Following unanimous approval by the Classen Corridor Revitalization TIF Review Committee yesterday, Oklahoma City's distinctive and historic Gold Dome is now on track for a potential transformation into a concert venue. The proposal, led by Tulsa-based music venue operator Mike Brown of Kismet Koncerts, would involve crucial renovations to the building situated at NW 23rd and Classen, including interior enhancements and roof repairs, as reported by KGOU.
The project, estimated at $10 million in total renovation costs, secured a $3 million taxpayer-funded loan from the Safer Streets, Safer Cities GOLT bonds. Brown predicts the 3,000-seat venue will host around 65 events each year, projecting approximately $1 million in annual revenue, KOCO 5 detailed. Despite its past as a bank, a cultural hub, and a restaurant, the Gold Dome, a notable Route 66 landmark.
The proposal's next step involves a review by the city's Economic Development Trust prior to advancing to the city council. If given the green light, Mike Brown has targeted early 2026 for the project's completion, as articulated in a statement obtained by The Oklahoman.
"This building is so unique. There have been offices, there have been restaurants, there was a massage place. There is a litany of things attempted to go in there that didn’t work out for this space and use," Brown explained in his presentation to the Classen TIF Committee, highlighting the structure's checkered history of repurposing efforts, as per The Oklahoman. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) framework, necessary for the project's funding, has been approved by both the committee and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. The mayor confirmed the TIF District's role in supporting the preservation of privately owned buildings within the community.
The Gold Dome, built in 1958 and once at risk of demolition by previous bank tenants, was preserved thanks to community protests. However, it has continued to face uncertainties about its future, including partial renovations that altered its distinctive gold color. The proposed concert venue signifies what could be the last chance for preservation, as Brown warned of the potential for demolition if this effort falls through, according to The Oklahoman interview. While the exterior is due for cosmetic touch-ups, the bulk of the renovations will focus on updating the building's interior, including the conversion of second-floor offices into balcony suites.
