OKC jealous of Tulsa, cries "not fair"

[sgrizzle]

http://www.kwtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10808295

Why Are Some Businesses Coming to Tulsa, Not Oklahoma City?
Posted: Jul 29, 2009 12:44 AM Updated: Jul 29, 2009 7:20 AM
With the Thunder coming to OKC, many thought there would be an explosion of high-end businesses and restaurants opening downtown. While that hasn't happened, Tulsa is booming with new business.

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Quite a few big names businesses are coming to Oklahoma. But they're deciding to set up shop in Tulsa, not in Oklahoma City.

There's no simple answer. City leaders even argue any new business that comes to the state is good for both cities.

It's hard to ignore the flashy commercials for the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa. They have a lot of people talking about what's going to Tulsa and not to Oklahoma City.

"You never want people in your city to be envious of what goes on in another city," said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

But some are, even though, a Hard Rock Casino here is not possible, since there's no Indian land in Oklahoma City.

Then there's the BOK Center with big names showing up, while the Ford Center's closed for renovations.

"Our arena's going to have a, like, new appearance here in a couple of years and that trend will revert back and then you'll see the typical competition going on," Cornett said

The popular restaurant and arcade Dave and Buster's also recently opened its doors in Tulsa.

"I think if Tulsa gets good things that's probably good and it probably improves that chances that things are going to happen in Oklahoma City more quickly," Cornett said.

We have something Tulsa doesn't, the NBA, which attracted the nationally known bar Coyote Ugly. Besides that, there hasn't been an explosion of big league developments. The Chamber of Commerce blames that on the economy.

"I think everybody just needs to be a little bit patient in this economic environment," said Cynthia Reid, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. "Companies are waiting to make decisions about their next location, but Oklahoma City is a shining star compared to a lot of other places."

The city's aggressively trying to recruit new businesses. When they'll actually be here, is the question.

"I would love to tell you that for sure we're going to get some of these higher-end restaurants and higher-end destination retail just around the corner, and I think it is just around the corner, but I've been thinking that for a year or two now and it hasn't happened yet,"Cornett said.

The Chamber also says if the business does well in Tulsa, it may then decide to come to Oklahoma City.

The Mayor also suggests focusing on what the city has accomplished instead of what's not happening in Oklahoma City.

[carltonplace]

na-na-na-na-boo-boo

[Townsend]

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The first MAPS projects transformed downtown Oklahoma City. Now voters could soon be asked to extend a one cent sales tax to fund a series of multi million dollar projects known as MAPS 3.

The first idea is to replace the Cox Convention Center with a newer larger building. That would cost between 250 and 400 million dollars. Another option includes building a new 40 acre central park just south of I-40.

A third option includes a series of streetcars, running on rails along downtown streets with wires overhead. That would cost 120 million dollars. "The goal is to connect the major districts in and around downtown together, so all you have to do is park once," said Jeff Bezdek.

Mayor Cornett has said he'd like to finalize the MAPS 3 plans by the end of September. That would allow the city council to send it to voters by the end of the year.

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-maps3-ideas-story,0,7492117.story

[Conan71]

[cannon_fodder]

To be fair, the article doesn't really come across as them crying not fair.  They are just lamenting our recent uptick in activity and wishing they continued their momentum.  While at the same time looking wondering why their new arena activity hasn't spurred new development in that area (familiar?). The officials interviewed pointed out that good news in Tulsa can end up being good news in OKC.  I really didn't get a bitter vibe from the article, just wishing they were getting some of the neat things Tulsa is.

I'd be more thrilled if the development was job creation.  If Corporate HQs, manufacturing facilities, and other high quality jobs were moving to Tulsa over OKC (or anywhere else, for that matter).  Having a Hard Rock Casino and a Dave and Busters is great . . . but doesn't really drive the economy.

Plus, we are still behind OKC in some areas of development and attracting events.  OKC just got named an Olympic training spot.  Their arena redevelopment will bring their concerts back.  Their downtown is active.  OKC is doing just fine.  Each city has things it can learn from the other.

And we'd have a TON to learn from OKC if they got that light rail system they are talking about!



side note on the Hard Rock Casino:

I believe it would have been much more effective for the three large Casino's (Cherokee, Creek, Osage) to be built in a common area.  Probably along the West Bank where the concrete plant is now.  Have them close by each other so business, shops, restaurants, and other touristy things could spring up around them.  With a cluster of 3 large and nice hotel/casino's it would actually be a tourist destination rivaling Tunica or Biloxi.  Enough to draw people in to town for a long weekend or maybe even some more conference etc.  While in town certainly they'd end up in the Blue Dome, catch a show, spend money on Cherry Street or Brookside, go to a museum, etc.

As it stands we have three nice Casino's spread out over long distances that do nothing to compliment each other.  Why do you think Casino's in Vegas want to be on the strip?  Because people like to go from one to the other when losing money and in the end the Casinos each make MORE money.

[Townsend]

side note on the Hard Rock Casino:

I believe it would have been much more effective for the three large Casino's (Cherokee, Creek, Osage) to be built in a common area.  Probably along the West Bank where the concrete plant is now.  Have them close by each other so business, shops, restaurants, and other touristy things could spring up around them.  With a cluster of 3 large and nice hotel/casino's it would actually be a tourist destination rivaling Tunica or Biloxi.  Enough to draw people in to town for a long weekend or maybe even some more conference etc.  While in town certainly they'd end up in the Blue Dome, catch a show, spend money on Cherry Street or Brookside, go to a museum, etc.

As it stands we have three nice Casino's spread out over long distances that do nothing to compliment each other.  Why do you think Casino's in Vegas want to be on the strip?  Because people like to go from one to the other when losing money and in the end the Casinos each make MORE money.

MONORAIL, MONORAIL, MONORAIL

[DTowner]

Tulsa got a Dave & Busters - wow, we're really blowing OKC away!

The sad thing is, Tulsa's recent successes have merely stop us from losing ground to OKC (and other regionally comparable cities).  None of that changes the structual advantages OKC has over us - state capitol, larger population base, close proximity to the largest state university, nearly every major highway in the state dissects it, etc.  With the hundreds of millions of state dollars to move I40 south, NBA team, the proposal for a MAPS 3, etc., OKC is clearly not resting on past accomplishments.

Tulsa has some momentum, but we cannot rest on V2025 or any other recent success if we want to maintain our current distance from OKC, much less gain any real ground.

It is funny, however, that OKC tells Tulsans that what's good for OKC is good for all Oklahomans, but many in OKC don't seem to agree with the reverse.

[Wilbur]

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The first MAPS projects transformed downtown Oklahoma City. Now voters could soon be asked to extend a one cent sales tax to fund a series of multi million dollar projects known as MAPS 3.

A temporary tax extended?  Say it isn't so.  I'm confident that in 2020, they'll be voting on MAPS 10.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Wow.. I like how they throw out Coyote Ugly at the end...  They can have it.

[Renaissance]

Read this: http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-area-talk/18623-tulsa-not-okc-getting-hard-rock.html

The hand-wringing is hilarious.  Everyone is going out of their way to explain why it isn't a big deal.  You've even got a reporter from the Jokelahoman getting in on the action.  It's a weird collection of sour grapes and outright anger. 

I'm with CF--it's honestly not a big deal.  But it's always entertaining to see how jealous OKC gets when the superiority meme they perpetuate bumps into reality.

[Conan71]

Read this: http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-area-talk/18623-tulsa-not-okc-getting-hard-rock.html

The hand-wringing is hilarious.  Everyone is going out of their way to explain why it isn't a big deal.  You've even got a reporter from the Jokelahoman getting in on the action.  It's a weird collection of sour grapes and outright anger. 

I'm with CF--it's honestly not a big deal.  But it's always entertaining to see how jealous OKC gets when the superiority meme they perpetuate bumps into reality.

Anyone remember when the NBA franchise was "good" for Tulsa too?  Anyone else been to a Thunder game yet?  Not me.

[Hoss]

Anyone remember when the NBA franchise was "good" for Tulsa too?  Anyone else been to a Thunder game yet?  Not me.

I'll never go after that doosh Cornett made his comments.

I'm waiting for OKCPulse the Houstonian  to chime in.

[TheArtist]

I don't really think these are big businesses that give us any great bragging rights. But they are a smattering of plusses none the less. Better having them than not.

I am still wondering what our "next phase" or plan is going to be.  I would personally like to see the Pearl District done of course. But it would also be great if the proposed development across from the arena happened, and perhaps whatever it is that might be going on in the East End lol.

I get the feeling that Tulsa isnt in the mood for big MAPS like projects. Our best bet is to keep pushing through high quality, smaller ones here and there. We may not have all the big flash bangs that OKC has been working on, but if we keep up a slow steady sizzle one day people may look around at Tulsa and be suprised at just how brightly we will shine.

[custosnox]

side note on the Hard Rock Casino:

I believe it would have been much more effective for the three large Casino's (Cherokee, Creek, Osage) to be built in a common area.  Probably along the West Bank where the concrete plant is now.  Have them close by each other so business, shops, restaurants, and other touristy things could spring up around them.  With a cluster of 3 large and nice hotel/casino's it would actually be a tourist destination rivaling Tunica or Biloxi.  Enough to draw people in to town for a long weekend or maybe even some more conference etc.  While in town certainly they'd end up in the Blue Dome, catch a show, spend money on Cherry Street or Brookside, go to a museum, etc.

As it stands we have three nice Casino's spread out over long distances that do nothing to compliment each other.  Why do you think Casino's in Vegas want to be on the strip?  Because people like to go from one to the other when losing money and in the end the Casinos each make MORE money.

The placement of the casinos isn't really by choice of the tribes.  The pacts say they have to place the casinos on trust land.  Getting new land placed in trust is not an easy task (a wall in the warehouse of cherokee casino is cantered in to follow the trust line since that was the easier choice.)  I'm not sure who decides what is placed in trust, but I think it's Federal.  So, since it takes a lot to do, and follows a number of set laws on what can be placed in trust, having a "strip" just would not be feasible. 

[waterboy]

Its hard enough to stay here and watch the impact the casinos have forced on this community. Its bad enough they have circled the city. Had they formed a nucleus on the West Bank, I would have fled by now. Tunica was a farming community, I'm told, till the casinos came and changed their way of life forever.

Lets see, has OKC had a large casino influence during the last decade? I hear a big one is open or about to open, so we'll see just how resilient their community is when faced with that huge sucking noise money makes when casinos open.