Oklahoma City's new downtown arena's site selection confirmed.
The current Prairie Surf Media Studios, formerly the Cox Convention Center originally opened in 1972 on a 4-square block site near the 50 story Devon Energy Center has been given council's approval to build the new downtown arena.
Oklahoma City has issued an RFP for an architectural consultant for the city’s new $950 million arena, which will be home to the NBA’s Thunder and replace Paycom Center. The city and the NBA team’s development agreement was approved by the city council during a late May meeting, allowing the project to advance.
The arena will be built on the site of the former Cox Convention Center (which needs to be demolished) and completed no later than the summer of 2029, though the city’s goal is to open the venue by the summer of 2028.
Oklahoma City leaders will select from a field of
seven architecture firms to design the new home of the Oklahoma City Thunder:
The city's MAPS office released the names of the firms that submitted bids but has not yet released the actual bids each firm provided.
AECOM, Gensler, HKS, Overland Partners, Perkins and Will, Populous and Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates all tossed their names in for consideration.
The RFP details the city’s proposed schedule for proceeding, with an initial deadline of July 17, an August 5 notification of short-listed firms, and interviews with finalists by September 5. The city also plans to recruit a construction manager later this year.
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