The "this has nothing to do with Tulsa" mega-post

[Laramie]

 
                             New comedy club to open in OKC Bricktown tonight.

         

Noted comedians to headline a cast of future shows...

Link via OKCTalk.com:  275-seat Bricktown Comedy Club opens tonight    https://www.okctalk.com/content.php

[Laramie]

Meet in OKC

Visit OKC.com https://www.visitokc.com/meetings/okc-new/

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City residents pass MAPS 4 initiative; what's next?

Now, Holt said city officials will create a citizens advisory committee around January 2020 and then will meet with people to decide on who will be on it. That committee will come up with a plan on what to fund when, and then the City Council will have to approve its recommendations.

" Holt said. "MAPS 3 didn't complete its implementation plan for about a year and half before that was adopted."

For example, the MAPS 3 Convention Center isn't expected to open until 2020, 11 years after the MAPS 3 initiative was approved by voters.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oklahoma-city-residents-pass-maps-4-initiative-whats-next/ar-AAK2cYh

[Laramie]

One for T-Town (Tulsa)



2020 wish you, plenty...

[Laramie]

Update on OKC Embassy Suites


Marriott

Renovation of the former Marriott has brought new life to the once neglected hotel who lost its Marriott flag; now a $20 million upgrade will bring this hotel back to life with its original luster when it opened in 1985.







The Embassy Suites at 3233 NW Expressway received new life as it prepares for opening; 215 suites of varying sizes, all with great views throughout Northwest Oklahoma City and beyond Lake Hefner to the north.

[Laramie]

Embassy Suites throughout Oklahoma City.


1815 South Meridian, Meridian Hotel Corridor, 236 suites


741 North Phillips, OU Health Science Center Complex, 195 suites


Lake Hefner Parkway, 3233 NW Expressway, 215 suites, 2020 opening

[Laramie]

Metropolitan Area Projects 4 - 2020 - 2030

$978 million package - 16 projects

The 16 MAPS 4 projects are:

                 Parks ($140 million) 

                        Parks are critical to great neighborhoods and a great city. The MAPS 4 parks package allocates $140 million towards a transformation of our       city'parks system.

                        First, $63 million is to upgrade every municipal neighborhood and community park outside of the central business district. Improvements will be based on need and
                        neighborhood feedback. Improvements potentially include bathrooms, playground equipment, shade structures, splashpads,furnishings, trees, paths, activity   
                        facilities and signage.

                        Another $16.5 million is for an operating fund to provide for the operations and maintenance of these park improvements.

                 Youth Centers ($110 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.

                  Senior Wellness Centers ($30 million)

                         The MAPS 4 package allocates $30 million to continue the transformation that MAPS 3 started in the lives of our
                         city's seniors. The package provides for a fifth senior wellness center ($15 million) to address coverage gaps
                         remaining after MAPS 3. Additionally, MAPS 4 would create a $15 million fund to provide scholarships for low-income
                         seniors using the MAPS senior centers.

                         The MAPS senior centers have proven to be life-changing, connecting OKC's seniors to wellness, recreational and
                         social opportunities. Two MAPS 3 senior centers are open and two more are funded and in the planning process.

                   Mental Health and Addiction ($40 million)

                        MAPS 4 will transform Oklahoma City's mental health system with $40 million in capital projects that will provide
                        new mental health and substance abuse services and relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail.

                        The package includes $11 million to build two new mental health crisis centers and a $22 million restoration center
                        that includes a crisis center, methamphetamine detox, substance abuse services and more. MAPS 4 also includes $7
                        million for temporary housing for people experiencing mental illness and homelessness while transitioning out of a
                        crisis center. The operational costs would be covered by non-City sources.

                   Family Justice Center operated by Palomar ($38 million)

                         MAPS 4 will sustain the transformational effects of Palomar by building a new, permanent, $38 million facility for the
                         family justice center that was first created by the Oklahoma City Police Department. Palomar assists victims of
                         domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking, and supports children exposed to trauma.
                         Palomar's current facility is temporary. The larger, permanent facility would ensure that Palomar's work continues and thrives.
                         

                    Transit ($87 million)
                         
                          MAPS 4 will continue the transformation of our public transit system with dramatic new improvements funded by
                          this $87 million package.

                    Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights ($87 million)

                          The budget includes $10 million to improve existing bus stops with lighting at every stop and approximately 500
                          new ADA-accessible shelters. More buses and signal prioritization to help frequency and reliability of services will
                          receive a $12 million investment.

                          The package also includes $60 million for advanced transit options that could include bus rapid transit lines to south
                          OKC/Capitol Hill, the NE 23rd Street corridor, the Adventure District and the Innovation District, plus park-and-ride
                          facilities and micro transit. Future planning and land acquisition investments of $5 million are also included.


                      Homelessness ($50 million)
                           
                          MAPS 4 will significantly transform Oklahoma City's approach to reducing and eventually eliminating homelessness
                          with a $50 million investment in truly affordable housing. This investment, accompanied by wrap-around services
                          from existing providers, will help the city implement a successful "housing first" strategy. The $50 million is expected
                          to leverage more than $400 million in funding from other sources.



                  Chesapeake Energy Arena and related facilities ($115 million)

                       MAPS 4 will sustain the transformational effect that our downtown arena has had in facilitating economic
                       development and the arrival of major league professional sports, top tier concerts and other entertainment.
                       Through an allocation of $115 million to address necessary capital maintenance and provide fan and tenant
                       enhancements to Chesapeake Energy Arena and the related sports facility at 9600 N Oklahoma Ave., MAPS 4 will
                       keep those facilities at national standards and ensure their continued success. Improvements are planned for every
                       level of the arena, including Loud City.

                  Animal Shelter ($38 million)

                       MAPS 4 will allocate $38 million for a main animal shelter to replace OKC Animal Welfare's current facility, which is
                       dated and inadequate. The shelter would be on City-owned land and would be the main location for intake,
                       adoption and care of animals by OKC Animal Welfare. A new shelter is a critical element in making Oklahoma City a
                       safer and more welcoming place for residents and pets

                  Fairgrounds Coliseum ($63 million)

                       MAPS 4 will sustain and grow the transformational economic impact of the events held at the Jim Norick Arena by
                       replacing that aging facility with a new coliseum. The current fairgrounds arena has the largest economic impact of
                       all publicly-owned facilities in OKC, but the arena has reached the end of its useful life. The coliseum would be the
                       new home of major national, state and local events and will continue to attract visitors from around the world who
                       boost the local economy with their spending. MAPS 4 allocates $63 million to the project, to be supplemented by at
                       east $25 million from hotel tax revenues already earmarked for fairgrounds improvements, as well as other resources.


                  Diversion Hub ($17 million)

                       MAPS 4 will provide a $17 million "diversion hub" to transform the City's approach to criminal justice, relieve
                       pressure on the Oklahoma County jail and help low-level offenders establish a more productive life. This diversion
                       hub will work with low-level offenders to provide a diversion away from time behind bars and a path towards a
                       better life, which is the best possible outcome for that person and our community. Operational costs will be covered
                       by a philanthropic donation of $20 million that has been offered to the City.


                  InnovIation District ($71 million)

                       MAPS 4 will help transform our entrepreneurial ecosystem by making investments in the Innovation District in near
                       northeast Oklahoma City. This $71 million allocation will create jobs and encourage more diversification of our City's economy.

                       First, $15 million is for the creation of the Henrietta B. Foster Center for Northeast Small Business Development and
                       Entrepreneurship, to specifically include minority small and disadvantaged businesses.

                       Second, $25 million is for creating better connectivity in and around the Innovation District. A $10 million allocation
                       is available to match $10 million raised from non-MAPS sources for an "Innovation Hall" to serve as a central place
                       where activities to grow our city's innovation economy can be facilitated. Activities could include learning academies
                       like coding training for all ages; versatile space for meetings and events related to innovation and entrepreneurship;
                       and pop-up spaces for entrepreneurs to showcase new ideas and build connections. Finally, a $21 million operating
                       fund will help with the operations of the Foster Center and the Innovation Hall. 

                  Freedom Center and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center ($25 million)

                       MAPS 4 will save the Freedom Center and build the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center to transform Oklahoma City's
                       knowledge of our civil rights history, and to positively influence the future of northeast OKC and our entire community.

                       The historic Freedom Center, home of the local civil rights movement, will be renovated. The new Clara Luper center
                       will serve as a civil rights museum for Oklahoma City. It will be a community gathering place named for our most
                       famous civil rights pioneer. The capital allocation is $16 million, to be supplemented by a $9 million operating fund
                       to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the project.

                  Beautification ($30 million)

                       MAPS 4 will help transform the appearance of Oklahoma City with targeted investments in beautification. The
                       project will elevate our daily experience as residents and improve our first impression for visitors.

                       As $25 million in funding allows, beautification projects will include:

                           
                   City entrance gateways along interstates
                  Approaches to Will Rogers World Airport (including the creation of the Bessie Coleman Garden near the airport, State Highway 152 from
                       Meridian to I-44 and I-44 from    State Highway 152 to I-40)   
                  Three pedestrian bridges over the interstates in south Oklahoma City I-240 from I-44 to I-35 East and west entrances to the Clara Luper Corridor
                       NE 23rd Street and Martin Luther King Avenue, including up to $5 million for potential land acquisition and remediation of the northeast corner
                       Oklahoma City University corridor along NW 23rd Street Reno Avenue and Eastern Avenue corridor between Bricktown and the American Indian Cultural Center and
                       Museum
                  I-35 and I-44 bridges over the Oklahoma River
                  I-44 from Portland Avenue to Classen Boulevard
                  I-40 and Council Road Route 66 Public art and/or monuments at key intersections, including a statue of Ralph Ellison
                  Updated low-maintenance landscaping along key arterial roads Trees (at least $1 million)


             Multipurpose Stadium ($37 million)

                  Through the allocation of $37 million to construct a multipurpose stadium, MAPS 4 will pursue the same
                  transformational power demonstrated by previous MAPS projects like the ballpark and the downtown arena. This
                  facility would be suitable for professional and college soccer, high school football and soccer, concerts and other events.
                  Oklahoma City is believed to be the only top 50 city without access to a multipurpose stadium suitable for such events.


          A committee will be appointed in 2020 to assign which projects will be built first.

[Laramie]

Quail Springs Parkway, Oklahoma City

Paycom Headquarters, Oklahoma City

             

               14000 Quail Springs Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK 73134

              Paycom grows to state's third-biggest company
                                Headquarters: Oklahoma City
                                 Founded: 1998
                                 Employees: 3,050


        Growing Energy Corporation

       
                                 Gulfport Energy Corporation
                                 3001 Quail Springs Parkway
                                 Employees: 350

 

[Laramie]

Chisholm Creek, Oklahoma City

Growing mixed-use development
190 acre development, Highland Park Drive at Pennsylvania Avenue

[Laramie]

Oklahoma population inches toward 4 million

Oklahoma's population continues to creep toward 4 million, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates that show the state gained about 17,000 people between July 2018 and July 2019.

The state's population on July 1 was 3,956,971, according to estimates released this week.

                                       

                                       2019
                                       Population          Name        (MSA 2018)              

                                       661,614            Oklahoma City (1,396,445)
                                       403,045            Tulsa (999,440)
       
                                       128,168            Norman            
                                       110,016            Broken Arrow

                                         94,791            Edmond             
                                         89,679            Lawton (126,198)              
                                         64,487            Moore             
                                         57,656            Midwest City     
                                         51,517            Stillwater             
                                         49,204            Enid   (60,913)    

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City among cities featured on the Today Show (The best places to travel in 2020):  https://www.today.com/video/the-best-places-to-travel-in-2020-75948101921

[Laramie]

Upcoming development west of downtown OKC to include music venue, brewery and food/beverage concept to name a few . . .

https://kfor.com/2020/01/10/upcoming-development-west-of-downtown-okc-to-include-music-venue-brewery-and-food-beverage-concept-to-name-a-few/

[Laramie]

Central Oklahoma 7-Eleven Stores being sold to Corporate Overlords...



Are Slurpees finally coming to Oklahoma City?

The Lost Ogle link:  https://www.thelostogle.com/2020/01/09/central-oklahoma-7-eleven-stores-being-sold-to-corporate-overlords/



On a personal note, I would welcome Tulsa based Quik Trip franchise stores to enter the Oklahoma City market.

[swake]

QT doesn't franchise stores, all stores are owned by the company.

[Conan71]

                              Thunder Alley plans advanced . . .

                       

An entertainment block called Thunder Alley south of Chesapeake Energy Arena between the arena and the Omni Hotel & new convention center complex  are envisioned in the pics released by OKCTalk.com.

Submitted plans include a 24-foot diameter sculpture highly reflective polished stainless steel basketball held by bronze hands.  LED lights in ground will provide a backdrop for illuminated night artwork.

                           

A Thunder-themed 6,000 square foot restaurant sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Also, a 10,000 square foot full-service restaurant and casual eatery combining music, food  and a variety of on tap craft beers.  Oklahoma City's DT design & review committee will look at final recommendations.

                         
New southeast entrance to Chesapeake Energy Arena with planned Thunder Alley in foreground.

                                                     

Thunder practice facility (required by all NBA franchises) was completed in 2010 at a cost of $10 million; upgrades (below) of $11 million will make it competitive among NBA practice venues.  Dual basketball practice courts is unique among NBA practice facilities. Practice facility is owned by the City of Oklahoma City.  The original Edmond base NBA practice facility is used by the development OKC Blue.

                                                     


OKC's MAPS 4 penny sales tax initiative (approved by voters) has budgeted $115 million ($104 arena/$11 million Thunder practice facility) in upgrades & renovations.

Seriously?  It's a practice gym.  They need $11 million in upgrades to "keep up" with other NBA facilities?

I'm very cynical/skeptical about the cost/benefit of pro sports in most metro areas.  But if taxpayers are good with public funds going to a small pot in the belief it brings more notoriety and tourism, so be it.