MAPS 3: Mayor Mick Cornett addresses issues with Oklahoma City park
Building a 70-acre downtown park unlike anything else in the state, let alone Oklahoma City, brings with it some serious questions.
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MAPS 3 election
Election Day
Dec. 8
Who can vote
Registered voters within Oklahoma City limits
What is included in the $777 million plan
→Downtown park, $130 million
→New convention center, $280 million
→Mass transit initiatives, $130 million
→Oklahoma River improvements, $60 million
→State Fair Park improvements, $60 million
→Health and wellness aquatic centers for senior citizens, $50 million
→Additional bike and pedestrian trails, $40 million
→Sidewalks, $10 million
→Contingency funds, $17 million
History
The Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) was a collection of nine projects such as the Bricktown Canal, Ford Center and AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. They were paid for by a five-year, 1-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1993. The tax raised $363 million after voters agreed in 1998 to extend it for six months. MAPS for Kids passed in 2001 as a follow-up to MAPS and raised $714 million through a seven-year, 1-cent sales tax and a school bond issue. Work is still ongoing and includes the renovation or rebuilding of every school in the Oklahoma City district and money for capital projects divided among suburban districts with students in Oklahoma City.
Support
The Yes for MAPS campaign is principally organized and funded by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and led by Mayor Mick Cornett. According to the campaign’s Web site, www.yesformaps.com, other supporters include Oklahoma City All Sports Association, Bricktown Association, Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., OKC Beautiful, Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma State Fair Inc., South Oklahoma City Chamber and Arts Council of Oklahoma City. Supporters contend the proposal is the next step as the city continues the growth that began with MAPS in 1993.
Opposition
Oklahoma City’s police and fire unions have organized against MAPS 3, forming a committee called "Not This MAPS.” Union officials claim the city needs to keep up staffing in the police and fire departments before moving on with MAPS 3. The city has said a use tax could be used for fire and police services if MAPS 3 passes. Union officials are currently in contract negotiations with city officials.
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Maintenance and programming costs
One of the major challenges for an urban park like the one planned for MAPS 3 is the operating budget. MAPS 3 would provide the $130 million needed for park construction, but there will also be maintenance and program costs.
"I’ve had significant interest from the philanthropic community that wants to help, and we intend to put together a business model on the other side of the election,” Cornett said.
Cornett did not mention any firm commitments for donations to the park.
The park would generate some revenue through restaurants, concessions and event licensing which would allow private groups and vendors to hold events there.
If the park can’t generate enough money to be self-sufficient, and donations don’t bridge the gap, city council members would have to come up with another revenue source to pay for the park’s ongoing costs.
Parking
An underground parking garage was originally part of the MAPS 3 plan, but the cost proved astronomical, Cornett said.
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