Heads up, Oklahoma City dwellers and through-travelers: from Jan. 19 to Feb. 28, N Broadway Avenue will be off-limits between W Sheridan Avenue and W Main Street. The closure, which is essential for setting up a new manhole and laying down power lines, is tied to the construction of the forthcoming Oklahoma City New Arena. While S Broadway Avenue remains accessible, motorists will have to find alternative paths and heed the detour signs posted around, according to the City of Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma City Office has been busy coordinating with OG&E to modify the median on N Broadway Avenue, creating a turnaround to keep traffic moving smoothly, especially for those heading to the Sheraton and Wyndham Grand Hotels. A statement issued by the City of Oklahoma City outlines these efforts to ensure the least amount of disruption for locals and visitors alike during the arena's construction phase.
Meanwhile, the site of a former convention center, a stalwart structure since 1972 and home to myriad events over five decades, is being demolished—a process that began in March and is slated to run through the early part of this year. This clearing of the old will make room for the new—a state-of-the-art arena that promises to bring a fresh face to Oklahoma City's architectural landscape, as reported by the City of Oklahoma City.
In May 2024, the Oklahoma City Council locked in a development agreement with PBC Sports and Entertainment, LLC (PBCS&E), according to an official City of Oklahoma City statement. And it's not just any build; the $900 million project, funded in part by a penny sales tax and contributions from the city and the Thunder ownership group, is designed to meet NBA's expectations and support the financial viability of professional sports in the area.
Oklahoma City's basketball fans will have to hold tight, as the Thunder will play their home games at the Paycom Center until the New Arena's anticipated completion in late summer 2028, with a contractual clause that has the doors open by June 2029. This new bastion of sport and spectacle represents not only a physical structure but also a 25-year pledge from the Thunder to call Oklahoma City home.
