Construction on the cultural center stopped in 2012 when state money for the project was exhausted. Since then, supporters of the cultural center have tried to convince legislators the project can be completed if the state approves the $40 million combined with an additional $40 in private donations. The state’s portion would come from Oklahoma’s […]
funds
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Public help, private growth
Brent Bryant, OKC’s economic development program manager, said the public financing is being used as an incentive to bring more growth to the downtown area. “We’re turning the lights back on in three historic buildings,” he said. “The $12 million in TIF money is creating right at $88 million in additional investments. This will put […]
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Train earlier, work smarter
And what better ways to fix the problem than starting in public schools? CareerTech and the Department of Career and Technology Education are asking for $35 million more funding. Nearly all of that would head directly into schools for “performance-based” funding. “A job for every Oklahoman and a workforce for every company,” NewsOK reported Sommers […]
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The good, the bad and the goofy
In other words: situation normal. Thirty-six months from now, you’ll enjoy an average tax reduction of 35 cents a day. Gov. Mary Fallin says that is necessary for Oklahoma to be more attractive to business decision-makers. Thirty-five cents daily more in our pockets with an effective date of 2016 doesn’t meet the smell test. Regardless, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Swine breeds success
In 1986, Edmond Memorial High School’s principal kissed a pig after the students raised an unprecedented amount of money for a good cause. Since that infamous smooch, the school’s students have raised more than $3.5 million for various charities, during the annual, appropriately named Swine Week. “They are truly passionate about Swine Week, and it’s […]
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Mileage may vary
During the MAPS 3 Trails and Sidewalks subcommittee meeting yesterday morning, MAPS staff told subcommittee members that out of 131 alignments for city sidewalks, the program would be able to build an estimated 31 of those, spread out over two phases and at a cost of $6.8 million in MAPS 3 funds. The entire project […]
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Caged heat
Credit: Shannon Cornman The comments were part of a larger discussion among the council at its June 16 meeting about what to do with a $1.3 million surplus to the city budget and whether to put that money into expanded bus service, street maintenance, or the hiring of more police officers. Shadid questioned why there […]
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Positive perceptions
An overwhelming majority of Oklahoma City’s likely voters believe the municipality is on the right track and has done a good job handling the MAPS funds, according to a recent poll. The exclusive poll of 303 registered Oklahoma City voters was conducted by SoonerPoll.com, sponsored by Oklahoma Gazette and has a margin of error of […]
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A years-old winning design for a bus stop will jump from sketch to street
“Hey, what is it that you like about this stop?” “What do you think could be done here to improve being on public transit?” And so it went, from the mouth of David Brewer, an architect at Glover Smith Bode Inc. His reason for giving the third degree? Research. Brewer served as captain of a […]