Ford Center Funding Concerns

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Recent renovations to the Ford Center will cost Oklahoma City about $100 million, but Tuesday city leaders voiced their concerns over the project's funding.

The renovations are supposed to be funded by a sales tax that was approved last year. However, the recession has caused would-be shoppers to buy less and therefore consumers are contributing less sales tax.

The new tax began in January and has collected about $29 million, approximately 12 percent less than what leaders had projected to make by now.

Because of the shortfall, leaders are looking into changes like more cost effective flooring. Leaders have also reevaluated the economy's role in project costs like building materials, labor and contractor bids.

"We really need today's picture on what cost estimates are and need updates on the sales tax estimates," said Special Project Director Tom Anderson said. "While we are concerned, we are confident the project will be completed in time."

An internal meeting on the issue is scheduled for later this week.

The sales tax was also supposed to generate about $20 million for a Thunder practice facility.

If needed, the council could dip into other funds to help close the funding gap, but that decision will not be made anytime soon.

More information on the Ford Center and the renovations