Yukon amphitheater project won't move forward, city says

YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) — The mayor of Yukon says a controversial project to build a multi-million indoor-outdoor amphitheater in city limits, won't move forward.

The project, initially set for consideration near I-40 and Frisco Road in Yukon under the name Sunset Amphitheater. The Venu Group-managed project would have seen a 12,500-capacity amphitheater, the group said would have generated billions of dollars in economic impact in the area in the first 10 years. In addition to creating jobs, bolstering tourism and supporting local government needs.

Tuesday, Yukon mayor Brian Pillmore shared with the public during a city council meeting the city had decided not to move forward with the amphitheater.

"We're not supporting moving forward with this project," said Pillmore in a separate interview with News 4.

The decision followed conversations with local stakeholders, Pillmore said, in addition to results from an economic feasibility study the city paid a Chicago-based consulting firm $60,000 to conduct. The results of the study can be found below.

"I think that our our community should be very satisfied that we have a council that listens to them, hears their concerns and evaluates what is best for the city, not best for any one citizen, but best for the city in the long term," said Pillmore.

The study points out a projection, over 30 years, of Yukon losing more than $91 million of expected sales tax revenue to Oklahoma City and Venu due to a tax-sharing agreement. Yukon would have only pocketed a little over $30 million.

Venu would have bough 25-acres of land for less than $500,000 and split ticket fees in half with the city. That doesn't account for an additional 4,000 parking spots the study says the City of Yukon would need to construct and large percentage of a $98 million construction bill the city would also be on the hook for.

"It did show some return for the city of Yukon, but I don't think it was a significant enough return on investment for us to move forward," said Pillmore.

News 4 asked Pillmore if this decision meant the project wouldn't be revisited in the future. He said residents can consider it "closed at this point."

Pillmore said he doesn't want the rejection to the amphitheater to be seen as the city not welcoming development, adding that the city is open to revisiting what the land is used for as long as it's the right fit.

"Yukon is open for business, but we have to find the things that are the right return on investment and the right fit for our community," said Pillmore.

News 4 reached out to representatives with Venu for comment Tuesday, but did not hear back; and asked Pillmore for clarification on what communication with Venu has been like regarding this decision.

"It's been collaborative," said Pillmore. "We've talked to them throughout this whole process, week by week, month by month. So, I don't think there's any surprises with any business that considers entering the City of Yukon. We want that to be a collaborative discussion."