Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said that a measure will be on the March 4 ballot asking residents to approve a one-cent sales tax increase “to pay for improvements at the Ford Center that would put the arena on par with the best NBA venues in the country,” according to Bryan Dean of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN. The vote will come a month before NBA owners “decide whether to approve the [Sonics’] application to relocate to Oklahoma City.” Cornett said, “We can choose to be an NBA city, or we can choose not to be. We’re not going to get a franchise if we don’t pass it.” Dean reports the tax would go into effect January 1, 2009, lasting 12-15 months, and would pay for around $100M in renovations. Oklahoma City-based The Benham Cos., which built the Ford Center in ‘02, will study improvements to the arena, which are expected to include a “practice facility, better concession areas, new restaurants and other fan amenities.” Cornett said that if “legal disputes keep the Sonics from moving to Oklahoma City, the Ford Center improvements will be re-worked or delayed” ( DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 12/21 ). Cornett said, “If you look at the NBA’s history, at relocated franchises, I can’t think of one that went to a city that didn’t have a commitment to a new arena long-term.” However, he added that with the improvements, “no new arena would be needed” ( Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 12/21 ). NEW ARENA NEEDED : In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes the city “deserves better. The Ford Center played a part in Oklahoma City’s transformation, but now it’s time for the next step. A pristine fieldhouse.” Tramel: “The Ford Center is wholly functional but nothing to be proud of, which is in sharp contrast to the rest of downtown" ( DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 12/21 ).
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