My 2 Cents: New Convention Center Will Be A Success

If there's even been a city that could back up the claim, "if you build it they will come" it's Oklahoma City.

Monday, July 21st 2014, 9:59 pm

By: News 9


If there's even been a city that could back up the claim, "if you build it they will come" it's Oklahoma City.

The Chesapeake Arena, home of our unlikely NBA team, is the most prominent example. If you've forgotten people thought OKC was nuts for building an arena without a team to put in it.

But look at the river, folks it was a glorified drainage ditch, jokingly referred to as the only river in America you had to mow twice a year. We rebuilt it, and now it's a world-class rowing venue and popular city gathering spot; same for the canal, and so on.

I ask you, has there been a single Maps project that's been a flop?

Our convention center will have a couple of big advantages over many of the others recently built around the country. First, ours will cheaper, quite a bit cheaper than many of the new convention centers coming on line, and most importantly, it'll be paid for, one penny at a time through Maps 3.

Having no debt to service gives you more flexibility in recruiting large groups. Every city of consequence in our country has a decent convention center.

If we listened to the naysayers, they'd still be rolling up the downtown sidewalks every night at 5 p.m. like they were only 20 years ago. I like it a lot better now, don't you?

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

July 21st, 2014

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024