Latest news with #MAPS4
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russell Westbrook set to bring creative ideas to new stadium
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An architect has been named to transform a new entertainment district that will also house the new Oklahoma City soccer team and the MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium. In addition to that, former Thunder star, Russell Westbrook, was named the creative director of the project. After a nationwide search, Populous, a design firm, was chosen to bring the vision to life. They are also the designer of the stadium. LOCAL NEWS: PHOTOS: Community showing support for Oklahoma City Thunder during playoffs Leaders there said the project is about creating a destination where community and culture will mix. 'The intent is to create a place that is livable and walkable more than anything else. It'll be sports anchored, but there will be more than that,' said Phil Kolbo, the Principal at Populous. Populous also said they hope it will help connect the other districts in the downtown area. On the OKC for Soccer side, they're excited for what's to come, especially for the big partnership with Westbrook. 'Russell will tell you that this is home, this is where he grew up, and he is really interested in the future success of Oklahoma City. So, having him be able to apply his very creative talents as well as bring a lot of his global influence to the design space in the district is something we're really excited about,' said Court Jeske, the President of OKC for Soccer. LOCAL NEWS: Thunder playoff run sparks huge demand for gear at Oklahoma City shop In a statement, Westbrook said: I'm personally bringing everything I've seen and experienced around the world — design, culture, energy — to help create something that's never been done before in OKC. Russell Westbrook, Creative Director for the District The team hopes to have design images later this year of what the entertainment district will look like. It adds 50 acres to the area not including the stadium. There are plans to open the stadium in the spring of 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How work at convention center will disrupt OKC Streetcar service May 13-16: What to know
The Oklahoma City Streetcar will be temporarily shut down from May 13 to May 16, marking another milestone in the demolition process for the former Myriad Convention Center and construction of the new Paycom Center, according to a news release from the city of Oklahoma City. In a step toward the new development, OG&E will disconnect power from the convention center, also known as the former Cox Convention Center, during those days, leading to a slight disruption in public transportation services. Alternative transportation will be available. EMBARK will operate two bus shuttles from 6 a.m. to midnight every 25 minutes along the downtown streetcar loop, the city said in the release. However, streetcar fare will be required. The shuttle bus will provide access to all streetcar platform stops with the exception of the Century Center stop on Sheridan. Thunder game shuttles will run two hours before the game and for one hour after the game on May 13. More: What should OKC do with Paycom Center site? What's next for Union Station? Questions answered Demolition of the exterior of the convention center will begin in June and be completed in late 2025, with an anticipated opening in June 2028, the city stated online. Interior demolition has been ongoing. This comes after the Oklahoma City Council awarded $11.4 million in contracts and bonds to Midwest Wrecking Co. in March, according to earlier reporting in The Oklahoman. Read: Myriad memories: Before its demolition, OKC's iconic convention center hosted the biggest names Built in 1972, the building has been renamed several times, once as the Cox Business Services Convention Center and as Prairie Surf Studios and has been the site where a plethora of events, from concerts to conventions to sporting games have been held. In December 2023, 71% of Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax to build the new Paycom Center, and in May 2024, the Oklahoma City Council approved a development agreement between the city and PBC Sports and Entertainment LLC to build the at least 750,000-square-foot arena, the city said in the release. The new arena will cost around $900,000 million and be primarily funded by a 72-month, one-cent sales tax, $70 million in MAPS 4 funding, and $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group, the city stated online. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Streetcar shuts down during Thunder Game week. Here's what to know
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma City Council selects demolition contractor for Prairie Surf Studios
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma City Council approved a contract with Midwest Wrecking on Tuesday to demolish Prairie Surf Studios and pave the way for the new Paycom Center, the future home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Demolition is expected to take six to eight months to complete and will begin in the next several weeks. 'We've removed nostalgic items from the arena like a medallion that was embedded in the floor, light fixtures with section numbers on them, flags and some of the seating,' David Todd, the arena program manager, said. 'The center will be torn down wall by wall over the next few months.' New Oklahoma City arena designer talks aspirations Construction of the new Paycom Center is scheduled to begin in 2026, with a target completion date by June 2028. In the meantime, the Thunder will continue to play their home games at the current Paycom Center until the new arena opens. Here's how the nearly billion-dollar arena will be funded: Funded by a 72-month, one-cent sales tax once the MAP 4 tax has ended. (Sales tax rate will not increase.) The new arena will also be paid for with $70 million in MAPS 4 funding and $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MAPS 4 partnering with Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County on new youth centers
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Council approved four locations for new youth centers. The City is partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County to make a difference in communities. 'I know it will make a difference,' said Teena Belcik, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County. LOCAL NEWS: National Alpaca Show comes to Grady County Fairgrounds During the city council meeting on Tuesday, city councilors approved the following locations to build new youth centers. Woodson Park, 3403 S May Ave. S Santa Fe Ave & SE 66th St. Northeast Boys & Girls Club, 1501 NE 36th St. Melrose Community Center, 7800 Melrose Lane All of them will cost around $80 Million in MAPS 4 funds. That means, it's already paid for after voters approved the debt-free program back in 2019. MAPS 4 is funded by a temporary penny sales-tax, to generate more than $8 Billion over eight years. MAPS 4 decided on these locations after conducting studies focusing on poverty, crime, and youth violence. 'These youth centers are not typically what people thing of youth centers, that being a gymnasium and a pool,' said David Todd, the MAPS 4 Program Manager. The youth centers will be designed for children five to 18-years-old or in grades K-12. They'll also have the personal touch of The Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County. 'We know if there's not something super fun or cool or cutting edge then it's going to be a little hard to get the older kids,' said Belcik. 'These youth centers will be designed so there is something for everyone whether it's e-sports, whether it's 3-d printing, or if it's playing basketball.' LOCAL NEWS: Luther family saved by Edmond Fire Crew #5 They'll also focus on school help and STEM. 'This will allow hundreds if not thousands of more kids every year to have a place to go after school,' said Belcik. Belcik said every community is different, so they'll hold discussions to find out exactly what the needs are. They definitely want input from the youth. 'We want to make sure they know how to use their voice in a positive way to effect change,' said Belcik. OKC and The Boys and Girls Club are hitting the ground running, starting with Woodson Park. 'We'll start seeing design renderings this summer and then hopefully, before the end of the year,' said Todd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Out with the old, in with the new: Upgraded OKC dog park attracts canines, owners to Midtown
Many agree the grass is greener on the specially designed artificial turf of the new Midtown Mutts Dog Park at the corner of Harvey Avenue and NW 10, open to beagles, malamutes, pointers, bulldogs — and mutts. Neighborhood resident Addie Smith's handsome purebred Labrador Retriever, Sage, seems to like the canine playground. So does she. Addie, who mostly uses a wheelchair for mobility due to a connective tissue disorder, said the new park offers her a paved road to enter the metal fenced-in area with Sage, her service dog. "I find a little bit of a benefit with [the new park], because I can even bring my wheelchair in safely," the 22-year-old Midtown resident said. More: Four youth centers were recommended under MAPS 4. Where will they be built? Smith's experience at the former dog park had been difficult because of the unkept, uneven and often muddy grounds. Even stepping into the park posed a danger. With one entrance built upon several steps and a tin trailer on the other, Smith left her wheelchair behind and used a cane, leaving her more vulnerable to injury. Smith's friend, 47-year-old JD Johnson, appreciates the new park's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design, which requires public buildings and facilities to meet certain criteria to ensure physical accessibility for people with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. "The amenities are awesome, because I'm big on being ADA compliant, and I love it," he said. More: A new Midtown OKC HQ for Palomar faces budget issues. Here's how MAPS 4 will tackle it. Nate Passanante, a 35-year-old who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said the place has become a favorite for both him and his dog, Doc, allowing them a place to spend time outdoors with others. "Having places like this are really important when you have PTSD," said Passanante. "There are days that I wouldn't even leave the house if it wasn't for him." Patton Simpson, owner of Shaka inside The Collective Kitchens and Cocktails, expects the restaurant will likely see an uptick of customers who can walk across the street to eat outside on its dog-friendly patio. It's a better view, he added. "It's attractive," said Simpson. "We have a patio. It's better than looking at a building. I'd rather look across the street and see a bunch of dogs playing around. For the most part, it's beneficial to get more people outdoors, and they'll get to be more involved with their community's surrounding." Related: Developers pitch 309-space garage to provide secured parking for Palomar, Midtown visitors The new dog park — roughly 22,500 square feet of space — features a variety of amenities, including bright red picnic tables under a covered gazebo, restrooms and a concrete walkway. More amenities are coming to the area, which already features an adjacent pickleball court, including 61 new trees, a sand volleyball court, approximately 300-pound cornhole games, a grass area for leisurely activity and cleaned up nearby alleys, according to Chris Fleming, a partner of Midtown Renaissance. Costs have not been disclosed. The previous Midtown dog park location at 407 W Park Place is still in use, but it's expected to shut down permanently by mid-April, Fleming said. More: Developers pitch 309-space garage to provide secured parking for Palomar, Midtown visitors However, Midtown residents don't seem to mind leaving the old park behind. Instead, more people are flocking to the new dog park, especially now that it has running water, and there's a bigger crowd. Jay Roudybush, a 35-year-old who works in IT and moved to the area around six months ago, said he loves the park's design and hopes more dog-friendly events would result from the development. "I love the park," he said. "I love the modern feel, the new location across from The Collective and its turf. It keeps my dog from getting gross." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Upgraded Oklahoma City dog park attracts canines, owners to Midtown
