The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

     Philanthropist Sue Ann Arnall intends to donate a 1.6-acre tract downtown for the MAPS 4 Diversion Hub, a gift that could be worth $1.1 million or more.

     A MAPS 4 advisory committee and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board will review Diversion Hub plans, including the location. The final decision will rest
     with the city council.



    It is one of four MAPS 4 projects with a strong focus on criminal justice reform, and the Arnall Family Foundation has pledged $20 million for an operations fund.

     The Diversion Hub opened in temporary quarters last June at 220 NW 10.   As the concept evolves, Executive Director Damon Britton said Wednesday, the focus
     has been on individuals in pretrial proceedings and those at risk of having probation revoked.

     Arnall told The Oklahoman last year that inspiration for the center came from a realization that parents' incarceration often leaves children in distress.--Oklahoman, January 17, 2021

            The Oklahoma City Council voted to allocate about $33 million in additional MAPS 3 sales tax collections with $9 million to fund the new fairgrounds coliseum.

    Fairgrounds executives pitched plans last summer for including a $95 million coliseum in MAPS 4 to replace the 55-year-old Jim Norick Arena.

    The city council settled on giving the fairgrounds $63 million but included, in a “statement of intent,” the expectation that MAPS 4 funding would
    be supplemented by “at least $25 million in hotel tax revenues as well as funding from MAPS 3 excess funds.

    Strategic Assessment – Potential New Fairgrounds Coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City:  https://okcfairgrounds.com/uploads//executive-summarynov18.pdf (https://okcfairgrounds.com/uploads//executive-summarynov18.pdf)
                                                                                       

 

Quick facts

              Total project budget: $110 million
              Budget items: Four new youth centers ($70 million), operating fund ($30 million), capital improvement operating fund ($10 million).

Afterschool and summer programming will be the focus of a $110 million package to provide for at least four new youth centers. The state-of-the-art centers would transform the lives of Oklahoma City’s youth with programming that includes athletics, arts, family, health and education. The new Douglass Recreation Center, which is already funded, will have youth facilities equatable to the MAPS 4 centers. Capital and operational partnerships with existing local community organizations are possible as MAPS 4 develops.

The package includes $70 million for capital, $30 million for an operating fund and $10 million for a capital improvement fund to keep facilities and equipment up to date for our city’s youth..

City Center welcomes 75 to 100 students a day in a 12,000-square-foot former church building next to Putnam City schools. Though the modest center might be a far cry from the new multi-million-dollar facilities that could come from MAPS 4, the City Center offers a similar structure for serving youth.

A kitchen, cafeteria, clothes closet and homework room welcome students walking in the City Center’s front door. The first features inside the building are designed to accommodate basic needs — food, clothes, education and companionship.

These are all possible features of the MAPS 4 youth centers.  They could provide space for activities, athletics and fine arts, with age-specific programming from infants to teenagers.

But, these centers would be heavily focused on meeting needs.  The youth facilities are likely to focus more on social services than gyms or pools, unlike the MAPS senior centers or the recreation center planned for Douglass Park.

                MAPS 4 Stadium considering 3 sites

 
                                  Farmers Market. Land west of Classen and just north of I-40.
                           Wheeler Park. Currently owned by the city.
                           Producers Coop. Just south of Bricktown.

This is a presentation to the MAPS4 board. The stadium advocacy group is saying the facility needs to be downtown and near other entertainment. I suspect they are going to push hard for the Producers Coop site.--OKCTalk, March 3, 2021



(https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium030221f.jpg)
               This is the current selected option budgeted in MAPS 4:  $37 - $42  million

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                    An 18,000 - 20,000 seat stadium could cost $150 million - $200 million with all the luxury MLS bells & whistles.

Many factors could play into the stadium's construction like naming-rights, sponsorships and surplus MAPS money.  The MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium will at least have a minimum seating capacity of 8,000 with expansion capabilities exceeding 18,000.  The city has agreed to help with infrastructure funding if and when an MLS franchise is obtained by an ownership group.  



  
    
    
  

Oklahoma City Sales Tax Collection continue its upward trend...

Oklahoma City shoppers continued to come out in full force in April and May.

Last week’s $44.4 million sales tax check is the second-largest the city has ever received, coming in just under May’s record-setting $47.1 million. This month’s check was an increase of 36.8% compared to last June and 12.6% compared to June 2019.

Oklahoma City Budget Director Doug Dowler attributes the gains to federal stimulus money and pent up demand from the public.

“The  June  sales  tax  check  continued  to  show  the dramatic  turnaround  in  the  economy  that  has  occurred in the past year,” Dowler said. “We  are  projecting  higher  sales  tax  collections  for fiscal year 2022 than this year and the total would be bigger  than  fiscal  year  2019,  pre-pandemic,  or  2020, which was affected in the last two months by the pandemic,” he said. “I think that is due to several factors —bigger  population  and  workforce  in  Oklahoma  City, low  unemployment,  and  the  added  federal  money helping the economy.” Use tax for fiscal 2021, collected on online retail and other out-of-state purchases, totaled $73.5 million, a14% increase from fiscal 2020, Dowler said.

The new budget year begins July 1.--Oklahoman, William Crum & Jana Hayes, June 14, 2021

Looks as though by the time the city gets ready to build its first project they will have the money available.   Still say they've gotten smarter over the years by over estimating what a project will cost.   Will insure that there will be leftover funds; this will allow for more enhancements to be done while finishing up what's leftover from the previous MAPS initiative construction.  

The projects that get built last will be able to include more amenities.

Remember MAPS is a debt free pay as you build mechanism.

NBA arena upgrades, new  State Fair Park Coliseum could start early as Oklahoma City begins MAPS 4 project plans

Excerpts from William Crum, Oklahoman, July 2, 2021


The yet-to-be renamed arena (Chesapeake Energy Arena) is in line for $105 million of renovations with the Thunder practice facility to receive $11 million in upgrades funded by MAPS 4 Initiative.




The Coliseum

The pitch for an early start for the coliseum includes status of the 435-acre Oklahoma City Fairgrounds as the single-largest contributor to economic activity among city-owned facilities.--Crum

Crossroads Consulting, a nationally recognized expert in large public venue (LPV) consulting, found a new State Fair Park Coliseum would generate more than $230 million a year in direct spending and more than $400 million a year in total economic impact.


.

So it's looking like Chesapeake Arena is going to be renamed, and this is not a joke:

Love's Travel Stop Arena.

After the dirty truck stops. Seriously. This makes the entire state look stupid.

The original MAPS was funded by a five-year, one-cent sales tax passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 1993. The initiative called for the renovation and/or construction of nine major projects in Oklahoma City’s central business district.

The $350 million sales tax-funded initiative was created to revitalize Downtown, improve Oklahoma City’s national image and provide new and upgraded cultural, sports, recreation, entertainment and convention facilities.  Projects were built debt free meaning construction did not start until
until the sales taxes were collected.

     In 1993, the MAPS sales tax passed with 54 percent of the vote.

     June 1996 thru April 1999 the Ballpark, State Fair Park, Myriad convention center, Bricktown canal, State Fair park,  Civic Center Music Hall  
     and North Canadian River Dams were in various stages of construction.

1997 Oklahoma City's failed bid to attract an NHL expansion franchise.  

     May 1999, the arena construction begins after voters passed a 6 month extension to finish all MAPS projects.

2005–2007 Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets for 2 seasons following Hurricane Katrina:
     2005-2006 - Attendance:   18,168
     2006-2007 - Attendance:   17,833

2007 Oklahoma City voters approved Ford Center renovations...

2008–09  Supersonics relocate to Oklahoma City
     2008-2009 - Attendance:   18,693
     2009-2010 - Attendance:   18,003  

2011-20012 - Thunder secures a 12-year naming rights agreement valued at $34 million that was set at $3 million for the first season with 3% annual increases for the remainder of the term.  

2016 - Aubrey McClendon's death, March 2, 2016, minority owner with The Professional Basketball Club LLC

2019 - The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced a multi-year jersey patch partnership with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores worth $10 million and as high as $40 million according to one source--deal expires in 2023. Thunder will display a 2.5-by-2.5-inch inch logo on all of their jerseys, including all jerseys sold inside of the arena.   Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores has more than 480 locations in 41 different states across the country.

2019-2020 - Chesapeake Energy Company files for bankruptcy...

2021 - Thunder seeks new naming rights agreement.

All hints of arena naming rights point to OKC billionaires Tom & Judy Love (Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores) who are avid Thunder fans.  No official announcement at this time.

Swake, have you heard anything official at this time...  ...we haven't heard anything official other than pure speculation.

  
 

As far as the naming-rights for Chesapeake Energy Arena, do we think people in other NBA cities give a rats donkey about the arena name.  Sure they see the skyline, team logo before a home nationally televised game.

So, if it's named Love's Travel Stops Arena, which gives Loves a lot of advertisement & brand name building.  Have any of you been to a Love's Travel Stop.   

There are three that I've been to in Oklahoma City, (89th South off I-35, I-40 & Morgan Road and I-35 122nd), they are all decent and reputable travel stops with clean restrooms facilities and a variety of products for those who travel. 

As I've traveled the country, visited some travel stops that were so unsanitary that I wouldn't dare sit down on a toilet seat for fear of getting crabs or the mystical blob or being solicited to pull-a-trick with some LOT LIZARD in the parking lot or being victimized thru some night scam.

We still do not know the official name or who Oklahoma City NBA arena naming rights partner will be.

Oklahoma City has tasted big league sports on its highest level of the NBA.  We are honored to have a franchise in our city and state.  There are 30 NBA franchises throughout the country; we are among the smallest markets under 2 million MSA (one notch behind Milwaukee & ahead of Memphis).

Our city has blossomed since 1993, our MAPS initiatives $350 million, $700 million, $777 million & $978 million were enacted to make all of this possible.

Population gains:       Metro
                                2000, 1,095,553   (Urban 507,579)
                                2010, 1,252,987   (Urban 579,999)
                                2020, 1,425,375   (Urban 662,314)

To quote Shakespeare, What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...   

   

MAPS 4 Initiative order of construction:

Paycom Center, the new State Fair arena, and the Innovation Hall (part of the proposed Innovation Plaza) will go first in order.

The MAPS4 Board will vote to approve next week and then City Council will vote 2 weeks later.

    A city-matching grant of $10 million for construction of an innovation hall is scheduled for later this year.

    Construction of the $63 million State Fair coliseum, replacing the Jim Norick Arena, is set to begin in mid-2022.

    The first phase of upgrades to Paycom Center, at $110 million, will begin in the third quarter of 2022. Updates to the practice facility are    
    scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

    Beautification and a fund for beautification staff will begin in early 2023 and will continue over five phases through 2029.

    Neighborhood connectivity in the Innovation District will begin in the second quarter of 2023.

    Conversion of the Foster Center into an innovation hub will start in fall of 2023.

    Sidewalk and bike lane construction will start in late 2023. Bus stop construction will start in early 2023. Park and rides will start in late 2022.

    Investment in parks across the city, the largest MAPS 4 project at $140 million, will begin in phases starting in fall of 2023. Work on parks along
    the Oklahoma River will start in the third quarter of 2024.

    The Palomar Family Justice Center's $38 million building will begin construction in early 2024.

    Soccer fields construction will start in early 2024 and will be done over three phases.

    Construction of a restoration center will begin in the second quarter of 2024. Start on transition housing is schedule for late 2025. The first mental
    crisis center will be built in the second quarter of 2024, followed by construction of a second mental crisis center in the third quarter of 2024.

    Building of the new $17 million Diversion Hub will begin in the first quarter of 2024.

    Expansion of EMBARK’s bus fleet, including increased frequency, will begin in the second quarter of 2024 and will continue through mid-2029.

    Construction of a civil rights center and renovations to the existing Freedom Center is set to start in fall of 2024.

    The new $38 million animal shelter, intended to bring the city to a no-kill status, will begin construction in late 2024.

    Construction of the $37 million multipurpose stadium, the future home for the Oklahoma City Energy FC Soccer team, will begin in mid-2025.

    Construction of youth centers will begin in mid-2025, also to be done in phases.

    Construction of a bus rapid transit line in northeast Oklahoma City will start in late 2026. Construction of a second bus rapid transit line will start
    in the second quarter of 2028.

    Senior wellness center construction will be built in phases starting in early 2026.

    Source:  OKCTalk.com & Oklahoman, July 30, 2021

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City Council approved the MAPS 4 Implementation Plan and schedule on September 14, 2021. The plan serves as the guiding document for the program scope, project scheduling and budgets.

Adoption of the Implementation Plan is an important milestone, letting the next stages of organization and planning for MAPS 4 to get under way.

The 11-person MAPS 4 citizens advisory board meets at 10:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month to make recommendations for City Council approval. The City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. every other Tuesday, and typically will consider Advisory Board recommendations at the first meeting after the board's decision. Visit okc.gov/agenda for meeting agendas.

Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028.--City of Oklahoma City.

Strategic Assessment – Potential New Fairgrounds Coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City:  https://okcfairgrounds.com/uploads/executive-summarynov18.pdf (https://okcfairgrounds.com/uploads/executive-summarynov18.pdf)


.

City of Oklahoma City's MAPS 4 Initiative passed in March 2019 included $978 million 16 projects package:

$115 million budgeted for the Paycom Center renovations ($104 million)  and related includes Integris Health
Thunder Development Center ($11 million).  

Paycom Center and the practice facility are owned by OKC and leased back to Thunder ownership group, they
are responsible for operations for both the Thunder and NBAGL

OKC Blue development team facility in Edmond.  The OKC Blue scheduled most of their games in the Paycom
Center (moved form the former OKC Convention Center now Prairie Surf Studios).

Mrs. Clara Luper led an effort to desegregate businesses across Oklahoma City, beginning with Aug. 19, 1958, sit-in at Katz Drug Store (Downtown) where she and 12 students were repeatedly refused service.

INNOVATION DISTRICT

Developers of Convergence, a $178 million mixed-use anchor for the Innovation District, are set to move forward with $13.75 million in tax increment financing and are hoping to win a $10 million MAPS 4 matching grant for construction of a community innovation hall.--Lackmeyer, 12-20-2021.  To read the full story, pick up a copy of the Oklahoman.

MAPS 4 - INNOVATION DISTRICT $71 million
For the purpose of transforming our entrepreneurial ecosystem to create jobs and foster a more diverse economy, it is the intent of the Council to pursue several projects at the Innovation District in near northeast Oklahoma City.

According to Cathy O'Conner “It is a large commercial investment ... the largest we’ve had to date in the Innovation District. It will help jump-start the whole research development ecosystem in Oklahoma City.”  O'Conner also stated that the trust has money to provide the $13.75 million up front to ensure Beffort and Tanenbaum’s BT Development qualifies for $33 million in new markets tax credits.

Business Wire https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201222005716/en/New-Development-for-Cross-Sector-Innovation-and-Advanced-Technology-Collaboration-in-Oklahoma-City-Innovation-District-Gardner-Tanenbaum-and-Robinson-Park-Investments (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201222005716/en/New-Development-for-Cross-Sector-Innovation-and-Advanced-Technology-Collaboration-in-Oklahoma-City-Innovation-District-Gardner-Tanenbaum-and-Robinson-Park-Investments)

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                    Oklahoma City Council approves transfer of $80 Million to MAPS 4 Investment and Operating Trust
                    Funds will provide for long-term operations and maintenance
                    Post Date:03/01/2022 3:30 PM

                   The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday voted to approve a transfer of $80 million from Oklahoma City MAPS 4
                   sales tax collections to the administration of the MAPS 4 Investment and Operating Trust.  

                  These funds will be invested and managed to provide a steady funding stream for the operations and
                  maintenance of some MAPS 4 projects long after the temporary MAPS 4 sales tax collection has concluded.

                  In December 2019, voters approved MAPS 4 with 72 percent of the vote. This fourth iteration of the MAPS
                  program included for the first time this innovative new wrinkle, and in total, $110.5 million in MAPS 4 funds are set
                  aside for this purpose.  

                  The management of the funds is being overseen by the MAPS 4 Investment and Operating Trust.  

                  A conservative spending policy is provided for and will ensure that the distributions are consistent year-to-year
                  and do not diminish the original funds.

                  “MAPS 4 was designed to not only build up our city with capital projects but also to sustain those projects for the
                  long-term,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “With the first transfer of funds to the MAPS 4 Investment and
                  Operating Trust, today marks a notable development in the MAPS 4 program. I’m very proud of this fiscally prudent
                  approach that I think will become a national model, and I know future policymakers in our city will appreciate it deeply.  
                  I’m grateful to City staff and members of the Trust for their input and oversight throughout this process.”

                  Tuesday’s transfer is the first, as scheduled by the MAPS 4 Implementation Plan previously adopted by Council.  The
                  remaining funds are scheduled to be transferred at a later date.  The eventual investment proceeds from the $80 million
                  transferred Tuesday will support MAPS 4 projects as identified below:

                
                       $21 million for the operations of the Henrietta B. Foster Center for northeast small business development and
                       entrepreneurship and an innovation hall to facilitate activities to grow the City’s innovation economy.

                       $15 million to provide financial assistance for low-income seniors using the MAPS 3 and MAPS 4 Senior Health
                       and Wellness Centers.

                       $5 million for the operations and maintenance of MAPS 4 Beautification projects. The operating fund will
                       provide permanent City staff dedicated to beautification. The maintenance fund will provide ongoing maintenance
                       as funds allow.

                       $9 million for the operations of the MAPS 4 Clara Luper Civil Rights Center. The MAPS 4 Civil Rights Center is
                       anticipated to be an interpretive museum and community gathering space.

                       $30 million for the operations of the MAPS 4 Youth Center..

                  “Continuing to invest in MAPS programs keeps our city moving forward,” MAPS 4 Investment and Operating Trust Chair
                  Teresa Rose said. “These funds will not only help support day-to-day operations for these MAPS 4 projects, but also
                  ensure the long-term success of the initial investment by providing crucial support for maintenance and beautification
                  initiatives.”

                  The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board recommended approval for transferring sales tax collection funds on February 9, 2022.
                  The 2019 MAPS 4 Resolution states the intent of the Oklahoma City Council to allocate MAPS 4 sales tax collections to a
                  fund to provide for the operations and maintenance of several MAPS 4 projects.

                  MAPS 4 uses cash to fund 16 debt-free, pay-as-you-go projects. You can view the MAPS 4 Implementation Plan, MAPS
                  4 Program Schedule, and projects at okc.gov/maps4.

            About MAPS 4

                  MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $978
                  million over eight years.

             Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique
             and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends
             in 2028.

             More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and
             job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implemen-
             tation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4.  

             The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust will develop a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for
             MAPS 4 projects' operational expenses and maintenance.

             Visit https://www.okc.gov/government/maps-4/ (https://www.okc.gov/government/maps-4/) for more.


          
                         MAPS 4 would create Innovation Hall, a structure that would serve as the district’s epicenter with eating places, meeting rooms
                         and public spaces that foster social interaction. Other MAPS 4 projects would make improvements to the NE 10th Street bridge
                         spanning Interstate 235 to allow for pedestrian traffic and link the area with downtown Oklahoma City.
 
                         The plan would also provide for the renovation of Washington Park at 400 N. High Ave., as well as the renovation of the Henrietta
                         B. Foster Center to create a minority entrepreneurship center.


.

The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday (March 15, 2022)  to approve final plans and specifications for new seating at Paycom Center as a part of MAPS 4.

The City of Oklahoma City selected global architectural design firm, Populous, to develop a master plan for the renovations at Paycom Center

The plans include new seats ranging from 19-inch fabric seats to 21-inch seats faux leather seats that offer taller backs and cup holders for a more comfortable guest experience that is standard in comparable arenas...

...“These targeted efforts will help define the next generation of entertainment in Oklahoma City,” General Manager for ASM Global OKC said. “We look forward to modernizing the venue and elevating experiences for the guests, tours, and teams at Paycom Center.”    

Link from City of Oklahoma City: https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4070/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery (https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4070/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)

Oklahoma City Council Approves Transfer of $80 Million to MAPS 4 Investment & Operating Trust

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     The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday voted to approve a transfer of $80 million from Oklahoma City MAPS 4 sales tax collections to the
     administration of the MAPS 4 Investment and Operating Trust.  

     These funds will be invested and managed to provide a steady funding stream for the operations and maintenance of some MAPS 4 projects
     long after the temporary MAPS 4 sales tax collection has concluded.

Tuesday’s transfer is the first, as scheduled by the MAPS 4 Implementation Plan previously adopted by Council.  The remaining funds are scheduled to be transferred at a later date.  The eventual investment proceeds from the $80 million transferred Tuesday will support MAPS 4 projects as identified below:

    $21 million for the operations of the Henrietta B. Foster Center for northeast small business development and entrepreneurship and an innovation
     hall to facilitate activities to grow the City’s innovation economy.

    $15 million to provide financial assistance for low-income seniors using the MAPS 3 and MAPS 4 Senior Health and Wellness Centers.

    $5 million for the operations and maintenance of MAPS 4 Beautification projects. The operating fund will provide permanent City staff dedicated to
    beautification. The maintenance fund will provide ongoing maintenance as funds allow.

    $9 million for the operations of the MAPS 4 Clara Luper Civil Rights Center. The MAPS 4 Civil Rights Center is anticipated to be an interpretive
    museum and community gathering space.

    $30 million for the operations of the MAPS 4 Youth Centers.

     MAPS 4 Initiatives ($978 million) includes 16 projects:

              Parks ($140 million)
              Youth Centers ($110 million)
              Senior Wellness Centers ($30 million)
              Mental Health and Addiction ($40 million)
              Family Justice Center operated by Palomar ($38 million)
              Transit ($87 million)
              Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights ($87 million)
              Homelessness ($50 million)
              Paycom Center and related facilities ($115 million)
              Animal Shelter ($38 million)
              Fairgrounds Coliseum ($84 million) Received $9 million from MAPS Surplus Funds and future Hotel Room Sales Tax Funding
              Diversion Hub ($17 million)
              Innovation District ($71 million)
              Clara Luper Civil Rights Center ($25 million)
              Beautification ($30 million)
              Multipurpose Stadium ($37 million)

 
                         The OKC Fairgrounds is a 435-acre parcel of land owned by the City of Oklahoma City and is managed by Oklahoma State Fair, Inc
                         through a long-term management agreement. We work closely with the City of Oklahoma City to provide a 21st Century Tourism
                         Destination and a place where the community can come together to enjoy a wide variety of family-friendly events and activities.
                         One of our goals is to create economic development for the City of Oklahoma City through tourism. This goal is accomplished by
                         hosting 200 events annually. For the past three years, these events have produced over $325 million annually in direct spending
                         into the Oklahoma City economy. For that same time period, our attendance has averaged more than 2.15 million visitors annually.

                         Surveys have shown that of the visitors to the OKC Fairgrounds, 53% are our neighbors from right here in the Oklahoma City
                         community and 47% are out-of-town guests. In all, over 170,000 hotel room nights are generated annually from events at the    
                         OKC Fairgrounds.--Velocity,

                         The City of Oklahoma City receives over $13 million annually from sales tax revenue generated by OKC Fairgrounds events.

                                MAPS 4 OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum

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                 Video:  https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-coliseum-84-million-revamp/38586045 (https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-coliseum-84-million-revamp/38586045)

Post Date:06/01/2022 9:16 AM

Quick Facts

    Project budget: $288 million
    Construction: Completed in 2020.
    Size: 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 45,000-square-foot meeting space, 30,000-square-foot ballroom.

Link:  https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4154/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery (https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4154/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)

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MAPS 4 includes $105 million for several phases of improvements to the 20-year-old downtown arena and $10 million for improvements to a practice facility on North Oklahoma Avenue. The new amenities and improvements are designed to enhance the guest experience at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA games and other live entertainment events. Initial improvements include $4 million to replace seats in the lower, middle and upper bowls.
The City of Oklahoma City selected global architectural design firm, Populous, to develop a master plan for the renovations at Paycom Center.  

The plans include new seats ranging from 19-inch fabric seats to 21-inch seats faux leather seats that offer taller backs and cup holders for a more comfortable guest experience that is standard in comparable arenas.  

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Press release:

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Construction begins on MAPS 3 and 4 OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum Jim Norick Arena will continue to host events during Coliseum’s construction 02/22/2023

City leaders broke ground today on the MAPS 3 and 4 OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum.

The 216,164-square-foot coliseum will be operated by Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. at the OKC Fairgrounds. Construction is scheduled to be complete in 2025.
The Jim Norick Arena will continue to host events, just as it has since 1965, until the new coliseum opens.

“The Fairgrounds are a catalyst for Oklahoma City’s tourism industry,” MAPS 4 Program Manager David Todd said. “The 58-year-old Jim Norick Arena is home to numerous national and international horse shows along with the Cattlemen’s Congress which collectively generate in excess of $150 million annually. The new coliseum will allow Oklahoma City to remain dominant in the horse show world and continue to be an economic driver for tourism for the state of Oklahoma for the next 50 years.”

The MAPS 3 and 4 Fairgrounds Coliseum will feature seating for more than 7,000 people, a lounge, suites, a full-service restaurant and several upscale concession areas, an A/V suite and a sophisticated catwalk system. The new coliseum will be built to the south of the Jim Norick Arena and come all the way up to the footprint of the current arena.


“The new OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum will be a very special venue and will put Oklahoma City in an advantageous position in the marketplace,” Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. President & CEO Kirk Slaughter said. “The Coliseum is designed to host the top equestrian and ag-related events in the world. The venue will be great for many sporting and entertainment events, including the productions held during the legendary Oklahoma State Fair. The Coliseum will be a game changer for Oklahoma City.”

The $126-million project is funded through MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue and other funding sources.

History of Jim Norick Arena

State Fair Arena, as it was originally called, debuted in September 1965. Costing $2.4 million to build, the arena was financed in part by an OKC city bond with the remaining funds coming from the Oklahoma State Fair.

The arena was rechristened the Jim Norick Arena in 1971 to honor Oklahoma City’s elected mayor, who served from 1959-1963 and again from 1967-1971.

In 1974, legendary rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden arranged for an unknown singer named Reba McEntire from Chockie, Oklahoma, to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Little did they know her Oklahoma City performance would change Reba’s life forever and set her rise to superstardom in motion.

Over the years, in addition to the NFR, the Jim Norick Arena hosted a wide variety of sporting events, horse shows, circus performances and iconic concerts including Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, .38 Special and Chris LeDoux.

Learn more about the MAPS 3 and 4 Fairgrounds coliseum at okc.gov/government/maps-4/fairgrounds-coliseum.
     

OKCTalk.com reports on MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium

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                        Potential joint venture between the City and the Chickasaw Tribe with stadium next to the museum.

OKCTalk.com link with pics:  https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47579&p=1230808#post1230808 (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47579&p=1230808#post1230808)

 

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                                   Opened in 1965, The State Fair Arena demolition has started
  Jim Norick Arena Lobby Demolition  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7FNiZfRj0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7FNiZfRj0)

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                                   MAPS 4 Initiative - $125 million, State Fair Coliseum under construction.
          OKC State Fair Coliseum Drone view, 6 months ago. https://youtu.be/N8aE949Ha-M (https://youtu.be/N8aE949Ha-M)

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      Oklahoma City new State Fair Coliseum construction updates

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      YouTube Drone view Month 12 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhlyRt-xPNA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhlyRt-xPNA)

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