Comments on: New Convention Center: Discuss Amongst Yourselves

By: Karen2

Karen2 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:38:19 +0000

I read Blair Humphreys’ references regarding the wisdom/need for a new convention center. Here is what I observed about conventioneers. They wanted to go to a cool city and be able to stay in great hotels. I never – never – heard anyone say they wanted to hold a convention in a certain city based on the convention center. Once there – convenient bathrooms, meeting rooms that aren’t too hot/cold and decent sound system/lighting/furniture fill the bill.

We renovated the Myriad with the original MAPS. People I talk to do not support funding a new convention center. How about some examples of conventions we couldn’t get because the Cox Center is inadequate. How about going back to our original plan – developing a city that could attract corporations and new businesses that can bring well paid jobs.

Bottom line – its hard to get excited about spending that much money to build a new convention center. And what’s the rush? Why not wait and see how downtown evolves. If there is urgency for meeting room space maybe we could add a wing to the Arena.

I vote to invest in projects that focus on our permanent population and not just turn downtown over to conventioneers and visitors. Remember the law of unintended consequences. And publish the report.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:59:07 +0000

Not that the Big 12 championship is not a big deal, but there are many other events that go on at the CCC as well. Since the Ford Center is going to be solely occupied by the Thunder and large concerts, there needs to be a secondary area that could house smaller events, such as large graduations, larger comedy shows and smaller concerts. Don’t forget about the Yardawgs and the Blazers as well. Also consider that if they did decide to build it south of the Ford Center, that would spur a lot of retail development including small shops, restaurants and delis in that area. If you want to have a peaceful break, you could walk right across the street to the new Central Park and relax.

I do agree that an express rail connection is needed from WRA to downtown. If we don’t have the funding for it, at least some shuttles that would be provided by the CCC, Ford Center of the new convention center to get people in that area.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:03:01 +0000

I can definately understand where you’re coming from Gary, but what I think makes OKC an intriguing convention destination is the fact that you have the C.C. as literally, the center of what could be a huge convention complex. Its surrounded by hotels and if you can find a place to plant a real C.C. hotel, you could have almost 2,000 rooms within 2 blocks of the C.C. Very few cities can offer such a pedestrian-friendly attraction. Then, only 2 blocks from the Convention center is an entertainment district with enough table capacity to feed that many conventioneers. You could break at 4:30 – 5:00 for dinner and have everyone fed and back pretty easily by 7:00. That is unheard of in the convention business. Want to have a peaceful break, just one block the other way is the Myriad gardens, which will continue to be upgraded. If the train service is expanded then you have a travel outlet right in the middle there as well. OKC just has such perfect synergy with where things are at the moment. Move the convention center further south, you throw that all out of whack I’m afraid. The big 12 championship is nice but we’re talking about 1 week every couple of years, if that depending on what the B=12 decides. This is something that could pay off big time for many weeks of the year. Many of you have been to more conventions then me – I’ve been to D.C., Atlanta, Sacramento, Dallas, Houston, Grapevine, Ft. Worth, Birmingham, K.C., Memphis – none of them can offer what we do- the location of things right now is perfect, the C.C. we have on that location right now though, isn’t.

The one thing we really need is an express rail connection from downtown to the airport. You find a way to do that then OKC becomes a huge winner in the convention business.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:12:14 +0000

I understand your sentiment Jeffrey, but you have to consider that the Ford Center was built as a bare bones arena to attract an NHL or NBA team. When I first stepped foot into it, I knew it was going to have to be upgraded if it were to be a permanent fixture for a team. That is why I was not suprised when we were asked to pay for the renovations. The Ford Center cost $89 mil to build and add to that $100 mil in renovations, we would have $189 million in it. The BOK Center cost $178 million, the American Airlines Center in Dallas cost $195 million and the Sprint Center in KC cost $276 million. So we are going to be around the same amount as Dallas and Tulsa, but better because it is going to be updated later.

My wife works at Leadership Square and whenever we go to a Thunder game, we always park in the Main Street parking garage and walk to the Ford Center. That is about three to four blocks just for a game which isn’t too bad. Looking at the proposed area of south of the Ford Center, it will be about four blocks from the Sheraton, the Renaissance, the Residence Inn in Bricktown and the Colcord and five blocks from the Skirvin and the Hampton Inn and Suites in Bricktown. I don’t think that is too bad as long as we make it walkable for the guests.

Also, the mayor and most of the activists are very adamant (sp?) about keeping the Cox Convention Center due to things like the Big 12 championship.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:59:38 +0000

I don’t know Nick. OKC needs to build something ahead of the curve. We built the Ford Center on the cheap and now we’re paying for it, especially since Dalls, Tulsa, and Kansas City built ornate and very expensive arenas that honestly outclass ours in every way. The new convention center needs to be one of the nicest around, like the Brick was in Minor league baseball.

The only problem with a new C.C. is location. The Renaissance, Sheraton, and especially the SKirvin have lots to lose if the C.C. is outside of walking distance. New hotels will gobble up their rooms and we’ll have to stare at the possibility of having a closed and empty hotel building in the middle of downtown again. THe city has invested LOTS of money in the Skirvin and needs to see that recouped. This is nuts sounding, but I’m not sure if whats needed is not just to tear down the COX and build it right there again and do everything possible to give the new CC more space. Close Reno and allow the building footprint to expand south, or close Robinson and allow it to expand west into the Myriad Gardens. Utilize all the space that is now underground parking. Build a C.C. hotel where the Ford dealership is right now. I’m just concerned if you move it too far away, you kill those great hotels that have kept us in the game this long.

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:23:04 +0000

I think you’re right, Gary.

And good call, Paul. I have no idea if that includes the hotel which would be private development. But I can say giving the land out for free is a very good deal for both us and prospective developers since we can acquire the land cheaply through eminent domain.

Pittsburgh’s stunning new convention center just opened like 2 years ago. Construction prices have actually fallen since then, and our costs in OK should be lower than their costs in PA.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:19:08 +0000

John, per the Core to Shore video, I believe the designated area for the hotel is directly north of the convention center, along the boulevard. As far as the connection to the CBD, I think when the Boulevard is built, it will bring it all together.

By: John R. "Radar" Doyle

John R. "Radar" Doyle — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:57:30 +0000

I looked at the report online, and it was hinting at some sort of incentive to lure a new convention-class hotel. One was to offer the land for free (didn’t we do that for Dell?)

OK, where to build the hotel? South of the convention center? West of the Ford Center? And, how will this hotel be connected to the Central Business District, Bricktown, Arts District, etc…?

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:59:57 +0000

Do we know if the cost shown here includes a convention hotel? A building with 600 to 1000 rooms would play a big part of the cost…

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:55:21 +0000

Nick, factor inflation, land purchase, and engineering contracts into the cost. Does Pittsburgh’s amount include those?

Without the report, we’re purely at speculation here. We need the report!