There are more than 12,000 abandoned properties throughout the city, according to a 2013 study conducted by GSBS Richman Consulting. The report’s authors say vacant and abandoned properties can reduce real estate values by 12 to 29 percent, or an estimated $2.7 billion total loss to Oklahoma City. City Planner Matt Gabrielson said he and […]
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UPDATE: Arts consolidation bill approved in committee
+++ A state House committee will conduct a hearing Thursday morning on a measure that could consolidate three agencies into the Tourism, History and Cultural Department. Those agencies are the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Arts Council. The House Government Modernization panel will discuss the issue at 10:30 […]
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Bill pulled that would have defunded Oklahoma Arts Council
House Bill 2850, which proposed a 25 percent reduction in funding over the next four years, was pulled by its author. In a to Oklahoma Gazette, his administrative assistant, Lindsay Gasaway, confirmed that pulled the bill “rather than run a bill that was going to fail” and would not get the necessary votes needed to […]
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Why fund the Oklahoma Arts Council?
I’ve watched state policymakers and legislators ask this question and inexplicably seem unable to come to a fairly simple conclusion. The Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) is one of the leanest-operating state agencies in Oklahoma, improving the lives of Oklahomans from Frederick to Miami and Broken Bow to Black Mesa, seeding the success of hundreds of […]
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Getting involved
As a successful spinal surgeon, Ed Shadid became a wealthy man with all sorts of riches and blessings. He has enjoyed the best of the best because cost has never been a factor. Yet, for this longtime Oklahoma City resident, something was missing. Then it happened. An epiphany hit Shadid as he was trapped inside […]
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Mayoral candidate denied access speak at City Council meeting
Nelson, 76, addresses the council regularly during the public comments section of the council agenda. Since filing for office, Nelson has been told twice he could not make any remarks to the council unless they involved an agenda item. Dilapidated buildings and abandoned structures are routinely considered by the council. In a letter to Oklahoma […]
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 11, 2014
Not to be flippant, but I ask, “Why would we not?” Creating and appreciating art is one of our most basic instincts and is one of the first steps any primitive people take toward becoming a civilized society. At the first breath of ease when we rise above sheer survival mode, we create art. We […]
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Fair play?
White, now serving a second tour of duty on the council, is trying to persuade his colleagues that elected officials should mirror OKC’s population and increasing the number of wards would be the first step. So far, White’s idea, although discussed at two separate meetings, has been largely criticized by most of the other council […]
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OKC Council to discuss economy Tuesday
Oklahoma City University economist Russell Evans will discuss the economic outlook for Oklahoma City. Other agenda items include financial trends, the city’s revenue and expense forecast, departmental issues and the fiscal year 2015 budget outlook. The meeting will take place in rooms 14 and 15.
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Meeting will address possible addition of City Council wards
The meeting will be held in the third floor’s executive conference room. This will be the council’s second meeting on the subject. Oklahoma City residents are currently represented by eight wards. Ward 4 Councilman Pete White suggested the city expand its eight wards to 10 so residents would have better representation. Currently, each council member […]