#OKCBOXSCORE
Draper trail bid beats estimate
Haskell Lemon Construction Co. submitted the low bid to build the first section of the MAPS 3 bicycling and walking trail around Lake Stanley Draper. Haskell Lemon proposed building the nearly five-mile segment along the west side of the reservoir for $2.8 million. Bids ranged from $2.8 million to $3.3 million. The MAPS 3 office had estimated construction would cost $3.4 million. The project is broken into three sections. Bids on second segment are due this week. The trail is financed by the 1-cent MAPS 3 sales tax that voters approved in 2009.
Of note: The Draper trail will link up with a trail from Tinker Air Force Base. It will be about 13.5 miles in length and construction is expected to cost about $10 million altogether.
Absentee ballots available
Voters who want to cast an absentee ballot in the Feb. 13 mayoral primary are being urged to apply early. Any registered voter can cast an absentee ballot. Get an application form at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N Lincoln Blvd., or online at elections. ok.gov. Call the county Election Board at 713-1515.
Of note: The deadline to apply to vote absentee is 5 p.m. Feb. 7.
Expanding leadership horizons
Mayor Mick Cornett will give a "state of the neighborhoods" address Feb. 3 as part of a municipal leadership workshop scheduled at City Hall. The event is intended to promote citizen participation in the city's various boards and commissions. The three-hour workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. Learn more from the Neighborhood Alliance at 528-6322 or nacok.org.
Quote of the week
"Life doesn’t stop on Sunday, necessarily."
— Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer. Salyer asked last week for an update on the cost of instituting Sunday bus service. Oklahoma City's public transit service currently is limited to six days per week. With budget discussions formally beginning next month and optimistic projections for tax revenue, Salyer said it was a good time to think about whether Sunday bus service should be a priority. "I'm really just wanting to look at the numbers," she said.
Tweet of the Week
"In his final State of the City address, Mayor @ MickCornett saluted business leaders for their role in OKC's renaissance."
— @NewsOK. Read the story at NewsOK.com.
Streetcar construction
MAPS 3 streetcar construction is underway throughout downtown. For updates, follow the weekly downtown area traffic advisory online at okc.gov. Streetcar service is expected to begin in December.
• Track crews will be installing switches this week at the Sheridan-Hudson and Sheridan-Robinson intersections. Work at those intersections had been suspended because delivery of the switches was delayed. Look for lane closures through Feb. 5.
Water system funding approved
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved $52.5 million in financing from a state drinking water revolving loan fund and other sources for upgrades to the Oklahoma City water system. Oklahoma City provides drinking water for 1.2 million metro-area residents.
Present/absent
Mayor Mick Cornett and seven of the eight city council members attended last week's meeting. Ward 1 Councilman James Greiner was away on a family vacation.
Looking ahead
The Oklahoma City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.
Plaque to honor Pam Henry
The Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns is raising money for a plaque to be installed on the grounds at City Hall to honor Chair Emeritus Pam Henry. Henry is best known for her career as an Oklahoma City television news reporter and anchor. Send tax-deductible contributions by check to the Mayor's Committee, City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
William Crum, Staff Writer, wcrum@oklahoman.com Twitter: @williamcrum