OK C CIVIC LIFE
Residents: Generally satisfied
Police, fire and ambulance services got high marks in Oklahoma City's latest residents' survey; poor condition of city streets remains a top source of dissatisfaction. Looking deeper:
• 76% of respondents said the city was moving in the right direction, nearly double the average for U.S. cities with 200,000 or more residents.
• 39% were dissatisfied with the flow of traffic and ease of getting around town; 6% were very satisfied, with the balance about evenly split between satisfied and neutral.
• By a 2-to-1 margin, respondents expressed satisfaction with the quality of downtown, where MAPS has produced major improvements the past 25 years.
• Overall quality of life, quality of city services, progress in planning for growth, and the city's image got highly positive marks.
Worth noting: A total of 1,264 residents responded to the survey, the 11th “DirectionFinder” survey done for Oklahoma City by ETC Institute. Respondents' gender, age and race reflected the city as a whole, ETC's Chris Tatham told the city council.
Quote of the week
“There are not other pockets to get into.”
— Jim Tolbert, Scissortail Park Foundation board chairman, commenting on the necessity of tapping MAPS 3 for funds to renovate historic Union Station. The Art Deco former train station near the foot of Skydance bridge is viewed as an essential element to success of the $138 million park. Last week, the MAPS 3 park advisory committee reviewed the architect's preliminary renovation plans and discussed Union Station's potential as a venue for events — including “satellite” events associated with the new convention center — that could help offset park operating expenses. The architect's estimate is $29 million, much of it to rehab the limestone-clad structure and meet code requirements. “To make the impact we want to have, something north of $20 million is going to be required,” Tolbert said. Committee member Anthony McDermid said, “We need this to finish the park, that's how it has always felt to me.” It is up to the committee to make the case, said Chairwoman Kim Lowe, and “the only way to do that is with research, facts and information.”
MAPS 3 board OKs spending
The MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board agreed to an estimated $650,000 in construction work to expand locker rooms at the Pete White senior health and wellness center at 4021 S Walker
Ave. in Capitol Hill. The MAPS 3 program manager, David Todd, recommended allocating $1 million for the project to account for contingencies. Unspent funds go back to the MAPS 3 account. The board also approved:
• A $1.1 million contract to address issues at the Bennett Event Center at the Fairgrounds.
• A $76,700 increase in the architect's fee to design senior health and wellness center No. 3, to be built in northeast Oklahoma City.
Worth noting: The city council makes the final decision on board recommendations.
MAPS 4 deadlines coming up
Nov. 15 is the deadline to register to vote or update registration information in order to cast a ballot in the Dec. 10 MAPS 4 election. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot and times for casting an in-person absentee ballot come later. Oklahoma City voters will decide whether to extend the 1-cent MAPS sales tax for eight years. The Oklahoma County Election Board at 405-713-1515 has complete information.
Briefly: Grant, Pathmaker Awards
• Neighborhood Services Organization received a $15,000 grant from Bank of America. NSO helps at-risk individuals with housing, food, dental and other needs.
• Former Oklahoma City Police Chief
Bill Citty is among five recipients of the 2019 Pathmaker Awards from the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society.
Present/absent
Mayor David Holt and the eight city council members attended last week's regular meeting.
Calendar
The city council meets at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.
• Thursday is official trick-or-treat night in Oklahoma City; leave your porch light on to welcome little ghosts and goblins.
• The Paseo Arts District First Friday Gallery Walk is from
6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
• Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice hosts a MAPS 4 forum at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1020 NE 42 St. The focus will be on six MAPS 4 projects most directly affecting Ward 7, including youth centers, the Clara Luper civil rights museum, and parks. Advocates will make 10-minute presentations and take questions.
• Myriad Botanical Gardens' annual tree sale is 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9; the Devon Ice Rink opens Nov. 8. See myriadgardens.org for more.
• CLE International's Tribal Water Law conference is Nov. 15 at the Skirvin Hilton; the program includes an update on the water settlement among the city, state and tribes.