warreng88
04-13-2009, 12:08 PM
State Fair officials say renovations could attract regional, national shows
Comments 4
BY RANDY ELLIS
Published: April 12, 2009
A proposal to build a $79.5 million exposition hall at Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park has been submitted to the fair’s board of directors as part of a master plan developed by one of the nation’s foremost fairgrounds building design firms.
The focal point of the master plan developed by HOK Smith Forkner is a massive 407,778-square-foot exhibition hall that would include 300,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.
Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of the board of directors of Oklahoma State Fair Inc., said he is excited about the potential of such a large exhibition hall because it would enable the city to attract regional and national shows that have bypassed the city in the past because of a lack of adequate facilities.
The hall also would give the park’s current exhibitors room to grow, said Tim O’Toole, president and general manager of Oklahoma State Fair Inc.
"Our goal is to be a world-class, 21st century tourists’ destination,” O’Toole said.
Who will pay for it?
Bennett and O’Toole both said they hope city officials will consider funding the fairgrounds project as part of Oklahoma City’s contemplated MAPS III initiative.
Other funding alternatives haven’t really been considered at this point, they said.
"One thing I think is exciting about this particular project is it can be built quickly,” Bennett said, adding that a fast turnaround would enable the city to quickly start receiving the economic benefits.
A study is currently being done to determine how much money it would pump into the local economy, he said.
The hall could be completed within 24 months of the date construction starts, O’Toole said.
Bennett said it is important the project be viewed in context with everything else that might be included in MAPS III, be complementary to those projects and that it enjoy broad public support.
While some might question building such a project during difficult economic times, Bennett said Oklahoma City has a successful history of doing just that.
"Clearly, investment in the city in difficult economic times has through time proven to be the right decision,” he said. "I think continuing to grow and continuing to invest is important.”
Often, costs for construction are lower when the economy is poor, O’Toole said.
About the plans
The master plan recommends the expo hall be constructed east of Norick Arena and joined to the arena by an enclosed pedestrian bridge. The whole hall could be opened up for large events, or subdivided to simultaneously host smaller events.
Bennett said the state fair has spent a lot of money upgrading the park’s equine facilities, and he believes the fair needs an exhibit hall that will both complement the equine and agricultural facilities and allow the park to increase its trade show and exhibition business.
Bennett pointed out the contrast between the park’s "beautiful, national-caliber equine facilities” and its "series of outdated and obsolete exhibition halls.”
The HOK Smith Forkner report said the park’s current expo facilities consist of six buildings totaling more than 315,000 square feet that are spread out on the grounds. Four of the buildings were built in the 1950s, and the other two were built in 1969 and 1984. The 1984 building was renovated in 2005.
"We would be happy to start as soon as funding is available,” O’Toole said. "If it could be started in two to five years, that would be magnificent.”
http://newsok.com/park-could-see-79.5m-expo-hall/article/3360873?custom_click=lead_story_title
Comments 4
BY RANDY ELLIS
Published: April 12, 2009
A proposal to build a $79.5 million exposition hall at Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park has been submitted to the fair’s board of directors as part of a master plan developed by one of the nation’s foremost fairgrounds building design firms.
The focal point of the master plan developed by HOK Smith Forkner is a massive 407,778-square-foot exhibition hall that would include 300,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.
Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of the board of directors of Oklahoma State Fair Inc., said he is excited about the potential of such a large exhibition hall because it would enable the city to attract regional and national shows that have bypassed the city in the past because of a lack of adequate facilities.
The hall also would give the park’s current exhibitors room to grow, said Tim O’Toole, president and general manager of Oklahoma State Fair Inc.
"Our goal is to be a world-class, 21st century tourists’ destination,” O’Toole said.
Who will pay for it?
Bennett and O’Toole both said they hope city officials will consider funding the fairgrounds project as part of Oklahoma City’s contemplated MAPS III initiative.
Other funding alternatives haven’t really been considered at this point, they said.
"One thing I think is exciting about this particular project is it can be built quickly,” Bennett said, adding that a fast turnaround would enable the city to quickly start receiving the economic benefits.
A study is currently being done to determine how much money it would pump into the local economy, he said.
The hall could be completed within 24 months of the date construction starts, O’Toole said.
Bennett said it is important the project be viewed in context with everything else that might be included in MAPS III, be complementary to those projects and that it enjoy broad public support.
While some might question building such a project during difficult economic times, Bennett said Oklahoma City has a successful history of doing just that.
"Clearly, investment in the city in difficult economic times has through time proven to be the right decision,” he said. "I think continuing to grow and continuing to invest is important.”
Often, costs for construction are lower when the economy is poor, O’Toole said.
About the plans
The master plan recommends the expo hall be constructed east of Norick Arena and joined to the arena by an enclosed pedestrian bridge. The whole hall could be opened up for large events, or subdivided to simultaneously host smaller events.
Bennett said the state fair has spent a lot of money upgrading the park’s equine facilities, and he believes the fair needs an exhibit hall that will both complement the equine and agricultural facilities and allow the park to increase its trade show and exhibition business.
Bennett pointed out the contrast between the park’s "beautiful, national-caliber equine facilities” and its "series of outdated and obsolete exhibition halls.”
The HOK Smith Forkner report said the park’s current expo facilities consist of six buildings totaling more than 315,000 square feet that are spread out on the grounds. Four of the buildings were built in the 1950s, and the other two were built in 1969 and 1984. The 1984 building was renovated in 2005.
"We would be happy to start as soon as funding is available,” O’Toole said. "If it could be started in two to five years, that would be magnificent.”
http://newsok.com/park-could-see-79.5m-expo-hall/article/3360873?custom_click=lead_story_title