Oklahoma City Riversports Rapids, debt free venue funded by MAPS 3 initiative Oklahoma City official will consider placing a new soccer specific stadium on the MAPS penny sales tax initiative that will pay for a 10,000-seat starter stadium (cost estimates $71 million - $97million stadium) on the 2020 ballot for United Soccer League (USL) Oklahoma City Energy. The stadium will be constructed debt free since sales taxes to finance the stadium will be collected prior to construction. Voters have approved all three previous initiatives since 1993 which included: NBA Thunder Chesapeake Energy Arena construction & renovation: Civic Center Music Hall Renovation 6.9 mile Streetcar System (Downtown, Bricktown, Midtown-Automobile Alley) New Convention Center & an adjacent 605 room Omni Conference Hotel to serve the convention center--$525 million project. Proposed 'debt free' city-owned riverfront soccer specific stadium: Proposed stadium capable of expansion to meet MLS seating requirements; also accommodate American football.
The Guardian, from atop the Oklahoma State Capitol Building. Myriad Botanical Gardens & arboretum in downtown Skydance Pedestrian Bridge overlooking Interstate 40 expressway thru OKC
It really depends on the final league size. If it's 32, it's probably slim. You have St. Louis, San Diego, Detroit, Phoenix and Sacramento that are probably going to get those spots. If it's 40 then it's a better chance but you still have Indy, Tampa, Charlotte, Raleigh and San Antonio that have put in past bids. There are also several larger cities with lower divisional teams as well like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Virginia Beach, Providence, Milwaukee and Jacksonville. But things could happen.
Thinking more like not only will there be expansion; there's the possibility of relocation. Oklahoma City Energy FC fans and voters realize the consequences if all USL franchises are not in soccer specific stadiums or submitted plans at the 2020 deadline we could lose our USL franchise. USL: League announces intention to house all 24 teams in soccer-specific stadiums by 2020 https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015...se-all-24-teams-soccer-specific-stadiums-2020 Oklahoma City MAPS projects initiatives: https://newsok.com/article/5611373/mayor-urges-residents-to-dream-big-opens-door-for-maps-4-ideas Energy FC plans to be ready for the next level. The stadium proposed could go before the voters in September or November 2019 in a MAPS IV penny sales tax extension with no increase in the exiting sales tax to fund 7 to 9 new projects worth $700 million or more over 5 to 7 years. OKC has funded previous Metropolitan Area Project (MAPS) initiatives totaling over $1.3 billion with an estimated $6 billion in private development as a result of these projects since 1993. As the penny sales taxes are collected, projects are constructed debt free.
Lol he cited an article from 2015. As for possible relocation, while it's always an option, I think with how not just the way Columbus reacted to the Crews relocation but how fans all across the league reacted MLS will probably think twice about relocating a team next time.
I, for one, would welcome an OKC-based franchise. You can argue whether other cities deserve it more, but in principle, there's nothing against the city.
Wow, that MAPS sales tax has been around for decades, hasn't it? Maybe I'm thinking of other funding measures. I know the whole MAPS plan has been going on for about 40 years, right? Not to sidetrack the thread. I was born and raised in OKC and am trying to remember.
The MAPS initiatives started in the mid 90's. The first MAPS project funded the AAA baseball stadium and the current Chesapeake Arena. I just question why the local owners, who are from families how have a reported combined net worth equaling ~$1B, would need the taxpayers to buy them a stadium? Actually I understand why THEY would want it. I don't understand how the taxpayers of OKC would want to do the same? In a recent poll by the weekly entertainment newspaper in town the soccer stadium was opposed by, I believe, 71% of respondents. In fact, it was the ONLY possible inclusion in the next MAPS vote that did not have a positive approval from respondents.
Reading between the lines in the SI article about San Diego and Warren Smith, I would say OKC chances are slim.
The odds were against OKC ever getting an NBA franchise. You have to build a venue first. The stadium's cost range is $65-$80 million. As for approval polls, the stadium still has a better approval than the current $600 MAPS 3 convention center complex, includes 200k exhibition hall & $288 million, 605 room Omni Hotel & 1,000 space parking garage under construction; just completed 133 room Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites on the complex. Drawback, our current ownership group doesn't have a successful track record.
Revised stadium design could house USL Oklahoma City Energy FC franchise with options to expand beyond 18,000 to accommodate future MLS should the ownership opt for an expansion or relocation franchise: Oklahoma City voters could be asked to approve a $950 package (12-16 projects) with the MAPS 4 initiative come December 2019. Expansion potential: Designed for MLS minimum requirements with awnings to shield fans from the sun. The newer design could be flexible in a bowl structure capacity range from 30,000 - 40,000. Rumors contend that the MLS may go as high as 30 - 36 teams by 2030. 4,300-seat upper deck expansion will be ready for the upcoming 2020 WCWS tournament Oklahoma City voters approved a 2017 bonds and 1/4 penny sales tax initiatives to improve streets, bridges and aging infrastructure.. Included was $27.5 million to expand the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium to seat 12,500 to retain the WCWS to the year 2035.
Really HATE the stage at the one end. Totally an MLS 1.5 stadium design. Says, "Soccer isnt gonna make us that much money, so we need to do other things here..."
MAPS 4 Approval Moves Proposed OKC Energy Stadium Forward Oklahoma City voters have overwhelmingly approved the MAPS 4 package, effectively advancing plans for a proposed OKC Energy FC stadium. Among the projects included in MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) 4 is a multipurpose outdoor stadium, with the initiative to generate $37 million in funding for the facility. The stadium has been pitched as a future home to USL Championship’s OKC Energy FC, along with events such as college and high school soccer, high school football, and concerts. Oklahoma City residents who took part in the vote gave MAPS 4 a strong endorsement, as more than 71% of a reported total of 44,439 voters approved the package. As the results came in Tuesday, Oklahoma City officials hailed the passage of MAPS 4 as a major victory...--SoccerStadiumDigest https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2019/12/maps-4-approval-moves-proposed-okc-energy-stadium-forward/
OKC Voters Overwhelmingly Approve MAPS 4 https://www.news9.com/story/41435111/okc-voters-overwhelmingly-approve-maps-4 16 projects and a $978 million price tag goes into effect April 1, a volunteer advisory board will be created. It will work with the OKC City Council on an implementation plan and timeline for the project list. Penny sales tax collection begins April 1, 2020. All projects are paid for at the time of construction which makes these projects debt free. Also in September 2017; Oklahoma City voters approved an estimated $1.5 billion over 10 years, bond & sales tax measures. A total of $1.5 billion was approved for bonds; about a fourth goes toward public safety, primarily to hire more police officers and firefighters, but also for a police-fire training center and three new fire stations. Bond measures for needs ranging from streets to libraries, and drainage to economic development, had voters' support, most by wide margins, though not as substantial as the success of the last general-obligation bond package, approved in 2007. Bonds funded the $27 million needed to complete the $35 million expansion of the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium; in the above pic, a 4,200 upper deck expands the stadium to accommodate 13,000 to be ready for the 2020 Women's College World Series that begins this April. The annual event has a $22 million economic impact on the local economy.
Oklahoma City's ambitious $635 million convention center complex set to open in late 2020 & early 2021: $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center (2020) $ 25 million 1,100 space Convention Center Garage (2021) $241 million 605 room, Omni Oklahoma City (2021) $ 81 million 133 room, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (Open) Above pic courtesy of OKCTalk.com The new convention center complex when fully opened & operational will provide 738 rooms (4-star Omni 605 rooms & 3-star 133 room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott); the $288 million convention center was funded by the $777 million MAPS 3 initiative approved by voters in 2009. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott was a private development by Tulsa hotelier, Andy Patel.
Three of the cities you mention have already been given MLS expansion franchises... The league is sitting at 30 teams going into 2022. If 32 is the cap to align with the NFL and NHL (MLB is still rumored to be considering adding 2 as well), then OKC has some tough competition. Vegas, San Diego, and Phoenix are all more desirable western markets. With three teams in Texas and two in Missouri (technically SKC is Kansas), does OKC even make sense for the league?
I wrote that over a year ago before those 3 cities were given teams. OKC won't get one if they stop at 32 because I believe Vegas and Phoenix get those two spots. However I don't think they will stop at 32. I think they go to 40 honestly. At that point OKC does have a very good chance IMO.
LV seems to be getting its act together for #31, so at least #32 is up for bids. Geographically, MLS could use another team in the heartland (there are 6 now: KC, Chi, StL, Minn, Cincy, Columbus), and it needs at least one in the southwest. If OKC can beat the others to the table, they should get in.
If they go beyond 32, which I doubt, then 36 is the easiest to schedule and have 34 games with a balanced schedule. Could have 2 conferences of 18 teams that do not play each other, giving 34 games with home and home. Could have 4 conferences of 9 teams. Home and home within each conference (16 games). Then play 2 of the other 3 conferences per year, one game against each team (18 games).
Recently opened upper 40 acres of OKC Scissortail Park. The lower 30 acres south of the Oklahoma River is in construction stages. The park is part of the MAPS 3 $777 initiatives with $132 million for the parks' budget. Last crane stands on the 605 room Omni Hotel in front of the new OKC convention center (below) also under construction. The massive convention center complex includes a 1,100 space parking garage (center, under construction), 133 room Fairfield Inn left of garage, Park (top right), Omni Hotel. All of these projects were apart of the MAPS 3 Initiative. The convention complex represents $635 million investment in downtown revitalization. OKC voters recently approved MAPS 4 Initiative that will include a 16 projects $978 million penny sales tax initiative 8 year collections that began April 2020, that will include a new coliseum and soccer stadium.
The fastest growing area of OKC's population is it Latino or Hispanic population. The Oklahoma City Archdioceses just recently completed its capital improvements campaign raising $85 million in pledges to build a National Shrine & 2,000-seat Basilica in south Oklahoma City. The Blessed Father Stanley Francis Rother Shine is under construction. Being erected in honor of a priest martyred in Guatemala, who was from the small town of Okarche, OK. Rother was beatified in Guatemala and a mass in the OKC convention center that attracted 20,000 (Est., 5,000) turned away. He is up for sainthood canonization by the Vatican.
Major League Soccer in Oklahoma City Represents the stages of the OKC multipurpose stadium Placeholders represent an initial 10,000 seat stadium to accommodate the USL Oklahoma City Energy FC. Stadium expansion beyond 20,000 seat if granted an MLS expansion or relocation franchise... Oklahoma City is ready for an MLS franchise. Recent MSA population estimates 1,408,950 residents with 655,407 in the central city. Oklahoma City currently supports an NBA team (OKC Thunder); they have sold out the 18,203 seat Chesapeake Energy Arena with a streak of 415 consecutive sellouts since 2010. City's NBA arena (above) is due $106 million in upgrades and $9 million in upgrades to the Thunder practice facility approved by voters in recent MAPS 4 penny sales tax initiative. Oklahoma City downtown apartments & condominiums continue to grow with downtown residential units approaching 5,000. Oklahoma City & Tulsa (major metro areas) have approved medical marijuana. State is set to approve Medicaid expansion in the fall.