Session 5, May 27
Meetings are over - but citizens should stay involvedby Sam Sims
Even though the final Let’s Talk Transit meetings have wrapped up, officials assured those in attendance that these meetings have merely started the process with the main purpose of gathering options. I can only imagine what will be discussed, debated and deliberated as Oklahoma City embarks on realistic public transportation in the Downtown area.

So I’ve got some regrets about this process. Due to my personal and professional schedule I wasn’t able to make all the meetings when attendees laid out where they thought a street car line should be placed. After speaking with those who did attend those meetings, I was kicking myself even more because I heard they were a lot of fun and a lot of great information flowed. Well, trusting the process and those that participated, I was intrigued to see the options shown during the final meeting.

Quite interesting to see that among the groups drawing the street car lines, several iconic locations where selected as points of interest the lines should travel passed or stop near; such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Ford Center and Bricktown Ball Park. What interested me the most were the lines making their way east to service the research park area around Lincoln Blvd. I wasn’t even thinking about that area, but now I can see that it makes perfect sense to include this area.

What did the people drawing the lines take into account when sketching out their ideas? They were instructed to consider visitors, residence and workers needs as they interact with key destinations among walkable and mixed-use areas today and how the areas might be in the future.

For some strange reason I thought we’d see a combination and final plan for the street car line. Whoa, was I wrong. According to the presenters, the three options started what is to be followed by an Alternative Analysis Report – my guess is this report is developed by folks with education and deep experience in transportation. Also to follow is how the street car will impact Oklahoma City’s Project 180 plan and how the plan impacts the lines. Let’s not forget that Oklahoma City is also in the process of MAPS 3, which will affect the transit plan too. And, then there are the general workings of the City that need to be addressed as this process moves forward. That is a lot – NICE! Just got choked up with pride that I live in such a great city.

A challenge to myself and every other citizen: continue to support this process and offer legitimate solutions to issues. Debating the facts are most certainly welcomed and encouraged, but do everyone a favor and opt-out if you have a reasonable beef with no real solutions.

Kudos to Let’s Talk Transit organizers. What a very cool way to engage everyone involved. I look forward to jumping on a street car and riding across town.