Ideas 4 MAPS

[GoGators]

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

Wow. This is very troubling.

[TheTravellers]

Yeah, this might just be the end of MAPS, I don't know of anybody that wants any of those things the Chamber wants.

[OKC Guy]

no streetcar expansion, no yes vote from me.

I’m opposite, if they add Streetcar then I vote no. And the one polling shows citizens are against SC expansion too.

The bigger issue is they must start making each MAPS project a separate vote. Let each one pass on its own merits. Otherwise we will never again see a large bundle MAPS pass imo.

[Decious]

no streetcar expansion, no yes vote from me.

Ditto for me.

Out of the five items Pete pointed to, only #5 even remotely interests me.

[Dob Hooligan]

Hmmm....I'm totally in favor of the Chamber of Commerce list.

As much as I complain about the State Fair Park management in regards to their secrecy and lack of community involvement, I believe the new arena will be a great asset for the city. And it will help us get hockey and the 5-7 thousand attendance events that are non-horse related.

Soccer stadium is a right sized effort to get into an important sporting market for our diversified city demographic.

I'm in favor of anything for the Thunder. Because they have transformed the image and substance of OKC more quickly than anything in our history. And they have shown themselves to be worthy of our support.

The Boathouse Row activity is just great P.R. for OKC when so many people drive across America on I-40 and see the beautiful water activity going on.

Streetcar needs to wait 5 years and get it's sea legs in order to show it's future expansion need before it asks for further money.

[OKC Guy]

Hmmm....I'm totally in favor of the Chamber of Commerce list.

As much as I complain about the State Fair Park management in regards to their secrecy and lack of community involvement, I believe the new arena will be a great asset for the city. And it will help us get hockey and the 5-7 thousand attendance events that are non-horse related.

Soccer stadium is a right sized effort to get into an important sporting market for our diversified city demographic.

I'm in favor of anything for the Thunder. Because they have transformed the image and substance of OKC more quickly than anything in our history. And they have shown themselves to be worthy of our support.

The Boathouse Row activity is just great P.R. for OKC when so many people drive across America on I-40 and see the beautiful water activity going on.

Streetcar needs to wait 5 years and get it's sea legs in order to show it's future expansion need before it asks for further money.

Exactly my sentiments its like you read my mind!

[benjico]

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

Why even ask the public for ideas if they're going to push this towards favored groups on their own agenda? I will not be voting to build Funk a soccer stadium or an auxilary Thunder practice facility (their current facility is only a few years old and suposedly one of the best in the NBA).

They should be smarter than this. That list seems destined to be voted down.

[benjico]

And why is it up to the Chamber of Commerce to drive the direction of maps? Is the goal of maps to increase revenue opportunities or truly improve quality of life?

[BoulderSooner]

And why is it up to the Chamber of Commerce to drive the direction of maps? Is the goal of maps to increase revenue opportunities or truly improve quality of life?

those things are connected

[Pete]

And why is it up to the Chamber of Commerce to drive the direction of maps? Is the goal of maps to increase revenue opportunities or truly improve quality of life?

They run the advertising / promotion for MAPS.

Good or bad, it's how it works.

[catch22]

State Fair Board just posted a propaganda video on Twitter on how the new state fair arena will help businesses like Charleston’s.

[GoGators]

I'm failing to see how these projects will do much of anything to raise revenue opportunities or raise quality of life for residence.

This list is basically just giving public handouts to private entities.

Think what you want about the streetcar but to say building a Thunder auxiliary practice facility is better use of taxpayer funds than increased public transportation is comical.

Streetcar expansion increases revenue opportunities for the city and truly improves quality of life for residence.

Building a Thunder practice facility does neither.

Its time we stop worrying about what OKC looks like to people driving through town on I-40, and start worrying about how OKC functions for the people who actually live here.

[catch22]

I'm failing to see how these projects will do much of anything to raise revenue opportunities or raise quality of life for residence.

This list is basically just giving public handouts to private entities.

Think what you want about the streetcar but to say building a Thunder auxiliary practice facility is better use of taxpayer funds than increased public transportation is comical.

Streetcar expansion increases revenue opportunities for the city and truly improves quality of life for residence.

Building a Thunder practice facility does neither.

Its time we stop worrying about what OKC looks like to people driving through town on I-40, and start worrying about how OKC functions for the people who actually live here.

Agree. Cue a long winded twitter thread from Mayor Holt on how the rest of us mere mortals were offered a chance to submit projects and that the poll results speak for themselves. MAPS4 appears to be going the way of a huge handout for the Chamber of commerce.

[Pete]

There will still be public meetings to discuss the projects.

Those I listed will not be the only ones to be included, but they almost certainly will be part.

There is lots of traction around bus service, better bike infrastructure, and homeless and mental health issues.


Also, I'm not 100% sure on my list. Just relating what I have heard from people in high places.

And one of the points of doing this poll now was to get some transparency on the projects people really want to see and for citizens to shape the direction of MAPS 4 before it becomes set in stone.

[BoulderSooner]

There will still be public meetings to discuss the projects.

Those I listed will not be the only ones to be included, but they almost certainly will be part.

There is lots of traction around bus service, better bike infrastructure, and homeless and mental health issues.


Also, I'm not 100% sure on my list. Just relating what I have heard from people in high places.

And one of the points of doing this poll now was to get some transparency on the projects people really want to see and for citizens to shape the direction of MAPS 4 before it becomes set in stone.

it is not a "sexy" project but i have heard that street car style stops will be rolled out for the bus system city wide ...

[onthestrip]

Thunder practice facility upgrades in MAPS? They serious? Didnt the city already build their existing facility? MAPS projects should be something that theoretically everyone can use, not a private facility that the public cant ever use.

[Midtowner]

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

If that's the list, it's sad that the MAPS programs died because the Council wouldn't listen to what the people wanted. Save for the Boathouse Row Recreation and the State Fair Arena, can the Thunder maybe pick up some of the tab for their own facilities? Or is a situation where they're going to be perpetually threatening to head to KC if we don't comply with their demands?

I'll go ahead and call it now. RIP MAPS.

[OKC Guy]

Thunder practice facility upgrades in MAPS? They serious? Didnt the city already build their existing facility? MAPS projects should be something that theoretically everyone can use, not a private facility that the public cant ever use.

Thunder have done more than any other “1 thing” which means our original Peake and subsequent practice facility are worth every penny. But in sports to be competitive you have to keep up. In small markets, to get good FA’s you can’t skimp.

Imagine a trucking company buying new trucks but then have an antiquated repair facility. Or having very old trucks and trying to hire best drivers in country.

Its a part of having a major sports team. And is small money in relation to what Thunder have done for our national image and drawing businesses. We built a streetcar barn too and none of us can go hang out there.

[onthestrip]

Thunder have done more than any other “1 thing” which means our original Peake and subsequent practice facility are worth every penny. But in sports to be competitive you have to keep up. In small markets, to get good FA’s you can’t skimp.

Imagine a trucking company buying new trucks but then have an antiquated repair facility. Or having very old trucks and trying to hire best drivers in country.

Its a part of having a major sports team. And is small money in relation to what Thunder have done for our national image and drawing businesses. We built a streetcar barn too and none of us can go hang out there.

Worlds worst analogy.

Sure, the Thunder has been great but this still gets a hard pass from me and is totally out of line from the true spirit of the MAPS program.

[Pete]

I will restate I don't know exactly what the Thunder facility is. But I have heard it will go up near the existing practice complex.

[David Holt]

Hey everyone! I do like to pop in here occasionally. I guess it's been a few months. As always, I appreciate everyone's passion for our City and for what MAPS has done to improve it.

After dropping in here and catching-up on some recent posts, I feel compelled to share what seem to be some needed clarifications.

The Mayor and Council are the group of people who will present to the voters of Oklahoma City a MAPS 4 for their consideration. Period. I appreciate everyone's feedback, whether they be members of the Chamber of Commerce or members of OKC Talk. My door is open to all, but no one has more influence with me or the other members of Council than the people of Oklahoma City. Their needs and their desires are what will shape MAPS 4.

I choose my public comments on MAPS 4 very carefully, so it is no small thing that I have repeatedly said, both in my State of the City and even as recently as in yesterday's Gazette piece, that I believe MAPS 4 will be built around neighborhood needs and human needs. That is not to say that entertainment may not play any role in MAPS 4, as it did to a much greater extent in MAPS 1 and 3, but at this stage there is no reason to believe those kinds of projects are going to be the focus of the package or the focus of the dollars. As I have said anywhere I have been asked, I believe MAPS 4 will be largely built around things like parks, transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, domestic violence services, beautification, youth centers, senior centers, homelessness services, mental health & substance abuse services, etc. I have said this in front of 1,500 people at a lunch hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, I have said this on TV, I have said this in print, I have said this on social media, and I say it here today. What a third party chooses to poll, or what a third party chooses to advertise, or what a third party chooses to advocate for, are not what will decide what is presented to the voters for their consideration. The Mayor and Council will decide, and we will base that decision on what is best for all the people of Oklahoma City.

If you have any MAPS 4 thoughts you'd like to share, always feel free to shoot me an e-mail at mayor@okc.gov. I can't always guarantee that I'll see something posted here, but I can guarantee I'll see any e-mail sent to me.

Thanks again for being citizens who care and are passionate about our city!

[Ross MacLochness]

Thank you, Mayor!

[jedicurt]

Imagine a trucking company buying new trucks but then have an antiquated repair facility. Or having very old trucks and trying to hire best drivers in country.

right... but no one is asking for the city of OKC to pay for their new repair facility.. if they want to be a successful business.. maybe they should put in the money for that themselves.

[jedicurt]

Hey everyone! I do like to pop in here occasionally. I guess it's been a few months. As always, I appreciate everyone's passion for our City and for what MAPS has done to improve it.

After dropping in here and catching-up on some recent posts, I feel compelled to share what seem to be some needed clarifications.

The Mayor and Council are the group of people who will present to the voters of Oklahoma City a MAPS 4 for their consideration. Period. I appreciate everyone's feedback, whether they be members of the Chamber of Commerce or members of OKC Talk. My door is open to all, but no one has more influence with me or the other members of Council than the people of Oklahoma City. Their needs and their desires are what will shape MAPS 4.

I choose my public comments on MAPS 4 very carefully, so it is no small thing that I have repeatedly said, both in my State of the City and even as recently as in yesterday's Gazette piece, that I believe MAPS 4 will be built around neighborhood needs and human needs. That is not to say that entertainment may not play any role in MAPS 4, as it did to a much greater extent in MAPS 1 and 3, but at this stage there is no reason to believe those kinds of projects are going to be the focus of the package or the focus of the dollars. As I have said anywhere I have been asked, I believe MAPS 4 will be largely built around things like parks, transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, domestic violence services, beautification, youth centers, senior centers, homelessness services, mental health & substance abuse services, etc. I have said this in front of 1,500 people at a lunch hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, I have said this on TV, I have said this in print, I have said this on social media, and I say it here today. What a third party chooses to poll, or what a third party chooses to advertise, or what a third party chooses to advocate for, are not what will decide what is presented to the voters for their consideration. The Mayor and Council will decide, and we will base that decision on what is best for all the people of Oklahoma City.

If you have any MAPS 4 thoughts you'd like to share, always feel free to shoot me an e-mail at mayor@okc.gov. I can't always guarantee that I'll see something posted here, but I can guarantee I'll see any e-mail sent to me.

Thanks again for being citizens who care and are passionate about our city!

thank you, Mayor... if if that is the focus of MAPS IV, i will be behind it 100%. thank you sir

[hoya]

As I have said anywhere I have been asked, I believe MAPS 4 will be largely built around things like parks, transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, domestic violence services, beautification, youth centers, senior centers, homelessness services, mental health & substance abuse services, etc. I have said this in front of 1,500 people at a lunch hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, I have said this on TV, I have said this in print, I have said this on social media, and I say it here today. What a third party chooses to poll, or what a third party chooses to advertise, or what a third party chooses to advocate for, are not what will decide what is presented to the voters for their consideration. The Mayor and Council will decide, and we will base that decision on what is best for all the people of Oklahoma City.

If this is what’s in MAPS 4, it will have my vote and support.