INDEX THAT’S COMING UP HERE IN A FEW MINUTES. ALL RIGHT JONATHAN. THANK YOU. WELL HAPPENING RIGHT NOW THE OKC CITY COUNCIL IS MEETING TO CONSIDER AN AGREEMENT ON THE NEW DOWNTOWN ARENA. AND THIS WILL INCLUDE SOME REALLY BIG, BIG DECISIONS LIKE FUNDING AND WHERE THE ARENA WILL GO. KOCO AUDREY GOODSON JOINS US NOW AT THE FORMER COX CONVENTION CENTER. AND THAT’S WHERE THE NEW ARENA COULD GO. KYLE ENID ALEJANDRA. THAT’S RIGHT. THIS IS WHERE THAT NEW ARENA COULD GO IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES OF THAT AGREEMENT HERE IN JUST THE NEXT FEW MINUTES. THIS COMES AFTER OKC VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED YES ON A NEW ARENA IN DECEMBER. NOW, THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WOULD COVER THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING THE ARENA. THIS INCLUDES HOW MUCH MONEY WILL BE SPENT AND WHERE THAT MONEY WILL COME FROM, AS WELL AS WHERE THE ARENA WOULD GO, WHICH, IF IT’S APPROVED TODAY, WOULD BE THE FORMER SITE OF THE COX CONVENTION CENTER. PLANS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A BRAND NEW 650 SPOT PARKING GARAGE AND A RESERVED SPACE FOR A POSSIBLE TRANS IT HUB. IN THE FUTURE, THE CITY AIMS TO FINISH CONSTRUCTION BY 2029 AND IN RETURN, THE THUNDER HAVE AGREED TO STAY IN OKC FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS. ONCE THAT ARENA OPENS, WE’VE COMMITTED THAT WE’RE GOING TO BE DOWNTOWN WITH THE NEW ARENA, THE ONE SITE THAT WE OWN RIGHT NOW IS PRAIRIE SURF SITE. WE’VE GOT TO KEEP THAT OPEN UNTIL THE ARENA IS FINISHED. THE THUNDER WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AT THE PAYCOM CENTER IN
OKC City Council votes in favor of proposed site for new downtown arena
The city council voted 7-2 in favor of the location
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Updated: 10:43 AM CDT May 21, 2024
The OKC City Council on Tuesday voted in favor of a development agreement to build the new downtown arena near the Paycom Center.The city council voted 7-2 in favor of the location across the street from the Paycom Center along Reno Avenue between Robinson Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard. Councilwomen JoBeth Hamon and Nikki Nice were the two votes against the proposed location.The spot is where Prairie Surf Studios is and the former Cox Convention Center was located. The plan also would include a new 650-spot parking garage and reserved space for a possible transit hub.The city aims to finish construction by 2029. As part of the agreement, the Thunder will remain in Oklahoma City for 25 years after the arena opens. In December, OKC voters approved funding for the new $900 million arena that will keep the Thunder in town through 2050.The development agreement says $78 million will come from MAPS 4, $50 million will come from Thunder ownership and a minimum of $772 million will be financed through a 72-month, one-cent special sales tax. City officials noted that any surplus revenue from the one-cent special sales tax after the arena's construction and repayment of financing costs will be allocated to capital improvements and maintenance of the new arena.The Thunder will continue to play at the Paycom Center until the new arena is finished.Top HeadlinesFamily searches for answers after Oklahoma man was murdered in Texas while hauling horsesLawsuit: Teenager suffered cardiac arrest, had seizures after drinking Panera Charged LemonadeOne killed after Singapore Airlines flight hit with severe turbulence20-year-old kayaker missing from Lake Carl Blackwell was spending day with familyShooting outside southwest OKC business sends man to hospital
OKLAHOMA CITY — The OKC City Council on Tuesday voted in favor of a development agreement to build the new downtown arena near the Paycom Center.
The city council voted 7-2 in favor of the location across the street from the Paycom Center along Reno Avenue between Robinson Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard. Councilwomen JoBeth Hamon and Nikki Nice were the two votes against the proposed location.
The spot is where Prairie Surf Studios is and the former Cox Convention Center was located. The plan also would include a new 650-spot parking garage and reserved space for a possible transit hub.
The city aims to finish construction by 2029. As part of the agreement, the Thunder will remain in Oklahoma City for 25 years after the arena opens.
In December, OKC voters approved funding for the new $900 million arena that will keep the Thunder in town through 2050.
The development agreement says $78 million will come from MAPS 4, $50 million will come from Thunder ownership and a minimum of $772 million will be financed through a 72-month, one-cent special sales tax. City officials noted that any surplus revenue from the one-cent special sales tax after the arena's construction and repayment of financing costs will be allocated to capital improvements and maintenance of the new arena.
The Thunder will continue to play at the Paycom Center until the new arena is finished.
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