Ideas 4 MAPS

[Laramie]

X number of miles of new sidewalks, bike lanes, and walking trails. The city needs better connections.

. . . Oklahoma City in midst of largest street repair initiative in history: https://kfor.com/2018/10/19/oklahoma...ve-in-history/

Money to renovate various parks around the city, and an endowment to keep them nice. This lets you put something in each area of the city.

The aquarium/natural history museum combo. You can look at fish and I can look at fossils.

Stage one of streetcar expansion. One line up to OCU, one down to Capitol Hill, and one to the HSC. We need to start hitting neighborhoods where people live.

A canal extension into the old co-op site, if the owners of the land produce a real workable plan for development that doesn't require massive public funds.

A bare-bones 20,000 seat soccer stadium that can be expanded as needed. If MLS starts looking like a possibility we can always look at that later.

We'll say five community mental health/treatment centers around the city, partnered with HOPE or some other organization to provide better access to care.

Money to purchase "architecturally significant" properties around the city and turn them into a community center or library branch, or something like that. Save the gold dome, the egg church, things like that.

You nailed it, hoya.

There are many ways you can improve OKC; there are many projects that could help improve our city including an 'endowment fund' say $200 million for upkeep of previous MAPS projects and funds to purchase historic architecturally significant properties.

Would like to add one more unpopular project to that list. A new State Fair Arena replacement. I know many posters are turned off to the fact that the State Fair Board Trust hasn't opened it books to the public. It's obvious that the SFB Trust doesn't have anything IMO worth examining. The current trade shows & events at State Fair Park has an estimated economic impact of $300 million according to Populous.

The new 5,500 seat minimum seating capacity arena could satisfy the needs of our current trade shows & events to keep them in OKC.

[hoya]

What about an update to the Omniplex? I haven't been there in a very long time, but from what I remember it wasn't very good.

[d-usa]

The Science Museum has been doing great these past 5 years, they’ve really turned the place around. The IMAX needs to do something though.

[Zorba]

What about an update to the Omniplex? I haven't been there in a very long time, but from what I remember it wasn't very good.

You should grab a couple of kids (preferably family) and go back. They have really improved the place lately. Only negative is the imax is closed.

[Plutonic Panda]

Possible funding towards a planetarium:

https://journalrecord.com/2019/04/29...arium-funding/

[RedDollar]

I hate the idea of having endowments for this function and endowments for that function, you couple that with dedicated taxes and its taking financial decision making away from elected officials, the City Council.

This is not a good way to fund operations. When a tax is dedicated to a certain function, what can happen is either that function becomes over funded, which leads to waste, and other functions can starve for money.

We are seeing the results of earmarking revenue at the State level, especially with how property taxes fund our schools or how the Gross Production tax is divvied up, it mostly takes place outside of the purview of the state legislature and has now reached a point where elected officials only appropriate 40% of the state budget.

We elect City Council to make these decisions. We can't manage the City's money by all of us getting on our computers at 9 pm every evening and making these decisions, which is what we do when we vote for these decicated taxes or " endowments " . That idea is not good. Its very short sighted.

I did not like in 1990, when we voted the sales tax dedicated to polic/fire and the zoo. The only reason that was done, is because the voters had turned down two previous attempts at raising the sales tax. The feedback from voters was, that if the City told them HOW the money would be spent, they might vote for it.

And these dedicated taxes just open the door for supplanting. All the Council has to do , is reduce the General Fund allocation to a function , by the amount of the dedicated tax, and then no one really knows where the money is spent.

Its not a good way to fund any level of government. If your elected officials are not spending money the way you think it should be allocated, then get new representatives. Don't try to micro manage the budget through the ballot box, it will just end up in more waste and inefficiency.

[EthanG]

Hello again everybody. I've been popping in from time to time to see what people think about MAPS 4. This forum is a great resource for me, as a college student hoping to study regional and city planning as a graduate student, and be a part of the Oklahoma City community after graduation.

I know there has been a lot of banter regarding ideologies regarding MAPS in its current state, its necessity, etc. I want to turn back to ideas and, in a way, fan those argumentative flames a bit, and ask the forum what the general perception would be if a "Space Needle" observation tower were in MAPS 4 as a tool for economic development, tourism, and "culture", as a blanket term.

[jedicurt]

Hello again everybody. I've been popping in from time to time to see what people think about MAPS 4. This forum is a great resource for me, as a college student hoping to study regional and city planning as a graduate student, and be a part of the Oklahoma City community after graduation.

I know there has been a lot of banter regarding ideologies regarding MAPS in its current state, its necessity, etc. I want to turn back to ideas and, in a way, fan those argumentative flames a bit, and ask the forum what the general perception would be if a "Space Needle" observation tower were in MAPS 4 as a tool for economic development, tourism, and "culture", as a blanket term.

for me, it depends where, and how it fits in to the surrounding area... could be in favor of it... i'm in favor of most of the ideas if they were implemented in the correct place in the correct way.

an easy example to point to is a highway cap... i don't understand the need for one on 235... but one across I-40 that adds to the park, i would be totally for

[EthanG]

for me, it depends where, and how it fits in to the surrounding area... could be in favor of it... i'm in favor of most of the ideas if they were implemented in the correct place in the correct way.

an easy example to point to is a highway cap... i don't understand the need for one on 235... but one across I-40 that adds to the park, i would be totally for

for me, it depends where, and how it fits in to the surrounding area... could be in favor of it... i'm in favor of most of the ideas if they were implemented in the correct place in the correct way.

an easy example to point to is a highway cap... i don't understand the need for one on 235... but one across I-40 that adds to the park, i would be totally for

I believe I would as well prefer a highway cap over 40 vs. 235. The north and south parks seem very detached by current renderings (and the south park just seems a bit patchy/weak) and a cap could help.

I have been fever-dreaming acquisition and use of the cotton mill acreages east of the convention center as an area for this, alongside an expansion of the riverwalk. However, it seems like the Funk plan of the same area is quite popular, so I'm scrounging alternate sites.

I would be personally fond of using one of the two quite open tracts along S Western Ave and 40 Crosstown. The north section would need to be rezoned in full, the south in part. However, those areas of land aren't great in terms of downtown access, nearby shopping, etc.

[Pete]

Gazette just published a story about a poll commissioned by Ed Shadid to get feedback on the projects most likely to be included in MAPS 4.

The chamber of commerce does something similar but those results are never made public.

The soccer stadium polled very low and we'll see if that affects its inclusion on the list of projects that are ultimately selected.


Really interesting read, good quotes from the major, more about the survey and the full results are attached:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/p...nt?oid=6183528

According to SoonerPoll, which polled residents on nine different projects as well as other MAPS-related questions, a soccer stadium has the least support, while facilities for mental health and substance abuse have the most.

[BoulderSooner]

Gazette just published a story about a poll commissioned by Ed Shadid to get feedback on the projects most likely to be included in MAPS 4.

The chamber of commerce does something similar but those results are never made public.

The soccer stadium polled very low and we'll see if that affects its inclusion on the list of projects that are ultimately selected.


Really interesting read, good quotes from the major, more about the survey and the full results are attached:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/p...nt?oid=6183528

pretty interesting stuff ..

but some pretty leading questions ... and the target group doesn't really reflect those that vote in these type of elections

[Pete]

pretty interesting stuff ..

but some pretty leading questions ... and the target group doesn't really reflect those that vote in these type of elections

Here was the sample: "The study’s demographics are 58 percent Republican registered, 39 percent ideologically moderate, 54 percent 65 years or older and 72 percent white."

How does this differ from those who typically vote in special elections?

[OKC Guy]

Gazette just published a story about a poll commissioned by Ed Shadid to get feedback on the projects most likely to be included in MAPS 4.

The chamber of commerce does something similar but those results are never made public.

The soccer stadium polled very low and we'll see if that affects its inclusion on the list of projects that are ultimately selected.


Really interesting read, good quotes from the major, more about the survey and the full results are attached:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/p...nt?oid=6183528

Also noticed Streetcar, more are opposed than for it. The data in Gazette shows it second least popular.

I wish they would not bundle projects anymore. List each independently and let it pass or fail. By bundling it risks all projects failing.

[Pete]

From that article:

Poll results
Mental health and substance abuse facilities: About 13 percent oppose the project and 83 support it.

Investment in our city parks, such as restroom facilities, athletic complexes and equipment for children and adults: About 17 percent oppose the project and 78 percent support it.

Protected bike lane infrastructure to help decrease our nation-leading fatality and injury rate among bicyclists: About 23 percent oppose the project and 74 support it.

Improvements to the bus system, including new buses and bus shelters: About 21 percent oppose the project and 71 percent support it.

A fund to help bridge the gap in financing historic preservation projects: About 25 percent oppose the project and 62 percent support it.

Electric buses that cost more to buy upfront but save money on operations and maintenance and last longer than diesel buses: About 29 percent oppose the project and 59 support it.

Replacement of the State Fairgrounds Arena costing between $100 and $120 million: About 39 percent oppose the project and 54 percent support it.

An expansion of the downtown streetcar to include additional routes: About 53 percent oppose the project and 41 percent support it.

Soccer stadium in the downtown area costing between $70 and $90 million: About 67 percent oppose the project and 26 percent support it.

[OkiePoke]

No aquarium?

[Pete]

No aquarium?

I believe the aquarium is off the list, for all intents and purposes.

[BoulderSooner]

I believe the aquarium is off the list, for all intents and purposes.

this is intersting i have heard very recently that it is still very much in the plans ... i wonder why that changed

[EthanG]

I'm curious if there's been recent or planned development for the empty plot on Harvey Parkway and SW 14th just north of the river. Core to Shore plan says "mixed-use development". Is that in stone or just a guiding hand? Thanks all.

[Pete]

I'm curious if there's been recent or planned development for the empty plot on Harvey Parkway and SW 14th just north of the river. Core to Shore plan says "mixed-use development". Is that in stone or just a guiding hand? Thanks all.

That's all just conceptual at this point.

[jn1780]

Mental health and substance abuse facilities are nice and everything, but the most important part of treatment are the counselors and psychologist who staff them which is an ongoing cost.

[citywokchinesefood]

I believe the aquarium is off the list, for all intents and purposes.

If this is the case and they try to include an arena for the state fair or a soccer stadium I will vote no 100%. The more that I hear about this MAPS the less inclined I am to vote for it, and that seems to be a pretty common sentiment among other people in OKC as well. The lineup they are polling is an absolute loser and is counter to the original idea behind MAPS. The soccer stadium is subsidizing a millionaire and the state fair arena is a literal **** sandwich that the citizens of Oklahoma city are getting force fed like a mental patient.

[jedicurt]

is a literal **** sandwich

i actually don't think it is....

[Pete]

It seems the chamber is focused on the following projects:

1. State Fair Arena
2. Soccer Stadium
3. Thunder Practice / Auxilary Facility (not exactly sure what this would entail but would be near the practice facility)
4. Chesapeake Arena Improvements (primarily for the Thunder)
5. Boathouse Row Recreation


Ideas that seem to have been ditched:
- Aquarium
- Streetcar expansion
- I-235 cap

[jedicurt]

It seems the chamber is focused on the following projects:

1. State Fair Arena
2. Soccer Stadium
3. Thunder Practice / Auxilary Facility (not exactly sure what this would entail but would be near the practice facility)
4. Chesapeake Arena Improvements (primarily for the Thunder)
5. Boathouse Row Recreation


Ideas that seem to have been ditched:
- Aquarium
- Streetcar expansion
- I-235 cap

no streetcar expansion, no yes vote from me.

[HangryHippo]

no streetcar expansion, no yes vote from me.

Same here.