As the Thunder begin a new season, the demolition work on the site of their new home is right on schedule. City leaders said they plan to have the old Myriad Convention Center demolished by the end of the year.
NBA season returns to OKC
In the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, a certain rhythm has returned. It’s a new season that begins with a nice ring to it. The tempo of another project across the street prologues the future of Thunder basketball. MAPS program manager David Todd says they take it slow for safety.
“Demolition is not quite as easy as everybody thinks it is,” Todd said. “Maintaining pedestrian access around the area. Making sure that we don’t endanger the public.”
Traffic changes near Myriad added for safety
Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue shifted to one-way traffic to keep drivers safe from the action. Todd said people can expect road closures and detours downtown during the next few months.
The Oklahoma City Streetcar service has been temporarily suspended. The city replaced it with a shuttle bus during demolition this week.
“I know it’s a little bit of an inconvenience for ball games and things, but just bear with us and we’ll be through here pretty soon,” Todd said.
City leaders are mitigating dust and noise
Todd said they use discretion and try to preserve the peace near the demolition site.
“Trying to mitigate dust and noise, those kinds of things,” Todd said. “They’ll continue to work from the west and move to the east.”
Demolished materials to be recycled
Todd said 95 percent of the materials will be recycled. He said it’s great to see the start of the Thunder’s new home come to fruition.
“For the most part, it’s all gone really smoothly,” Todd said. “It’s great to see this dream actually starting to happen,” Todd said.
Jordan Fremstad
Jordan Fremstad proudly joined the News 9 team in December 2022. Jordan is a three-time Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist who began his broadcast journalism career in La Crosse, Wisconsin.