Photo by Mark Hancock A debate on the project’s route was filled with emotionally charged and often contentious remarks by citizens, community volunteers and elected officials. Almost two dozen citizens spoke against and in favor of the proposal during a 2-plus-hour discussion of the most controversial MAPS 3 project. After the public comments ended, Mayor […]
streetcar
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Streetcar route passes City Council vote after contentious debate
Jeff Bezdek voices his disapproval of Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid\’s approach to the streetcar vote, at Tuesday\’s City Council meeting. Photo by Mark Hancock Almost two dozen citizens spoke against and in favor of the proposal, which created a 2 ½ hour discussion of the most controversial MAPS 3 project. Councilmen James Greiner, Ed […]
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Moving along
Mayor Mick Cornett The council meets Tuesday to discuss the route, already approved by two MAPS 3 citizen panels. It includes Bricktown, the downtown business district, Automobile Alley and Midtown. It will come within a block of the proposed 70-acre downtown public park with a possible extension to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. […]
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About a route
After three years of planning and debate, the MAPS 3 streetcar project may soon have a route that travels by all key destinations in downtown and Midto Before that happens, however, a public meeting Monday will give Oklahoma City citizens a chance to comment on the four options consulting firm Jacobs Engineering presented during a […]
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Street smarts
Skyline Ink Organized as a way to inform, educate and clear up misconceptions about the MAPS 3-funded project, city officials and their paid consultants delivered a bevy of facts and figures that centered on previous studies, future construction and success stories from other cities. Mike McAnelly, senior planner and project manager for Jacobs Engineering Group, […]
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Streetcar vs. bus
The streetcar system in Portland, Ore., is among those being used as a model for OKC. An outspoken critic of the modern streetcar project, the Ward 2 councilman claims voters were misled about that part of the MAPS 3 plan. Shadid, a supporter of the Metro Transit bus system, has repeatedly called for more funding […]
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Looking for options
On Jan. 2, the council passed a project requirements document for the streetcar, but some members expressed reservations about the proposed route and stressed that it is in no way finalized. The council’s action means that the streetcar project consultant, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., will coordinate its efforts with other MAPS 3 consultants, the Central […]
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Alternate route
The MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board voted Jan. 26 to recommend the City Council approve purchase of the Santa Fe Train Depot to serve as a convergence for several modes of transportation in the city, including car, rail, bicycle and possibly bus. The city already set aside $10 million of the $127 million in MAPS […]
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MAPS streetcar steps forward
The “transit spine” accepted provides a key corridor for the MAPS 3 streetcar system, almost ensuring immediate ridership success while enabling the easy future expansion into the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. The Robinson (northbound), Broadway Avenue (southbound) rail corridor will immediately connect Bricktown to Midtown, while establishing the opportunity for easy future expansion into the Plaza […]
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Offtrack
In reality, it is going to be implemented in an area of entertainment and will probably have as much true transportation value as the “river taxis.” (Remember how they were to link downtown/Bricktown with the Meridian entertainment/hotel district?) According to letstalktransit.com, the closest a streetcar would come to the people around Douglass High School is […]