MAPS 3?

MAPS 3 is a $777 million dollar proposal to revitalize the city. The original MAPS from the early 90's made Oklahoma City what is today. The Bricktown Canal, Ford Center, Ballpark, Downtown Library, renovation of the Myriad (Cox) Convention Center, and the creation of the Oklahoma River through the construction of damns and reshaping of a stretch of the North Canadian River among other projects were the result of the first MAPS project. Paul McCartney concerts, Olympic rowing trials, a minor league baseball team, and an NBA franchise would have never happened without MAPS. The success of MAPS, which passed with approx. 60% approval, is an undeniable success. the next MAPS project, or MAPS for Kids, passed with an overwhelming majority early this decade. The complicated funding structure will enable all 75 of Oklahoma City Public School buildings to be rebuilt or renovated, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars for capital improvements in surrounding suburban districts. I add all of this background information to set up the next phase of MAPS; obviously MAPS has been successful, prompting cities across the nation to attempt to copy it, so it would be foolish to be against a similar plan. Right? I mean it wouldn't add any new taxes, the $777 million would come from an extension of the already existing sales tax (approx. 8.4%, relatively low).
My reasons for not giving support (notice, not opposing) lie in the details. I full heartedly agree the city, while it has come a long way, needs massive capital infusions to become an even better city. However the way the $777 million has been allocated is major issue. According to a study conducted by the city itself, mass transit was the most requested item for a potential MAPS 3 initiative. There were 668 requests for some form of expanded or new mass transit, no other single item garnered more than 200 requests, quite clearly there is a pressing desire for mass transit. The need is arguably the same Oklahoma City's bus system has been called the most inefficient in the country, and has been named the number one most pedestrian unfriendly city in the country. Why then is the largest individual sum of money going for a convention center, $280 million? This is twice the sum of the amount given to mass transit, a new convention center is not even in the top ten (40 requests). The $130million for mass transit will only cover the downtown area, and only one mode of transportation. The number one rule of electoral politics is give the people what they want. If you think you know better, the voters will prove you wrong. While the convention center may be outdated, I am tired of funding private ventures to make wealthy people even wealthier. We already paid for Ford Center upgrades at the cost of bus funding. Cox Communications, Devon, Chesapeake (well maybe not Chesapeake), OKPUB, OG&E, numerous private companies can fund a new convention center. Maybe it's time to provide something the majority of citizens could use. Even with the proposed additions we would still not be close to the top of peer cities in terms of floor size. Studies have shown cost of travel and new technologies has caused the convention industry to shrink.
That's my two cents, rant, whatever you wanna call it. I'm only asking to think and consider strongly what we are voting on. Gazette surveys are not boding well for the election, I think the people of the city, the ones who care to vote in the election any way, want the city to go forward but disagree with the way the mayor and city officials are trying to go about it.


http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/4349/Default.aspx
http://www.maps3.org/factsheet.html
http://www.maps3.org/index.html
http://www.okc.gov/maps3/
http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/4716/Default.aspx