Construction Of MAPS 3 Oklahoma City Convention Center Complete

Press release from the City of Oklahoma City:

December 30, 2020

(Link to high-resolution photos)

Construction of MAPS 3’s $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center is complete after more than a decade of planning. The state-of-the-art facility is debt-free and elevates the OKC’s capacity for hosting meetings and conventions.

“The timing of the Convention Center’s completion is bittersweet,” said MAPS program manager David Todd. “We hoped to celebrate the building with a ribbon cutting and public tours, but to keep people safe we are waiting until the pandemic subsides in 2021.”

The center will draw events that bring attendees from around the region and world. It will provide a boost to Oklahoma City’s economy and serve as an ideal venue for local events.

“The Convention Center is the largest single MAPS project ever and promises to bring a long-term economic impact worthy of that investment,” said Mayor David Holt. “It’s the linchpin to what is now the finest meeting destination in the country, at least for a city our size. The synergy is unparalleled between the Convention Center, Scissortail Park, the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, Chesapeake Energy Arena and the OKC Streetcar that links it all to Bricktown and the rest of downtown. When we’re past COVID-19, this will draw interest to OKC we’ve never seen before. None of this would be possible without the voters of 2009, the taxpayers, and the leadership provided by former Mayor Mick Cornett, our other predecessors on the City Council, and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, which specifically championed this project. We are grateful to everyone who made this possible. Also, thanks to those who helped design and construct such a beautiful building, especially our MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board and our MAPS office.”

The building is east of Scissortail Park along Robinson Avenue between SW 4th and SW 7th streets.

“This venue is a vision realized for the Chamber, as we have been championing its construction for nearly 15 years. This is undoubtedly a game-changer for Oklahoma City as we emerge as a strong convention destination,” said Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President and CEO Roy Williams. “We’re already seeing great interest and convention bookings from meeting planners who are excited that OKC provides the full attendee experience their groups expect.”

Like the park and many other important landmarks downtown, it is served by the OKC Streetcar.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime project for the MAPS 3 office, Citizens Advisory Board, Convention Center Subcommittee and consultants,” added Todd. “It is an architectural gem from the floor to the ceiling, and we are proud to have completed the project on time and on budget.”

This press release was produced by the City of Oklahoma City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.