The City of OKC sends this information as posted below:
Oklahoma City Council approved final plans today for the MAPS 4 Diversion Hub, a 35,575-square-foot building designed to help individuals receive coordinated, life stabilizing services as they navigate the criminal justice system.
The modern, spacious building will provide space for the nonprofit and community partners to connect clients to resources and programming. The Diversion Hub will transform the City’s approach to criminal justice, relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail and help those impacted by the criminal legal system establish a more productive life.
“Our goal is to divert people away from the criminal legal system with an individualized approach,” said Meagan Taylor, executive director of Diversion Hub, the nonprofit set to operate the MAPS 4 facility. “Our approach supports the individual and helps ensure the best possible outcome for our community.”
Programming will include case management, justice navigation, peer support, workforce assistance, housing navigation, family services, behavioral health and substance use services, and education support.
“The new facility provides more space for Diversion Hub to operate and expand their services in our community,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “The new MAPS 4 building, alongside the nonprofit and its partners, will connect people to trained professionals, resources and support programs in a safe, welcoming environment.”
The existing Diversion Hub opened in June 2020 and regularly hits its capacity due to space limitations. The new Diversion Hub will allow the nonprofit to reach more people as it works with multiple community partners to help people reduce encounters with the criminal legal system.
The $18.9 million MAPS 4-funded building will be located on Linwood Blvd between N. Western Ave. and N. Klein Ave. and will sit on 2.59 acres with parking allocated for staff, volunteers and guests.
The project budget includes 1% for public art and the design features mural and ceiling space for art to be installed. A request for proposals has been issued to identify an artist.
Rees Associates is the project architect. Public bid for construction contractors begins in July.
Visit okc.gov/maps4 and diversionhub.org to learn more.
About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects’ operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
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