Latest news with #oftheCity
USA Today
6 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Thunder owner Clay Bennett releases statement after new OKC arena renderings released
The new home of the Oklahoma City Thunder took the next step on Wednesday. Nearly two years after being voted in, the State of the City address concluded with the first renderings of downtown OKC's new arena that'll open in three years. OKC Mayor David Holt and Architect David Manica presented the first renderings of OKC's new arena, which is set to open in 2028. The construction cost is $900 million. Several photos and videos demonstrated the interior and exterior of the building. Paycom Center will remain the Thunder's NBA arena for three seasons. The 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons will be the arena's last years. The new OKC arena will have a different name as Paycom will retire its naming rights once the current arena is shut down. The Thunder have played at Paycom Center since their relocation from Seattle in 2008. The arena opened in 2002 and is one of the smaller NBA homes. It was formerly known as the Chesapeake Energy Arena before being rebranded as Paycom Center in 2021. Once the new OKC arena opens, the Thunder will sign a lease that will keep the NBA franchise there through 2053. A new home is the type of long-term security needed to ensure the Thunder remain in Oklahoma City. Thunder owner Clay Bennett released a statement on the groundbreaking next step. The new OKC arena will be built next to Paycom Center over the next three years. Bennett helped move the NBA franchise to OKC. He serves as the chairman of the Professional Basketball Club, LLC. 'The journey to build a unique and transformative downtown landmark has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of this preliminary conceptual design,' Bennett wrote in a statement. 'We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Holt for his leadership and to David Manica and his team who have done a remarkable job capturing our vision for an arena that elevates the spirit of competition, celebrates the values of our community, and strengthens Oklahoma City's local and global identity.' Such an achievement is worth hearing from Bennett, who usually stays behind the scenes. He's allowed Thunder GM Sam Presti to build up a contender and has enjoyed the fruits of their work with an NBA championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren all signed long-term extensions this offseason to keep them in OKC when the new arena opens.
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Joleon Lescott knows the ‘history' opportunity that revamped Club World Cup will give players
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. Former Manchester City star Joleon Lescott has suited up for a number of major tournaments over the course of his professional soccer career, so it was easy for him to imagine what his former squad was feeling — along with the rest of the 32-team field — as they prepared for the Club World Cup. 'You can't not be excited,' Lescott told The Post. 'It's an opportunity to make history, be the first team to win it. There's a lot of talk about many games and overloads and stuff, but any athlete will tell you that once you start playing, the competitive spirit once you cross the white line will shine. They'll all be trying to win. It is an opportunity to create history.' 4 Joleon Lescott is pictured at a Everton-Southampton match on May 18. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Lescott was in lower Manhattan this week as part of an event put on by Manchester City called 'Flavors of the City' ahead of the start of the expanded Club World Cup. The Premier League powerhouse is among the notable names participating in the revamped tournament that will hand out $125 million of the $1 billion total prize pot to the winner. Prior to this year, the Club World Cup was played annually on a much smaller scale in December. Advertisement The new format expanded the number of teams and moved it to June, during the typical offseason for European teams, while creating a much grander event on the soccer calendar. 'For the player's perspective, they'll be excited. Preseason isn't far away and there's games you have to play in preseason, so if you could, if you can play them in a competitive way, in a competitive spirit, it's only going to add, to build in,' Lescott said. 'There's an opportunity for new players as well. I think it was a good idea that FIFA opened the [exceptional registration] window before the tournament, so it gives players an opportunity to shine. Regardless of what the situation is, if you are a new player at a new team, you're going to want to impress. You're going to be judged, so there's an opportunity to impress your fans.' 4 Workers are pictured ahead of the Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium. AFP via Getty Images The tournament will also be a small taste of what's to come for next year's World Cup, as well as a showcase for the sport in the United States, which has seen a growth in popularity in soccer over the years, though it still largely trails the impact it has in other parts of the world. Advertisement FIFA has pulled out all the stops to draw in American sports fans during the Club World Cup and broadcast partner DAZN, which will carry every match during the tournament, is streaming every game for free. 4 Manchester City players train June 13 ahead of the Club World Cup. REUTERS 4 Joleon Lescott is pictured during a Manchester City match in 2011. The FA via Getty Images Lescott, who appeared in 26 matches for the England national team from 2007-2013 and played in 107 games from 2009-2014 for Man City, which included playing for the Premier League title team in 2012, noted the growth he's seen from American soccer and its fans. Advertisement 'I think it's obviously as popular as it's been,' he explained. 'The speed of that growth will never be enough for anyone…but as long as there's more people playing, more people talking about it and enjoying the sport and understanding it as well. I think at times earlier, the soccer world in America, there wasn't an appreciation for the defending side of the game, draws. Nil-nils probably wasn't respected because in most of the sports here there's a winner and a loser.' He added: 'I think the understanding of [the game] has grown, which is obviously better for everyone as well.' Manchester City will play its first match of the tournament on Wednesday when it faces Morocco's Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Petersburg's resilience and growth: A look at the city's economic future
The Brief Despite facing significant challenges, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite facing significant challenges, including two hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Rays withdrawing from a new ballpark plan, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. READ: Three St. Pete students heading to Japan for city's summer exchange program Local perspective St. Petersburg has emerged as one of the most desirable places to live. Since 2020, more than 8,000 people have moved to St. Petersburg, contributing to the demand for downtown living, as evidenced by the construction cranes dotting the skyline. The influx of new residents has spurred business growth, with companies like Foot Locker moving their headquarters to St. Petersburg, even as others like HSN and QVC have left. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What they're saying "They love what we're doing with innovation, tech, you name it. So yeah, that word is getting out, and it's part of why we're getting folks coming down here with higher incomes. It skews the housing market. Therefore, we have to put more into a truly affordable housing," said Welch. While the mayor remains tight-lipped about other companies considering relocation to St. Petersburg, he acknowledged significant interest. "I'll just say there's a lot of interest. We met with a well-known group of folks this week, so it's continuing," said Mayor Welch. Dig deeper The city's popularity brings challenges, including concerns over gentrification, overpriced rents for business spaces, housing affordability, and infrastructure demands. MORE: Corey Avenue businesses celebrate reopening after withstanding back-to-back hurricanes "The density is happening where it needs to happen adjacent to transportation, so the jobs, housing, transportation triad is working together, and it leaves your more traditional neighborhoods, Lakewood, Kenwood, relatively unaffected," said Welch. The devastation and disruptions caused by future hurricanes threatens that progress. Job growth dropped off some after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That's why the city plans to invest half a billion dollars in resilience projects over the next five years. With the Rays pulling out of the stadium development deal, Mayor Welch sees an opportunity for St. Petersburg to forge its own economic path. The city remains committed to providing the Rays a home through 2028, with ongoing repairs and potential developments in the future, he said. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: New Aurora mayor's inauguration matches his agenda, personality
Much like his predecessor, new Aurora Mayor John Laesch chose to focus on diversity and unity at his big night on Tuesday. A large – and yes, diverse – crowd of about 1,100 nearly filled the Paramount Theatre at the inauguration of Aurora's 60th mayor. 'I was surprised,' Laesch told me early Wednesday morning as he waited to go into his first meeting in his new job leading the state's second largest city. The new mayor was humbled and grateful so many people showed up to celebrate his hard-fought win over two-term incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin. But was he excited? I put that question to Laesch for a reason: A week earlier he'd informed me 'I don't get excited' when asked about what he was feeling as he prepared to take on such a challenging role. While the huge crowd 'invigorated me,' Laesch said he was upset by a political move at the City Council meeting earlier that day. And he told me his elation was also 'suppressed' by 'the enormity of what is ahead,' referring to slashing the budget to deal with the city's 'serious debt' that he admitted to the audience will already require raising property taxes. All of which must be done, of course, while trying to maintain the momentum that has put this once crime-riddled city on the map as an entertainment destination. It was the Debbie Downer part of his acceptance speech, for sure, but 'I want people to know what to expect,' in his quest to 'pull back the PR machine' and the flurry of ribbon-cuttings to figure out ways to make Aurora 'a more solvent place,' said Laesch. Unlike Irvin, whose initial inauguration in 2016 – and pretty much every State of the City address that followed – was filled with pomp and circumstance and the energy level of an old-fashioned tent revival, Laesch went more low-key (and less expensive). It was a mood matched by Aurora Director of Communications (and evening emcee) Clayton Muhammad who, as Laesch correctly pointed out, always does a 'masterful' job of quickly reading the audience and matching the mood of the moment, which in this case was certainly celebratory but had the 'authenticity' and 'matter of factness' the new mayor deemed necessary. That being said, the evening was certainly entertaining, with musical performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoati and Paramount School of the Arts. And it had moments of high energy, not to mention stirring words that did indeed focus on unity and diversity, starting with Laesch's father Jim, a one-time missionary who, before giving the invocation, spoke about his family's experience working in a village in Liberia, where John Laesch was born and raised until 13, and where the emphasis was on all voices being heard for the good of the community. Then there was Ald. Dan Barreiro, 1st Ward, who used a significant chunk of his acceptance speech to praise the opponents who ran against him; new Ald. Jonathan Nunez, 4th Ward, who focused on the words 'pride' and 'responsibility' when recalling the legacy of his Hispanic family, who arrived in Aurora in 1917; new Ald. Javier Banuelos, 7th Ward, who ran for public office as a way of 'giving back' to those who were 'here for me' when his daughter died of cancer two years ago; new Ald. Keith Larson, at-large, who moved to Aurora from Geneva because of the city's diversity and did what more should do – instead of complaining about how things are run, get involved to make a difference. And I have to mention Abigail M. Dior, an Auroran who represented the Liberian Embassy, and had the timing of a stand-up comedian as she described how she first heard about a 'man named John' from Liberia who was running for mayor of the state's second largest city, and her subsequent grilling of him to make sure he truly was from that tiny West African nation. Like I said, there was plenty of diversity on display, much of it on stage when members of Laesch's large volunteer campaign team surrounded him as he took the oath of office and then delivered his inauguration speech that focused on the positives going forward as well as the negatives. While the new mayor may come across as cool and calm, he got plenty emotional when he stood at the podium to thank Aurora for putting him in this tough but important job. And included in his many thanks were words of praise for former mayors, including Irvin, for all the work they did in 'bringing downtown back to life.' There's no question plenty of angst still remains, at City Hall and in the neighborhoods, about the next four years under a mayor with a different personality and a different agenda. But Laesch, who says his number one priority is to get the city's financial house in order, insists he's ready to listen. And so, I just had to ask: If 'excited' doesn't describe Aurora's new mayor as he takes office, what words fit? 'Calm,' he replied. 'And ready.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Las Vegas mayor teases new casino for Symphony Park
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Stopped mid-dog walk, Symphony Park neighbors are asking if Las Vegas' newest casino is coming next door, what is Circa 2? Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley hyped the new developments and projects in the Symphony Park neighborhood during her State of the City address Wednesday night. 'These projects, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team,' she said. 'And a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future.' According to Symphony Park's master plan site map, the new project is titled 'Circa 2 Casino & Resort' and is located a few yards behind the existing Circa Parking Garage, otherwise known as the Garage Mahal. Clark County records show the 6.42-acre property was purchased in July 2017 by PQ Holdings LLC; it is currently zoned as a planned development. The parcel appeared to be busy with workers driving onto the Tre Builder's site and walking into a modular building. The topic of activity and the mayor's announcement turned dog walkers' heads and caused a buzz at the Parc-Haven dog park at Symphony Park. 'I think the area is great, I am from New York, and I'm used to the foot traffic,' Kai Brown, a Symphony Park resident, said. 'I thought [Circa 2] was a residential property, so I don't think a casino is great.' Parris Golden, a Symphony Park resident, said she liked how the area was quiet for her to walk her dog and said a new casino in the neighborhood would be a game changer. 'It would make me want to move, it would change the whole dynamic of the area,' Golden said. 'Ultimately, that would be a deciding factor.' A new resident, Miss. Moody, said the series of new projects is what spurred her to buy an apartment on The Cello's fourth floor. 'It wasn't until this came along that I was interested,' Moody said. Lala Gee, a Symphony Park resident, picked up her dog Benji and said she found the news to be encouraging for the neighborhood. 'Wow, that's exciting to hear, I think that's awesome,' Gee said. 'I think casinos are very good for this community. It brings a lot of people to the neighborhood.' Gee said she believes 'Circa 2' might bring in more restaurants and fine dining to the densely residential community. 'I believe it brings two different companies,' she said. 'On one side, it's like outgoing, love to see new things and love to travel. This side over here is like, mellow, like to stay in the house.' 8 News Now reached out to Derek Stevens, owner of Circa Resort & Casino, and a company spokesperson regarding the property. A company spokesperson said Circa did not have a comment at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
