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Oklahoma City is looking to Charlotte

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BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: October 7, 2008

Some of Oklahoma City’s most powerful folks are set to be airborne this morning as they head to Charlotte, N.C., to learn how the city was transformed two decades ago by construction of a skyscraper and the arrival of an NBA team.


Bank of America's corporate center, right, is shown in downtown Charlotte, N.C., Friday, July 28, 2000. Bank of America and FleetBoston Financial Corp. won approval from the Federal Reserve on Monday, March 8, 2004, for a merger creating the third-largest U.S. bank, a behemoth holding nearly $1 trillion in assets and stretching from California through the South and up to New England. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Sure, there’s a lot more on the agenda — the city established light rail last year and has a good track record in conventions, tourism and water sports (all topics of interest here in Oklahoma City).

But it’s quite amazing to think where Charlotte was in 1988. The downtown skyline hadn’t changed in years when Wachovia opened its 588-foot-high headquarters — then the tallest in the state.

A second skyscraper was added in 1990, followed by yet an even taller 871-foot Bank of America tower in 1992. More than a half dozen skyscrapers have been added to the downtown Charlotte skyline in the past 20 years.

Major league sports
And then there’s the NBA. The Hornets got their start in Charlotte in 1988 and enjoyed a huge fan base until the team’s owner got crosswise with city leaders and the organization moved to New Orleans in 2002 (I think most of you know the rest of this story).

The NBA didn’t stay away for long, and now the city is home to NBA and NFL teams.

Other benchmarks
In the 1990s, Indianapolis was the benchmark for Oklahoma City. That city’s accomplishments inspired much of the Metropolitan Area Projects initiative that sparked downtown’s ongoing resurgence. But Charlotte is intriguing for a city that is about to see its own downtown transformed by a new skyscraper and the arrival of the NBA. So I asked Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, "Is Charlotte the new benchmark?”

"The short answer is ‘yes,’” Williams replied via e-mail. "The long answer is that we look at every city (Denver, Indy, Nashville) that we have visited as a benchmark. Charlotte is doing a lot of things right.”

It’s not uncommon to hear locals dream of a light rail system, a burgeoning downtown skyline, and even the NFL. But some might ask, in light of the crashing national economy, how can Oklahoma City even consider such lofty ambitions?

Did anyone ask similar questions in Charlotte on Oct. 19, 1987? Construction of Wachovia was under way, and the city was preparing its bid for the NBA on that "Black Monday” when world markets crashed and stocks dove 22 percent.

Charlotte continued its drive into the future. The same challenge may very well face the folks traveling there this morning.


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$350 million public investment for $2 billion in private investment. It's simple. Albert can't do math.
Chris, Oklahoma City - Oct 24, 2008 12:54 PM
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You're a laugh, Albert. Sorry, other cities HAVE NOT used private investment dollars for public projects, and almost every single private major delevopment has utilized tax dollars onvarious levels. It;s the nature of the beast. The only thing you have mastered, sir, is trashing OKC any chance you get.
Chris, Oklahoma City - Oct 24, 2008 12:53 PM
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I've lived in Oklahoma City all my life, but just recently moved to Charlotte for work. I gotta say, if this is the cast then Oklahoma city is heading in the right direction. I'm a young guy, love the outdoors, the city life the bars,music..fun stuff going on. Charlotte has struggled with an identity themselves but is always hosting events,festivals and concerts. People are friendly and the city is completely accessible in every way. Very comparable to OKC as opposed other cities I've been in. Of course, college sports out here is nil.
david, charlotte - Oct 8, 2008 1:49 PM
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No, actually I find it amusing knowing the fact that other cities have left Okc behind by getting PRIVATE investment dollars to work for them. I am sure Okc residence could not comprehend having the things they have without any "SPECIAL" tax votes or "EXTENSIONS" on their existing tax structure. Maps 1, Maps 2, Maps for kids and the soon to be Maps 3 or even the tax dollar built Bass Pro. Yes the city makes revenue from all this, but will always need more special tax votes and dollars, even though they are suppose to be making their money back plus more. Devon if I am not mistaken noted that they will be utilizing the TIF incentives which helps pay for the projects construction cost and the fact that TIF benefits also open access to other state financial incentives such as Investment Tax Credits. So you guys go ahead and feed the welfare monster and then pay up again for such things as parking and game tickets to enter the building you have already paid for twice now. You can oooh and ahhh at that shinny new skyscraper you paid for at the pump and with that money you like to give out from your pay check to the state. Just don't ever complain about it, give it up with a smile and tell them I have more for you if you want it. Like I said before, no wonder this country is in the financial shape it's in.
ALBERT, BETHANY - Oct 8, 2008 2:01 AM
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pwnd.
Kim, Oklahoma City - Oct 7, 2008 2:18 PM
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I'll bet Albert is the one remaining person in Oklahoma City who will admit to having voted AGAINST the original MAPS initiative in 1993. Oh, wait... ...he doesn't actually LIVE in Oklahoma City. Nevermind...

Me? I live in Oklahoma City. I voted for MAPS the first time around, and the meager taxpayer investment I made through the years has paid off handily, both for my city and for me individually. And I'm far from one of the "big boys." As a taxpayer and resident of Oklahoma City, I would like to congratulate the city leaders of 15 years ago for their vision and effort, and thank the city leaders of today for not letting our city rest on its laurels, and working to capitalize on the efforts of those who came before.

More than a century ago, when OKC paved its first street, or created its first telephone exchange, I'm sure that someone, somewhere, was complaining about it. Probably Albert's great grandfather. From his armchair. In another city.
Chad, Oklahoma City - Oct 7, 2008 1:33 PM
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Charlotte also has NASCAR.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Oct 7, 2008 12:41 PM
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I don't want to be like Charlotte :(
Jeff, Norman - Oct 7, 2008 12:12 PM
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Who lit the fuse on Bert's tampon?
Chris, Jones - Oct 7, 2008 11:59 AM
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Albert -
You might want to check your stats a little more regarding taxes. It is pretty rare that a CEO of a Fortune 500 company wants to tax his own business (http://newsok.com/article/3287112/) for the improvement of the downtown in which the company has a headquarters . . . maybe it is just me, but I find that very civic minded and a token to Larry Nichols embracing servant leadership.
C J, Norman, OK - Oct 7, 2008 10:55 AM
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Albert, if you haven't noticed, prices of fuel have been going down. Devon is spread out over five buildings in the metro area. It is easier for them to build a large skyskraper and house everyone under one roof. They are not trying to "make themselves feel important." They are doing what is best for the company and God bless them for staying in OKC. They could have moved to Houston or somewhere, but they are wishing to build the OK economy and make this a more noticeable city. It's funny that you talk about the NBA and our tax increase for the Ford Center and that they should put in money, but the fact of the matter is they do not own the building so they have no interest in increasing the value, that is what the city is for.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Oct 7, 2008 9:44 AM
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Albert - you live in Bethany. If you have a problem with the sales tax you pay then go complain to the Bethany City Council. If you choose to shop in OKC then shut up. It really is just that simple.
Kerry, Jacksonville - Oct 7, 2008 6:31 AM
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What do skyscrapers, the NBA and Okc's "most powerful folks" have to do with making this city better for everyone else? That's the problem with the economy as we speak. The average joe that thinks they can hang with the "big boys" are tanking the economy with their reckless spending and pathetic handling of personal credit. Now we have articles that say a skyscraper and the NBA should make you feel good about your city. No, having my tax dollars in my pocket to spend as I see fit is what will make me feel better about where I live. The Devon tower will be built on the inflated price of motor fuel and natural gas that also effects prices on just about everything you pay for to survive. The NBA, entertainment for the minority of people that fall for the "civic pride" mantra. Corporate welfare runs rampant in this state and you are suppose to be impressed that a large company is building an over sized skyscraper to make themselves feel important and to satisfy some insecurity about our city compared to others. Or that you should be proud of our city when a million dollar company buys out a NBA team from another city, then ask city and state tax payers to give their own money to help pay for it and subsidize it. Your big boys have the best seats in the house thanks to you. No wonder the country is falling apart.
ALBERT, BETHANY - Oct 7, 2008 1:42 AM
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