Oklahoma City, OK —Over the past three decades, Oklahoma City has undergone a dramatic transformation, reshaping itself with new skyscrapers, public projects, parks, and revitalized neighborhoods — much of which is visible from space. Thanks to a series of visionary sales-tax initiatives and private investments, the city has reimagined its identity as a vibrant urban center.
Bricktown: From Rail Hub to Entertainment Capital
Once a fading industrial district, Bricktown has become OKC’s top entertainment destination. In satellite images from 1995, the area looked barren — but even then, major plans were in motion.
Originally the site of a military post and later a hub for rail commerce, Bricktown’s decline began after the Great Depression. But developer Neal Horton sparked revival efforts in the late 1980s, even though his bankruptcy meant others would see his vision through.
By the early 1990s, landmark establishments like Spaghetti Warehouse, Bricktown Brewery, Abuelo’s, and Chelino’s began drawing crowds. In 1993, the first Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) vote funded game-changing additions like the Bricktown Canal and Bricktown Ballpark — instantly reinvigorating the area.
Today, Bricktown boasts 45 restaurants, bars, and shops, with aerial imagery capturing major draws like Bass Pro Shops, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Harkins Theatres, and the former Sonic Drive-In headquarters.
The Bricktown Canal water taxis remain a must-do for visitors, while cultural highlights like the American Banjo Museum and Oklahoma Land Run Monument add depth. Plans are underway to include more Native American perspectives at the monument site.
Downtown Revitalization and the Rise of the Oklahoma River
Simultaneously, downtown Oklahoma City underwent its own makeover. Originally settled near a bend in the North Canadian River, the area suffered decades of flooding and a dried-up riverbed that became a civic eyesore.
But that changed under the first MAPS plan, which reimagined the river into a revitalized corridor featuring three low-water dams and recreational river-lakes. Today, it forms the backdrop for rowing events and has even been selected for use during the 2028 Summer Olympics upstream.
Sports, Skyscrapers, and Scissortail Park
In 2002, OKC raised its national profile with the construction of a downtown arena, now known as the Paycom Center, originally built to lure a professional basketball team. The arena helped Oklahoma City land the Thunder, establishing its claim as a Big League City.
That milestone sparked even more development, including the Omni Hotel and Scissortail Park, both funded in part by MAPS 3. The park gave residents a new way to engage with the heart of the city, offering green space, events, and lakefront views that simply didn’t exist before.
These projects solidified the city’s evolution, not just physically, but culturally and economically.
The downtown skyline reached new heights with the completion of the Devon Tower in 2012 — a soaring 844-foot skyscraper housing Devon Energy’s HQ and the Vast restaurant, which offers panoramic views from the top two floors.
Looking Ahead
The Oklahoma City seen from satellites in the 1990s versus today tells a story of ambition, community investment, and bold transformation. And with new projects on the horizon, including upgrades to sports venues and expanded riverfront development, the next 30 years may be just as dramatic.
What are your thoughts on Oklahoma City’s transformation? Let us know in the comments.
