OKLAHOMA CITY—Residents of the City of Oklahoma City went big for all 11 propositions in Tuesday’s General Obligation Bond vote. The bonds totaled $2.7 billion. Oklahoma City has utilized bond programs to fund public infrastructure since before the state’s admission to statehood.
While the votes for and against the 11 propositions were very close in the high range, the top two vote-getting propositions were for streets and new fire stations, while the lowest two were for economic and community development, as well as transit and parking.
“All we do is win in OKC,” said Mayor David Holt, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to urge passage of the propositions.
“Starting with the passage of MAPS in 1993 and including Tuesday’s bond issue vote, the City of Oklahoma City is now 15-0 in tax initiatives to fund capital projects, with a total public investment nearing $10 billion,” Holt said on several social media posts. “The people of Oklahoma City are committed to investing in ourselves, and we have seen a return on that investment many times over.”
The Oklahoma City Metro Realtors Association was solidly behind the propositions. President Kimberly Robbins released a statement about the vote by the end of the evening:
“By voting yes, Oklahoma City made the largest investment to date in the places and infrastructure that make this community one of the most desirable in the country,” Robbins said. “When we invest in safe streets and sidewalks, beautiful parks, modern libraries, and reliable public services, we strengthen neighborhoods and enhance life for everyone.”
Vote tallies for projects on the Ballot
With all 279 precincts now reporting, here are the unofficial and unverified results that will be certified “not earlier than 5:00 PM on Friday, October 17,” according to the Oklahoma State Election Board:
$1.35 billion for Streets (Prop 1) — 382 total projects: 184 arterial resurfacing, 133 residential resurfacing, 27 widenings, 25 sidewalk projects, 13 enhancements
- For: 28,822, 84.66%
- Against: 5,224
$90.6 million for Bridges (Prop 2) — 25 bridge improvement projects
- For: 28,888, 85.04%
- Against: 5,082
$81 million for Traffic Systems (Prop 3) — 25 intersection projects, new signals, and upgrades
- For: 27,931, 82.26%
- Against: 6,024
$47 million for City Maintenance & Data Services (Prop 4) — 17 maintenance and service facility improvements
- For: 26,350, 77.75%
- Against: 7,542
$175 million for Economic & Community Development (Prop 5) — Citywide economic development and affordable housing programs
- For: 25,632, 75.52%
- Against: 7,428
$414.29 million for Parks & Recreational Facilities (Prop 6) — 31 park projects and one trail project, including upgrades to: Hefner Golf Clubhouse, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, Civic Center Music Hall, USA Softball Complex, RIVERSPORT Rapids, Myriad Botanical Gardens, OKC Fair Park promenade connector, multipurpose stadium (phase 2), and more
- For: 26,750, 78.67%
- Against: 7,251
$52.48 million for Libraries & Learning Centers (Prop 7) — Projects at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, expansions at Ralph Ellison and Clara Luper centers, and a new west OKC library
- For: 27,180, 80.59%
- Against: 5,858
$140.44 million for Drainage Control (Prop 8) — 44 drainage improvement projects
- For: 28,272, 83.81%
- Against: 5,461
$129.67 million for Transit & Parking (Prop 9) — A new transit operations facility, new downtown parking garage, and transit fleet modernization
- For: 25,540, 75.95%
- Against: 8,086
$107.34 million for Police, Courts & Family Justice (Prop 10) — Four projects including a west OKC police station, new annex, garage, and upgrades for the Family Justice Center
- For: 25,732, 76.47%
- Against: 7,918
$130 million for Fire Facilities (Prop 11) — Seven projects, including a new training center, three new stations, a fleet logistics facility, and station renovations
- For: 28,675, 84.97%
- Against: 5,073
Visit okc.gov/bond25 to see a project map.
This is a map of the City of Oklahoma City limits and wards:
okc_ward_map_2022
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
