Comments on: Response http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:24:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Robert Wagner http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/comment-page-1/#comment-1819 Robert Wagner Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:56:28 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/#comment-1819 (as you know) I've been involved with IPHF for several years and many of the comments expressed here are right on target about IPHF being a well kept secret, etc. Bob Mills and Mathis Brothers can spend more on advertising during one weekend than IPHF has in an entire year. I've been in touch with Chip Fudge and looked at space in the Film District, it is hard to image a better location for IPHF than in the Film Exchange building at 700 W. Sheridan, but it would cost us over $10,000 each month and thats a lot of money for less space than we presently have in the OmniPlex. I'm going to ask Mr. Fudge if we were to occupy part of his space if we could obtain a rental rate sensitive to gate collected and fund raising success. We're trying to hire an Executive Director, either rehiring Katie Sutton, or finding someone new. Thanks for your help and interest in IPHF and OC. RJW (as you know) I’ve been involved with IPHF for several years and many of the comments expressed here are right on target about IPHF being a well kept secret, etc. Bob Mills and Mathis Brothers can spend more on advertising during one weekend than IPHF has in an entire year.

I’ve been in touch with Chip Fudge and looked at space in the Film District, it is hard to image a better location for IPHF than in the Film Exchange building at 700 W. Sheridan, but it would cost us over $10,000 each month and thats a lot of money for less space than we presently have in the OmniPlex. I’m going to ask Mr. Fudge if we were to occupy part of his space if we could obtain a rental rate sensitive to gate collected and fund raising success.

We’re trying to hire an Executive Director, either rehiring Katie Sutton, or finding someone new.

Thanks for your help and interest in IPHF and OC.

RJW

]]> By: Jason http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/comment-page-1/#comment-1818 Jason Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:42:47 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/#comment-1818 I can understand the argument against IPHOF. The OKCMOA was actually dropped from the list of potential MAPS projects because the organization was disorganized with poor leadership (this was pre-Carolyn Hill). But we're not talking millions in investment here. We're talking about a few thousand dollars that's pretty much chump change for COTPA. And the IPHOF is planning to move to another city. Maybe they haven't maximized their fundraising and PR potential, but is that a good reason to just let them go? I don't think so. This attraction has tremendous potential to be an INTERNATIONAL destination if done right and in a more visible location. We need to work to keep them here. If the cheap rent has to come with a requirement that they have a change in leadership or something of that sort, then so be it. I can understand the argument against IPHOF. The OKCMOA was actually dropped from the list of potential MAPS projects because the organization was disorganized with poor leadership (this was pre-Carolyn Hill).

But we’re not talking millions in investment here. We’re talking about a few thousand dollars that’s pretty much chump change for COTPA. And the IPHOF is planning to move to another city. Maybe they haven’t maximized their fundraising and PR potential, but is that a good reason to just let them go? I don’t think so.

This attraction has tremendous potential to be an INTERNATIONAL destination if done right and in a more visible location. We need to work to keep them here. If the cheap rent has to come with a requirement that they have a change in leadership or something of that sort, then so be it.

]]> By: Steven http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/comment-page-1/#comment-1816 Steven Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:37:55 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/#comment-1816 Steve, Thanks for the follow-up article and getting more balsy with your discussion. The CITY and City organizations need to hear this information, they have started rested on their laurels again after our recent renaissance. I wish this was posted in the print edition of the Oklahoman. The CITY needs to realize COTPA and OCURA are complete jokes, their time has past, and they need to be dismantled and modern organizations need to replace them. On COTPA, they definitely need to be dismantled and a Regional Transit Authority needs to be established. Regardless of the IPHOF's ability or lack therof to self promote, why is the city opening the door for them to walk out on us and say don't let the door hit ya on your way out, after 25 years or so of being in our community. Yes, the IPHOF does a poor job of promoting themselves, but so has the city/chamber done a poor job of promoting them. They seem to have no problem touting the NCHFWHM or the upcoming AICC or OKCMOA. Dare we talk about the stupid handout to putting a suburban Bass Pro DOWNTOWN of all places? Wake up COTPA and City Hall, we need to save this institution and get them downtown. Hopefully once they get in a decent location, they will get their act together. Steve,

Thanks for the follow-up article and getting more balsy with your discussion. The CITY and City organizations need to hear this information, they have started rested on their laurels again after our recent renaissance. I wish this was posted in the print edition of the Oklahoman.

The CITY needs to realize COTPA and OCURA are complete jokes, their time has past, and they need to be dismantled and modern organizations need to replace them. On COTPA, they definitely need to be dismantled and a Regional Transit Authority needs to be established.

Regardless of the IPHOF’s ability or lack therof to self promote, why is the city opening the door for them to walk out on us and say don’t let the door hit ya on your way out, after 25 years or so of being in our community. Yes, the IPHOF does a poor job of promoting themselves, but so has the city/chamber done a poor job of promoting them. They seem to have no problem touting the NCHFWHM or the upcoming AICC or OKCMOA. Dare we talk about the stupid handout to putting a suburban Bass Pro DOWNTOWN of all places? Wake up COTPA and City Hall, we need to save this institution and get them downtown. Hopefully once they get in a decent location, they will get their act together.

]]> By: Colin Newman http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/comment-page-1/#comment-1817 Colin Newman Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:46:25 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/02/04/response/#comment-1817 In a city with a mess of generally well run public and private organizations, COTPA is a glaring anomaly. This decision isn't just silly and counterproductive, it's typical of the sort of tonedeaf leadership that has been at COTPA for years. Hopefully the new emphasis on transit in MAPS3 will include an overhaul of this agency, or at least some new blood. Instead of jealously protecting it's own institutional interests, it would be nice to see COTPA take a more active role in doing things to enrich and promote downtown. First order of business: fix the trolley system. It's embarrassing. As for the private sector complaining, I don't see how business owners could complain about a long empty storefront turning into another attraction that would draw in or keep people in downtown OKC. I think small projects like a new home for the photography hall of fame are every bit as good for downtown as massive new developments, because they add to the richness of options for visitors downtown. In a city with a mess of generally well run public and private organizations, COTPA is a glaring anomaly. This decision isn’t just silly and counterproductive, it’s typical of the sort of tonedeaf leadership that has been at COTPA for years. Hopefully the new emphasis on transit in MAPS3 will include an overhaul of this agency, or at least some new blood. Instead of jealously protecting it’s own institutional interests, it would be nice to see COTPA take a more active role in doing things to enrich and promote downtown. First order of business: fix the trolley system. It’s embarrassing.

As for the private sector complaining, I don’t see how business owners could complain about a long empty storefront turning into another attraction that would draw in or keep people in downtown OKC. I think small projects like a new home for the photography hall of fame are every bit as good for downtown as massive new developments, because they add to the richness of options for visitors downtown.

]]>