The inaugural groundbreaking for a facility under the MAPS 4 initiative was the fairground coliseum a year ago. According to Rose, its topping-out ceremony is imminent, and it is slated to open early next year. Significant progress has also been made on the Family Justice Center and Diversion Hub, both of which will see construction begin in the forthcoming months. Meagan Taylor, executive director of Oklahoma County Diversion Hub said the extra space can’t come soon enough. “In 2022, we served around 2,500 people. In 2023, we served almost 3,700 people. That is a significant volume for about a 12,000-square-foot facility. So, this new space will allow us to bring on more partner agencies and help more community members exit the criminal legal system and improve their lives,” said Taylor. Planning has also begun for the $71 million multipurpose stadium on undeveloped land south of Bricktown and east of the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Bob Funk, Jr., co-owner of Oklahoma Energy FC, plans to buy the 40-acre site and donate 7.2 acres to the city for the stadium. The city will own the stadium with Energy FC acting as operator. Funk said the facility will host dozens of soccer games and other events per year. “There’s a real opportunity to have a dynamic catalyst in the stadium and the property around it to really kind of fill this in a way that’s intentional,” said Funk. “It’s not just our fans as the professional soccer team, it’s also people who attend concerts. It’s people who want to come and attend high school football championships, collegiate football, lacrosse, all these other things that are going to happen in the facility.” Funk says they toured stadiums in Louisville, Kansas City and other cities across the country before beginning the design process. “I mean, it makes Oklahoma City a better place to live, work and play. And that is going to be probably, in my mind, our key economic driver for attracting people here
and attracting business,” said Funk. ADG Blatt has consultants working on master plans for youth centers, parks and beautification projects. Cotton said details on those projects will be coming out later this year. The panelists agreed all the projects will enhance the city’s cultural and economic landscape and the importance of continued momentum in urban development.
Artist rendering of the multipurpose stadium expected to host professional soccer games, concerts and other events.
“Every time we’ve done this, it’s been transformative in a way that has had multi-generational impact and is a legacy for everyone in this room to be proud of,” said Funk. “If we’re envisioning what Oklahoma City looks like in the next 50 years, it started 30 years ago and will be carried on for the next hundred years. So, it’s a great foundation to start with, but we do have to keep it moving.”
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