Many modern influential figures have played a significant role in shaping Oklahoma City into what it is today and Maureen Heffernan, former CEO of Myriad Botanical Gardens, is no exception.
Tommy Bahama is set to debut its first Oklahoma location with the opening of the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar at OAK in Oklahoma City on October 30. The 8,000-square-foot space features an indoor-outdoor dining patio and an adjoining retail shop with men’s and women’s sportswear, active wear, swim collections and home décor.
The city of Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4 initiative is moving quickly to enhance sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and streetlights citywide, advancing its vision for a safer, more accessible community. Recently, the city unveiled plans to develop or upgrade sidewalks at three key locations, focusing on pedestrian safety and accessibility. On Sept. 10, the Oklahoma City Council finalized plans for the MAPS 4 bike lanes, marking another significant step forward.
Exciting changes are on the horizon for the entertainment scene in OKC, and among the most anticipated projects is the multipurpose stadium that will be built near Bricktown. A core MAPS 4 project, this cutting-edge facility will further enrich the vibrance of downtown and serve as the future home for a variety of sporting and entertainment activities, including professional soccer for women and men.
In this month's Leadership Notes, Chamber President and CEO Christy Gillenwater celebrates the recent vote to increase Oklahoma City's hotel-motel tax, highlighting how this critical decision will bolster the city’s reputation as a premier destination for tourism, conventions and major events, ensuring continued growth and success.
Scissortail Park, a transformative 70-acre urban greenspace in the heart of Oklahoma City, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a new event, the Core to Shore 5K, on Sunday, September 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This milestone event commemorates the park's role in connecting downtown Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma River, a vision realized through the MAPS 3 initiative.
A new 3.3-mile bike lane is now open in Northeast Oklahoma City, offering cyclists a safer and more convenient way to navigate the area. The route connects the Capitol View, Springlake and Culbertson neighborhoods with key local resources, including Metro Tech’s Springlake Campus, Homeland grocery store and the MAPS 3 Community Health, Recreation and Wellness Center.
Crashes on Oklahoma City roads have surged in recent years, with traffic deaths increasing by 34% in 2021 alone, leading to 99 tragic fatalities. The alarming rise in these incidents highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to make our roadways safer for everyone.
