Tulsa to Have Rail by 2012

[HOT ROD]

CCOKC, I dont know for sure - Im making an assumption based on the support it got during MAPS I and the fact that OKC has enjoyed the taste of being a major city - and major cities have transit options, and just the feel I got the two times I visited the city in 2007 - just leads me to think a downtown circular is definitely on the calendar for Oklahoma City.

I dont have any facts per say, but just a gut feeling. I think the city is on the move, and Im sure the citizens want to keep that momentum going since it will only add to the vibrancy of downtown and the overall quality of life of the city.

[CCOKC]

Hot Rod, I sure hope you are right. I would love to be able to take any kind of Metro. I live on a very busy street in mid NW OKC and I think I could get downtown by bus right now but would have problems getting home late at night. I was a season ticket holder of the Hornets the last two seasons and I wished there was a way to get downtown and home by public transportation. Maybe with higher gas prices this will become a priority with the citizens and the government of our city.

[HOT ROD]

ccokc

One of the things I brought up on the Maps3.org survey, was for the city to build more sidewalks and lighting city wide - to encourage pedestrianism and transit usage.

This is something that the city is highly lacking and would be a relatively easy fix. Every major thoroughfare in the urbanized area and every major street/avenue in the population zone should have sidewalks and lighting! Bus Shelters should also be installed.

I have come to Oklahoma City and have seen people walking in the grass alongside major thoroughfares, even in the roads on some. And I've noticed the city is pretty dark as well, not really encouraging people to "venture out" after dark. Well, this is also an easy fix - might cost some dollars to fund the energy efficient/bug deterrent lighting - but nonetheless should be done. Lighting also adds to that big city feel yet some parts of the city seem like a ghost town after dusk.

Imagine, with sidewalks (handicap capable) and lighting - Oklahoma City would be an even more pedestrian friendly city, which would encourage more use and demand of transit which would encourage and build critical mass which would encourage better retail options which would drastically improve the city!!

[CCOKC]

I agree totally. Like I said I live on a major street and my side yard has a worn path from people walking. I know this is their mode of transportation. Not sure why they don't ride the bus. Are the buses just not accessible enough, too expensive? I don't know but it would be interesting to find out. I am going to replace my fence this summer and am seriously thinknig about putting in a sidewalk just because. Our neighborhood just recently incorporated a neighborhood association and we were all wondering why now. One of the first things the organizers asked us was "now who here would like sidewalks?" I don't know if you saw the bkie survey that someone posted here last week. I took the survey and I think what is bascially boils down to is we are having a bond election soon to finance better bike paths and sidewalks. I could be wrong but that was the impression I got. I know it is a rather daunting task because the city is so physically large. I think the city is trying to start in the middle and go out. Every new business in the inner city is required to put sidewalks in. If you go down 39th and May you will see sidewalks in front of the new Ford dealership and the new Lowes. Of course they end there but it is a start and the city I guess does not have to pay for it.

[HOT ROD]

CC, that is wonderful. I think sidewalks would make a huge difference!!!

Add in some lighting to that, and OKC could become a true pedestrian city - so to say. and that would lead to transit use. Which would lead to MASS transit!!!

Im glad the sidewalks are in the works, my "outsider" views/suggestions only provides further support for this and other improvements to the city.