but I think some are already griping about tax monies going towards needless "art" when real issues are being neglected.
I would hate to see the space needle go. I love iconic structures. I enjoy looking at it heading down I-44 gazing east with the downtown skyline behind it. Just because it is no long "operational" as a ride doesn't mean it can't "operate" as a piece of OKC history/art all by itself...just standing there.
Why don't we just apply to have a World's Fair. Then we can build iconic structures and pay for it for 20 years....but, oh what memories we would have.
Casey, why can't the fair divert just a small fraction of what it's spent on equine facilities on this one asset that has been enjoyed by so many of those who actually live here? Why settle with it becoming art?
How about the State Fair Board turning loose some of the pot of money they are sitting on, and repair the Space Needle. When you consider all the MAPS money that has been spent and the exorbitant rates and prices charged it it impossible not to realize that a lot of somebody are getting very rich.
Articles I read indicated the opposite, when they shortened it to the 11 day run, daily attendance went up but not enough to make up for the shorter run and losing an entire weekend. It was at the same time that vendor rates went thru the roof (and if for a shorter run, then the increase was even higher).
Someone correct me, but aren't those companies represented on the State Fair Board? (I certainly wouldn't look to SandRidge if you are trying to save anything). They are part of the problem with Clay Bennett at the top of the list. He has been the head honcho for at least 10 years now (can't find when he started) but an article indicated he was there before Skip Wagner came and went.
No love for the Space Needle here. Which is too bad as first-time visitors to our fair are always blown away by the needle itself and the views from the top. This is a case of hometowners are just used to it and can no longer appreciate it. But, damn, if we can just get fill-in-the-blank-retailer. We need to appreciate and preserve what we already have.
Mike, I'm not quite sure what you're saying. I don't really get the connection between trying to get some retailer in OKC and perhaps retaining the Space Needle. Are you saying that those who want new retailers don't appreciate things that are already here and therefore aren't interested in the Space Needle? I've never heard that to be the case or that the Space Needle wasn't appreciated. There may be a few who are ambivalent but I don't think you can say that it is a consensus opinion by any means.
Mike, I think what he means is maybe there can be a business out there who will pay for the repairs to get it up and running again. Then they can name the Space Needle after them, like Devon Space Needle, or whoever. Then again, I could be wrong.
The space needle looks more like it should fit at the Cleveland County fair than the Great State Fair of OKC. If we are going to do something we should do it right. Do something that is truly inspiring and memorable.
I would rather they move the needle near downtown. Heck put it in Bricktown. They would have more riders in one weekend than it gets a in year at the fair grounds.
http://www.gatlinburgspaceneedle.com/
My point was there are certain posters who clearly don't like the Space Needle. I argued that it is simply under-appreciated and we are used to it so we fail to see the unique aspects of it. The bit about the retailers was a jab at the same posters who are constantly harping on how OKC will be better with this new retailer and that new retailer. I believe that things like the Space Needle are, in the end, far better to preserve than listen to those who don't care because their main concerns lie with which new "name" retailer is coming to OKC. Oh, and I never even suggested that anything was a consensus opinion. Sorry if I wasn't very clear, reading over that post again I can see how it wasn't very cogent.
Sell it on Ebay.
Maybe I'm mistaken, but isn't the space needle already under corporate sponsorship? I thought I remembered seeing Devon's name plastered about it in 08.
I'm not sure if that's a serious question because you know I obviously don't know the answer. My response would first be to wonder what a "small fraction" is and my second response is quite frankly I'm not a big fan of spending money on something that is really only used 10 days of the 365 year calendar...but that might just be me.
I just don't want it knocked down. I would love for it to be renovated and spotlit as a piece of OKC's history and tall art structure seen from the interstate. I don't think it becoming art would be just "settling" as you mentioned, Steve.
(Background on my experience with the "space" needle...I have ridden it one time and I was about 8)
How tall is the state fair needle?
I finally got ahold of someone at the fair and the rates published are for the entire run of the fair. Meaning, you can get a 10x10 booth inside for an average of $800-$1,000 total. Some vendors (food primarily) pay a percentage of sales. This matches what my friend said she is paying to sell books in the Made in Oklahoma building ($900). The booths also come with two tickets for admission per day. Personally, I don't think that rate is bad.
Per The Oklahoman, July 5, 2005, it's 330 feet tall.
Bad comparison. They have twice the population as the State of Oklahoma, and we have two fairs, the Tulsa people kind of do their own thing. Not to mention Minneapolis is sort of a regional hub. Omaha and Des Moines aren't too terribly far away. The Twin Cities also have a lot of wealth and Fortune 500 companies (corporate sponsorships) and high paying white collar jobs compared to OK.
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