Ford Center’s Proposal

Oklahoma City’s council members voted unanimously January 2nd to let the voters decide March 4th what they think of a proposal for a one-cent sales tax that would fund new restaurants, upgraded restrooms, a family fun zone, a new locker room and new concession areas for the Ford Center.

The sales tax, which would begin January 1, 2009, and last 15 months, would earmark $20 million for an off-site NBA practice facility. The rest, about $101 million, would go toward sprucing up the 5-year-old, 19,711-capacity venue, according to The Oklahoman.

The city is hoping the sales tax and improvements will win it the favor of the Seattle SuperSonics. The team has applied to move to the city this fall and is waiting for NBA owners to vote on the application in April.

If the NBA can’t be lured, the practice facility and a few other related improvements would be nixed and the tax would be shortened to 12 months, bringing in $96 million.