Credit: Mark Hancock However, at least one group, Friends for a Better Boulevard (FBB), opposes the idea and will continue to request that the council consider a “no build” option. The boulevard is set to be built in the old Interstate 40 crosstown right of way. The project, headed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation […]
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Congrats, Mr. Mayor!
Credit: Brad Gregg Hizzoner will receive the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award for Leadership in Urban Design from the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) for “his leadership in guiding the MAPS 3 initiative from concept to implementation.” While we here at Chicken-Fried News like the mayor — and particularly […]
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Wildlife strife
The adamant opposition from Friends of Martin Park Nature Center stems from a proposal by nonprofit group Wilderness Matters, Inc., which seeks to add two new handicapped-accessible trails, a treehouse, a boardwalk across the lake and a sensory garden. The projects would require a large amount of construction and could destroy trees, rare plants and […]
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Looking for laws
The items on the legislative program, which the council passed unanimously, are first recommended by city department heads to the city manager, who then passes the recommendations on to the council’s legislative committee. Last year’s agenda items that were eventually passed into law included restoring December city elections in odd years, requiring counties to notify […]
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Bike boom
Credit: Mark Hancock The city is planning for more than 200 miles of bike routes, which includes so-called “sharrow” lanes. The word “sharrow” is a combination of “share” and “arrow.” The lanes are designated by pavement markings showing a picture of a bicycle below two arrows. The bike routes will be added in phases. The […]
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Unfinished business
In addition, City Council this week asked that state Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones investigate some city employees connected with the beleaguered project. That request was prompted by a complaint from an Oklahoma City police captain who alleges that the city manager’s office failed to order an investigation or audit after officials were told of […]
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On the side
Patrick Ryan Credit: Mark Hancock In August, the MAPS 3 Trails and Sidewalks Subcommittee sent a sidewalks master plan to the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board. Out of 131 total alignments identified as in need of sidewalks, the plan prioritized around 31 of them. In the master plan, of the more than $9 million set […]
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Studying the cities
Roy Williams Credit: Mark Hancock Roy Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, spoke of insights gained from the Chamber’s visits since 2005 to five cities out of state: Charlotte, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; and Minneapolis. Williams described the cities in terms of seven areas — sports, […]
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More for Core for Shore
The planned location for the $252 million convention center, the former Fred Jones automobile dealership property across Reno Avenue from Myriad Botanical Gardens, is north of the boundary that currently defines the Core to Shore Urban Renewal Plan area. In order to buy the property, however, the city must redraw the plan’s boundaries to include […]
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Nip and tuck
Cathy O’Connor Credit: Mark Hancock While few of the changes are major, they will update and better spell out what the city can do as part of its incentive program, said Cathy O’Connor, president of the nonprofit organization Alliance for Economic Development. The program funds come from the 2007 general obligation limited tax (GOLT) bond. […]