Comments on: Will You Have Your Say?

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:52:18 +0000

Jeff, I think you are partially proving my point. Although all the studies say OKC citizens want a transit component to the next MAPS, there has not been an actual proposal. People say they want “rail” in OKC, but the definition of “rail” is quite subjective. Are we talking commuter rail, light rail, street car, something else? If OKC was to adopt the MTP proposal, I have a hunch that the generic support of a “rail” component would decrease as the people who thought the “rail” element would be a commuter system or something else take their support away. The reverse could certainly be true though as sometimes people actually give more support when there is a specific proposal on the table. I have not seen a study which addresses support for any specific rail component and its costs. I’m not saying the MTP proposal is less valid because of that, but unless this has already been studied by the city, I do not know if we have the time to get that proposal on a MAPS3 ballot, which is likely coming up later this year. This is more complicated than the Bricktown firehouse issue which was changed after public debate (hence my question as to whether MAPS3 can really be altered at this juncture or have the major elements already been established).

We are getting close to the point where these issues would have had to already have been addressed for a rail element to be included in a MAPS vote. In any event, as to the actual MTP proposal, if the true public costs of a street car system for the routes suggested are actually only $100 mil. as suggested, it would have my vote as part of a comprehensive MAPS3 vote which included a central park, convention center and Bricktown canal extension. If we assume a $1 bil. MAPS3 vote, we have $100 mil. (streetcar) plus $400 mil. (convention center), and that leaves about $500 mil. for a central park, a canal extension and perhaps some to improve the bus system. I think that is doable, but I still want to see actual numbers.

By: Jeff M. Bezdek

Jeff M. Bezdek — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:49:25 +0000

I am writing to remind those above that we have a plan. It’s called the Fixed Guideway Study. MTP has embraced parts of the study as a logical and affordable start to improve our transit system. Quite frankly however, you could start with any part of that plan and end up with substantive improvements. We promote the modern streetcar and improved bus as a the most logical and reasonable downpayment on something better. It is outlined at http://www.mtpokc.com website. The real question is whether the transit \component\ being touted is constructive and substantive- or just a few more buses and routes. Is this \component\ complimentary to other MAPS 3 items or is it a token gesture. 3 years of polling show people want substantive transit improvements. Is our council as committed? That is the real question.

By: Chad Reynolds

Chad Reynolds — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:24:03 +0000

Hi Steve,

What an excellent idea to encourage your readers to contact Mayor Cornett about their MAPS 3 wishes. As a dutiful reader, I did as you said and wrote the Mayor a long email last night. I just posted that very letter, slightly enhanced, to my blog, which you can access by clicking on my name above or at http://www.oklachusetts.blogspot.com. Thanks again for getting this ball rolling.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:47:14 +0000

Yes, Casey it was for real. You’ve missed a lot of Hollywood nonsense this week. But by reading your blog, I suspect you wouldn’t trade experiences.

By: Casey Cornett

Casey Cornett — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:11:34 +0000

As PR Chair, sorry I missed your Midtown Rotary meeting Steve. I also just read about all of this Jessica Alba mess…is this all for real??? What a funny story. Curious to see how it all pans out.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:11:43 +0000

“I have said before that I support building a new convention center, but not the full-blown building that some have proposed. I think we should build something that can accommodate our current needs and some growth, but leave room for expansion. That would keep us under the $400 million figure and leave room for other important projects.”

The Ford Center in all it’s glory WITH the new upgrades will not have cost any more than $250 million. That figure includes the practice center that’s not even a part of the Ford.

I dont think it’s out of the question to have a state of the art convention center for under 400 mill. I think the hypothetical computer generated presentation of OKC in 10 years had the building called the “Rose Rock Center”. I like it.

By: Steve Lackmeyer

Steve Lackmeyer — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:21:48 +0000

QUOTE: “As an aside Steve, not to be cynical, but in your experience how much does it really matter for any mayor or councilman to receive even a few dozen e-mails on a subject as complex as MAPS3 will be? Are we really likely to change anyone’s mind at this point? Or, to borrow an analogy from the this subject, has the train already left the station here? It seems that the only public input session to be had will have been the surveys sent out over the last year to random OKC citizens.”

It matters. I’ve seen it make a difference in the past. The Bricktown fire station design is an example of public outcry making a difference….

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:12:08 +0000

I have said before that I support building a new convention center, but not the full-blown building that some have proposed. I think we should build something that can accomodate our current needs and some growth, but leave room for expansion. That would keep us under the $400 million figure and leave room for other important projects.

By: John R. "Radar" Doyle

John R. "Radar" Doyle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:08:15 +0000

Yes Joe and Brent, I’m with you.

I want to see 3-4x more bus and/or rubber-tire trolley service in OKC. Right now, as we all know, the current system is infrequent, unreliable, and does not serve inter-sector travelers well (i.e., Baptist Hospital to Mercy).

My suggestions would include;

1. 20-30 new rubber-tire trolleys (CNG powered).

2. Building “mini-hubs” in each city quadrant, so that someone who lives near Wilshire and Broadway, and works at NW Expressway and MacArthur, does not have to change buses downtown.

3. A grid-based route structure for the center city, covering Ward 6, the Capitol, and OU Health Sciences Center.

4. A system of “Downtown Commuter” routes to serve Guthrie, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Shawnee, Mid-Del, El Reno, Yukon, Tri-Cities, Mustang, and Piedmont, with the goal of reducing commuter traffic on the highways.

These ideas do not involve light rail, so they should be less-expensive to implement.

By: jen

jen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:42:35 +0000

are you getting edgier or am I being more observant? either way, i like it.