Several development projects are underway across the metro, many focused on entertainment. Experts hope this will boost Oklahoma City’s economy and population.
Paycom Center closes historic two-night event with world-famous rapper Drake, city officials say Alongside a brand new arena, newly renovated event venues of all sizes will host big-name artists. We hope that hosting will become part of the standard.
“Our goal as a community has always been to build a city that people want to live in,” said OKC Mayor David Holt.
“It’s been a huge contributor to our growth.”
Mayor David Holt said getting Oklahoma City’s name widely known has been the plan since the first MAPS project began 30 years ago.
“And entertainment is a big part of that,” Holt said.
“This year has already been a busy year for concerts,” said Chris Semrau, general manager of the Paycom Center.
And the future looks set to get even busier.
“Downtown’s new sports and entertainment venue will be the nation’s largest and premier sports and entertainment event destination,” Semrau said. “I think the community wants to be part of a vibrant sports, entertainment, arts and cultural scene.”
Over the next five years, several event venues and entertainment districts will be built in the metro.
Along with the Zoo Amp renovation and the presence of smaller venues like Jones Assembly and Tower Theater, OKC is gearing up to become an entertainment hotspot, Semrau said.
“It’s important that everything is successful,” Semrau said. “We create a system for artists to grow throughout the venue system and ultimately get to the Paycom Center.”
And hopefully, within the next two years, thanks to the overall development, we’ll have a big artist like Drake lined up.
“We have a level of entertainment and culture that is very appealing right now,” Holt said.
But the work is not done yet.
“Cities never stop evolving,” Holt said.
City officials and the Paycom team share our excitement and believe the next five years will be revolutionary for Oklahoma City’s entertainment industry.
