Oklahoma City voters will head to the ballot box on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to cast their vote on Oklahoma City’s largest bond issue in history, a total of $2.718 billion in projects.

If all categories of the bond pass, it would earmark funds for about 547 projects in 11 areas of city services. Half of that amount, $1.35 billion, is slated for streets and sidewalks, which will include resurfacing, widening, street enhancements and sidewalks.

Voters passed the last bond issue in 2017. It paved the way for “Better Streets, Safer City,” which featured a 10-year, $967 million investment in streets, parks, police and fire facilities. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt previously told The Oklahoman the new bond is timed to follow the payoff of prior bonds and will not result in an increase in property taxes.

Some of the bond categories will improve infrastructure, but others will bring new amenities and improvements to the city over the next 10 years if the bond passes.

Two residents said they are confident in the city’s ability to spend money responsibly.

“Whenever it comes to public spending like that, I know that our officials are usually pretty good about spending it wisely, so I trust them,” Jonathon Rhineberger said.

Others are happy that streets and sidewalks are getting attention, but also say other areas of the city need more funds. Connie Crew said she didn’t think there was much money for the south side.

Here are the most notable projects that would receive funds if voters approve the bond categories on Oct. 14.

Streets, bridges and traffic improvement

Of the total $2.718 billion bond issue being presented to Oklahoma City voters on Tuesday, approximately $1.52 billion is designated for roads, bridges, and related traffic improvements. This combined amount represents about 56% of the entire bond package, highlighting a major focus on core infrastructure needs.

A full project list can be found online at https://vision.okc.gov/go-bond-2025.

The projects are part of a broader effort to improve safety, mobility, and long-term sustainability across the city’s transportation network, Public Works Director Debbie Miller said.

OKC soccer stadium, Olympic sites

The bond will include a request to provide funding for the city’s oldest original MAPS venues, two future Olympic sites and additional funding for a new outdoor stadium.

The bond issue also includes $25 million to build out office space for the OKC Thunder in the new arena.

The bond issue will help address maintenance and upgrade needs of existing properties and offset rising construction costs that have hit residential and commercial construction as well as road building and infrastructure. 

Libraries and learning centers

A new west Oklahoma City library, expansion to the Ralph Ellison Library in northeast Oklahoma City and replacement of flawed exterior panels at the downtown library are on the proposed list of projects. Additionally, roofs at three other libraries would be repaired, and the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center would be slated to receive about $10 million.

Parks and recreational facilities

A community center near Oklahoma City’s Plaza District that has stood dormant for years could see new life if the bond is approved.  A new center at McKinley Park, with an estimated project budget of $4.93 million, would replace the existing community center, which has been unused for several years.

Fire department, police training center

Fire Chief Richard Kelley said he’s looking forward to everything the bond could bring for the fire department, but especially a public safety training center that would allow police and firefighters to train together.

“I love the way we operate here in our city, where police and fire work very well in public safety,” he said. “So that training center, finishing it out, it’ll be a premier training center, not only in Oklahoma, probably in the southern part of the U.S.”

A total of $130 million will be allocated to the fire department, and that will address a lot of needs, such as the fleet maintenance facility, which will help expand operations to work on several pieces of equipment at one time. Kelley said the department has grown a lot, leading to more equipment.  

A fire station near NW Expressway will also be rebuilt to accommodate more firefighters and more space. Kelley said they’ve outgrown the current building. Beyond that, three more fire stations are needed because the city is growing.

Drainage improvements

The bond issue would allocate about $140.4 million to stem flooding and stormwater drainage issues in several locations. That’s the fourth-largest allocation on the list.

Older parts of the city and fast-developing areas such as Mustang Creek need the most attention, said Public Works Director Debbie Miller. Many of the old storm sewers were not sized adequately, which leads to flooding issues.

City maintenance gets a boost

A lesser-known category on the bond is the city’s need for improvements to buildings and facilities that keep city services on track.

Maintenance centers, storage facilities, data centers and the downtown municipal buildings support services residents use every day.

Some of the improvements include renovations to City Hall and two downtown city-owned buildings, while other renovations will take place at 14 buildings at Southwest 15th Street and South Portland Avenue.

How to vote

Voters will be able to vote yes or no on each proposition. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. EMBARK’s fixed bus route service, zone 1 paratransit services, RAPID bus service and the OKC Streetcar are free on election days.

Voters can use the Oklahoma State Election Board website to find their polling place and view a sample ballot. The election is open to Oklahoma City residents only. If you live on the edge of OKC and are not sure if you’re an OKC resident, head to the city’s website at okc.gov to find out if you live within city limits.

List of infrastructure and services projects

• Parks and recreational facilities: $414.2 million

• Economic and community development: $175 million

• Drainage control system: $140.4 million

• Fire facilities: $130 million

• Transit and parking system: $129.6 million

• Police, municipal courts and family justice center: $107.3 million

• Traffic system: $81 million

• Libraries and learning centers: $52.4 million

• City maintenance, data and municipal services support facilities: $47 million

Worst streets in OKC identified for resurfacing

These corridors were selected based on pavement condition ratings, traffic volume, and strategic connectivity. They represent some of the most deteriorated segments in the city:

• S Pennsylvania Ave – SW 74th St to SW 59th St

• S Sooner Rd – SE 74th St to SE 59th St

• S Sooner Rd – SE 44th St to SE 29th St

• N Western Ave – NW 63rd St to NW 74th St

• S Santa Fe Ave – SE 74th St to SE 59th St

• N Macarthur Blvd – NW 23rd St to NW 30th St (City Limit)

• S Douglas Blvd – SE 44th St to SE 29th St

• NW 36th St – N Western Ave to N Santa Fe Ave

• SW 44th St – S Pennsylvania Ave to S Western Ave

• N Council Rd – W Reno Ave to NW 10th St

• S Pennsylvania Ave – SW 44th St to SW 29th St

• NW 23rd St – N Portland Ave to N May Ave

• NE 10th St – N Coltrane Rd to East City Limit

• N Morgan Rd – W Reno Ave to NW 10th St

Bridges scheduled for rehabilitation

These structures were identified due to age, structural deficiencies, and safety concerns:

• Overholser Dr at Stonebridge Dr

• SW 44th St, 50′ East of N Morgan Rd (tributary to Mustang Creek)

• SW 104th St, 0.7 miles East of S Gregory Rd (Dry Creek)

• N Cimarron Rd, 0.2 miles South of NW 10th St (tributary to Shell Creek)

• S Czech Hall Rd, 0.3 miles South of SW 29th St (Mustang Creek)

• SE 119th St, 0.4 miles East of S Choctaw Rd (Hog Creek)

• NW 35th St, 114′ East of N Hudson Ave

• Mackleman Dr, 100′ South of SE 52nd St (tributary to Crutcho Creek)

• NE 164th St, 0.8 miles East of N Triple XXX Rd (Smith Creek)

• W Memorial Rd, 0.2 miles East of N Western Ave

• E Memorial Rd, 0.9 miles East of N Sooner Rd (tributary to Chisholm Creek)

• NW 122nd St, 0.3 miles East of N Pennsylvania Ave (Chisholm Creek)

• NW Expressway, 0.4 miles East of N County Line Rd (tributary to Bluff Creek)

• NW Expressway, 0.1 miles West of N May Ave (tributary to Deep Fork River)

• NW 36th St, 0.3 miles East of N May Ave (tributary to Deep Fork River)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City voters decide on historic $2.7B bond package on Oct. 14