Ideas 4 MAPS

[Rover]

This is very different than the other post where a poster claimed cities "ship" homeless to other cities to rid themselves of the population. Helping someone without finances reach a destination -- whether it's a good policy or not -- is not what was discussed. So, do cities actually have this policy?

Now, there's plenty of argument as to whether such a policy of helping those in need reach a destination is a worthy expenditure, but why would it be seen as "nefarious"? I'm unsure what that means. Thanks in advance.

This became a hot topic in politics some time back based on San Francisco's program to assist those without means to get to other places where they might have family or friends they could stay with. But, as happens, hard liner's tried to make this out to be the city just shipping people out to save money. No good deed goes unpunished in this country these days. Of course, I am sure there were some that used the money deceptively to get to places like San Diego in the winter because the weather was better, or somewhere else where they might get some other advantage. But, if you investigate, there are no cities out there bussing homeless out just to make them someone else's burden. You will find some claims of this on some right wing extreme sights with claims about deceptive liberal strategies etc. ... that is why I said "nefarious", as in evil, or with bad motives.

[OKC Guy]

This is not close to the truth. Downtown subsidizes the rest of Okc. And it is not close

I meant regarding MAPS not business taxes.

[OKCRT]

Is there evidence to support the claim that the City of Dallas or other cities in the region “ship” their homeless population to other cities? Thanks in advance.

It used to happen quite often in the 70s/80s I know. Busses would let out and you would see a flood of homeless downtown usually walking west toward the shelters. It was very common. In fact it was on the news. I am not sure if that still goes on or not but if you start advertising free housing I would bet many homeless from other areas would flock in and try to get them a free ride. But it was not uncommon for homeless being bused from one city to another.

[Hutch]

Mayor Holt, in order to help the forthcoming RTA thrive (arguably possibly every bit as important as MAPS), please consider allowing MAPS 4 to be reduced to .5 cents (with a longer collection period so we still get the amount we need for community/capital projects), and on the same ballot having the OKC RTA funding vote at another .5 cents (this would be permanent). Without non-general fund-dependent funding, I fear we may end up with a less hardy RTA. For example, our current bus system is good, but not nearly what it could be if it weren't so dependent on the ebbs and flows of the general fund.

Until there is a dedicated funding source, the RTA will be a non-operating entity only, and the participating communities will continue to fund and operate their own transit services out of their general funds. And there's not enough room in those general funds to expand current operations to any significant degree. The Council and Chamber are aware of the split maps idea, but I don't think leadership views regional transit as a big enough necessity at this time to be willing to let go of half of the penny.

[Hutch]

This is part of the reason why there's been a push to get the regional transportation authority going; we've lost out on a lot of federal matching dollars for transit because we didn't have one. We're very close to having ours established now. ACOG also does a lot of planning work that combines road and transit projects, but they don't have the power to implement such planning themselves; it's up to the member cities and ODOT to make their planning happen.

You're exactly right. That's one of the main benefits of establishing the RTA as soon as possible. As a true regional transit authority, it will qualify for substantially more federal funding opportunities. We've all been paying the fuel taxes for decades that provide those federal grants, but our money has for the most part been given to other cities with operational RTAs, like Dallas, Denver and Salt Lake City. It's time we start getting our share.

[TheSteveHunt]

A Jimmy's Egg on every corner.

[Midtowner]

I think the private sector is taking care of that Jimmy's Egg idea.

[dankrutka]

It used to happen quite often in the 70s/80s I know. Busses would let out and you would see a flood of homeless downtown usually walking west toward the shelters. It was very common. In fact it was on the news. I am not sure if that still goes on or not but if you start advertising free housing I would bet many homeless from other areas would flock in and try to get them a free ride. But it was not uncommon for homeless being bused from one city to another.

Are you able to find any articles from credible sources that discuss the policies of cities to “ship” homeless population to other cities? Again, I've seen the claim numerous times, but haven't seen any evidence to support the claim yet. Thanks.

[catch22]

Are you able to find any articles from credible sources that discuss the policies of cities to “ship” homeless population to other cities? Again, I've seen the claim numerous times, but haven't seen any evidence to support the claim yet. Thanks.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sf-expandi...n-past-decade/

[dankrutka]

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sf-expandi...n-past-decade/

Okay, so this program simply offers a bus ticket to homeless people who want one. There's a big difference from offering people without means a bus ticket to go to somewhere where they may have more support. The people in this program ended up in 49 different states. However, this program does not target a specific city and send homeless populations to that city as was posited earlier in this thread.

[jccouger]

What about some kind of Maps for Sustainability package?

We could build a giant solar farm, sell the farm to OGE at a discount so they could maintain it, and then OGE could operate at a lower cost which would put money back in to the end consumers pockets.

Yes, that would piss off big oil so I know it won't ever happen here.

A part of sustainability is also in mass transit. So improving our rail, bus & trail system could easily be marketed as a part of it.

[OKCRT]

Are you able to find any articles from credible sources that discuss the policies of cities to “ship” homeless population to other cities? Again, I've seen the claim numerous times, but haven't seen any evidence to support the claim yet. Thanks.

Like I said this was pretty common back in the day. I don't have any links to local news stories but I do remember it being a topic on the local news more than once.

[Laramie]

Remember preparations for the 1984 Summer Olympics in California; Los Angeles 'Cleaning up mean streets for Olympics.': https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/07...9364459403200/

[soonerheart]

Since MAPS is likely to include a vote on a commuter rail system these are my thoughts.

The future success of our commuter rail system will depend in large part on its ability to provide service to major local events while doing it with comfort and minimizing walking for riders…This means plenty event capacity with waiting room space in a heat/ AC environment at the larger train stations near the major events….and at least shelter from the hot sun, strong cold winds, rain and snow at the stops with less usage. Doing this^ will make the system more user friendly and acceptable in the minds of many ordinary people who would be much more likely to use it for work commutes and other everyday needs.

This system needs to be constructed and operated in a way that maximizes ridership. The system needs to have a very flexible major event schedule….Train reservations during major events such as for OU football games may be required.

If they really want to provide user friendly OU train service that maximizes train travel the OU train station needs to be located just north of the OU Track & Field complex in what is now a surface parking lot and not directly on the rail line east of the Duck Pond.

This would require the construction of a short spur line that would be elevated.
My thought is the OU train station could be located on the 2 or 3 floor of a large building with several more floors of parking above…. A city / OU bus station could be located somewhere on the ground floor…Waiting areas with heat / AC could be located in this building. OU already needs and has plans to build more parking garages. This address this need and saves land for other needs.

Since this would be a very sturdy building it would not be every much more expensive to see the waiting room areas constructed in a way that doubles as Tornado shelter which are needed on OU’s campus.

If OU ever builds a new Basketball arena a great location would be across the street north of Brooks in an area that is now mostly a parking lot. The Campus Corner entertainment district is nearby. This location is within walking distance for most OU students.

The suggested OU train station is within walking distance for most older people who make up a very significant percentage of those who attend OU events. Forcing them to stand in long lines for a shuttle bus with bad knees and other issues is not going to be very palatable. OU and Norman needs this demographic staying well engaged in OU goals and issues.

One of the biggest complaints about attending OU events is the parking and traffic congestion and for many older people the drive back up I-35 at night is something they don’t like because of declining eyesight. This location helps address several problems in a good and better way.

Funding for this location and construction would be more expensive but could come from some combination of Federal, City, state OU…OU athletics, donors and riders. A bond issue could be voted on.

[okccowan]

I totally support Steve's brilliant idea to use Union Station as a High School for John Rex kids (and others).

[BoulderSooner]

Very unlikely maps 4 contains any commuter rail

[mugofbeer]

Are you able to find any articles from credible sources that discuss the policies of cities to “ship” homeless population to other cities? Again, I've seen the claim numerous times, but haven't seen any evidence to support the claim yet. Thanks.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...-country-study

As to Rover's claim that this practice really does not happen, I'm sorry but it does. SLC is notorious for shipping out homeless - to the point Denver formally complained to them. Denver also does it quietly. I am sure there are programs in most large cities to do it under the guise, or in reality, to get homeless to their families but it would be pretty tough to confirm these folks really are getting to their families. In Denver, the problem has grown tremendously due to the usual alcoholism, mental problems, etc - but primarily due to the pot business (people coming to CO to get into the business only to find it is pretty much saturated already) and also the opiate addiction epidemic. It's certainly not due to lack of available jobs.

[TheSteveHunt]

I think the private sector is taking care of that Jimmy's Egg idea.

I love jimmys egg even more. Doing what the powerful wealthy NBA cannot!

[jedicurt]

I love jimmys egg even more. Doing what the powerful wealthy NBA cannot!

??? what are you talking about?

[hoya]

??? what are you talking about?

Apparently the NBA can't make pancakes worth a damn.

[Anonymous.]

I meant regarding MAPS not business taxes.

So investing MAPS monies into your cashcow is subsidizing? Man I could have sworn it was the exact opposite...

[gopokes88]

??? what are you talking about?

I literally think this after every single one of his posts

[TheSteveHunt]

I literally think this after every single one of his posts

It is a joke about how they can run their business without millions of tax payer dollars. Not really all that confusing.

[SouthSide]

An innovation district near the airport focused on aerospace/ transportation.

[TheSteveHunt]

pullin' up the ol' maps for millionaires stuff...
fun to listen to. These MAPS votes are pretty important.