So tomorrow is the day when NBA Commissioner David Stern and several top league officials will come downtown to meet with locals about relocating the SuperSonics to Ford Center.
Governor Brad Henry, Mayor Mick Cornett and Sonics’ Chairman Clay Bennett will lead the presentation, which will consist of a thorough review of why Oklahoma City is ready to be the home to a permanent NBA franchise. The members of the committee will also be given a detailed presentation on planned improvements to the Ford Center, approved by Oklahoma City voters on March 4.
Four NBA owners from the relocation committee who will attend are: Peter Holt (San Antonio Spurs), Lewis Katz (NJ Nets), Herb Simon (Indiana Pacers), and Jeannie Buss (LA Lakers) who is representing owner Jerry Buss. The committee will make a recommendation to the NBA Board of Governors, which will meet April 17-18 in New York.
So, for the sake of argument, let’s assume this is getting close to being a done deal. For years it seemed as if two things might forever elude Oklahoma City’s big league aspirations - a major league team and a significant change to the downtown skyline. Now both are becoming reality. So tell me, readers, dreamers, skeptics and disbelievers - what’s next?
March 24th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
steve…moved here from modesto ca..last summer..sacramento was planning a downtown stadium to replace arco, voters turned it down…it would have brought millions every year on “game” nights..to the downtown area…okc has the “downtown” already there. i want to move into the “bricktown…”metro area”. Is there any condo’s or homes under $175k in that area? keep up the good work you do. pjrogers
March 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Good question, P.J. The condo market downtown is a lot better than it was a couple years ago. That’s the good news. You’re getting into the game with $175,000, but admittedly, your options are a lot more limited. If you’re willing to wait a year or two, however, it gets better. Your best bets right now are to first look at the Central Avenue Villas, which saw a two-year delay getting started but are now well under construction. I’m hearing different reports on The Hill - you might want to inquire into whether prices there have dropped since they were last publicly listed. Block 42 might have a couple of units at your price range.
Again, if you’re willing to wait, the Lofts at Maywood Park on NE 2 might offer more in your price range than what’s available now. And more projects may soon be announced unless the market takes a surprising plunge (as you’ve read, the city’s housing market has not experienced the drops that have hit elsewhere in the country).
Good luck and let me know how things go.
-STeve
March 25th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
“Readers, Dreamers, Skeptics, and Disbelievers”
I like that a lot.
PJ- If it were me, I would look at Central Avenue Villas and then Lofts at Maywood Park, just as Steve suggested. They seem to be the most affordable developments in the downtown area and they also have a great location and design. You might also check with Greg Banta on the pricing of his numerous residential units in Midtown, as well as Harvey Lofts (if they aren’t already sold out) if you wouldn’t mind living a couple more blocks away from Bricktown.