Meeting Summary
The city council convened a special meeting dedicated to hearing presentations on potential MAPS 4 projects. Key proposals included expanding Palomar, a center for survivors of violence, significant investments in neighborhood parks and new sports tourism facilities, and extensive development of sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and street lights. A plan for the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center (Freedom Center) was also presented, with public comments emphasizing the transformative impact of these initiatives on the city.
Upcoming Community Events
Municipal Election
Includes a franchise election and a charter change. Free entry to OKC Zoo for voters.
Bike Summit
Hosted in Oklahoma City, partnering with ODOT to encourage planners and advocates.
Financial Matters
Palomar Facility (Midtown)
Estimated cost to design, construct, and furnish a new 80,000 sq ft facility if staying in midtown (donated land, shared parking).
Palomar Facility (New Location)
Estimated cost to design, construct, and furnish a new 80,000 sq ft facility if moving location (includes land acquisition and full parking structure).
Palomar Operations Investment Fund
Interest in funding for operations through a MAPS 4 endowment to support increased capacity.
Neighborhood and Community Parks Improvements
Anticipated cost for renovating or replacing playgrounds, shelters, restrooms, furnishings, walking paths, and adding trees in 160 parks.
Parks Operating and Maintenance Investment Fund
Anticipated fund to help maintain new restrooms, playgrounds, and splash pads built through MAPS 4, expected to yield about $800,000 per year.
Sports Tourism Facility (Soccer)
Estimated cost for a dynamic sports tourism facility with 20+ regulation soccer fields.
River Enhancements
Estimated total cost for minimalist versions of proposed river enhancements, including a low water dam, boat landings, a pedestrian bridge, riverbank improvements, and an equestrian experience.
Community Gardens, New Parks, Courts, Wayfinding (Stanley Draper)
Estimated cost for additional park ideas, including new parks, various courts, and wayfinding at Lake Stanley Draper.
Sidewalks (per linear foot)
Estimated cost per linear foot for sidewalks, considering retaining walls or right-of-way acquisition.
Sidewalks (per mile)
Estimated cost per mile for sidewalks.
Bike Facilities (per mile)
Estimated cost per mile for various types of bicycle facilities.
Trail Amenities (per mile)
Estimated cost per mile for amenities like resurfacing, wayfinding, shade, water fountains, seating, and restrooms on existing trails.
New Trails (per mile)
Estimated cost per mile for constructing new trails.
Street Lights (500 lights)
Estimated budget for 500 new street lights, covering an annual cost of about $156,000 per year.
Unfunded Bike Lanes (143 miles)
Estimated cost to fund all unfunded bike lanes identified in BikeWalk OKC.
Pedestrian Priority Areas (47 miles)
Estimated cost for sidewalks in the 10 pedestrian priority areas.
All Sidewalks around Schools and Parks
Rough estimate for all sidewalks around schools and parks.
Unfunded Trails
Estimated cost for unfunded trails identified in BikeWalk OKC.
Clara Luper Civil Rights Center (Freedom Center)
Total estimated cost for restoration of the existing Freedom Center and construction of a new museum and multi-purpose education/special events center.
Public Comments
Public comments were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed MAPS 4 projects, with many speakers sharing personal anecdotes and emphasizing the transformative potential of the investments. Palomar supporters highlighted the critical need for expanded services for survivors of violence. Parks advocates stressed the importance of neighborhood park improvements, sports tourism facilities, and sustainable funding for maintenance and programming. Numerous speakers for sidewalks, bike lanes, and street lights shared personal experiences of unsafe conditions, advocating for protected infrastructure to enhance safety, health, and connectivity for all residents. The Freedom Center proposal garnered strong support for preserving civil rights history and creating an educational and community hub.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- MAPS 4 election contemplated before the end of the year, with the new tax taking effect when the streets sales tax elapses on March 31st.
Watch For
- Another MAPS 4 presentation on Thursday.
- Another MAPS 4 presentation on July 31st.
- Another MAPS 4 presentation on August 6th.
- Discussion on public transportation in a couple of weeks.
- Youth Center presentation on Thursday.
- Beautification presentation on Thursday, including the airport corridor.
Announcements
- Reminder to vote today in the municipal election, which includes a franchise election and a charter change.
- The Oklahoma City Zoo is free today (July 9th) for citizens who voted, offering an opportunity to enjoy capital improvements like Sanctuary Asia.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the special meeting with an invocation from Rabbi Abby Jacobson and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman James Greiner.
Special Meeting for MAPS 4 Presentations
The first of four special meetings dedicated to hearing presentations on potential MAPS 4 projects.
Palomar Presentation
Proposal for a community healing and restoration center for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and elder abuse, including facility expansion and increased services.
Parks Presentation: Neighborhood and Community Parks Improvements
Proposal to improve every neighborhood park with renovated playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms, furnishings, walking paths, and additional trees.
Parks Presentation: Sports Tourism Complexes
Proposal to add a dynamic sports tourism facility for soccer, featuring 20 or more regulation-size fields to attract regional and national tournaments.
Parks Presentation: River Enhancements
Proposal for a low water dam east of I-35, additional boat landings, a pedestrian bridge, riverbank improvements, and an equestrian experience along the river.
Parks Presentation: Additional Ideas
Proposal for community gardens, new parks in southwest, southeast, and south-central areas, additional basketball, futsal, and pickleball courts, and wayfinding at Lake Stanley Draper.
Sidewalks, Bike Lanes, Trails, and Street Lights Presentation
Proposal for extensive investment in active transportation infrastructure, focusing on pedestrian priority areas, historic districts, connectivity, ADA compliance, and street lighting.
Freedom Center Presentation
Proposal to restore the existing Freedom Center and construct a new Clara Luper Civil Rights Museum and multi-purpose education and special events center.
Citizens to be Heard (General MAPS 4 Comments)
Public comments on various aspects of the MAPS 4 proposals and general city matters.