Heads up, OKC commuters: You'll need to plan for a slight detour if you rely on the downtown streetcar. From tomorrow until Friday, the Oklahoma City Streetcar service is taking a brief hiatus. This break in service comes as OG&E cuts the power to the old Myriad Convention Center to prep for demolition and clear the stage for the new Paycom Center's construction, with the support that a temporary bus service will keep riders moving during this time.
EMBARK steps in to bridge the gap, offering two buses to shuttle riders along the downtown streetcar loop every 25 minutes from early morning till midnight. Although streetcar fares will still apply, the familiar sight of the streetcar won't be gracing the tracks – instead, look out for buses bearing the "OKC Streetcar Service – Downtown Loop" head sign at any platform, except for Century Center's on Sheridan. The EMBARK Customer Service team is ready to assist with navigation, reachable at 405-235-RIDE (7433) during their weekday hours, as reported by City of Oklahoma City's official announcement.
If you're planning to catch the Thunder game tomorrow, don't worry – there are game day shuttles scheduled to operate two hours before and an hour after the game, easing the way for basketball fans amidst the service changes. However, anyone traveling through downtown OKC starting today should brace for some stop-and-go traffic: a single northbound lane on E.K. Gaylord Blvd. will be shut down from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and intermittent closures hitting both Reno Ave. and Sheridan Ave. on the following days.
The former convention center, a venue that once buzzed with events over its 50-year lifespan, is set to be dismantled starting exteriorly in June, with expectations to continue through late 2025. The decrepit structure, having gone through several identity changes, from the Myriad Convention Center to Cox Business Services Convention Center, and then to Prairie Surf Studios, is now on its death knell, soon making way for the construction of the new Paycom Center, a vision brought to life by a hearty 71% approval from Oklahoma City voters back in December 2023. The new arena doesn't just promise to be a cutting-edge facility but also aims to be a boon for the local residents, designed to meet NBA standards and fortify the city's relationship with major league sports. The Thunder's journey in the existing Paycom Center continues until the new venue opens its doors, with a bulls-eye on June 2028 for its completion, according to the same City of Oklahoma City report.
