quote that says if you build it they will come. oklahoma city mayor says they are doing just that. tom forehas today s building up america. reporter: every time the thunder takes the floor, the home crowd cheers, not just for the team but also for the remarkable transformation it represents. i love what i seen. it s been great. reporter: for almost two decades, through targeted use of a voter-approved 1 cent sales tax, oklahoma city has been rebuilding itself with a new ballpark, new attractions, refurbished entertainment centers, schools and more. we re creating a city before your kid and grandkid is going to want to live. the past paradigm is people went where the jobs are. i believe in the future the people are going to go to the cities where they want to live and the jobs are going to follow the people. reporter: the acquisition of the thunder three years ago was a milestone in the process of