#OKC BOXSCORE
Advisory panel to review convention center bids
An advisory committee on Thursday will review bids to build the MAPS 3 convention center. Flintco, based in Tulsa, was the apparent low bidder at $173.3 million, beating out bids of $176 million by JE Dunn Construction of Kansas City and $181.2 million by Archer Western Construction of Atlanta. After the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board reviews the bids later in May, the city council will make the final decision on a contract. The convention center is the biggest public construction project in city history.
Of note: If construction begins as expected in June, the convention center could open by summer 2020.
MAPS 3 senior center to be dedicated this week
Oklahoma City's Pete White Senior Health and Wellness Center will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Friday. The 39,000-square-foot center at 4021 S Walker Ave., next to Capitol Hill High School, has a medical clinic open to everyone, regardless of age, and fitness facilities for members 50 and older. Memberships are based on ability to pay. The center is named for longtime Ward 4 Councilman Pete White.
Windsor District improvements dedicated
A tree planted at NW 23 Street and Meridian Avenue marked official completion of streetscape work in the Windsor District in west Oklahoma City. Thanks to the voter-approved, $13 million bond project, the neighborhood has new sidewalks and decorative lighting, beautified medians, and intersection upgrades. Along with investments from area business owners, the public investment is contributing to an economic and entertainment renaissance along the NW 23 corridor.
They said it
"The streetscape has been a huge catalyst for much more than just a pretty street and pretty sidewalks and pretty lights. It's creating a sense of place."
— Barbie Smalley, president of the Windsor Area Business Group. Smalley spoke at Friday's dedication of neighborhood improvements along the NW 23 corridor. She said the revitalization efforts are giving neighbors a sense of ownership and pride in the Windsor District.
Sense of the city
• The federal Environmental Protection Agency announced an $800,000 grant to support environmental cleanup in Oklahoma City and promote redevelopment of underutilized property.
• Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City is hosting a lawn irrigation/water conservation seminar, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The cost to attend the seminar is $8, register by Tuesday. For more information and to register, go to myriadgardens.org.
Tweet of the week
"Week in Review: OKCPS super search; Amazon; Thunder; Baker Mayfield https://youtu.be/xix42mVHAK4 w @phillipoconnor3 @TimWillert1 @Mecoy @ Ryan_M_Sharp"
— @_davemorris, director of video at The Oklahoman/ NewsOK.com. Catch The Oklahoman's video "Week in Review" online each Friday.
Streetcar construction
Curtailed for weekend activities, including the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, MAPS 3 streetcar system construction resumes throughout downtown. For updates, follow the weekly downtown area traffic advisory online at okc.gov. Streetcar service is to begin in December.
• N Broadway Avenue at NW 6 and NW 11 streets is reduced to one lane northbound and one lane southbound starting Monday for track work.
Present/absent
Mayor David Holt and the eight city council members attended last week's meeting.
Looking ahead
The Oklahoma City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave. The 2018-19 budget will be introduced. Development Services, Public Works and Public Transportation and Parking departments will make presentations on their requests. The total proposed budget for fiscal 2019 is $1.56 billion, a record.