The City of Oklahoma City celebrates the 30th anniversary of MAPS
12/11/2023
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The City of Oklahoma City is celebrating the 30th anniversary of MAPS, Oklahoma City’s visionary capital improvement program for quality-of-life improvement projects.
On Dec. 14, 1993, Oklahoma City voters approved the first iteration of a penny tax that would allow for debt-free improvements across Oklahoma City. MAPS 4 Kids, MAPS 3 and MAPS 4 were subsequently approved by voters following the success of the original MAPS projects.
“Oklahoma City’s modern history will always be defined by MAPS,” Mayor David Holt said. “This initiative demonstrated the tremendous value of investing in ourselves, it sparked a renaissance and made us a Big League City. Perhaps most remarkable is how our City’s commitment has endured. Even though we have come so far, we still seem to recognize that we can go further. But it all began with the vision of City leaders and residents 30 years ago this week. We are forever in their debt.”
The original MAPS, passed by voters in 1993, consisted of a $350-million sales tax-funded initiative created to revitalize downtown, improve Oklahoma City’s national image and provide new and upgraded cultural, sports, recreation, entertainment and convention facilities.
MAPS included nine projects:
MAPS projects are built debt free, and over time the revenue is collected and spent efficiently, without burdening future taxpayers. Following this original MAPS model, voters approved MAPS for Kids on Nov. 13, 2001, which generated $514 million. Together with a $180-million school bond issue, MAPS 4 Kids built or renovated 70 Oklahoma City Public School buildings and provided funding for hundreds of other metro area school projects.
In 2009, voters approved MAPS 3. The $777 million project included new city landmarks like Scissortail Park, expanded trail systems and sidewalks, and Oklahoma City’s first Senior Health and Wellness Centers. MAPS 3 included eight projects:
Oklahoma City residents endorsed the MAPS program by approving MAPS 4 on Dec. 10, 2019.
“After 30 years of MAPS, no one doubts the transformational impact these projects have had on our city,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “Because of the realized success of the previous MAPS projects, we are continuing this critical investment through MAPS 4 three decades after the first vote. With more than 70 percent of its funding allocated to neighborhood and human needs, MAPS 4 expands on the work started in 1993 with even more focus on our communities.”
MAPS 4 is projected to raise $1.07 billion over eight years and includes 16 projects, several of which are currently underway:
Learn more about MAPS and MAPS 4 projects at okc.gov/maps4.
About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects' operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
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Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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