OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[chssooner]

Would help tremendously if we had at least ONE flight direct from a gateway European city.

We are still years away from that, most likely. Or a corporate relocation/major European company opening operations here.

[Laramie]

This is fantastic news. This may not be popular here, but I kinda wish there were a casino announced with this development as well (preferably a non-smoking casino). Still, this looks like a first-class development and a game changer for the riverfront.

Question: is that a pedestrian bridge in one of the renders? If so, is that planned as part of this development or something they envision down the road?
.

There is 60 of those 100 acres still available for future development. Wish the city & state could agree to approve a major casino development on the remaining acres. You would see an investment of a 1,000 room truly big league hotel towering over 300 ft high or more--comparable to the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD.

This would allow the City and the Tribe to partner together on something really huge for MAPS 5 with well over a billion in new development; then you could build an affordable housing development to absorb population growth.

[HOT ROD]

wont be a casino and rightfully so. Let's have OKC be the cultural destination and the casinos can remain on tribal lands.

This is world class and makes OKC a huge player and destination. Would not be surprised at all if international flights (weekly) started after this is built. MANY already come to OKC for the Western Heritage Museum and the OKC National Memorial, add this to make a trifecta of world class museum offerings and as others have mentioned, OKC finally taking pride of its INDIAN heritage which is truly unique from anywhere else.

[PhiAlpha]

lol. I was literally about to post the exact same question.

LOL. Say you've been here awhile without saying you've been here awhile.

[soonerj2015]

It looks like Crystal Lagoons will be building the 5 acre lagoon. Pretty awesome technologyAttachment 17163
https://www.crystal-lagoons.com/

[Pete]

^

That looks amazing!

[ccsokc]

Where exactly on Crystal Lagoon's website did you see OKC? I can't find our city listed anywhere, and there is a pretty long list. I appreciate it!

[soonerj2015]

Where exactly on Crystal Lagoon's website did you see OKC? I can't find our city listed anywhere, and there is a pretty long list. I appreciate it!

Under the tab "real estate projects"

[Colbafone]

Under the tab "real estate projects"

Tulsa is on there as well.

[oklip955]

Would help tremendously if we had at least ONE flight direct from a gateway European city.

A tour company could always do charter flights. Maybe some kind of package deal with add on such as a Rt. 66 tour on motorcycles, or a dude ranch/trail ride or visit tribal museums or golf package or fishing/hunting guided trips. This could make for an Oklahoma travel experience. Lots of other things for them to see and do here in Oklahoma. Not just from Europe but think groups from Japan, Korea, China and more.

[BG918]

Tulsa is on there as well.

I wonder where this is planned? One of the casino hotels is my first thought but maybe a residential development. I’ve been to one at Windsong Ranch in Prosper, TX and it was awesome.

[Dustin]

This is what I envisioned the bold Core2Shore projects looking like.

[WheelerD Guy]

This is what I envisioned the bold Core2Shore projects looking like.

+1. Need to get this guy going
And then have the other side
Of the river match the standard
Or raise the bar even higher

[king183]

Pete has made a couple comments in this thread about our Native American history being our state’s unique and distinguishing characteristic and that we need to lean into this. I could not possibly agree more, and I think I’ve made similar comments in other threads. I think I’ve also noted that I have lived in several different states over the years and every time I tell someone I’m from Oklahoma, they ask me some form of the question “What’s in Oklahoma?” We worry too much about a negative perception of our state when we should be worrying more about the fact no one ever even thinks about us because they don’t know anything about the state. When I tell them about our tribal nations, they are stunned and fascinated—they genuinely have no idea they still exist here.

We need to heavily lean into our Native American history and the modern day flourishing of many of our tribal nations (which is relatively rare across the US) because it will be a major draw for people out of state and strengthen the state internally. This development has the potential to be a game changer by serving as a catalyst for more development of Native-centric or adjacent projects, including art, museums, concerts, and industry.

I also love that the Chickasaw Nation is involved. They are first class developers and business people. I can only laugh at the comments on Facebook from people who have an outmoded, racist view of tribes being poor and requiring government help, when, in fact, the Chickasaw Nation (and other tribes in OK) is a major player in all types of industry across the WORLD. I, for one, hope the Chickasaw keep investing here.

[Pete]

^

I always think of how Texas promotes itself and very effectively...

They are all over the cowboy image, BBQ, the rough-and-tumble type of thing because that is a big part of what makes them so unique. And in no way does it detract from their progress and the massive amount of modern development. The two work together.


As cities and states start to look more and more similar (everyone has the same big-box stores, hotels and similar restaurants) we need to distinguish ourselves and our Native American roots and the Land Run (with all its warts and transgressions) are truly unique and incredibly interesting.

The OKC Chamber has adopted a new promotional campaign called 'The Modern Frontier'. It's a good start and references Native American and Western culture. We need to do more of that. I also liked the license plates that proclaimed Oklahoma as 'Native America'.


Now that the First Americans Museum is open and done to incredibly high standards, time to double down on this identity.

[HangryHippo]

I loved the Native America license plates and hated to see them go. Even more so now that we’re all marketing Twitter with these current tags.

[BoulderSooner]

^

I always think of how Texas promotes itself and very effectively...

They are all over the cowboy image, BBQ, the rough-and-tumble type of thing because that is a big part of what makes them so unique. And in no way does it detract from their progress and the massive amount of modern development. The two work together.


As cities and states start to look more and more similar (everyone has the same big-box stores, hotels and similar restaurants) we need to distinguish ourselves and our Native American roots and the Land Run (with all its warts and transgressions) are truly unique and incredibly interesting.

The OKC Chamber has adopted a new promotional campaign called 'The Modern Frontier'. It's a good start and references Native American and Western culture. We need to do more of that. I also liked the license plates that proclaimed Oklahoma as 'Native America'.


Now that the First Americans Museum is open and done to incredibly high standards, time to double down on this identity.

well said

[Laramie]

^

I always think of how Texas promotes itself and very effectively...

They are all over the cowboy image, BBQ, the rough-and-tumble type of thing because that is a big part of what makes them so unique. And in no way does it detract from their progress and the massive amount of modern development. The two work together.


As cities and states start to look more and more similar (everyone has the same big-box stores, hotels and similar restaurants) we need to distinguish ourselves and our Native American roots and the Land Run (with all its warts and transgressions) are truly unique and incredibly interesting.

The OKC Chamber has adopted a new promotional campaign called 'The Modern Frontier'. It's a good start and references Native American and Western culture. We need to do more of that. I also liked the license plates that proclaimed Oklahoma as 'Native America'.


Now that the First Americans Museum is open and done to incredibly high standards, time to double down on this identity.

Very well stated, Pete... Continue to promote identity and brand. Something we should have taken from Texas' playbook in the early 70s.

[ourulz2000]

[/B]
But the real question is…is this a development that will make Dallas and KC jealous?

I don't know, but its the type of attraction to bring in people from California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, etc.

[Pete]

At the same time, I think the state Department of Tourism really missed the mark with their recent rebranding.

That star logo with a bunch of colors... It could be from anywhere and says nothing about Oklahoma.

[BDP]

I don't know, but its the type of attraction to bring in people from California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, etc.

The international interest in Native American culture shouldn't be underestimated, either. Outside of the Americas, Native American and Cowboy culture are unique draws to this part of the country. Many see it as the "real" American story. So, it is nice to have that story presented in a beautiful facility in an authentic manner, curated and told by Native Americans.

[Bali_Sooner]

With the airport renovations, new attractions and hotels popping up, OKC will be ready for the SEC crowd.

[TheTravellers]

The international interest in Native American culture shouldn't be underestimated, either. Outside of the Americas, Native American and Cowboy culture are unique draws to this part of the country. Many see it as the "real" American story. So, it is nice to have that story presented in a beautiful facility in an authentic manner, curated and told by Native Americans.

That "curated" part was a nice surprise to us - when Discover Oklahoma did a segment on it and spoke to the curator (I think that was actually just part of their title, not their whole title), they said that pretty much the whole team that works on and curates the exhibits are Native Americans.

[dcsooner]

At the same time, I think the state Department of Tourism really missed the mark with their recent rebranding.

That star logo with a bunch of colors... It could be from anywhere and says nothing about Oklahoma.

I may be in the minority but I really like the star logo

[Laramie]

You're not in the minority, dcsooner:

Don't see a problem with the new image since all the image searches doesn't show the star without the Travel Oklahoma brand. Initially, when the star image was unveiled--it looked odd as a stand alone; however branding takes time.





Now Oklahoma City has done something unique--working the Skydance Bridge into its logo:



My own personal note; OKC should invest in three more pedestrian Skydance Bridges where you see the Skydance frame lighting in different poses whenever you enter the city.