Comments on: Convention Center Location Report

By: Walter Jenny

Walter Jenny — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:22:30 +0000

Convert the elevated BNSF tracks to a linear transportation corridor, with moving sidewalks, that allow people to walk from NW 4th all the way down to the new convention center/Central Park. They’ll be able to transfer to and from commuter rail, light rail/streetcar, and sidewalks. The elevated tracks separate the city, east from west, and still constitute a barrier between Bricktown and Downtown/Midtown. Resolve that by gutting the dirt beneath it and converting the sizeable square footage to good use.

By: Steve Lackmeyer

Steve Lackmeyer — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:21:37 +0000

Bill, if restaurants and shops are not to benefit from a convention center, and if taxpayers are being asked to pay to build the convention center and subsidize its operation, and to also subsidize construction of a conference hotel, then pray tell me, what’s in it for taxpayers? How does a community benefit if local businesses are to be sacrificed in favor of going all out for the conference organizers?

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:16:08 +0000

One of the biggest and most successful convention centers is in Orlando. Restaurants aren’t close. Same in Chicago. Sometimes the convention center operator and hotel operator want captive audiences. City would have more leverage for hotel development if it was between the brick town location and the convention center. City will get more meals and concession money with location away from entertainment district.

By: Carl

Carl — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:27:01 +0000

Don’t worry Anthony. No matter where the new convention center is located, there will be restaurants and entertainment basically right across the street. Even if we have to build it from scratch.

By: Anthony R. Page

Anthony R. Page — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:13:56 +0000

The San Diego Convention Center is another successful facility where all the restaurants and entertainment are basically right across the street.

By: Slim

Slim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:52:12 +0000

Good point Kim. Just look at the Convention Center in Denver. Right smack downtown within walking distance of hotels and restaurants.

Taken from the Colorado Convention Center website:
http://denverconvention.com/our-center.html

“The Colorado Convention Center is located within easy walking distance of over 7,000 hotel rooms, and it is also within safe walking distance of 300 restaurants, nine theatres of the Denver Performing Arts Complex and a wide variety of shopping opportunities.”

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:34:34 +0000

So you and 100 people are attending a professional/business conference and it’s lunch time. It’s a “networking” day so you all will be leaving the convention center for lunch to check out the local restaurants. You all leave the center at the same time. Everyone should be able to walk out of the front doors and head towards their destination – on foot – have lunch and be back within an hour. No depending on street cars/cabs/shuttles, etc. People will choose a convention site based on the ability to reach local destinations on foot. It’s a very basic need as far as convention centers just like hotels, etc.
You have to locate your convention center as close to these sorts of businesses as possible. It’s a very basic requirement. That’s why it’s hard to understand why some of these other sites are even being considered. It doesn’t make sense.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:18:05 +0000

Hank,

You kind of answered your own question. Not everyone can take the street car so walking distance is a big deal.

My only personal experience with street cars is in Memphis and while they were fun to ride to get an idea of where stuff was in downtown it took forever for one to come back to you. So if you’re standing in front of the convention center with 3,000 other people and have 2 hours for your convention lunch break, you’re most likely going to be walking because the it’ll take you an hour to get your ride on the street car.

By: Slim

Slim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:01:07 +0000

I’m surprised LordGerald isn’t smart enough to understand why someone who’s made a $40 million dollar investment in Bricktown and Downtown Oklahoma City might actually care where the Convention Center goes.

People seem to like the Hampton Inn as it’s the #1 hotel in Oklahoma City according to TripAdvisor. Not to mention the increase in revenues the Hampton Inn has brought Bricktown businesses. Balconies are a liability that do nothing for the overall design of a hotel.

By: Hank

Hank — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:41:53 +0000

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned this but isn’t there a good possibility that the new street car system will connect core to shore (therefore the convention center) and bricktown?

I realize that 3,000 people can’t take a street car at the same time but if it does connect the two, walking distance wouldn’t seem to be as big of deal.