Ideas 4 MAPS

[Plutonic Panda]

One-cent would be great, but it's not a necessity based on current studies. Dallas is funded with one-cent, and we're nowhere near the size of Dallas. Salt Lake City funds their entire system on a little more than one-half cent. And it's extremely unlikely that we'd ever be able to to pass a one-cent permanent transit tax on top of a one-cent MAPS tax. Further, as OKC has no dedicated transit tax to fund Embark and the Streetcar, those operations are paid for out of the city's general fund. The COTPA budget is already stretched just trying to pay for the limited bus service and new streetcar system. MAPS may be able to pay for new transit projects, like streetcar extensions, but covering the operational costs of those new services will be difficult. That's why we're at the point of needing the RTA and a dedicated funding source.

Dallas also doesn't have that great of a transit system either. A one cent dedicated sales tax would fund a great transit system in OKC.

[Laramie]

We built a very nice museum, the Donald W. Reynolds' Oklahoma City Museum of Arts; although it didn't receive any MAPS funds it was funded through private donations--none the less, It has the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world.

More focus should be given to the AICCM which we have yet to complete. Oklahoma has a rich Native American-Indian heritage. It will be a Smithsonian with world class pieces just waiting to be shipped to OKC upon completion--the Chickasaw Nation has agreed to finish this project in exchange for the 100 acres of prime land development that will be given to them in exchange for completion and kick starting the museum.

That's why IMO a nice observation tower would enhance the area and spur more development around the museum.

[shawnw]

I agree about AICCM, but will it being city owned but Chicasaw operated complicate things, regarding receiving MAPS funds? Asking as I don't know.

[Mott]

I would 100% be in favor of this. Doing it this way brings in transit expansion as well as other capital improvements like more sidewalks, perhaps a stadium, etc. Best of both worlds. The big question in my mind is, you've stated elsewhere that a 1/2 cent tax would be the minimum needed to properly fund the RTA; if that's the minimum funding level, how badly would that limit transit expansion?

Why not like Kansas City, and put a property tax dedicated to the streetcar, along the streetcar right of way. Those properties a getting the value of being on the street car route, they could have a tax like KC’s to operate and maintain the streetcar

[Plutonic Panda]

I'll post some more specific details later, but I think I'd like to see these items:

*transforming the Deep Fork Creek into a giant linear park with trails and white water rapids(in some areas/ kayaking venue that stretches from Belle Isle to the city limits(connect to Lake Arcadia if Edmond would invest).

*river improvements. Replacing the white rock along the river to a stone straight wall with side paths on each side

*boathouse improvements. More infrastructure around the boathouse(parking garage, more event venues like indoor surfing, Velodome etc.)

*AICC funds provides a little bit of money for the AICC

*Convention center expansion. Expands the newly built CC

*Fairgrounds funds. Restores the fair grounds, replaces the monorail, rehabs the space needle, adds a parking garage and more paved parking areas, beautifies the existing fairgrounds, and builds an arena comparable or better than the recently built one in Fort Worth(yes I know how much that one cost).

*Light-rail: funds light rail to the airport, adventure rail line, a LRT line to Campus Corner and OU, and one down Classen to NW Expressway perhaps to MacArhtur BLVD. I would be supportive of short streetcar expansions to Capitol Hill, Plaza District, Paseo, and Innovation District/capitol area as its already built. Light-rail and commuter rail is the way to go though for a real.

*Canal extension. Extends the canal into the old COOP site and rehabilitates the grounds to allow for development(depending on whether the current deal falls through or not).

*typical trails extensions: builds new trails for the west and east sides of the city as well as a trail in NW and SW parts of the city.

*I-35 HOV lanes: provides partial funding to expand I-35 to Norman(OKC city limits) for HOV lanes.

*Eastside Gathering Place: builds a park similar to Tulsa's Gathering place somewhere along the Canadian river on the east side. I'm thinking maybe somewhere around NE 23rd St.

*MLK Boulevard improvements. Expands MLK to 3 lanes with two regular lanes and on BRT lane each way from AICC to either Remington Casino or Memorial RD. Also adds a massive statue of MLK in the middle of roundabout at NE 23rd. and a Civil Rights Museum adjacent. The road would have wide 12 ft. sidewalks
with bike lanes and plaza at each mile or half mile or 1/4 mile from Reno to NW 23rd as timeline markers that each have statues and plazas exhibiting important eras of the civil rights movements for all human rights.

Downtown rail road improvements: adds a trench around AA and rehabilitates the viaduct to hollow out certain areas and add store fronts inside of the viaduct. pays for the capital costs of building a rail extension east and provides for a rail tunnel or elevated bridge through Bricktown.

Boulevard Improvement project: pays for major improvements to the boulevard to make it a more attractive and unique street.

235 improvement project: fully funds a complete or large partial cap over I-235 where possible, works with OkDOT to provide capacity or easily expand when warranted, allows for more streets to connect to each other by Lincoln Terrace and Innovation District, fully pays to fix the mess where Harrison and Walnut(among various other streets) intersect by considering a range of alternatives, and partially funds a reconstruction of the I-235, I-40, and I-35 mixmaster. The mixmaster project whenever needed will be multi billion dollar project, more than likely. Though I think jump starting it with some funds from the city could work. This would advantageous for the city not only for improved traffic flow and corrected decencies, but could allow for the opportunity to reconfigure I-235 from I-40 to NE 8th. It could allow for a cut and cover tunnel and better connectivity to the east. Combining this into one giant project could be transformative for the area and would show potential investors that the city is serious about the district.
I'll go more into detail with each one, but in addition to whatever is chosen, I'd like to see more money funded into capital projects for the bus network(more buses, more protected bus stops etc.), more sidewalks, improvements to existing trails(specifically where they intersect with roads).

[Laramie]

Why not like Kansas City, and put a property tax dedicated to the streetcar, along the streetcar right of way. Those properties a getting the value of being on the street car route, they could have a tax like KC’s to operate and maintain the streetcar

Thanks to MAPS III, Oklahoma City's streetcar is debt free. Kansas City has a million more residents in its MSA than OKC; that's the boost for their downtown streetcar expansion. Our streetcar will have an advantage over KCs, it already covers 2 more miles even with KC's proposed expansion; also there's expansion talk albeit it doesn't go into operation until December 2019.

[Richard at Remax]

I'd always wanted a solid aquarium.

[BlackmoreRulz]

That's why IMO a nice observation tower would enhance the area and spur more development around the museum.

I like this idea, make it a unique landmark in the vein of the Seattle Space Needle, St Louis' Gateway Arch, something that everyone would recognize as OKC. At the intersection of I-40 & I-35 you couldn't ask for a more visually advantageous location.

[bchris02]

How about sidewalks and streetlights in the urban core? Though much of the inner city has come back, the infrastructure in many places still looks straight out of the worst days of the early 90s. Two prime examples are the Paseo and SoSA. Eventually the infrastructure in those areas is going to need to be updated.

[Dustin]

How about some money for the Adventure District so it can actually look like an adventure district. It's quite sad as it is. Nothing about it screams adventure.

[SouthSide]

I think it will be difficult to pass Maps 4 unless there are significant projects outside of the core.

[mugofbeer]

Canal extension into the Scissortail Park lake, sidewalks everywhere, trees everywhere,

[catch22]

I'd always wanted a solid aquarium.

I think liquid would be better.

[ChrisHayes]

I'd like to see the tax put in place last year for roads, sidewalks, and trails be made permanent. That way there's always money for improvements. As for MAPS 4, I'd like to see further recreation at Lakes Hefner and Overholser, beautification projects such as trees and median improvements, streetcar expansion if deemed viable, and something for the south side of the city.

[BoulderSooner]

I'd always wanted a solid aquarium.

A first class aquarium is a fantastic idea and would be a huge success

[hoya]

my sentiments as well. and while Norman has a weather musuem... it's in a small building and isn't what it could be... something like this i would support... but not duplicating something that is already good in norman but only bigger

Well I don't like any of your ideas either, then.

[HOT ROD]

Thanks to MAPS III, Oklahoma City's streetcar is debt free. Kansas City has a million more residents in its MSA than OKC; that's the boost for their downtown streetcar expansion. Our streetcar will have an advantage over KCs, it already covers 2 more miles even with KC's proposed expansion; also there's expansion talk albeit it doesn't go into operation until December 2019.

more like 800K

KC Metro Area: (2015) 2,159,159
OKC Metro Area: (2015) 1,358,452

[Laramie]

more like 800K

KC Metro Area: (2015) 2,159,159
OKC Metro Area: (2015) 1,358,452

You're correct (2017 estimates are similar):

KC Metro Area: 2,128,912
KC Central/Urban: 488,943 (2016 Density 1,528/sq m) difference - 154,705 - OKC advantage

OKC Metro Area: 1,383,737 difference - 745,175 - KC advantage
OKC Central/Urban: 643,648 (2016 Density 1,053/sq mi)

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...tistical_areas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._by_population

[soonerliberal]

I have three themes of ideas...

Maps 4 OKC
- Some showcase project that people identify with the city. I'm envisioning something that when you Google or Wiki Oklahoma City, this shows up. Recent examples of cities adding showcase attractions are the London Eye or the High Line in NYC. It would need to be original or unique, not just a replica of a different city.
- Go all in on the Native American Center on the river - perhaps add the tower attraction discussed already there.

Maps 4 Transit
- Continued bus improvements including potential dedicated lanes
- Begin Light Rail. Streetcars are great for the urban core, but are not a long distance option. I think of Phoenix's street level light rail being a good option for OKC. The initial route could be a Classen Ave on the north side since there is already too much traffic capacity and connecting along Reno since the new blvd will be in place, and then running south down Walker since it is not part of the mile grid. Obviously, this is just a global vision and details would have to be determined, but it would be important for transit to access many different demographic and income levels.

Maps 4 Community
- Significant investment in beautification. NYC did a million tree initiative, with over 220,000 being planted along streets.
- Re-envision existing libraries as community centers - add more amenities. Unfortunately libraries (and book stores) are a dying breed, but the facilities can still be hugely valuable for both books and other purposes.
- Community park updates - invest further to have marquee parks in each quadrant of the city (i.e. Schilling, Syl Goldman, Martin, JFK)
- Continue updates at the fairgrounds

[Midtowner]

I'd love to see more investment in the Zoo. I love the aquarium ideas. It'd be smart to build something different from the Jenks Aquarium.

[Pete]

I'd love to see more investment in the Zoo. I love the aquarium ideas. It'd be smart to build something different from the Jenks Aquarium.

The Zoo has had millions and millions in upgrades over the last few years, with more coming.

And there is a dedicated sales tax that goes directly to them for capital improvements.

[gopokes88]

I sorta worry about investing in the zoo too much over the long term. I could see zoo’s going away one day if the political winds keep going the way they are. Already seeing it with sea world and the circus. I don’t think we should pull all funding and stop, but maybe not double down on it either.

[Pete]

^

A good idea would be to continue to improve the outdoor / event / picnic areas.

[rte66man]

I live in Warr Acres so my tax dollars mostly go to OKC but I don't get to vote.....

However, I would like to see:
FIX THE DAMN STREETLIGHTS!

[Laramie]

Our Zoo has managed their 1/8 cent capital improvements money wisely. Funds to upgrade an Aquarium; you'll see some different exhibits as our zoo has undergone a total rebuild; hope our Zoo answers the Jenks Aquarium with their own renovation. Remember the Dolphins; they can't survive this far inland and OKC's elevation 1,201' above sea level limits what survives in an Aquarium.

This thread has many posters involved with good ideas; hope many of these are submitted to the Mayor Holt. Several ideas are under the umbrella of agencies like ODOT and various other government services & capital improvements; so there's no need to duplicate capital improvements.

Stay involved with the process; we will lay & renew the groundwork for OKC when MAPS III comes up for an extension vote. Especially appreciate the ideas from posters who don't reside in the OKC voter district.