Should the Convention Center be built?

[Video Expert]

Personally, I believe some of the negativity towards the convention center and a reason for the 50% poll number previously cited may lie in the fact that most local citizens wouldn't actually use or frequent the facility for any reason. On the other hand, streetcars can and could be used by anyone...citizens and visitors alike. With that said, I can assure you that "bombermwc" is 100% accurate in the assessment of the Cox/Myriad Convention Center being below average, especially for a city of our size. And with a larger and more modern facility in its place, the number and quality of trade shows would increase significantly. What many do not realize is that quality trade shows bring in thousands of out-of-town business visitors a year. It's a boon to the local hotel and restaurant industry as almost every one of these people who are from out of town will dine out several times and lodge in a hotel while in OKC.

So while streetcars would be nice, I can't see how they could ever generate more revenue for the local economy than thousands of out-of-town business people staying for a few days with corporate expense accounts at their disposal.

[OKCRT]

Do you want a thriving downtown? If not,then I would say no new convention center is needed. So if you want to go back to the 70s era then lets can the idea of a new CC.

If you want a modern 21st century city then I would say of course we need a new convention center. The cox would be fine for a city the size of Wichita KS. but if OKC wants to become a legit tier II city then you have to pay to play.

[bombermwc]

Yup....and we need to make sure that there is a LARGE CONTIGUOUS space in there as well. We need something capable of handling a real tradeshow. Not just the little crap we squeeze in a bunch of buildings right now. We need something at least the size of expo square here in OKC...and we just don't have it....CC or Fairgrounds, but preferably CC.

[betts]

I've mentioned this before. One of my friends, who is in the audio business and is a regular trade show attender, says the area south of the Ford Center is his favorite option for precisely the reasons you're listing, bombermwc. He says that were we to want to host a bigger show, being able to spill over into the Ford Center or even, if necessary, into the Cox would be a big selling point. It's something I'd never considered when thinking about a convention center. But, I go to conventions so rarely that I don't really have any reasons to think one site is better than another for any reason.

[Larry OKC]

Yup....and we need to make sure that there is a LARGE CONTIGUOUS space in there as well. We need something capable of handling a real tradeshow. Not just the little crap we squeeze in a bunch of buildings right now. We need something at least the size of expo square here in OKC...and we just don't have it....CC or Fairgrounds, but preferably CC.

Aren't we supposed to be getting that with the MAPS 3 Fairgrounds improvements? Sounded like the building was going to be roughly the same sf as the convention center? The point was brought up, why do we need 2 large convention like spaces...the answer was they are different target markets or something like that.

[bombermwc]

I believe the expo center was only part of the fairgrounds vote that got snubbed a few years ago. I don't think it got included in Maps....there were other smaller projects.

[ljbab728]

Aren't we supposed to be getting that with the MAPS 3 Fairgrounds improvements? Sounded like the building was going to be roughly the same sf as the convention center? The point was brought up, why do we need 2 large convention like spaces...the answer was they are different target markets or something like that.

The target market for events at the fairgrounds seems to be things that are more oriented to the local general public such as auto shows, Affair of the Heart, etc. It's not really for convention gatherers.

[Larry OKC]

bomber: went back and looked at the info and it is a large Expo Cener that is replacing the many old/small separate buildings.

ljbab: you are correct and while I can see not wanting convention center goers to be at the Fairgrounds (besides being so far away from Bricktown etc), why not put the "local" stuff in the convention center? I know there would be objections from the folks on Meridian (as they pushed for the convention center to be relocated in the original MAPS). Large building is a large building (where things can be held under one roof), why duplicate efforts? Seems not to be the best use of limited resources??

[ljbab728]

bomber: went back and looked at the info and it is a large Expo Cener that is replacing the many old/small separate buildings.

ljbab: you are correct and while I can see not wanting convention center goers to be at the Fairgrounds (besides being so far away from Bricktown etc), why not put the "local" stuff in the convention center? I know there would be objections from the folks on Meridian (as they pushed for the convention center to be relocated in the original MAPS). Large building is a large building (where things can be held under one roof), why duplicate efforts? Seems not to be the best use of limited resources??

There certainly are some local events that have been held downtown such as RV shows and Home and Garden Shows. However, I think they probably figure that since most of the attendees are local they will want to drive and the parking and access is much easier at the fairgrounds which would result in higher attendance. There would be some things, such as those in connection with horse shows, that would have to be at the fairgrounds. Having larger exhibit areas also is a great plus during the state fair.

[Larry OKC]

Ran across this re: MAPS 3 and the $60M Fairgrounds improvements (think it was from Channel 4)...

Leaky roofs are just one of the reason Oklahoma State Fair officials said they would like to see some of the aging buildings consolidated for a new more than 400,000 square foot exposition hall as part of the city's MAPS 3 proposal.

If we can build a 400,000 sf hall for $60M, what about the convention center is going to cost $250M (4 times as much)? Yes they already have the land for the Fairgrounds so that is part of it, but the sf for the Convention Center is only a little bigger @ total 570 sf but less than 300 sf of exhibit space for Phase 1

[Of Sound Mind]

Ran across this re: MAPS 3 and the $60M Fairgrounds improvements (think it was from Channel 4)...


If we can build a 400,000 sf hall for $60M, what about the convention center is going to cost $250M (4 times as much)? Yes they already have the land for the Fairgrounds so that is part of it, but the sf for the Convention Center is only a little bigger @ total 570 sf but less than 300 sf of exhibit space for Phase 1

Because the plans for the fairgrounds expo hall is VERY bare bones...

[Larry OKC]

Do we know that for a fact? Not saying you aren't correct but have the building plans been drawn up/finalized? So we are going to spend another $60M for the Fairgrounds and just have it be "VERY bare bones"? What happened to "world class" and similar phrases used during the MAPS 3 campaign? I am expecting EVERY MAPS 3 project to blow my socks off. I am taking the Mayor at his word that we will be holding the City to a very high standard with this round of MAPS. No more of this "as long as it isn't crappy, we're happy" stuff.

[rcjunkie]

Do we know that for a fact? Not saying you aren't correct but have the building plans been drawn up/finalized? So we are going to spend another $60M for the Fairgrounds and just have it be "VERY bare bones"? What happened to "world class" and similar phrases used during the MAPS 3 campaign? I am expecting EVERY MAPS 3 project to blow my socks off. I am taking the Mayor at his word that we will be holding the City to a very high standard with this round of MAPS. No more of this "as long as it isn't crappy, we're happy" stuff.

Preliminary plans were on display during the State Fair. By bare bones, it means typical Fair type buildings, concrete floors, basic concession areas, restrooms, etc;, nice and new but without the "frills". Convention space on the other hand contains "frills and lace".

[bombermwc]

Expo Centers are almost always bare bones....they aren't arenas. They are metal structures with large expanses....pretty isn't their goal, functionality is. A great comparison is to look at Expo Square in Tulsa....exact same thing. Concrete flooring, exposed metal structure, not much more than a metal skin wall/roof. The goal is the large contiguous space....you can throw dirt down one day, put in temporary bleachers, and have a rodeo....then clear it out and have a tradeshow. You'd see things like the auto show in one building instead of 3. $60M actually seems a bit high to me, so maybe they're going to do a bit more than bare bones. But don't expect to see things like sheetrock in this building. Quite the opposite of a plush convention center....but no less neccessary.