MAPS 4 plans for transit, parks, Innovation Dist developed

Last Updated on January 8, 2023, 9:29 AM | Published: January 8, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) approved next steps in the process of bringing about several projects Thursday. Next, the CAB will present their plans to the OKC City Council for final approval.

Projects discussed at the meeting were

• Innovation District Connectivity
• Bus stop improvements and subsequent advertising revenue
• BRT Expansion
• Neighborhood Parks

Additionally, the CAB approved selection of service providers for several projects.

Innovation District

The first in a series of presentations before the CAB was about creating a Connectivity Master Plan for the Innovation District’s MAPS 4 package.

As the area has grown and changed, a person’s ability to navigate the area outside of an automobile has drastically diminished. Consultants and stakeholders in the area have worked together to develop a Master Plan for the area’s walkability and bikeability.

The study area for the plan was boundaried by I-235 to the west, the railroad to the south, Lottie to the east, and the Capitol complex to the north.

Two priority areas have been identified. The first of those focuses on major arteries in the area. Lincoln Avenue, NE 4th Street, and NE 8th Street west of Lincoln are targeted areas for pedestrian enhancement including wider sidewalks and ADA compliant intersections. These enhancements will also include delineated bike lanes on NE 4th. The budget for these improvements is $5 million.

The second priority area includes more of the interior corridors of the district. The budget for these improvements is $4.4 million.

The Master Plan was approved unanimously and will now go before City Council for final adoption.

To learn more

M4-DDC10-Neighborhood-Connectivity-Master-Plan-and-Phase-1-Presentation

Bus Stops

One transit project that is part of the MAPS package is the addition of 500 new shelters at bus stops across EMBARK’s service area. Jason Ferbrache, Assistant City Manager and director of EMBARK/COTPA, was asked to give a presentation about ad revenue generated by advertisements on these shelters and on benches at bus stops.

Ferbrache explained that COTPA owns some of the shelters and that Tyler Media owns the others. Tyler maintains the physical structure, replacing broken glass and repairing worn out parts, et cetera. EMBARK is responsible for trash removal.

EMBARK receives 55% of revenue generated by city owned shelters. Tyler receives 90% of revenue generated by shelters and benches owned by them.

Ferbrache also explained that any revenue gained is used for system improvements.

To learn more

EMBARK-Bus-Shelter-Advertising-Presentation

BRT Expansion

As the City gets closer to rolling out the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route in Oklahoma City, plans are already underway for two more BRT routes. MAPS 4 includes $63.1 million dollars for the planned growth.

A representative of consulting firm Kimley Horn gave the committee a presentation about the planning process for the two new BRT routes.

M4-TTG20-Transit-Planned-Growth-BRT-Alternatives-Analysis-Presentation

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The area of study for the new routes include a Northeast corridor and a Southern corridor. Considerations for the study area are:

• Planned RTA corridors
• Northwest BRT corridor (in construction now)
• Major Arterials
• Travel Time
• Key Destinations

Consultants are asking for public feedback as they move forward on studying the possible routes. Eventually three possible routes for both corridors will be considered until a decision is reached to select the best option for each BRT line.

The public is able to provide input in the following ways:

• MAPS4BRT.com
• Public meeting at MetroTech Springlake Campus Room H on January 24 at 4:30 p.m.
• Public meeting at Capitol Hill Library Room 2 on January 26 at 4:30 p.m.
• Pop-up events throughout the month of January

Here is the current Northwest BRT line under construction:

PDF-Screen-Shot-BRT-2021-03-25-at-4.52.54-PM

Parks

MAPS 4 includes a much-needed infusion of resources for neighborhood parks across the city. As the Master Plan for that endeavor is being developed, again the City is asking for public feedback to help refine the goals and perceived needs for the projects.

To participate in the process, residents are encouraged to learn more and to offer feedback in the following ways:

Community events in January

• NEOKC Neighborhood Coalition “Meeting In a Box”
• Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI)
• Urban League/Boys & Girls Club – Childrens Survey
• Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma

Open Houses

• Will Rogers Park Conservatory, January 10 at 5:00 p.m.
• Clara Luper Center for Educational Services (OKCPS), January 28 at 9:00 a.m.
• South Lakes Event Center, February 7 at 5:00 p.m.
• Sellers Recreation Center, February 9 at 5:00 p.m.
• Southern Oaks Recreation Center, February 18 at 9:00 a.m.

Service Agreements

Finally, the committee approved moving forward on service agreements for several projects.

• Smith Roberts Baldischwiler will provide engineering MAPS 4 Sidewalks and Related Amenities.
• Negotiations were authorized to select Populous, Inc. to provide architectural services for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, which will include site selection.
• HSE Architects were approved for architectural services for the MAPS 4 Animal Shelter

These will go before the City Council for final authorization.

The MAPS 4 CAB will meet again February 2 at 10:30 a.m.

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