officials at the Cotton Growers Cooperative at Altus, an industry cousin to Rose’s group, said they are ginning about 165,000 bales this year, 40,000 more than the site’s record.

Jay Cowart, vice president of warehouse operations for the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, said some of Altus’ overflow has been moved to storage in Sweetwater, Texas, for the first time in more than a decade. It’s a problem he’s happy to have.

Cowart said oil mill operations and his co-op have little interaction, but he added that the mill’s relocation to Altus has made it easier for many cotton farmers to get their product to market.

[shawnw]

I recently went to Altus and had no idea to what extent we grew cotton in this state until I saw the fields myself (keep in mind I'm not from here). The move kind of makes sense I guess.

[Bellaboo]

I recently went to Altus and had no idea to what extent we grew cotton in this state until I saw the fields myself (keep in mind I'm not from here). The move kind of makes sense I guess.

Down by Eakly, Cordell and Carnegie, there is huge cotton production.

[warreng88]

Oil patch to soccer match? Investors seek additional details about co-op site

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 3, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – Prodigal LLC CEO Bob Funk Jr. has learned a lot in the last few months about the 37 acres he and his investors want to buy near Bricktown.

The group is still doing its due diligence on the Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, 6 SE Fourth St.

“We’ve gotten some heads-up on things environmentally,” he said. “We know it was in the Oklahoma City oil patch. We are doing further investigation to find out how much it was involved.”

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s data shows there are eight plugged oil wells on the land. The site is directly south of Bricktown and southeast of downtown’s Central Business District.

Funk wants to buy the land for a multi-use development, which would include a soccer-specific stadium. He and his investor group want to bring a Major League Soccer team to the city.

He said in the next 30 days, he will have several meetings where he and his team will learn more about what’s underneath the Producers Co-op site.

“We don’t think there will be an issue,” he said. “We’ll see what the studies come back with and move on from there.”

The funding for the multi-use development could be part of a public/private partnership. Some cities have used a similar mechanism to build their soccer stadiums, including Kansas City, Kansas.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County used several public funding options to finance the $400 million Children’s Mercy Park and Cerner office complex. The project used $147 million in sales tax revenue bonds and another $85 million in Kansas tax credits, plus cash for job creation, said Edwin Birch, public information officer with the Unified Government. The funding was approved in 2010.

Another $7.7 million in special obligation bonds was used for the parking lot between the stadium and Kansas Speedway. The bonds are being repaid through a ticket tax at the stadium.

The Oklahoma City Council had a conversation about public/private partnership for a soccer stadium. Councilman James Greiner recognized the area is in a potential tax-increment-finance district and the financing could be included in a MAPS 4 project list. The fourth Metropolitan Area Projects tax issue has not been outlined yet.

Funk said he knows other citywide concerns need to be addressed before a stadium is put on a public financing list. He listed criminal justice reform, streets, and sidewalks as other priorities.

“We’re just not there from a median income/corporate support aspect,” he said. “That needs to raise over the next five years before we bid for an MLS team.”

As of 2020, the MLS will have 26 teams playing, with only two more teams to be named, the league announced this month. Commissioner Don Garber has said previously he wants only 28 teams in the league. Twelve cities are vying for the final four slots, with team No. 25 and No. 26 to be named this year.

Funk has said he thinks the MLS will go past its 28 teams. Other professional league commissioners have mentioned a stopping point and continued to add teams.

[Laramie]

There's also the possibility of relocation if MLS tops off at 28 teams.

Oklahoma City is a solid NBA market (280 consecutive sellout since 2010) with name-recognition with the MLS Oklahoma City Energy FC brand name.

Sounds as though the city is cozying up to the stadium idea which could help partially fund the stadium's infrastructure starting with a modest 10,000 seat SSS expandable to 18,000 plus.

OKC Energy FC will have the metro OKC market all to themselves with the absence of Rayo OKC. Combined, the two minor league OKC teams averaged 8,192 (Energy FC 4,950 & Rayo 3,242). The Rayo OKC fans could be a group that Energy FC should target.

USL Energy FC games that reach near capacity or sellouts at Taft Stadium (7,500 seats) will be a good gauge for a soccer specific stadium's potential near Bricktown where there are many family friendly amenities (restaurants, retail, tailgate atmosphere) that the area around Taft doesn't offer.

[OKCRT]

I was just reading the other day that Stl is going to build a 22k seat soccer stadium downtown around Union Station. The total is around 200+mil and the City is putting up around 60 mil in tax dollars related to tic sales and tif. Okc/Funk need to push on this deal asap IMO. It looks like Stl and Sac. will be the next 2 cities announced.

[traxx]

I was just reading the other day that Stl is going to build a 22k seat soccer stadium downtown around Union Station. The total is around 200+mil and the City is putting up around 60 mil in tax dollars related to tic sales and tif. Okc/Funk need to push on this deal asap IMO. It looks like Stl and Sac. will be the next 2 cities announced.

Not to derail this thread, but that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for St. Louis. They've got a football stadium that no one's using. Could that not be refitted for soccer? Or are there plans for them to get another NFL team? Otherwise it seems silly to build another stadium when that one is sitting empty.

[bradh]

Not to derail this thread, but that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for St. Louis. They've got a football stadium that no one's using. Could that not be refitted for soccer? Or are there plans for them to get another NFL team? Otherwise it seems silly to build another stadium when that one is sitting empty.

MLS doesn't want teams playing in cavernous NFL stadiums that they can't (and shouldn't be expected) to fill. The last of those stragglers (I think) is DC United who is finally opening their own SSS.

[traxx]

MLS doesn't want teams playing in cavernous NFL stadiums that they can't (and shouldn't be expected) to fill. The last of those stragglers (I think) is DC United who is finally opening their own SSS.

I guess I understand that but St. Louis' stadium isn't all that big. It only seats 66K. That's barely bigger than Boone Pickens Stadium.

[warreng88]

I guess I understand that but St. Louis' stadium isn't all that big. It only seats 66K. That's barely bigger than Boone Pickens Stadium.

But when only 20,000 fans are there, it seems waaaaaay too big. Think of what most college spring games look like. Attendance will probably be less than that. In 2015, OU had 43,000 people at the spring game, a stadium of 85,000 people, so right around half. OSU had 16,000 in a stadium of 66,000. It could be depressing to see 25-30% of the stadium full every game, even though it there are a lot of people, it is just proportionately.

[TU 'cane]

But when only 20,000 fans are there, it seems waaaaaay too big. Think of what most college spring games look like. Attendance will probably be less than that. In 2015, OU had 43,000 people at the spring game, a stadium of 85,000 people, so right around half. OSU had 16,000 in a stadium of 66,000. It could be depressing to see 25-30% of the stadium full every game, even though it there are a lot of people, it is just proportionately.

Right, and much of that can negatively impact perception, which with the MLS growing, they won't want.
I am not a Soccer fan, and won't start watching even if OKC or Tulsa were to get a team, but I do think either way, it'll be good for the communities and state.
That said, I do believe a small stadium will be built to specifically accommodate Soccer. I assume their plans will be for something in the 30,000 seat range and will be a largely mixed-use district or extension of Bricktown if they go through with this site (which I think would be amazing).
They could also potentially fill it with high school championship games for Football, Soccer, etc. or even music events.

And don't forget that the population within downtown OKC and it's related districts should only continue to increase as more housing becomes available. And then there's the Wheeler District, Strawberry Fields, possibly. So, there will be a large local population to draw from that could make or break a venue like this.

But then again, the Ford (Peak) Center never needed a robust downtown population to thrive. So look at that aspect as a double positive.

[bradh]

30,000 is huge for a SSS.

Kansas City's doesn't even hold 19k for soccer and that's one of the top venues in the country for soccer

[TU 'cane]

30,000 is huge for a SSS.

Kansas City's doesn't even hold 19k for soccer and that's one of the top venues in the country for soccer

Yea, I didn't even look into the averages, just going off of speculation and information within the thread.

A smaller stadium would probably play even better for OKC.

[traxx]

But when only 20,000 fans are there, it seems waaaaaay too big. Think of what most college spring games look like. Attendance will probably be less than that. In 2015, OU had 43,000 people at the spring game, a stadium of 85,000 people, so right around half. OSU had 16,000 in a stadium of 66,000. It could be depressing to see 25-30% of the stadium full every game, even though it there are a lot of people, it is just proportionately.

Okay, I guess that makes sense then. I do wonder what Stl is gonna do with their football stadium though.

[OKCRT]

Not to derail this thread, but that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for St. Louis. They've got a football stadium that no one's using. Could that not be refitted for soccer? Or are there plans for them to get another NFL team? Otherwise it seems silly to build another stadium when that one is sitting empty.

MLS stadium needs to be an outdoor stadium and Stl has a dome for football. It is actually part of their convention center and I was reading in the same article that the dome is actually busier now since football is no longer played there. I guess when football was there they couldn't schedule that many conventions.

[_Kyle]

I seriously hope this goes through soccer is one of my favorite sports to watch.

[Mississippi Blues]

The last of those stragglers (I think) is DC United who is finally opening their own SSS.

The Seattle Sounders use CenturyLink Field, which is also home to the Seattle Seahawks. That said, CenturyLink was designed to meet FIFA sight line requirements and qualifies as a soccer stadium as well as a football stadium. There is also the New England Revolution, but I'm not very familiar with them and Gillette Stadium. I do know they have been trying for awhile to get their own soccer specific stadium.

[bradh]

The Seattle Sounders use CenturyLink Field, which is also home to the Seattle Seahawks. That said, CenturyLink was designed to meet FIFA sight line requirements and qualifies as a soccer stadium as well as a football stadium. There is also the New England Revolution, but I'm not very familiar with them and Gillette Stadium. I do know they have been trying for awhile to get their own soccer specific stadium.

That's right forgot those two. Seattle is the only one that does it right. NE plays soccer when the lines are on the field for football, very HS of a pro team. Also, Seattle can at least fill half of CenturyLink so it doesn't look too bad.

[OkiePoke]

If a soccer stadium does get built here, it would be cool if it incorporated a stage to serve as an outdoor venue.

[Bullbear]

The new Mercedes stadium in Atlanta will host both the Falcons and Atlanta United FC. pretty incredible stadium. they have drop down panels for upper seating for MLS games to give more intimate feel and not empty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZriJc0Wwag

[HangryHippo]

The new Mercedes stadium in Atlanta will host both the Falcons and Atlanta United FC. pretty incredible stadium. they have drop down panels for upper seating for MLS games to give more intimate feel and not empty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZriJc0Wwag

It's going to be an incredible stadium.

[Mississippi Blues]

That's right forgot those two. Seattle is the only one that does it right. NE plays soccer when the lines are on the field for football, very HS of a pro team. Also, Seattle can at least fill half of CenturyLink so it doesn't look too bad.

Yeah, Seattle is one of a kind as far as soccer in the United States goes. They've recorded over 65,000 a couple of times against their PNW rival, the Portland Timbers, and averaged over 42,000 for the 2016 season, which was actually a decrease from the 2015 season.

[bombermwc]

20K seems about right for OKC, im just concerned if we can support it long term. Soccer is growing still, but have we reached that point in OKC? Granted, if it's MLS, we'll see an upswing in attendance like any city sees from minor to major.

If you're curious about size, think about UCO's stadium. It's about 10K, mostly on the home side. Remember, it was SUPPOSED to be the city's soccer stadium (thankfully that fell through.....all the way the eff in Edmond) because the renovations stopped halfway through. They were going to add another side to double it up to 20 and add the roof cover. So basically think of a Wantland Stadium with both sides with the same size stands and you've got it. It's really a good size place for all kinds of events. As long as you've got sufficient SURFACE parking for trucks/semis/etc. One thing i'm thinking of is marching band contests