If you would like to submit questions, please drop us an e-mail. Especially due to the time-critical nature of this project, we promise to respond to your questions as soon as possible. Since this is an evolving issue, and we continue to receive many interesting and valid questions since our July 2 news conference, we will update this page with questions and answers that cover new ground, as they make sense to do so, as soon as humanly possible.
Canal Connection is the glue joining Bricktown to the new projects being planned for MAPs 3.
The current public relations effort is being coordinated largely by the Bricktown Association in cooperation with multiple groups who have passed resolutions supporting it.
Urban Neighbors
Oklahoma City All Sports Association.
Former Mayors Ron Norick and Kirk Humphreys, who have made public comments supporting a canal extension. See who other supporters of the project are.
Connectivity, connectivity, connectivity. Bricktown is the face of Oklahoma City, and must be tied to future downtown development conveniently and safely.
Most importantly, the key (smaller) conceptual drawing illustrates connections to the locations we understand to be the MOST LIKELY locations of a new, MAPS3-funded convention center. The larger, “dream big” sketch illustrates other potential connections to current and future venues in Oklahoma City.
The engineering and construction to go this route would likely be cost prohibitive, according to review by engineers.
No. The plans shown here are simply sketches to illustrate what could be possible.
No. In fact, a well-designed and implemented canal extension would carefully interact with and enhance all other well-designed downtown improvements. The ability to accommodate many hundreds or even thousands of people exiting a venue such as a convention center or the Ford Center all at once is why a protected pedestrian thoroughfare, connected to Bricktown, is of primary importance.
Some combination of MAPS and/or TIF (tax increment finance) would likely be the source of funding, although that is best determined by city officials. The Extension that runs directly to the proposed convention center sites could be funded by MAPS3 for an estimated $25 million. The portion that hugs the proposed boulevard could be supported by the boulevard’s construction.
The Bricktown Association and others involved in this effort are asking Oklahoma City’s leaders and citizenry to dream big, but to start relatively small. They have identified their number one priority at this time as connecting to any new convention center via a canal extension.
