Still Trying to Make Sense of it All
On Tuesday I delved into the whole discussion of the streetcar and I’m still not sure I understand all that’s going on with the move by the MAPS 3 transit committee to pick a preferred route before they know route costs, schedules, venue locations, etc.
I’ve continued to delve into this on OKC Talk, and there are some folks not happy with my questions. I understand the frustration. There are a lot of good people donating their time, and they might feel as if I’m trying to insinuate something. But what I’m trying to figure out is what is driving this schedule, what’s at risk, and whether some options might be ruled out, or a system might be favored, by proceeding at the pace currently set.
It’s that simple.
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Comments
brad we already voted to build it the money is already there .. it is going to happen .. and it is a great idea!
Brad, the City doesn’t make these types of decisions until after votes. Although I think they should happen beforehand. Think there should be something much more concrete (plans, designs, locations etc) rather than, “wouldn’t it be nice?”
AJ, no we didn’t vote to build it. We didn’t vote on any project (we were not given that option). What you voted on was a one cent tax to be collected over 7.75 years (to be spent on the very loosely defined “capital improvements”. Nowhere on the ballot or in the Ordinance (what you were actually voting on) are Streetcars or ANY of the other proposed projects mentioned or referenced. And as a side note, the money might be almost in hand IF no other funds have been expended for any of the other projects and the Streetcars are funded 1st (yet to be determined). The tax has only been collected since last April 1st and was only expected to generate $100M/year on avg. Budgeted amount for Streetcars is $120M or so.
Steve: where is the Implementation Agreement between Devon & the City?
We know what various people that SHOULD know what/if deadlines exist, but rather than what the President of the company, VP, City staffers etc say the agreement says (and contradictory statements at that), what does the Agreement actually state?
I’m hoping that some sane voice within the city council and/or citizen’s advisory board would ask (or demand) for a simple feasibility study, i.e. would this even make practical and economic sense? will people ride it? will it really enhance economic development, growth and success in downtown? is it really and truly a good and wise idea for OUR city, given our love affair with our own automobiles?