METRO Transit Seeks Public Input
Public Meetings Set For Downtown Alternatives Analysis Study

OKLAHOMA CITY- Central Oklahomans are encouraged to provide their input on future Downtown Transit Alternatives during two public meetings at noon and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, 131 NW 4th St. METRO Transit is hosting the meetings as part of a discussion on the greater downtown Alternatives Analysis study. Both meetings will cover the same subject matter.

The public meetings are one facet of a multi-phased planning study called an Alternatives Analysis (AA). This is one of the required steps to qualify for new Federal funding. The AA study will provide a broader scope of the transportation needs of downtown Oklahoma City - beyond what will be planned with the MAPS 3 modern streetcar - and recommend the most appropriate transit technologies and routes for the Greater Downtown area. The study boundaries roughly encompass 23rd Street to the north, the Oklahoma River to the south, Lottie Avenue to the east and Classen Boulevard on the west.

The AA Steering Committee, made up of citizens and chaired by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, has been meeting to review input from citizens, transit consultants, city planners and engineers about both alternative routes and technologies that are being considered. COTPA and the Steering Committee are interested in receiving additional comments from the public.

“Public participation is a critical element of this study,” said Rick Cain, administrator of COTPA. “Citizens and community stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public meetings to learn more about the potential project and submit their ideas and questions.”

Gratis parking is available in the church parking lot off of NW 5th and nearby. Additional information about this transit planning process will be on display 30 minutes prior to each meeting.

To learn more about COTPA’s Alternatives Analysis and to follow the progress, visit www.LetsTalkTransit.com.

# # #

About METRO Transit METRO Transit (www.gometro.org) is a division of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA). COTPA, a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City, is responsible for providing safe, efficient public transportation to the citizens of the greater Oklahoma City area..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2010

Public Meetings Set for Downtown Transit - Let’s Talk Transit continues with the Greater Downtown Alternatives Analysis

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) is seeking input on the future development of public transportation in the greater downtown Oklahoma City area. COTPA is hosting two Let’s Talk Transit public meetings on August 26 at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library Auditorium.

The meetings are a part of an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study that is designed to investigate and present solutions for addressing public transportation in a specific geographic area. The outcome of this study will result in a plan that recommends the most appropriate route and transit technologies for the greater downtown area. The study boundaries roughly encompass the State Capitol to the north, Oklahoma River to the south, Lottie to the east and St. Anthony Hospital on the west. The AA is also one of the required steps to qualify the greater downtown area for federal transit funding.

An AA Steering Committee, made up of citizens and led by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, will receive and consider comments from the public. The committee has met to review input from transit consultants, city planners and engineers about both capital and operating costs and other infrastructure that must be considered.

“Public participation is a critical element of this study. Citizens and community stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public meetings to learn more about the process and submit their ideas and questions,” said Rick Cain, administrator of COTPA.

Both meetings will be held at the Library located at 300 Park Ave. The lunchtime meeting will be noon to 1 p.m. The evening meeting will cover the same agenda from 6 to 7 p.m. Additional information about the transit planning process will be on display 20 minutes prior to each meeting.

Let’s Talk Transit is an initiative by COTPA to engage public opinions and stakeholders on current public transportation topics. To learn more about COTPA’s Alternatives Analysis and to follow the progress, visit www.LetsTalkTransit.com.

###

About METRO Transit

METRO Transit is a division of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority. COTPA, a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City, is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation to the citizens of the greater Oklahoma City area. For route information or to learn more about METRO Transit, visit gometro.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2010

Final Streetcar Meeting to Recap Citizen Input Citizen-Based Route Options Will Be Displayed

Citizen-Based Route Options Will Be Displayed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2010

Driving Books into the Hands of Children: METRO Transit Distributes Books at Downtown Transit Center

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) is conducting an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study to help guide the long-term development and expansion of transit in the greater downtown area. The study builds upon recent planning for the streetcar project that is part of MAPS 3 passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 2009. The study will take about a year to complete.

The AA is designed to explore additional transit options and determine one that best meets the future needs of the downtown community. This is one of several steps that must be completed in order for the City to be eligible for future federal funding, according to Rick Cain, administrator of COTPA.

“The MAPS 3 modern streetcar will provide improved mobility and support economic development in the downtown area and provide the foundation for future growth. The AA is broad in scope and will assess other options that could further enhance public transportation in downtown,” explains Cain. “If we hope to receive federal funding to grow our transit system, it’s critical that we have a plan beyond the initial 5 track miles of downtown streetcar and a multimodal transit hub.”

A steering committee made up of citizens has been formed to guide the process and to represent the diverse interests of the downtown community. Before making a recommendation to the COTPA Board of Trustees or the City Council, the committee is tasked with appraising the study’s findings while considering the input received through this spring’s Let’s Talk Transit public meetings.

An orientation meeting for the AA Steering Committee will occur Wednesday, May 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center Hall of Mirrors.

The AA Steering Committee includes:

• Jeff M. Bezdek, Modern Transit Project
• Kay Bickham, COTPA Trustee
• JoeVan Bullard, Executive Director, Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority
• Mike Carrier, President, OKC Conventions and Visitors Bureau
• Russell Claus, Director, City of Oklahoma City Planning Department
• Mayor Mick Cornett, City of Oklahoma City
• Joseph J. Ferretti, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Provost University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
• Joe Hodges, President, St. Anthony Hospital
• Jane Jenkins, President and CEO, Downtown Oklahoma City Inc.
• Don Karchmer, Bricktown Parking Investors
• Klaholt Kimker, Vice President Administration, Devon Energy
• Steve Mason, President, Cardinal Engineering
• Michael Ogan, Business Development Director, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
• David Remy, Urban Neighbors Board
• Nancy Love Robertson, Sr. Vice President – Communications, Sonic Corporate Headquarters
• Jim Roth, Phillips Murrah P.C.
• Councilwoman Meg Salyer, City of Oklahoma City
• Barney Semtner, COTPA Trustee
• Terry Taylor, Planning and Operations Director, Oklahoma Health Center Foundation
• Jim Thompson, Assistant City Manager, City of Oklahoma City
• Lauren White, President/CEO, NewView Oklahoma
• John D. Williams, General Manager, Skirvin Hilton
• Marsha N. Wooden, Vice President of Administration, SandRidge Energy
• Chris Kauffman, COTPA Trustee

Let’s Talk Transit is an initiative by COTPA to engage public opinions and stakeholders on current public transportation topics. To learn more about COTPA’s Alternatives Analysis and to follow the progress, visit www.LetsTalkTransit.com.

###

About METRO Transit

METRO Transit is a division of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority. COTPA, a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City, is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation to the citizens of the greater Oklahoma City area. For route information or to learn more about METRO Transit, visit gometro.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010 

Meetings to Collect Input from Community on Destinations and Routes

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority and the City of Oklahoma City are seeking citizen input through a series of public meetings and online forums to begin planning for enhanced public transit in downtown Oklahoma City.

COTPA will launch www.LetsTalkTransit.com and host the first “Let’s Talk Transit” public discussion on March 29 to collect input about the initial five-mile modern streetcar routes in downtown Oklahoma City. Together, the public and COTPA will work through the process to identify destinations and routes that will best serve downtown’s public transportation needs. Included in the area of focus will be various downtown districts such as the Automobile Alley, Bricktown, Central Business District, Deep Deuce, Film District, Oklahoma Health Center, Midtown and the Core to Shore area.

“This is the first step toward a new transit vision for our City,” said Mayor Cornett. “We’re encouraging every citizen to offer input.  These meetings will help us identify the service areas that are most important to those who work in, live in and visit our downtown.”  

Citizens can provide their input online or through a series of Let’s Talk Transit public meetings. Meetings will be held:

• March 29 City Hall- 200 N Walker (11:30 am - 1 pm OR 6 - 7:30 pm)
• April 13 CivicCenter Hall of Mirrors - 201 N Walker(6 - 7:30 pm)
• April 29 Civic Center Hall of Mirrors - 201 N Walker(6 - 7:30pm)
• May 11 CivicCenter Hall of Mirrors - 201 N Walker (6 - 7:30 pm)
• May 27 CityHall - 200 N Walker (11:30 am - 1 pm OR 6 - 7:30 pm)

The agenda for each of the five meeting dates will change because it will build on the information and input from the previous meeting. On the first and last dates the community will have the option to attend a morning or an evening meeting with the same agenda. 

This accelerated process is necessary to identify what streets the streetcar may travel and to coordinate the plan with Project 180 - Oklahoma City’s downtown streetscape plan starting in May 2010. Through cooperative planning, the projects will minimize disruption due to construction and maximize cost savings.

Included in MAPS 3, passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 2009, is approximately $130 million in funding for public transportation. The transit package includes approximately five miles of downtown streetcar and a multimodal transit hub in downtown.

“Five miles of streetcar will only allow us to cover a limited area,” said Rick Cain, Administrator of COTPA and Director of Public Transportation and Parking for the City of Oklahoma City. “That’s why it’s critical we get input from citizens about their preferred destinations and routes in downtown Oklahoma City.”

In hopes of building on the MAPS 3 modern streetcar project, an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study is underway. The AA study will provide a broader scope of the transportation needs of downtown Oklahoma City and is required to qualify for future federal funding. While a modern streetcar will provide improved mobility in the area, the AA will look at planning with emerging technologies and services for further enhancing downtown public transportation for the next 30 years.

An AA Steering Committee made up of citizens is currently being formed to review input from transit consultants, city planners and engineers about capital, operating costs and other infrastructure that must be considered, as well as to listen to input from the public about where they want to go. The input from the Let’s Talk Transit public discussion will be reviewed and considered by the Alternatives Analysis Steering Committee for their recommendation to the City Council.

For more information or to provide input, visit www.LetsTalkTransit.com.