Monday, October 26, 2009

Why You Need to Vote Yes for MAPS

OKC REALTORS, we have an opportunity of a lifetime looming in the future: MAPS3. Passage of this important legislation is essential to the long term growth of our industry and our market. Over the last three years, as cities across the country are seeing record losses in real estate sales and property values, Oklahoma City has received national recognition for our healthy real estate market and sales have continued to climb.

Because we were uniquely positioned to survive the economic downturn we are also uniquely positioned to leapfrog over other cities as the most desired vacation/second home/ retirement/ commercial market. We are in an exceptional position to deliver!

But the great future ahead of us cannot be realized without the passage of MAPS. There are several key components to MAPS detailed below with talking points in red as to the benefit to the REALTORS:

The sales tax extension for the Ford Center renovations expires at the end of March 2009. Mayor Mick Cornett and the city released the official plan for MAPS 3 on September 17, 2009.

The official plan calls for a December 8, 2009 vote on a continuation of the one-cent sales tax for a period of 7 years and 9 months. According to the city, if approved, the total $777 million would be used for the following:

  • A new, approximately 70-acre central park linking the core of downtown with the Oklahoma River- Increases the quality of life in OKC which in turn positions OKC as a desired relocation area
  • A new rail-based streetcar system, plus potential funding for other rail transit initiatives, such as commuter lines and a transit hub-Increases the desirability of downtown housing
  • A new downtown convention center- Brings dollars into the city from other states through increased convention activity
  • Sidewalks to be placed on major streets and near facilities used by the public throughout the City- Walkability is the statistically proven primary factor in a city's growth- growth means housing and commercial real estate opportunities created
  • 57 miles of new public bicycling and walking trails throughout the City- Major corporations consider the quality of life for its employees and potential growth when considering new sites for corporate facilities. Also increases the quality of life in OKC which in turn positions OKC as a desired urban relocation area
  • Improvements to the Oklahoma River, including a public whitewater kayaking facility and upgrades intended to achieve the finest rowing racecourse in the world- Draws dollars into the community from other states
  • State-of-the-art health and wellness aquatic centers throughout the City designed for senior citizens- Positions OKC as a desired second home/ retirement market
  • Improvements to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds-Positions OKC as an area of consideration for large outdoor events
TO LEARN MORE: www.yesformaps.com