Gold Dome

[Pete]

I am not aware of any environmental issues.

I think the basement flooded at some point but as mentioned, this was a bank then the Prohibition Room. Can't imagine there would be residual issues.

[Bill Robertson]

First thoughts:
- I love this idea
- The architect seems to have done their homework. The patio looks a lot like the design of the old drive-thru that was on the other side of the building.
- It would be great if most of the parking for events utilized the two big surface lots between 19th and 21st to the south. Better use of space and better for traffic flow in the area.
- Hopefully this doesn't hurt Tower Theatre's business long-term.

We've been to a couple concerts at the Tower. It seems like the Dome would be quite a bit larger than the Tower so they should be able to coexist by hosting different levels or types of performers. Isn't there a smaller venue not too far from the Brady in Tulsa?

[Bill Robertson]

I am not aware of any environmental issues.

I think the basement flooded at some point but as mentioned, this was a bank then the Prohibition Room. Can't imagine there would be residual issues.

That's what I thought too.

[Midtowner]

Having played music inside domed structures in the past, getting the accoustics right is going to be a challenge.

[Laramie]

OKLAHOMA CITY
Historic Gold Dome in Oklahoma City - Drone Footage:

Gold Dome Bank - Oklahoma City, OK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlHrt-shaBI

.

[Bill Robertson]

Having played music inside domed structures in the past, getting the accoustics right is going to be a challenge.

Many of the last 20 or 30 concerts we've been to the sound guys have the bass and drums so hot that you can't hear the vocals, lead guitar or keyboards. So I'm not sure acoustics will be noticed by an average audience. And here I am bitching about too loud bass and I play bass!
Case in point: We saw Wilson-Phillips a couple years ago and Chynna Phillips stopped in the middle of three songs and told the sound guy that they are a vocal group, not a rock band.

[soonerguru]

As for the "environmental issues," I recall a vague septic smell on a few occasions while dining at Prohibition Room. LIke several older buildings, it probably needs a total plumbing overhaul. Obviously I would support public subsidy for this project, but on the condition that all structural issues get addressed, such as plumbing and heat and air, to increase the lifespan of the building.

[okcoolcoolcool]

This is a weird combination of two shaky concepts, the Gold Dome and the OKC music scene. Both have incredible potential, but have really had a hard time making numbers work. Off the top of my head, Saints, Tower Theater, La Brasa, and Hubbly Bubbly host local concerts on a weekly basis, and each of those are just a few blocks from the Dome. National promoters couldn't make the Criterion happen or Bricktown Events Center happen, and our best local promoters run the Tower.

I get that people want to save the dome, but considering the fact that the biggest issue is cost, you'd think that they'd try to fit it for something that generates consistent revenue.

[Pete]

Temple Live has had great success renovating historic structures in 3 different cities, and keeping them well-booked.

Booking is 99% of any live music venue.

And Tower was kicking ass before the pandemic.


There is plenty of room in the live music scene in OKC. We're just getting started.

[HOT ROD]

I agree, this is an incredible announcement moving my museum suggestion to 2nd. OKC def needs more live music venues and this would be incredible.

Not worried about competition, different acts/genres and audience sizes can and do co-exist in large cities such as OKC. If anything AI expect the competition to make the OKC scene better than ever.

[soonerguru]

This is a weird combination of two shaky concepts, the Gold Dome and the OKC music scene. Both have incredible potential, but have really had a hard time making numbers work. Off the top of my head, Saints, Tower Theater, La Brasa, and Hubbly Bubbly host local concerts on a weekly basis, and each of those are just a few blocks from the Dome. National promoters couldn't make the Criterion happen or Bricktown Events Center happen, and our best local promoters run the Tower.

I get that people want to save the dome, but considering the fact that the biggest issue is cost, you'd think that they'd try to fit it for something that generates consistent revenue.

What? The nationally produced events at Criterion have been an unmitigated success. It's hard to make any kind of venue work during a pandemic.

It will be interesting to see when people return to live concerts, and how quickly the industry rebounds, but having multiple venues is a good thing. For all of the things that were happening at the Tower, there were other interesting touring acts passing through OKC.

[Plutonic Panda]

Again wanna just give a shout out to KFOR for crediting OKCTalk. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for the Oklahoman to do it.

https://kfor.com/news/local/historic...oklahoma-city/

[warreng88]

Any idea what kind of capacity we could expect for this? Or par with Tower or Jones?

[Pete]

^

Smaller than both.

[Urban Pioneer]

Having played music inside domed structures in the past, getting the accoustics right is going to be a challenge.

Indeed. Fortunately the panels act as a diffuser because of all of the triangular angles in the geodesic shape. I worked on First Christian which is a long smooth arc. That was much harder because of the uninterrupted linear curve. A little bit is going to go a long way in any dome.

[HOT ROD]

maybe First Christian can also be a music venue and theatre?

Imagine OKC's music scene with the following: Chesapeake Arena, OKC Convention center (possibly), Zoo Ampitheatre, MBG lawn, MBG stage, Scissortail Park lawn, Civic Center Music Hall, Frontier City Ampitheatre, Criterion, Diamond, BEC, Tower, Jones, a host of restaurants, pubs, and dance clubs, AND add to that the Fairgrounds Arena, the Gold Dome, and possibly the Egg (First Christian).

You see just adding the new two (or three) makes an already great music scene even better - more choices, more things to do in OKC. Not to mention the various venues in the OKC metro area that are outside the city. ...

OKC really needs a downtown high-brow lounge, a see and be seen top-end restaurant that has a dance floor(s) and VIP areas - with various musical genres covered throughout the week. A place where limos and hypercars come and go, the high fashion models and celebs go-to place, and the NBA players and other major league (and local professional) athletes go to dine, entertain, and live it up with the local OKC populace. THAT combined with the burgeoning music scene will forever get rid of the "nothing to do in OKC" moniker that for some reason still is in the minds of some nationwide.

[progressiveboy]

I was in OKC this past weekend and drove down Classen and noticed the GD is just sitting their rotting and deteriorating at a fast pace. It looked awful. I would love to see a "serious" developer come and save this unique building, however I do not think it will happen and may just be demolished! I hope not!!

[Pete]

I was in OKC this past weekend and drove down Classen and noticed the GD is just sitting their rotting and deteriorating at a fast pace. It looked awful. I would love to see a "serious" developer come and save this unique building, however I do not think it will happen and may just be demolished! I hope not!!

From my understanding, the building is still under contract to Live Nation but of course, live music events have been crushed by the pandemic.

I don't think the deal is dead, just being slow-played at this point.

[Oski]

It's been relisted for $3M, so I guess the last deal didn't go through:

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1112...y-OK/16974502/

[Pete]

The City of OKC has started the process of approving a $3 million grant to convert the historic Gold Dome into a concert and entertainment venue.




As we were first to report way back in March of 2021, Temple Live has developed renderings and plans to convert the structure with a main stage in the center, floor viewing areas, and a second level that would provide seated and standing views.

Renderings also show a new covered 2-level patio.

Built in 1958 by Citizens State Bank at NW 23rd and Classen, the building has changed hands times several times over the last two decades with one former owner attempting full demolition. A new use for the 27,000 square foot structure has been elusive and the condition of the building has continued to deteriorate while remaining shuttered for years.

Temple Live operates live music venues in Fort Smith, Wichita, Columbus, and Cleveland. All are in renovated historic structures.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be at least $10 million.

The $3 million of public money would come from a newly established Classen Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. An existing revenue bond would provide the money upfront, with the developers using future TIF tax exemptions to repay the loan.

[Jake]

Great!!!

[David]

Hah! I called it.

Fantastic news.

[Bill Robertson]

Perfect use of the building. This is fantastic.

[Pete]

I hoped and suspected this was the reason for the creation of the Classen TIF.

Temple Live has done a bunch of really great historic conversions. It's a perfect fit.

[Midtowner]

Pucker up taxpayer, you're going to pay for a lot of this with a TIF package.