OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council voted to hire architects to design the new arena downtown. The mayor said it will be the largest public project in the city’s history and shows how the city is moving to a whole other level.
“We really needed a real NBA arena and that’s what we’re getting here,” said OKC Mayor David Holt.
After a 5-2 vote, the City of Oklahoma City hired architecture firms Manica and TVS to be the architects behind the new arena. The two firms have worked together in the past. Manica will be in charge of design, while TVS focus on more of the technical aspects.
“The combination between TVS and Manica, I think, is really the highest level we can get,” said MAPS Program Manager David Todd.
You’ll know the firms’ work from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Chase Center in San Francisco, and the new Nissan Center in Nashville, along with projects around the world. Soon, they can add Oklahoma City to their list.
“Making an aesthetic statement and a unique building that really changes our skyline really speaks to the aspiration we have to stay a top 20 city,” said Mayor Holt.