August 17, 2004
was an historic day
in the City's history.
It brought the dedication of the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and the completion of the MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) program that began on December 14, 1993, when voters approved the MAPS sales tax.
A crowd of more than a
thousand gathers for the
dedication of the Norick
Downtown Library and
the celebration of the
completion of MAPS.
It is believed Oklahoma City is the first city in the country to undertake a public facility enhancement project of this size.
The Projects:
- The Ford Center
- The AT&T Bricktown Ballpark
- The Bricktown Canal
- State Fairgrounds Improvements
- The Oklahoma River
- The Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys
- Renovation of the Myriad into the Cox Business Services Convention Center
- Renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall
- The Norick Downtown Library
How We Did It
The Thelma Gaylord
Performing Arts Theatre
in the Civic Center
Music Hall.
MAPS was funded by a temporary one-cent sales tax approved by city voters in December 1993, and later extended an additional six months.
The tax expired on July 1, 1999. During the 66 months it was in effect, over $309 million was collected. In addition, the deposited tax revenue earned about $54 million in interest. That was used for MAPS construction, too.
Day to day operations are handled by the MAPS office, whose staff members are all City employees.