The journey of Oklahoma City's MAPS 3 initiative

Oklahoma City’s  initiative celebrated completion of the final MAPS 3 project with the opening of a new senior health and wellness center on South Western Avenue last week. This event marked the completion of the MAPS 3 program, a $839 million initiative funded by a one-cent sales tax collected between 2010 and 2017, aimed at improving quality of life through eight key projects.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor David Holt highlighted the milestone, asserting,“This is an exciting and historic day. This is a community that invests in itself. We have been passing initiatives since 1993, the passage of the original MAPS — and we haven’t failed anything.”

The new YMCA Healthy Living Center, designed for residents aged 50 and older, offers many amenities. The 44,800-square-foot facility includes a fitness center, a gymnasium for pickleball, volleyball, or basketball, a heated lap and therapy pool, an indoor walking track, a health clinic, a game room, a demonstration kitchen, an arts classroom and various recreational spaces.

Tom McDaniel, chair of the MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board, emphasized, “Today is the final of the four senior wellness centers that we promised for MAPS 3, and it is the final MAPS 3 project that we will be dedicating.”

Reflecting on the MAPS 3 vision during its approval in 2009, former Mayor Mick Cornett once said, “We’ve got an assignment, and we intend to carry it out.”

“Oklahoma City’s golden age continues. Keep in mind that we are creating a city that our kids and our grandkids are going to be proud of for generations to come,” he continued.

Approved by voters in December of 2009, MAPS 3 included projects such as the Oklahoma City Convention Center, Scissortail Park, the Streetcar system, improvements to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Senior Health & Wellness Centers, Oklahoma River improvements and enhanced trails and sidewalks.

Since its inception, MAPS 3 has been committed to propelling Oklahoma City's growth forward, catalyzing transformative initiatives while respectfully preserving its heritage and paving the way for a new, cherished chapter in its history.

One of the eight projects adding to Oklahoma City’s story is Scissortail Park, which began taking shape in 2012 when hundreds gathered to unveil its design concepts. The park opened in September 2019 to an eager crowd of 30,000 people, hosting the largest outdoor concert in Oklahoma City history.

In its first year alone, Scissortail Park welcomed approximately 300,000 visitors and earned recognition from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) for its impact on urban development, economic growth, and community well-being. ULI Oklahoma’s Impact Awards recognizes projects that exemplify best practices in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.

Scissortail Park, as it thrives today, is divided into upper and lower sections connected by the iconic Skydance Bridge. The 40-acre upper section opened in 2019, and the 30-acre lower section was completed in 2022.

David Todd, MAPS program manager, previously remarked, “This 30-acre section of Scissortail Park completes one of the largest park projects in Oklahoma City history.”

The Oklahoma City Convention Center, which was the city's single largest construction project in its history, and the adjacent 17-story Omni Luxury Hotel began construction a year after the park's groundbreaking. The project also received recognition from ULI in 2022 as an Outstanding Public Initiative, in addition to other national and regional engineering awards.

The $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center, located east of Scissortail Park, celebrated its second successful year of operation in 2023. The 500,000-square-foot facility features a 200,730-square-foot exhibit hall, a 29,884-square-foot ballroom, 27 meeting rooms, and a fourth-floor terrace with stunning views of Scissortail Park and the city skyline.

In 2023, the center hosted 149 events, a 16.4% increase from the previous year, attracting 195,685 visitors, a 76.1% growth over its inaugural year. The economic impact is estimated at over $29.6 million, a 93.4% increase from the previous year.

Concurrently, the city installed rail for its first modern streetcar system, which launched with an official groundbreaking in 2017, reconnecting Oklahoma City’s districts and promoting walkability. The streetcar system today passes by Scissortail Park and the convention center. The last streetcars operated in Oklahoma City in 1946, and the return of the streetcar represents a renaissance in the city's public transportation, enhancing connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors.

MAPS3 Streetcar groundbreaking

Looking ahead, overall public transportation in Oklahoma City will continue to grow with MAPS 4, encompassing sixteen projects designed to further elevate our city. From the expansion of parks and the development of youth and senior wellness centers to initiatives tackling mental health, addiction and homelessness, MAPS 4 is dedicated to carefully crafting a city where every individual can thrive.

MAPS 4 also includes significant investments in transit infrastructure, sidewalks, bike lanes, and streetlights, promising to enhance mobility and safety for all residents. Moreover, projects such as the new OG&E Fairgrounds Coliseum, Multipurpose Stadium, and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center showcase the dedication to creating vibrant spaces for entertainment, community engagement and historical reflection.

The completion of the MAPS 3 projects marks a transformative moment for Oklahoma City, symbolizing a commitment to enhancing the city's livability, connectivity and economic vitality.

As the city looks to the future, the legacy of MAPS 3 serves as a reminder of the power of collective vision and investment in shaping a vibrant and prosperous city for generations to come.