They do a fantastic job booking shows. The argument against arenas is where they are afget 15-20 years. The other civic investment the competes might be Oneok which I also voted against. I thought the arena funds should have been used for investment in the Brady at the time and Oneok for redeveloping Greenwood (potentially tearing down a highway). I'm apparently on the extreme end with my urban planning views on here I've come to learn lately. So arenas and baseball stadiums it is.
This may be one case where we should be thankful we don’t have an NBA, MLB, NFL, or NHL team demanding we spend millions more on their home or they will pull out every 5-10 years. No thanks.
There is little doubt the arena and ball park helped hasten private development in the area. Sometimes it takes the nod of the public approving such amenities to give private developers confidence to invest in the area.
I thought moving the ball park from the fairgrounds was a waste of money when first proposed. It was also wildly unpopular with the new stadium assessment district, yet it has been a great addition to the downtown landscape. It is a consumer and development magnet.
Both of these properties took less than desirable properties and turned them into new civic centers.