MAPS 4 diversifies projects
16 projects are on the table as voters prepare for decision on 1 cent sales tax
Sixteen projects. $978 million. One vote.
The choice is yours, Oklahoma City.
MAPS 4 is headed for a vote of the peopleDec. 10 to approve a group of 16 city projects, funded by a temporary 1 cent sales tax, aimed at continuing the same kind of reinvestment into Oklahoma City as preceding MAPS projects.
The initiative is expected to raise nearly $978 million over eight years. MAPS 4 is intended to inject money into city facilities and services, and is meant to provide a higher ratio of funds to neighborhood and human needs than prior MAPS initiatives.
The three preceding MAPS projects — the original MAPS,
MAPS for Kids and MAPS 3 — were funded using the same 1 cent sales tax format.
Past MAPS projects have revitalized downtown Oklahoma City, provided funding for school renovations
and improvements at what is now Chesapeake Energy Arena to accommodate an NBA team, which it now does as the Oklahoma City Thunder are the primary tenant in the building.
Proposed projects under
MAPS 4 extend beyond downtown and into a variety of locations within Oklahoma City. Every park in the city is expected to receive funding for
renovations, youth centers and senior centers are planned across Oklahoma City and improved transit are some of the proposed projects in MAPS 4.
“It is unquestionable that MAPS has changed our city,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. “From that perspective alone, I think we want to continue that momentum.”
A chunk of the funding would be dedicated to improving the city's social services by building affordable housing, a mental health and restoration center, a permanent facility for the Palomar family justice center and more.
Chesapeake Energy Arena would receive funds for renovations, a multipurpose coliseum would replace the Jim Norick Arena at the OKC Fairgrounds and a multipurpose outdoor stadium would be built for both football and soccer use, as well as outdoor concerts.
All these projects would be completed after the revenues are collected through the 1 cent sales tax, just like past MAPS projects, meaning the city would complete each project free from construction debts.
This tax would replace the Better Streets, Safer City temporary tax, which is set to expire at the end of March. Since MAPS 4 would be taxed at the same rate, consumers would effectively see no change in taxes beginning April 1 if the initiative were approved. Only the use of the funds collected by the 1 cent portion of sales taxes would change.
If MAPS 4 fails, the Oklahoma City sales tax rate would drop from 4.125% to 3.125%.
The overall sales tax rate for a purchase made in Oklahoma City, within Oklahoma County, would remain at 8.625% if MAPS 4 passes, or it would drop to 7.625% if it failed. Rates in the other counties Oklahoma City is in would depend on those individual county sales tax rates.
MAPS 4 has not yet been subject to much formal protest, however the constitutionality of the project was challenged in court by former Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid. Shadid claimed the proposal violated the state constitution's single subject rule by including 16 projects under one vote.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously rejected the challenge Monday, saying Oklahoma City' s MAPS 4 ordinance is constitutional.
Holt feels the broad nature of MAPS 4, and the variety of services the project seeks to fund and number of people it stands to affect is the main reason he is encouraging voters to support the measure.
“This package is unique in that it really takes that power of MAPS into neighborhoods, into our daily lives,” Holt said. “It really meets every potential need in the city without increasing the sales tax rate from where it is today. You don't pay a single dime more — or in this case a penny — than you do today.”
THE PROJECTS Park enhancements
The MAPS 4 parks package allocates $140 million toward the city's parks system.
About $63 million is to upgrade every municipal neighborhood and community park outside the central business district. Improvements potentially include bathrooms, playground equipment, shade structures, splashpads, furnishings, trees, paths, activity facilities and signage.
Another $16.5 million is for an operating fund for operations and maintenance of these park improvements.
Remaining money is designated for the following specific projects:
• $29 million for soccer facilities at C.B. Cameron Park near Lake Hefner and Southlakes Park in South OKC.
• $11.5 million for improvements to the Oklahoma River that would fund a pedestrian bridge and boat landing serving the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (AICCM), a low water dam to retain water east of Eastern Avenue, a community stage near the AICCM, and improvements to the riverbank and other public lands along the river.
• $5 million renovation of Booker T. Washington Park in northeast Oklahoma City.
• $2.5 million for placemaking at Lake Stanley Draper in southeast Oklahoma City.
• $2.25 million for new parks in Canadian County.
• $2.25 million for new parks in Cleveland County.
• $2.25 for new parks in southeast OKC.
• $2.25 million for new parks in far northeast OKC.
• $2 million for enhancements to Northeast Community Center.
• $500,000 for community gardens.
• $500,000 for outdoor basketball and pickleball courts.
• $500,000 for a pavilion and other improvements at Minnis Lakeview Park.
Chesapeake Energy Arena
An allocation of $115 million would fund capital maintenance and provide fan and tenant enhancements to Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Youth centers
A $110 million package would be for the construction of four new youth centers. The centers would include programs such as athletics, arts, family, health and education.
The new Douglass Recreation Center, which already is funded, will have youth facilities equitable to the MAPS 4 centers. Capital and operational partnerships with local community organizations are possible as MAPS 4 develops.
The package includes $70 million for capital, $30 million for an operating fund and $10 million for a capital improvement fund to keep facilities and equipment up to date.
Sidewalks, trails, bike lanes
MAPS 4 would provide $87 million for sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights.
First, $55 million is for the construction of sidewalks, sidewalk amenities and placemaking, including trees, sustainable infrastructure, landscaping, drainage and public art.
Another $20 million is for the construction of bicycle lanes and related bicycle facilities.
Another $8 million is for trail connectivity to Lake Stanley Draper and the Oklahoma River in south Oklahoma City, as well as trail amenities including restrooms, fountains and signage throughout the Oklahoma City trail system.
The final $4 million is for the placement of 1,000 new streetlights.
Buses and transit
There is a proposed $87 million in MAPS 4 for transit improvements.
$10 million would improve existing bus stops with lighting at every stop and about 500 new ADA-accessible shelters.
$12 million is for additional buses and signal prioritization to help frequency and reliability of services.
$60 million is for advanced transit options including bus rapid transit lines to south OKC/ Capitol Hill, the NE 23rd Street corridor, the Adventure District and the Innovation District, plus park-and-ride facilities and micro transit.
$5 million in future planning and land acquisition investments are also included.
Innovation District
A $71 million allocation is intended to create jobs and encourage more diversification of Oklahoma City's economy.
That includes $15 million is for the creation of the Henrietta B. Foster Center for Northeast Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship, to specifically include minority small and disadvantaged businesses.
Another $25 million is designated for creating better connectivity in and around the Innovation District.
A $10 million allocation is available to match $10 million raised from non-MAPS sources for an “Innovation Hall” to serve as a central place where activities to grow our city's innovation economy can be facilitated.
A $21 million operating fund will help with the operations of the Foster Center and the Innovation Hall.
Fairground arena
MAPS 4 would replace the Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds with a new multipurpose coliseum.
The measure allocates $63 million to the project, to be supplemented by at least $25 million from hotel tax revenues already earmarked for fair grounds improvements, as well as other resources.
Affordable housing
A $50 million allocation is for affordable housing. City officials believe the $50 million allocation will help leverage more than $400 million in funding from other sources.
Mental health and restoration center
Capital projects worth $40 million will provide new mental health and substance abuse services and relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail.
The package includes $11 million to build two new mental health crisis centers and a $22 million restoration center that includes a crisis center, methamphetamine detox, substance abuse services and more.
MAPS 4 also includes $7 million for temporary housing for people experiencing mental illness and homelessness while transitioning out of a crisis center.
The operational costs would be covered by noncity sources.
Animal shelter
A $38 million animal shelter would replace OKC Animal Welfare's current facility.
Palomar
A $38 million facility would be built for the Palomar family justice center that was first created by the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Palomar assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking and supports children exposed to trauma. Palomar's current facility is temporary.
Multipurpose stadium
MAPS 4 would include $37 million to construct a multipurpose stadium.
The facility would be suitable for professional and college soccer, high school football and soccer, concerts, and other events.
Road beautification
A number of projects for city beautification would be allotted $30 million.
The first $25 million in funding will include projects such as city entrance gateways along inter states; improvements along approaches to Will Rogers World Airport; three pedestrian bridges over the interstates in south Oklahoma City; public art and/or monuments at key intersections; updated lowmaintenance landscaping along key arterial roads and trees.
The remaining $5 million would provide an operating fund for staff dedicated to beautification and ongoing maintenance.
Senior health and wellness center
The MAPS 4 package would continue work started in MAPS 3 for Oklahoma City's seniors.
The package provides $15 million for a fifth senior wellness center.
It would also create a $15 million fund to provide scholarships for low-income seniors using the MAPS senior centers.
Freedom Center
MAPS 4 would renovate the Freedom Center and provide funds to construct the Clara Luper center, which would serve as a civil rights museum for Oklahoma City.
The capital allocation is $16 million, to be supplemented by a $9 million operating fund for long-term sustainability of the project.
Diversion hub
MAPS 4 will provide a $17 million “diversion hub” to relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail. This hub will work with low-level offenders to provide a diversion away from jail
Operational costs will be covered by a philanthropic donation of $20 million that has been offered to the city.
The Oklahoman will be examining MAPS 4 in a series of coverage leading up to the vote Dec. 10. All stories will be accessible online at oklahoman.com as they are published, and the next story in the series is set to publish next week.