Go Steve Go! Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and you are one of the brightest pens in OKC. Thanks. You are greatly appreciated.

Steve, thanks for the pics, it does show that at least the transmission lines need to be relocated/buried. But why doesn’t the $30M include the relocation? Thought that is what we were (over)paying the $30M for?

What’s a few more million to move the lines? Or $50 to $60M for the C.C. Hotel? To quote someone during the original MAPS (believe it was re: Arena cost over runs, “It’s only money”

Have to take Council members denial on this with a bit of skepticism. Many of the same claims were made when they denied agreeing to using the MAPS 3 Use Tax to fund Public Safety positions. In that case, to avoid open meeting criteria and such, the City Manager got approval by at least the majority of Council members individually to make the offer to the P.S. unions. Obviously it would be a waste of time for him to negotiate a provision that the COuncil would later shoot down.

You’re really starting to make me question my confidence in our city government. Depressing. But very necessary. Keep up the good work.

Joe, keep in mind, this is the “butchering of the steer.” The same sort of discussions took place with the original MAPS, but nobody remembers that. Couldn’t the fact these debates and discussions are taking place be seen as evidence that the system is actually working?
Something I wasn’t able to mention in my story for tomorrow is that this discussion was prompted by some questioning by MAPS citizen oversight board members, most notably Rusty LaForge. I’m not saying everything has been handled properly leading up to today … but a debate and discussion is taking place.
The last butchering of the steer, by the way, ended with a pretty tasty piece of steak still being enjoyed today.

Steve:

1) Great job bringing this to light— the cost of burying these suckers can be huge. Even relocation to an alternate above-ground route will be expensive. Someone needs to get on figuring this out.

2) I recently completed reading dozens of articles about the original MAPS program (most with your byline…) and you are 100% right about “MAPS I.” My (incorrect) perception was that MAPS I was smooth sailing— a review of the historical record indicates that it was anything but that. It all worked out in the end, but that thing went through some pretty nasty twists and turns.

Keep up the great work; the more factual information out there, the better!

One very troubling thing, not yet mentioned, is the transparency issue. WHAT IF the mayor and council DID HAVE such an agreement, behind closed doors (although it appears to be a certainty that they did not).

What’s this behind closed doors stuff, anyway? Why should the public not be privy to such kinds of things? Executive sessions to deal with litigation claims and maybe some other items seems fair enough … but POLICY decisions?

No way that such a session would be an appropriate method of dealing with a tax proposal to be put to the voters. Not even close.

I have No confidence in our city government. i think they are now work for Momentum (Aubrey, Larry and Clay).

It also makes me wonder if there are any regulations concerning those lines. Can they be buried at all or do legal requirements demand they be above found?

Steve keep up the investigative work. When it comes to the cities so called leaders there is a lot more poo to uncover.

Lines are buried all the time, however, and it’s probably a good idea to think about it in all areas where there is new construction, given our wind issues. The ice storm several years ago was telling, as we had built a new house and had the lines buried. We had power while all our neighbors with overhead lines were without electricity for over a week.

There is going to be earth movement and excavation for the park regardless, and so perhaps the cost to bury the lines will not be as significant as if it were a stand alone project.

I think, when you look at remaking an entire piece of the city, one should never be surprised by “surprise” issues. I also think the park location is very logical. I understand that perhaps the city should have waited for input from the advisory committee, but to be honest, I’m not sure it should have changed the location. My biggest question is why we don’t also purchase the Bob Howard land to extend the park, rather than create a convention center there.

Jill is right. Anytime you have a project of this magnitude, it is almost impossible to think of everything the first time around, especially in the planning stages. Things always pop up and there will be tons of unknowns. That is just the way it is. I also like her idea of just combining the parks. Why separate them?

M, Joe, Mike – Easy. For twenty years the leaders of this city have barely made any mistakes. Don’t be so pessimistic.

Doug, you are a smart guy and I appreciate all you do not only on your blog but also this one. You always contribute. You really can’t be that naive, right? Transparency is the real catch phrase used by politicians to get re-elected. There is barely any transparency at any level of government.

You are right about one thing though, it is not right.

Matt, you are kidding about your “no mistakes” comment aren’t you??? Frankly I do not believe any politician is out for the publics good first. They are all about themselves first and the public is second.

Oops sorry of the double post, Jill those lines are classified as “transmission” line and not “feeder/distribution” lines. Many regulations are the same but due to the vast differences in voltage carrying capacity they are regulated differently. I am curtions if high voltage transmission lines can legally be buried and what about gaining future access if they are under the park?

I actually said “barely any”, but it doesn’t matter. I do believe city politicians actually have the OKC’s best interests at heart.