#OKCBOXSCORE
Bodine schoolchildren to get playground
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation awarded a $25,000 Parks & Public Space Initiative grant to the Bodine Home and School Association for playground equipment at the southeast-side elementary school. Up to now, the neighborhood around Bodine has lacked a park where children can play. Lowe’s Home Improvement previously donated $84,000 toward the project. Teacher Ceretta Bridges says the new park will be constructed in July. Brian Dougherty, Parks & Public Space Initiative director, presented the Foundation’s grant Friday at Bodine.
Council gives go-ahead for MAPS 3 park
Bids are due May 2 on the first phase of construction of the MAPS 3 downtown park. Work will begin with the 38-acre upper park, between Skydance bridge and Chesapeake Arena. The upper park includes a lake, gardens and a promenade, and is to open in spring 2019. The construction budget will range between $50 million and $60 million.
Legislation sought by city advances
A bill sought by the city of Oklahoma City to set up a review of state revenue sources remains alive at the State Capitol. House Bill 1856 is assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Finance subcommittee. Also advancing are bills allowing municipal courts to sentence offenders to community service and to address a quirk in the way the city must post council agendas.
Worth noting: Senate Bill 397 eliminating a restriction on carrying a concealed handgun on a city bus passed the Senate and is pending in the House.
Reception benefits Southeast High
A reception last week for retiring Ward 4 Councilman Pete White raised more than $25,000 for Southeast High School to support student activities and create an endowment for a teacher-of-the-year award. White is a graduate of Southeast.
Voters to select Ward 4 councilman
Voters in south and southeast Oklahoma City will choose a new Ward 4 councilman Tuesday. Homebuilder and developer Todd Stone, making his first bid for elective office, and former state Rep. Richard Morrissette are running to succeed Pete White. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Tweet of the week
“Kevin Durant opens up about beef with Russell Westbrook”
— @DarnellMayberry, senior assistant sports editor, The Oklahoman/ NewsOK.com. Read the story at NewsOK.com.
City promotes recycling, water conservation
Oklahoma City is observing Earth Day in April with events including discounts on rail barrels, tree planting, and a special event at State Fair Park to recycle tires, ammunition, computers and medicine. In 2015, cleanup efforts resulted in:
• 585,921 pounds of debris removed from the Oklahoma River.
• 651,310 pounds of household hazardous waste collected.
Learn more about events and dates at okc.gov — the deadline to order a rain barrel is April 7.
Burn ban lifted in city
The city of Oklahoma City lifted its burn ban after last week’s rainy weather. Fire Department Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson said burn permit-holders must have their site reinspected for compliance with permit restrictions before burning can resume.
Streetcar construction
Work continues this week on Sheridan, Joe Carter, Reno, Dewey, Harvey and Hudson avenues and NW 10 Street. For MAPS 3 streetcar construction updates for Bricktown, downtown and Midtown, follow The Oklahoman on Mondays, follow the link on NewsOK.com, and @ williamcrum on Twitter. Updates come every Friday afternoon.
Present/absent
Mayor Mick Cornett and the eight city council members attended Tuesday’s meeting.
Looking ahead
The city council meets at 8:30 a.m. April 11 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave. New four-year terms for council members from Wards 1, 3, 4 and 7 begin that day.