Re: Population Growth for OKC
Originally Posted by
Pete
I often point out that first it was Seattle, then Portland, then Charlotte, Austin, Las Vegas... And before that was Dallas, Houston, Denver and Atlanta.
So the big question is: what will be the next American boomtown?
You can make a very strong case for OKC but despite respectable growth, we have never really taken off. And I hate to say, if it hasn't happened by now it probably won't and we'll just have to be content.
this is why I think we as a city as a state should study those cities and make them our benchmark. They obviuosly studied boom cities before them and implemented what they could successfully execute. This is why I always bring up examples that Seattle is doing or Denver because I know these two cities (lived/worked in Denver in the 1990s, OKC-expat in Seattle since 1991) so I've seen these cities then and the growth they have achieved since (and most of the steps they took, esp Seattle).
In all honesty, OKC isn't that far off from where Seattle was in the 1990s or Denver in the later 1990s (as I was returning back to Sea). So OKC is in a good spot, we just need to fix education and go after ANY and ALL business with more than the same old lame (cheap housing, cheap cost of living, blah blah).
We need to come up with something unique to OKC that can't be found or done elsewhere and pitch that. Let me give you a great example: Seattle pitched itself as the gateway to Alaska a few years ago despite Vancouver Canada already having this title with MILLIONS on cruise ships every year vs our few thousand for us at the start. So we built a new cruise terminal (not even as big as Vancouver's) and pitched the city as part of the vacation experience and viola - Seattle has assumed the #1 position regarding Alaska cruises DESPITE Vancouver having obviuosly much more international connections and infrustructure. We've even eat into Vancouver's historical totals because now Americans don't need to go there. And we're now thought of as a tourist city because of the cruise ships Seattle and the rest is more or less history (including many more international flight launches).
See how a simple idea blossomed with Seattle taking advantage of a potential asset along with a tremendous business case despite a huge monster, long established, barrier to entry 100 miles northwest. We didn't tout Seattle being cheaper, we said that we can be PART of the vacation experience that it begins once you arrive and we delivered on that for the most part.
Now, what could work for OKC. I have no idea why OKC doesn't run with the idea of being the crossroads of america. OKC truly is, with I-35 and I-40 converging as the ONLY spot in the center of the nation where you can go coast to coast and country to country. why dont we run with that and be the home to logistics, transportation, and shipping? That could be just one more sector that OKC could have - in fact, didn't OKC used to be a trucking hub back in the day?
Also, why don't we just go ahead and expand our airport all the way. That way we can be ready for the next airline or expansion. I know many on here will say, oh there's so many other airports that could be selected or already have the infrastructure. But if OKC doesn't take a leap then it will NEVER even be considered.
Look at what OKC did with the original MAPS I arena. Yes there were other arenas in more popular cities than OKC. But we took a chance, built it and voila - we were ready to host the New Orleans Hornets which was a huge success and catalyst to the 10+ years of NBA ownership OKC has enjoyed. Look at Austin, now WHY should they have an International Airport with DFW, IAH, and (to a lesser degree) San Antonio so close by? It's because they had a vision for their city/region that they could build an IT base but needed international flights - so they built the terminal anyway and convinced British Airways to give them a shot - HUGE success and now they're expanding.
These are just a few examples of what needs to change MOST in OKC - perception. We need to think BIG and have a cohesive vision beyond JUST cost of living or family friendly. We need a Mission statement, OKC is to become the next --- and this is what we're doing to get there. .. Airport MUST be in the equation, we don't need a hub we need a nice point-to-point airport with international gates (ala Austin) that way we could test the market and/or be ready for expansion or a new airline - they don't HAVE to go to Cincinatti or Memphis IF OKC already has a modern facility waiting. .. Think of it as the ultimate TIF for OKC, we need a world class airport (again, not a HUB but a medium facility with nice amenities that we can add jetways as necessary).
Look at the aformentioned cities and they all have nice airport service. Let's benchmark what they did (and have) and take a chance. The next MAPS (or evenwhile this current one is going) should focus on transit and major infrastructure since this is what OKC is lacking compared to those benchmark cities. We also need to develop a vision beyond cost of living that prioritizes OKC's strengths and perhaps we can also market ourselves against Dallas. It'd be nice if the state could also cooperate but you don't necessarily through in the towel, we can (and have) work around 23rd and Lincoln and I believe if we continue then that equation will change towards OKCs favor anyway (as OKC already gained house and senate seats).
Sorry for the long posts but I really believe in OKC and want to share as many ideas as I can from what I've seen/experienced here as they CAN work despite Dallas, despite not having ocean or mountains. There's good already in OKC otherwise we wouldn't be a 675,000+ city/1.5M (very likely) 2020 census metro. So let's figure it out and capitalize on it.
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
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