Time to pitch downtown projects for bond issue

Agroup of downtown stakeholders have assembled a wish list of projects they hope to see included on the bond issue going to voters on Sept. 12.

Several of the proposed improvements address pedestrian issues, including improved crosswalks and street lights along Automobile Alley, smart traffic lights throughout downtown and new streetscapes in Midtown.

Ranked atop the list, quite appropriately, are drainage issues throughout downtown, but especially along Walker Avenue between Robert S. Kerr and NW 6.

In some areas, the flooding has been so frequent and devastating that sandbags are permanently stored in front of businesses. Imagine the statement this makes to any potential investors.

It also was flooding along Sheridan and Hudson Avenues that ultimately shut down Stage Center, setting it on a course for demolition after owners successfully argued water damage was too extensive to feasibly bring the landmark back to life.

Jane Jenkins, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., was quick to be the first to say much of the wish list is likely to remain just that — a list of wishes.

“Our highest priority are the draining issues we have downtown,” Jenkins said as she released the list. “The pipes are too small. And that’s a typical bond issue project that would be difficult to address in any other way. That would be a likely one to make the cut.”

The challenge for getting anything else on the ballot is simply the number of competing interests across Oklahoma City’s 621 square miles. If everything on the citywide list were to be submitted to voters, the tally would be $1.8 billion. That is at least twice, if not three times, the projected capacity of the bond issue.

The working list of projects, meanwhile, indicates millions will be needed just for the drainage.

Other potential downtown area projects on the working list include rebuilding Western Avenue between the downtown boulevard and NW 13, pedestrian access between downtown and the cluster of hospitals, bio-tech and research firms east of Interstate 235, and improvements in the area known as Core to Shore.

The downtown wish list, however, isn’t doomed to go nowhere. City council members are hosting meetings with constituents to learn what they want to see on the ballot. Downtown has its shot to pitch ideas to Ward 2 Councilwoman Meg Salyer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Leadership Square, 211 N Robinson Ave. (Salyer will speak at noon).

So what’s your passion? Do you want to make the case for a new streetscape along Automobile Alley to make Broadway safer for pedestrians? Then this is your chance to say so. The same is true for anyone wanting new sidewalks and lighting in Midtown or around Farmers Market. Quite a few people indicated they want to see serious changes along Classen Boulevard — many of those changes will require being added to the bond issue list.

Dream up a better downtown and then make your pitch Wednesday to make it a reality. And those who can’t attend the meeting also can provide feedback via a survey being hosted at www.okc.gov. This is a moment when speaking up can make a difference.