Oklahoma On Verge Of Renaissance Period With Massive Projects

If you listened to most of the people around you, particularly the younger generations, you'd almost have to assume that Oklahoma had nothing going for it these days.

Since perception is rarely reality, you'd probably be surprised to know Oklahoma is about to hit a renaissance period of massive projects.

All of the projects are confirmed to be happening, they're just all in different stages. Some have started, others are still in the design and planning stage.

Here's a quick rundown of the biggest projects coming to the Sooner State.

Notes Live Sunset Amphitheater

In the growing area between Mustang, Yukon, and SW OKC, the Sunset Amphitheater is set to become the most premium and upscale concert experience in The Metro.

Covered because our Oklahoma weather is so wild, ultra-plush VIP accommodations, and nearly twice the size of the Zoo Amphitheater across town. Tentatively scheduled to open for the 2025 concert season. Read more about it here.

New OKC Thunder Arena

The aging Paycom Center has been a controversial arena since the day it opened outside of Bricktown. It was a huge project and a big win for OKC when it opened in 2002, but the tons and tons of concrete used to make the structure was instantly regretted as it made listening to concerts more punishment than privilege.

That's just the nature of harsh acoustics.

It has been home to the OKC Thunder for 14 years now, and while the small capacity (18,000) has enabled the team to be one of the most popular NBA teams in history, recording over 400 consecutive sellout crowds in the nine years prior to the pandemic. OKC voters agreed to subsidize $900-million (that's $15.9-million per school in the OKC district) to build a bigger, more modern arena for the Thunder to call home.

It'll be built on the bones of the old Myriad/Cox Convention Center across the street from the current location.

Legends Tower

This one might be a show-stopper. The proposed Legends Tower wouldn't only add an additional skyscraper to the Downtown OKC/Bricktown skyline, it would be the new tallest building in America at 1907 feet - in honor of Oklahoma's statehood in 1907.

It would also feature additional highrises below and makeup what planners call the Bricktown Boardwalk. When completed the Legend Tower complex will feature 185 shops and restaurants, ample entertainment, 900 hotel rooms, and 1776 luxury homes.

In true Oklahoma style, it's set to be built just inside Bricktown's West border next to the big U-Haul location. Read more about it here.

OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

If you've driven I-40 near Bricktown in the last year, you've seen this construction happening. OKANA is a $300-million resort and waterpark being built next to OKC's First Americans Museum.

The huge lagoon will be impressive, but OKANA will also include a hotel, event center/ballroom, family entertainment area (arcade/movies likely), and dining in addition to the indoor waterpark.

Set to open in 2025 - read more about it here.

Sunset Amphitheater 2

Not to be outdone, and since we typically build things where the people are, Broken Arrow is also set to receive a Notes Live amphitheater. This one is still in the investment rounds, seeking a way to fund the project, but it makes sense for the ever-growing Tulsa suburb.

Oklahoma River Bridge

When OKC proposed and built Bricktown, while it was progressive at the time, I don't think anyone knew how popular it would be. It's now a huge sprawling space that includes different districts, but it's all really Bricktown.

via GIPHY

One of the biggest challenges to enjoying the different districts is the travel. It's expanding to the south, but Bricktown is along the Oklahoma River. So if you want to visit the Boathouse District--Watersport Rapids and the future OKANA Resort, you have to load up in the car and drive over there.

OKC is proposing a $5.7-million pedestrian bridge to tie Bricktown and the Boathouse District together. As of the time of writing this, it's still just a proposal to be considered by the OKC City Council, but as it has been a large talking point with ample support for over a year, it'll likely happen prior to OKANA opening in 2025.

American Heartland

This one made headlines across the state last summer, and it's still making headlines this year for different reasons.

The American Heartland Theme Park is already in the early stages of being built. The headlines about that construction aren't the most flattering--contractors owed outstanding monies for work already done--but the work is being done.

It was projected to be a $2-billion project last year, but with the state of the economy and inflation still up and down on the high side, it'll likely blow past that two followed by nine zeroes.

Still, it's the idea of a ton of ex-Disney employees who have Imagineer-level ideas for theming this sprawling park in Northeast Oklahoma. You can read more about it here.

Get our free mobile app