City Council sets March 4 election for Ford Center improvements

(January 2, 2008) - Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously today to call for a citywide election on March 4 to fund major improvements to the Ford Center.

If the measure passes, the current sales tax rate will be maintained. The new one-cent tax will begin when the MAPS for Kids sales tax expires on January 1, 2009.

If the City has a lease with an NBA team by June 1, 2009, the one-cent tax will last 15 months and include the construction of a NBA training facility. Without an NBA lease the tax will run for 12 months and the NBA training facility will not be funded.

“Citizens get to decide on March 4 if they want to be an NBA city or not. This is our choice to make, nobody’s making us do this,” said Mayor Mick Cornett.

The one-cent sales tax is expected to generate $97 million over 12 months and $121.6 million over 15 months.

Timing for the election is driven by the SuperSonics’ application to relocate to Oklahoma City, which is scheduled to be considered by the NBA Board of Governors in April.

Improvement plans for the Ford Center include the addition of restaurants, clubs, concession areas, bunker suites, loge and sky boxes, roof top gardens, lockers, a warm-up basketball court, team offices and a 12,000-square-foot family fun zone.

The cement floors and walls that currently greet visitors on the first floor corridor will be substantially upgraded with decorative tiles.

“Everyone attending an event at the Ford Center, whether it be a concert, the Big 12 Tournament or a family show, will experience the upgrades,” added Cornett.

A new grand entrance and multistory atrium will also be built on the southwest corner of the building.

All enhancements, including the training facility, will be owned by Oklahoma City.

The improvements were designed by both the Benham Companies and Denver-based Sink, Combs, Dethlefs.

A power point presentation featuring the improvements can be viewed at www.okc.gov.