Metropolitan Area Projects Plan 3

The Metropolitan Area Projects Plan 3, or MAPS3, is a $777 million public works and redevelopment project in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma funded by a temporary voter-approved sales tax increase.

History

Following the passage of the original Metropolitan Area Projects Plan in December, 1993 and the MAPS-for-Kids in 2001, and short term tax in 2008 for improvements at the Ford Center to secure the new NBA team, Oklahoma City Thunder the sales tax was set to expire. Mayor Mick Cornett solicited for public input on what projects should be included in a MAPS3 proposal. Prior to that time, the City had conducted various planning studies that ultimately impacted projects that were included in MAPS 3.

Core to Shore

Main article: Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway

Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east west transportation route, stretching from Wilmington, North Carolina to Barstow, California. The Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway was an elevated four mile (6 km) stretch of Interstate 40 that dissected downtown Oklahoma City. In 2006 the Crosstown Expressway was being used by just under twice the number of vehicles as original designed, and the bridge was declared to be "deteriorating." Plans were made to relocate the interstate and demolish the Crosstown Expressway.

In 2002 Federal funds were secured to relocate the interstate about five blocks south of the original location. The new route was through one of the city's original industrial areas, much of the land for the highway was subsequently found to have significant pollution from industrial waste. The interstate realignment, which followed the north shore of the Oklahoma River, in effect, opened significant land south of downtown Oklahoma City to redevelopment.

In 2006, mayor Mick Cornett appointed a the 'Core to Shore' steering committee, a citizens advisory group tasked with developing a long term plan for redevelopment of the land between the original Crosstown Expressway route, which was the then southern border of the downtown core, to the shore of the Oklahoma River. The steering committee members and several ad hoc committees spent 13 months in a planning process that also included two public meetings to gather public input. The resulting Core to Shore Plan was a 750 acre redevelopment blueprint that included a new 40 acre park along with a new convention center.

Fixed Guideway Study

The | Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) is one of Oklahoma's seven regional planning organizations; it is a voluntary association of city, town and county governments in the counties of Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Logan. In 2005 the Central Oklahoma Fixed Guideway Study (FGS) was completed and recommended feasible corridors for further investigation of commuter rail transit, bus rapid transit, a downtown Oklahoma City streetcar system, and an improved bus system to enhance connections among all public transportation services. Later, the City of Oklahoma City refined the study with its Greater Downtown Circulator Alternative Analysis, which was first planning step toward carrying out the metro area’s Fixed Guideway Plan, and focused only on downtown and health center mobility. The Alternative Analysis recommended modern streetcar as the best overall transit technology and a 7.6 mile route.

Leading up to the Election

The City conducted several public planning meetings when trying to determine the projects that might be contained in a third MAPS program. The Fixed Guideway and Core to Shore studies figured prominently in deliberations. Public transportation was popular as well as upgrades in parks and trails. The final proposal also included a $280 million convention center which was not publicly popular. The MAPS3 proposal faced fiercer opposition than both the earlier MAPS and MAPS-for-Kids proposals. Both Police and Fire Unions publicly opposed the plan because they felt it would strain resources needed for public safety. On December 8, 2009 the MAPS3 proposal passed by a 54-46 margin, the same margin as the original MAPS election.

Projects

$250 million new 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m²) Convention Center.

$130 million 70-acre (280,000 m²) downtown park similar to Houston's Discovery Green to be located south of the old I-40.

$130 million for mass transit including a 5-6 mile modern streetcar system and intermodal transit hub, in downtown OKC.

$50 million for health and wellness aquatic centers to be located throughout the city.

$60 million for improvements at the Oklahoma State Fair.

$60 million for improvements to the Oklahoma River.

$40 million to extend trails throughout the city.

$30 million contingency, originally intended to be used to relocate a power station near the original convention center site next to the 'Core-2-Shore' neighborhood and the new boulevard in Downtown South. However, since a new site was selected by the Maps III Convention Center committee that is closer to the central business district, the funds will remain in contingency to be used as needed for any of the main projects.

$10 million to build sidewalks around the city.