OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma City Council gave the greenlight for a $2.7 billion infrastructure improvement bond program to go before voters for approval in October.
The City Council approved that a special election be held for the 547-project bond program, last week.
Oklahoma City residents will vote on 11 separate propositions of the bond program on Oct. 14.
“Oklahoma City’s bond programs are one of our most important tools for maintaining and improving the City’s core infrastructure,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “After hearing from residents, we’ve built a package that reflects the city’s growing needs &- from repairing streets and maintaining bridges to improving public buildings.
City officials said 76 percent of the 547 projects are critical infrastructure projects that serve basic city needs. Also, 56 percent of the $2.7 billion will be used for streets, bridges and traffic improvements.
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is throwing its full support behind the proposed bond program, launching a campaign called Keep OKC Moving to encourage residents to vote in favor of the program. Teresa Rose, chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, will lead the campaign.
“Continuing to invest in our city and maintain our infrastructure is absolutely vital,” Rose said. “This bond issue will bring investment to every part of our city and impact every aspect of our quality of life — from safe and well-maintained roadways to public safety, to parks and libraries, to transit and adequate drainage.”
General Obligation bonds are funded property taxes, but the proposed bond program will not raise the current property tax rate, according to city officials.
“We appreciate the transparent and engaged process our city government used to define these priorities, and their commitment to making these substantial investments without raising the tax rate,” Rose said. “We want to ensure this program’s passage.”
The bond packages infrastructure improvements and their respective cost break down as follows:
- $1.35 billion for Streets: 382 total street projects.
- 133 residential resurfacing projects.
- 27 street widening projects.
- 184 arterial resurfacing projects.
- 13 street enhancement projects.
- 25 sidewalk projects.
- $414.29 million for Parks & Recreational Facilities: 32 parks and facilities projects and one trail project, including renovations to parks, park facilities and new trail connections:
- Improvements, renovations and/or expansion to the Hefner Golf Clubhouse, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, Civic Center Music Hall, USA Softball Complex, RIVERSPORT Rapids/Regatta Park, Myriad Botanical Gardens, State Fair Park promenade connector and the multipurpose stadium (phase 2).
- Improvements to NW Optimist Community Center, Will Rogers Senior Center and aquatic center, McKinley Park event center, Northeast Community Center and maintenance facilities.
- Improvements for Will Rogers Gardens, Martin Park Nature Center, fish hatchery, golf courses, Wheeler Park, Earlywine Park, Route 66 Park, athletic fields renovations citywide and youth center(s).
- Development of Swisher Park.
- Deep Fork Trail phases 2 and 3.
- $175 million for Economic & Community Development: Citywide economic development and affordable housing programs.
- $140.44 million for Drainage Control: 44 drainage improvement projects.
- $130 million for Fire Facilities: 7 fire facilities and maintenance projects
- New training center for police and fire crews.
- New central maintenance facility at SW 15th Street and S Portland Avenue.
- New fire station in west Oklahoma City.
- Expansion of bay stations in NE and NW Oklahoma City.
- Renovation of Fire Station #30.
- Upgrades for fire stations.
- $129.67 million for Transit: 3 transit projects.
- New transit Headquarters Facility.
- New Downtown parking garage to replace the Myriad Convention Center parking facility.
- Modernization of EMBARK’s Transit Fleet.
- $107.34 million for Public Safety Facilities: 4 public safety projects.
- New police facility and lab located across from headquarters.
- New police station in west Oklahoma City.
- New parking garage for police, courts and 911.
- Family Justice Center, operated by Palomar, enhancements.
- $90.6 million for Bridges: 25 bridge projects, which help enhance safety, reduce flood risk and ensure connections are strong and dependable.
- $81 million for Traffic Systems: 25 intersection improvements, including new traffic signals and upgrades.
- $52.48 million for Libraries & Learning Centers: 7 library projects.
- Improvements and upgrades at the Norick Downtown library.
- Northwest, Southwest and Southern Oaks Libraries roof renovation.
- Ralph Ellison Library expansion.
- New library located in west Oklahoma City.
- Clara Luper Civil Rights Center exhibit and archival space expansion.
- $47 million for City Maintenance, Data & Services Facilities: 17 city facilities and maintenance projects.
Construction is still happening on Better Streets, Safer City, the last bond program voters approved, back in 2017. That 10-year, $967 million program had 13 bond propositions and two sales tax initiatives. It invested in streets, police and fire facilities, parks and other basic needs
