Oklahomans in a packed Tower Theatre got a detailed look at homelessness statistics in Oklahoma City. Speakers presented the results of the Point-in-Time count, and city leaders discussed how OKC could better address the issue at the State of Homelessness address June 4. The numbers The Point-in-Time count is an annual one-day count of people […]
Metro
Posted inNews
Public input
A recent poll of likely Oklahoma City special elections voters shows many would like to see the MAPS vote done slightly differently moving forward. A majority of people surveyed said they would rather vote for MAPS 4 projects individually. Most would also like to see some of the penny tax spent on operations and maintenance […]
Posted inNews
Revitalizing Freedom
Efforts are underway to revitalize and repair one of Oklahoma’s most important civil rights landmarks into a community hub. Freedom Center, 2609 N. Martin Luther King Ave., served as the headquarters of NAACP Youth Council. Led by Clara Luper, the group organized a sit-in in 1958 at Katz Drug Store, effectively launching the nation’s sit-in […]
Posted inNews
Food emergency
Oklahoma City Council passed a 180-day moratorium on “small box discount stores” in the 73111 ZIP code. Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice proposed the measure, which was signed May 8, because she was concerned about the area’s lack of access to fresh, healthy foods. She was also alarmed with the proliferation of dollar and discount […]
Posted inNews
Pooling artists
Oklahoma City is currently accepting applications from artists interested in joining its prequalified artist pool. The pool is used to identify artists for various public art projects budgeted under $25,000 throughout the city. The pool is part of the city’s public art master plan and a recommendation from San Diego, California-based art consultant Gail Goldman. […]
Posted inNews
Church to church
Oklahoma City Council voted to pass a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city, First Christian Church and Crossings Community Church. Part of the agreement states the city will immediately withdraw the application to designate First Christian a historic landmark overlay district. “This MOU provides terms that are agreed to by all three parties,” said […]
Posted inNews
Public trust
County commissioners unanimously voted last week to create Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, a trust to oversee the Oklahoma County jail’s operations and finances. They also appointed trustees, including District 3 commissioner Kevin Calvey. While there are still many questions about how the jail trust will work, whether the sheriff’s office will continue operating the […]
Posted inNews
Youth crisis
Sisu Youth Services has seen the number of drop-in clients nearly double since the closure of another nonprofit organization. Sisu has offered resources for individuals since 2010 and last year started offering overnight shelter every night. “It’s with a heavy heart that Be the Change announces the closing of our youth shelter. We have encountered […]
Posted inNews
Road MAPS
Oklahoma City Council will soon start hearing presentations and discussing MAPS 4 project ideas, which Oklahomans have been submitting since October. Mayor David Holt expects to lay out a schedule of public discussions happening throughout the summer by the end of May. While some ideas are buildings and facilities, some are more abstract and deal […]
Posted inNews
Presidential rebound
University of Oklahoma Board of Regents named an interim president less than a week after James Gallogly announced his retirement. The decision came around 2 a.m. May 17 after an executive session that lasted nearly six hours. Joseph Harroz Jr., current dean of OU College of Law and director of its law center, will be […]