MAPS 3: The history of MAPS

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Published: November 8, 2009

The history of MAPS

Beginning in the late 1980s, Oklahoma City leaders spent years studying how other cities revitalized downtown areas. Mayor Ron Norick used that knowledge to lay out a vision about how to improve Oklahoma City’s downtown and its overall image. A task force was charged with finding out how to make the vision a reality. Brick and mortar projects the task force studied included new sports stadiums and arenas, a renovated convention center and riverfront developments.

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What was the first MAPS?

Metropolitan Area Projects was a pitch by city leaders for a variety of public projects to boost economic development and quality of life in Oklahoma City.

Passed: 1993

Tax: A 1-cent sales tax over five years. Voters approved a six-month extension to the tax in 1998 to finish off the projects.

Money raised: $363 million

Projects included: The Ford Center, AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, Oklahoma River improvements, downtown trolleys, renovation of the Cox Convention Center, renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and State Fair Park improvements.

What is MAPS for Kids?

The follow-up to MAPS was Metropolitan Area Public Schools, a proposal to radically improve schools within Oklahoma City limits.

Passed: 2001

Tax: A 1-cent sales tax for seven years and a school bond issue.

Money raised: $714 million

Projects included: Work is ongoing. Every school in the Oklahoma City district will either be rebuilt or renovated when the project is complete. Suburban districts located at least partially within Oklahoma City limits also received money from MAPS for Kids, which went for capital projects.