OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The iconic Gold Dome has been vacant for years and will now make a possible comeback with the help of a local developer.
News 4 spoke with Kenton Tsoodle, the President of the Alliance for Economic Development in Oklahoma City. He said, "it's saving a really historic structure here in Oklahoma City, something that's been iconic and lots of people know about."
The gold-topped building sits at the corner of Classen and Northwest 23rd. It was previously a bank, a restaurant, and at one point was supposed to become a grocery store.
It now sits empty behind a chain-link fence.
Tsoodle said it's a $10 million project. He adds, "What would be considered is potentially the city through the TIF district doing a $3 million loan to help partially finance the project."
Discussions with the potential developer have been going on for months.
"They're putting a plan together to try to redevelop this into a concert and meeting venue," said Tsoodle.
These are conceptual renderings of what the dome might look like once it's finished.
The designs are done by Vega Architectural firm. The images show a stage inside, along with a double decker patio outside.
Mike Brown is the president of Kismet Koncerts out of Tulsa. He's reported to be the one expressing interest in buying the building.
Some Oklahomans say they believe the building is a historical landmark for the metro.
"I believe in the dome. I've been in it only one time when it was a tapas bar. But I believe in not only inside, but the outside of it," said Sandra Gragg.
Scott Long said he believes the dome is a beautiful piece of architecture.
On Monday, Tsoodle says Brown and his team will present their goals to the TIF review committee, and the money needed to accomplish them.
The proposal will then be reviewed by Oklahoma City's Economic Development Trust. A final vote will take place by the City Council at the end of January 2025.
News 4 reached out to Mike Brown for a statement, but did not hear back.
