Will MAPS 4 be ready to address...

[krisb]

I love the idea of OKC being a mecca for the less popular sports (like rowing and soccer), although soccer (football) is THE sport everywhere else in the world. It kind of fits with OKC being a place for the unexpected.

[kevinpate]

... would rather see a 30,000 seat stadium for soccer than an NFL team.

Not having a fav team, mascot, dancer, cheerlass, or even a fantasy league bet in either sport, either/neither is fine by me.

But, for giggles and sniggles, should someone elect to build a stadium for one or the other downtown, where downtown makes the most sense? Seems like a lot of prime real estate for a part-time venue?

[mugofbeer]

I love the idea of OKC being a mecca for the less popular sports (like rowing and soccer), although soccer (football) is THE sport everywhere else in the world. It kind of fits with OKC being a place for the unexpected.

Indy was quite successful with this policy. They started back in the 1970's attracting these types of things.

[Laramie]

Kerry,

Have you heard anything? Are they going to tear down the grandstand?

I also have a house on Marion Avenue near Classen Blvd 16th and I can hear the speedway noise from there. The people who live near the fairgrounds will applaud not having to hear that noise.

I still think high school football/soccer would be better served at Fair Park where there is free and ample parking than building another stadium in Bricktown?

A new MAPS Rail route could serve those who dine in Bricktown with travel to Fair Park.

That would be a great place to put a football stadium.

Teams like Langston-Grambling or Langston-Prarie View and high school football playoffs could be played there along with MLS.

I don't know if the grandstand can be salvaged and made into a football stadium and you add another 15,000 to 20,000 seats extending the capacity to 25-30,000.

Could the grandstand be salvaged or would it eventually have to be demolished?

[westsidesooner]

I haven't given this more than ten minutes thoughts, but I doubt OKC will get an NFL team anytime in the near future. However like others have mentioned I would like to see a stadium built that could be used for MLS (even though I'm not a soccer fan) just due to the fact that many of todays youth have grown playing soccer, It could host tournaments Both national and international) and its the worlds most popular sport. The stadium could also be used for small college football playoffs, high school football playoffs and championships, and community events. Something in the 30,000 to 40,000 seating capacity would be nice. I'm tired of Tulsa and stillwater getting all the championship in 5a and 6a, and taft is a joke.

MLB is our best bet (besides hockey) and think how much fun it would be to play the rangers every year. Whether adding on to bricktown ballpark is feasible, or another site wold be better is not for me to say.

I'd also like to see a rail system built connecting the airport with the fairgrounds and downtown.

A major botanical garden....perhaps somewhere near the cowboy hall of fame,

An expansion of the OKC underground.....anyone seen the one in Montreal.

An extension of the bricktown canal including a canal to the yet unnamed central park and new convention center.

And maybe a raceway on the far outskirts of OKC...westside maybe. Not that I think it would be cost effective, but the one in KC brought a lot of new development to the area.

While all the things I listed would cost a fortune.....I always say dream big.

Pics below of the new 30,000 seat stadium in Ottawa:

[theparkman81]

I haven't given this more than ten minutes thoughts, but I doubt OKC will get an NFL team anytime in the near future. However like others have mentioned I would like to see a stadium built that could be used for MLS (even though I'm not a soccer fan) just due to the fact that many of todays youth have grown playing soccer, It could host tournaments Both national and international) and its the worlds most popular sport. The stadium could also be used for small college football playoffs, high school football playoffs and championships, and community events. Something in the 30,000 to 40,000 seating capacity would be nice. I'm tired of Tulsa and stillwater getting all the championship in 5a and 6a, and taft is a joke.

MLB is our best bet (besides hockey) and think how much fun it would be to play the rangers every year. Whether adding on to bricktown ballpark is feasible, or another site wold be better is not for me to say.

I'd also like to see a rail system built connecting the airport with the fairgrounds and downtown.

A major botanical garden....perhaps somewhere near the cowboy hall of fame,

An expansion of the OKC underground.....anyone seen the one in Montreal.

An extension of the bricktown canal including a canal to the yet unnamed central park and new convention center.

And maybe a raceway on the far outskirts of OKC...westside maybe. Not that I think it would be cost effective, but the one in KC brought a lot of new development to the area.

While all the things I listed would cost a fortune.....I always say dream big.

Pics below of the new 30,000 seat stadium in Ottawa:

I agree with u westside, I am tired of seeing the 5a and 6a championship games in Tulsa and Stillwater, I think that they should built a football/soccer stadium in the downtown area or somewhere around it, not only will it host the championship games but may also bring Major League Soccer to our great city.

[Laramie]

I think that something similar to SMU's Ford Stadium in Dallas is where we should start; something that would be capable of supporting an upper deck and retractable roof later on.
Ford Stadium, Dallas:


SMU Photo :: Ford Stadium

[betts]

If Boise can host a bowl game, I think we should be able to. That's a reasonable goal as well.

[lasomeday]

Why can't we have a bowl game in Norman? The stadium is definitely big enough, and then later once MAPS 4 is passed we can move it to OKC.

[Laramie]

The weather is far too unpredictable in late December and early January.

We've definitely got to build something to get in bowl competition!

[westsidesooner]

The weather is far too unpredictable in late December and early January.

We've definitely got to build something to get in bowl competition!

It can't be any worse here in December than it is (or is capeable of being) in Boise....On a side note I wish the ncaa would make a rule that only allows real grass or green astroturf. I hate watching games played in Boise, and I think it adds an unfair advantage to the home team. Can you imagine if every team got to have a turf that was their school colors.....omg.

Memphis has a bowl game too....although it looked cold as snot there when they played. I agree with Laramie, a stadium with a retractable roof would improveour chances of hosting a bowl game....but would probably double the cost. But it would also insure OKC of hosting the high school playoffs I'd imagine.

Laramie...whats the seating capacity of Ford field?

[westsidesooner]

Just dreaming but...

Just for fun I googled to look at mid-size (30,000-40,000) retractable roof stadiums, more suited for MLS, high school & small college championships, and concerts. I doubt OKC will ever get an NFL team, but MLS or MLB is possible.... here are some of the ones I found:

Astana Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parken Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toyota Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Türk Telekom Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Veltins-Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Laramie]

We definitely need to start looking at building something.

The MLS would be a great tenant and with the addition of small college-university schools like UCO, Langston vs. Grambling, Southern, Prarie View and high school football sports; it would be profitable to maintain a 40,000-60,000-seat stadium in Oklahoma City--one with a roof and capable of being expanded.

[smooth]

Just dreaming but...

Just for fun I googled to look at mid-size (30,000-40,000) retractable roof stadiums, more suited for MLS, high school & small college championships, and concerts. I doubt OKC will ever get an NFL team, but MLS or MLB is possible.... here are some of the ones I found:

Astana Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parken Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toyota Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Türk Telekom Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Veltins-Arena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can predict all you want, but Oklahoma City is on the NFL's short list for new cities. Los Angeles and San Antonio are ahead, however, the NFL IS in this city's future. The Buffalo Bills nearly moved here several years ago, but a stadium deal was secured before the move could take place. In the 90's (not sure what year) the then St. Louis Cardinals were set to kove here but the University of Oklahoma would not, and still will not let anyone else play in their sstadium. Had Lewis already been Boone Pickens as it is today, there is a very high probablility that the team would now be in Oklahoma City, having played in Stillwater until a stadium was built.

As far as I am concerened you can have the MLS. They aren't worth the time for this city. As far as Major League Baseball? Not yet. The Redhawks stadium only attracts about 10,000 at most. A third, possibly a fourth needed for profitability. Probably not in my lifetime.

[rcjunkie]

You can predict all you want, but Oklahoma City is on the NFL's short list for new cities. Los Angeles and San Antonio are ahead, however, the NFL IS in this city's future. The Buffalo Bills nearly moved here several years ago, but a stadium deal was secured before the move could take place. In the 90's (not sure what year) the then St. Louis Cardinals were set to kove here but the University of Oklahoma would not, and still will not let anyone else play in their sstadium. Had Lewis already been Boone Pickens as it is today, there is a very high probablility that the team would now be in Oklahoma City, having played in Stillwater until a stadium was built.

As far as I am concerened you can have the MLS. They aren't worth the time for this city. As far as Major League Baseball? Not yet. The Redhawks stadium only attracts about 10,000 at most. A third, possibly a fourth needed for profitability. Probably not in my lifetime.

I've always heard "if your going to dream, dream big"

[Laramie]

I've always heard "if your going to dream, dream big"

Amen! My Brother!

[circled9]

There will never be a MAPS for unless it allocates a lot of money for neighborhood infrastructure. The hoods have supported downtown for years and they expect it to be their turn next time.

[Chance23]

You can predict all you want, but Oklahoma City is on the NFL's short list for new cities. Los Angeles and San Antonio are ahead, however, the NFL IS in this city's future. The Buffalo Bills nearly moved here several years ago, but a stadium deal was secured before the move could take place. In the 90's (not sure what year) the then St. Louis Cardinals were set to kove here but the University of Oklahoma would not, and still will not let anyone else play in their sstadium. Had Lewis already been Boone Pickens as it is today, there is a very high probablility that the team would now be in Oklahoma City, having played in Stillwater until a stadium was built.

The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 88, not the 90's.

Second, to be frank, I really doubt Oklahoma City was ever truly close to an NFL team in 80's, despite what anyone said when trying to negotiate new leases/arena deals. For years, Oklahoma City was a threat city. It was just close enough to the right size to be a threat for smaller market owners to threaten their cities into caving to their demands, but not a city they'd really intend to move to. Major sports have always had a list of cities they could use to posture for position, even if they are just talking. That's why they always have to be taken with a grain of salt, they want to keep the cities credible because it's a good bargaining chip, but they're not actually considering the move.

The only reason that changed was because the Hornets did so well. And, frankly, the Hornets only landed in Oklahoma City because the plans to remain in Louisiana fell through. Now, if the Thunder continue to do well, then it does open a lot of doors, but this city wasn't there in the 80's.

[smooth]

The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 88, not the 90's.

Second, to be frank, I really doubt Oklahoma City was ever truly close to an NFL team in 80's, despite what anyone said when trying to negotiate new leases/arena deals. For years, Oklahoma City was a threat city. It was just close enough to the right size to be a threat for smaller market owners to threaten their cities into caving to their demands, but not a city they'd really intend to move to. Major sports have always had a list of cities they could use to posture for position, even if they are just talking. That's why they always have to be taken with a grain of salt, they want to keep the cities credible because it's a good bargaining chip, but they're not actually considering the move.

The only reason that changed was because the Hornets did so well. And, frankly, the Hornets only landed in Oklahoma City because the plans to remain in Louisiana fell through. Now, if the Thunder continue to do well, then it does open a lot of doors, but this city wasn't there in the 80's.

I forgot the year, so sue me! I KNOW for a FACT the NFL is looking at this city. I told a lot of people "I told you so" on the NBA, and I will do it for the NFL. You can believe what you want, but I KNOW what i know.

[rcjunkie]

I forgot the year, so sue me! I KNOW for a FACT the NFL is looking at this city. I told a lot of people "I told you so" on the NBA, and I will do it for the NFL. You can believe what you want, but I KNOW what i know.

Considering all the mistakes in your postings, apparently what you KNOW isn't very much!!

[Laramie]

The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 88, not the 90's.

Second, to be frank, I really doubt Oklahoma City was ever truly close to an NFL team in 80's, despite what anyone said when trying to negotiate new leases/arena deals. For years, Oklahoma City was a threat city. It was just close enough to the right size to be a threat for smaller market owners to threaten their cities into caving to their demands, but not a city they'd really intend to move to. Major sports have always had a list of cities they could use to posture for position, even if they are just talking. That's why they always have to be taken with a grain of salt, they want to keep the cities credible because it's a good bargaining chip, but they're not actually considering the move.

The only reason that changed was because the Hornets did so well. And, frankly, the Hornets only landed in Oklahoma City because the plans to remain in Louisiana fell through. Now, if the Thunder continue to do well, then it does open a lot of doors, but this city wasn't there in the 80's.

Oklahoma City was being considered by Bill Bidwell back in the 80s; now, were we a serious contender or a pawn?

We didn't have a stadium and several attempts were made back when the USFL moved to Oklahoma (Oklahoma Outlaws--Tulsa's Skelly Stadium)--they originally wanted to play at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and OU's high demands for rent and a major bulk of concession revenue wouldn't have made it feasible for the team to move here. Pretty much the same was told to Bill Bidwell when he was considering Oklahoma City; at the time, there was no guarantee that a stadium would be built and unless OKC could guarantee that a stadium would be built; it just wasn't feasible. OU didn't want to be forced to house an NFL franchise indefinitely.

Nashville which is a comparable market to OKC managed to lure the Oilers from Houston. The mayor of Nashville at the time of negotiations went into exclusive bargaining rights to avoid counter-offers from the City of Houston so that the Tennessee capital city wouldn't be used as a pawn.

The Oilers relocated to Nashville and played initially in Memphis' Liberty Bowl Stadium and finally had to move to 35,000-seat Vanderbilt University's Stadium while a stadium was being constructed in Nashville.

Memphis had failed numerous times to get an NFL franchise. The fans in Memphis were so jealous of Nashville getting an NFL franchise they wouldn't support it.

I believe that if an NFL team took another look at Oklahoma, Stillwater would be a more viable place to put a franchise until OKC could build a facility. I believe that a penny sales tax to lure an NFL team would be overwhelmingly supported by OKC voters.

[Laramie]

It can't be any worse here in December than it is (or is capeable of being) in Boise....On a side note I wish the ncaa would make a rule that only allows real grass or green astroturf. I hate watching games played in Boise, and I think it adds an unfair advantage to the home team. Can you imagine if every team got to have a turf that was their school colors.....omg.

Memphis has a bowl game too....although it looked cold as snot there when they played. I agree with Laramie, a stadium with a retractable roof would improveour chances of hosting a bowl game....but would probably double the cost. But it would also insure OKC of hosting the high school playoffs I'd imagine.

Laramie...whats the seating capacity of Ford field?

I think the seating capacity is right at 35,000. I'll look it up and get back with you!

Ford Stadium seating capacity is 32,000:

Cost of construction was $42 million back in 2000. Oklahoma City could probably build a comparable structure for $60 million come 2017 if it is built at the State Fair Park where we won't have to spend a ton of money for acquiring land and putting in utilities. We will need a structure that can be expanded later with a retractable roof.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_J._Ford_Stadium

[Laramie]

There will never be a MAPS for unless it allocates a lot of money for neighborhood infrastructure. The hoods have supported downtown for years and they expect it to be their turn next time.

Infrastructure will need to be put on a bond issue and we can attract Federal funding. St. Louis' infrastructure is currently falling apart.

Let's use Maps for cosmetic type structures that will enhance our city and attract more private investments.

Fixing up the inner-cities infrastructure is something the Feds want to do now to keeps jobs available while we're going through this recession--much like the WPA did for Roosevelt back during the Depression.

[westsidesooner]

We definitely need to start looking at building something.

The MLS would be a great tenant and with the addition of small college-university schools like UCO, Langston vs. Grambling, Southern, Prarie View and high school football sports; it would be profitable to maintain a 40,000-60,000-seat stadium in Oklahoma City--one with a roof and capable of being expanded.

Totally agree!!! I just hope it can be built in the next 10-15 years......Maps3 doesnt expire for awhile and I doubt we see anything planned before then. And I agree about your other post....fair park would be a great spot for a mid-sized stadium.....always has been. Surprising the city didn't try to replace Taft decades ago.

There will never be a MAPS for unless it allocates a lot of money for neighborhood infrastructure. The hoods have supported downtown for years and they expect it to be their turn next time.

What the "hood" doesn't understand is that by improving the inner-city and infrastructure it also helps out the Hood with new buisness', tax dollars and nationwide attention to the city and state. I doubt you'll see a Maps project exclusively for the hood or burbs....

That said I do hope they finish the trails project soon....been waiting a long time for that.