Well, I've been reporting this for several days now on this forum, and known it for a few months prior to coming to this forum, but the Oklahoman was finally released details today about the new Toby Keith venue coming to the Bricktown canal. Personally, I think this is great news for Oklahoma City as a whole. It just adds to the great mix of tenants we have in Bricktown.

I definitely think it's better than what was originally planned for the spot: A Dick Clark's American Band Stand Grill. Toby Keith's Roadhouse will not only represent Oklahoma flavor but will add a music venue to the area.

The venue will be located just east of the Harkin's Theater.

Also, I say an Oklahoman graphic in the paper this Sunday showing that surface parking would be build east of the theater. I was glad to read in the paper today that this site would not have surface parking on it, but that Hogan was currently searching for developers for the site.

I tend to wonder how moving I-40 south will affect these venues.....I think I-40's location attracts venues to the canal. But, I'm hoping that by the time the new Crosstown is built the middle segment of the canal will be complete, and moving I-40 south sill spur development further south on the canal, closer to the river.

One thing I really like about this article, is Toby Keith's plan for the building....it will fit in with the Bricktown theme, plus blend in with Bass Pro to the east.

Also, I love his plan for the patio that will be facing the canal itself. The patio will be shaped as a guitar, and will include outdoor fire pits for colder fall and early spring months...will give it a romantic feel.

I'm excited about this. I knew Toby Keith was going to build this venue, but was unsure of all of the details. I'm glad the Oklahoman released all of the details today.

I only hope that this will attract more quality music venues (not just local venues) to the Bricktown area. You know, Branson started with only one theater!!!!!
Although Bricktown would never be a Nashville, I'd like to see other local country stars locate venues in Bricktown, i.e., Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Garth Brooks, and Reba.

Anyways, tell us what you think.

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Here's the article:

Toby Keith eyes Bricktown site

By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

Toby Keith is coming to Bricktown - and he may bring some friends.
Restaurateur Hal Smith and developer Randy Hogan confirmed Tuesday they have completed a sale of property along the Bricktown Canal that will allow for construction of a 12,000-square-foot restaurant and music hall to be christened “Toby Keith’s Road House.”

Because the attraction will be along Interstate 40, Smith said he and Keith expect it will be a frequent performance stop for musicians traveling between Nashville, Tenn., and Los Angeles.

“This particular site, I-35 and I-40, is where America meets,” Smith said. “You couldn’t ask for a better crossroads. And the visibility from the interstate is phenomenal.”

Smith and his partners paid Hogan $1.5 million for the property, which the developer bought from the city last year after years of negotiations. Smith said discussions about the project began about a year ago with the Oklahoma-based national recording artist and Hunter Miller, son-in-law of former Sooners coach Barry Switzer.

“Toby is very proud to be from Oklahoma,” Smith said. “And he really loves a good steak. Part of our discussion was to build a steak house Oklahoma could be really proud of. His thoughts are for it to be a fun place that appeals to people of Oklahoma and those in surrounding states.”

Smith wants construction to start later this year, with an opening by next summer. The $4.5 million restaurant, once complete, will employ about 120 people.

While designs aren’t complete, Smith said the exterior probably will include native stone similar to that found along the south segment of the canal, but also will match surrounding Bricktown architecture.

An outdoor patio, shaped like a guitar, will overlook the waterway across from the Sonic headquarters. Smith hopes outdoor fire pits will keep patio diners warm on chilly nights.

Visitors also will be treated to a display of memorabilia representing not only Keith’s career, but also the accomplishments of other native Oklahoma performers and song writers, Smith said.

Early on, the partners considered sites along the Interstate 40 and Meridian hotel corridor and near Interstate 240 and Shields Boulevard. They began to look at the Bricktown site after construction had started on the nearby Bass Pro Shops but before announcement of the adjoining 16-screen Harkins Theatres.

“The more we looked at it, and this particular site, I-35 and I-40 is where America meets,” Smith said. “You couldn’t ask for a better crossroads. And the visibility from the interstate is phenomenal.”

Chad Huntington, operator of the Bricktown Water Taxis, said speculation about the project has been rampant since Hogan first confirmed to The Oklahoman that he was negotiating a deal with a then unidentified recording artist.

“This will be tremendous,” Huntington said. “The people who are already coming in, thanks to Bass Pro Shops and other new developments, will really appreciate a venue like this. Obviously, Toby Keith has a national presence and is going to attract the attention of a lot of people from outside Oklahoma City.”

Dave Lopez, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., said Bricktown already is a tourist destination - but the Keith project takes the city to a new level of prominence.

“It puts us on a national map, certainly in the music industry,” Lopez said.

With Tuesday’s announcement, only three building sites remain undeveloped in the newly christened “Lower Bricktown.” Hogan said talks are under way with three different groups for a building site northwest of the theater. He expects heightened interest in the site immediately east of Toby Keith’s Roadhouse.

Hogan also thinks the combination of Toby Keith and one of Oklahoma City’s top restaurant operators will prevent the project from going the way of unsuccessful theme restaurants that were popular in the late 1990s.

“The entertainment feature of our project has always been important,” Hogan said. “This just adds to the mix. The Bass Pro Shops has its form of shopping and entertainment. Harkins is all about entertainment. Now we’re bringing live music to the project. It’s a combination that will be unbeatable.”

One other thing that's really nice about this new venue, is that Hal Smith is involved. Seems like everything around here that Hal Smith is part of is first class and successful. I've been extremely impressed with Red Rock Canyon Grill. In fact, wouldn't mind seeing him build a second location on the canal. It's a very unique dining experience.

Yes, the details look good for Roadhouse. Even better are the potential performers who'll come through Lower Bricktown. Out of the other performers you mentioned, Vince Gill and Amy Grant have been the most involved in OKC. I actually hope that if upper market single-family housing lands on the river, they should get a spot. Anyway, what I would like to see from them, in Bricktown or in the Arts District, is a recording studio. But another music hall would be divine, too, as Amy could make it a gospel venue.

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Either way, I think a music venue from either Gill or Grant would be awesome. And them having a recording studio in the Arts District would only had to the diversity of the type of art that's there.

But, Amy Grant and Vince Gill both have high dollar venues and studios in Nashville, so not sure if they'd want to move here or not. Maybe when they get older, they could retire here and open up a theater here. That's pretty much what's happened in Branson with other artists.

If they built a house here, it would definitely have to be huge, because the one they have now is larger than any house in Gaillardia!