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Using Cox Center Site As Convention Center Solution Could Cost 85 Percent Of Contracts

Sue Wyglendowski grooms one of the 16 collies she brought from Mantua, Ohio, for the 2015 Collie Club of America National Specialty Show at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City Tuesday.
Brent Fuchs
/
The Journal Record
Sue Wyglendowski grooms one of the 16 collies she brought from Mantua, Ohio, for the 2015 Collie Club of America National Specialty Show at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City Tuesday.

Last week, Oklahoma City said it would reopen the search process for the site of the MAPS 3 convention center, and on Tuesday the city council voted to abandon the originally planned location near the Myriad Gardens.

They’re now looking for a new location, and right now the leading candidate seems to be the site currently occupied by the Cox Convention Center. It's the only site on the short list where Oklahoma City owns the entire property outright, according to city attorney Kenneth Jordan.

It might be the easiest solution, but Mike Carrier from the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau told The Journal Record's Brian Brus even that idea puts city leaders in a tough spot.

“The reality is that if we rebuild the entire Cox Center, I can’t say that we would lose every bit of business that could be relocated to other sites in the city,” Carrier said. “But we would probably lose 85 percent of events at least. And we would lose it for a period of time with no guarantee of ever getting it back.” Carrier said all the businesses that have grown around downtown convention business would be hurt – hotels and restaurants, for example, to say nothing of business supplies companies, caterers, taxis and other services. “Convention business represents their profit margin,” he said. “Many of them would not be able to stay open.”

"There are a few other things that are involved," Journal Record managing editor Adam Brooks said. "The convention center site that was originally intended was right by the planned park. The planned streetcar goes by there. So there was a lot involved in that site."

During Tuesday's city council meeting, most members seemed supportive of the plan to formally turn away from the property. The six council members who were there passed it unanimously.

"The city realized there was a risk that the board of commissioners that would arbitrate the matter could have forced the city to pay a much higher price than they budgeted for," Brooks said. "The budget was about $13 million for the land, and those landowners think that's worth about $100 million, so there's a very big gap."

During discussions Jordan informed Councilman Ed Shadid any condemned property acquired by eminent domain, but law, has to be publicly owned. But even if the Cox Center site is Oklahoma City's only feasible option for a new convention center, there are other obstacles.

"During that time period where we're rebuilding, we're going to lose conventions, or have to move them to other parts of the city," Brooks said. "If they go elsewhere, they may never come back and there are some big conventions that come."

In August, the United Pentecostal Church will hold its international youth congress in Oklahoma City, an event of about 20,000 people. And the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association conference and trade show attracts about 7,500 delegates and vendors from around the country. Many such events cannot simply be shunted to other buildings – at the state fairgrounds, for example – because organizations expect easy connectivity to room and board for attendees.

"It doesn't benefit downtown in the same way, and it's not as good for people who come to the conventions," Brooks said. "Restaurants aren't within walking distance. All the tourist attractions aren't within walking distance. It's really just a much-degraded experience."

So far the only realistic option appears to be taking 11.5 acres from the proposed 77 acre downtown park, but it's not clear if the city even has the authority to do that.

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The Business Intelligence Report is a collaborative news project between KGOU and The Journal Record.

As a community-supported news organization, KGOU relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.

The Journal Record is a multi-faceted media company specializing in business, legislative and legal news. Print and online content is available via subscription.  

Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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