Debate Over OKC's MAPS 3 Convention Center Continues

Nearly five years after MAPS 3 was voted through by voters, a plan is in the works to put part of it back on the ballot.

Monday, January 6th 2014, 5:55 pm

By: Karl Torp


Nearly five years after MAPS 3 was voted through by voters, a plan is in the works to put part of it back on the ballot.

OKC Councilman Ed Shadid is collecting signatures on two petitions that would get rid of the MAPS 3 convention center plans. The petitions would prohibit sales tax from funding the convention center and move up the end date for the MAPS 3 tax.

3/26/2013 Related Story: Architects Release Conceptual Renderings Of MAPS 3 Convention Center

Shadid claims voters were not given enough information on the MAPS 3 convention center in 2009, when MAPS 3 was voted through. He says voters weren't told a hotel would most likely have to be built along with the convention center to make it financially successful.

"There is a significant risk for the Oklahoma City taxpayers," said Shadid, who thinks funding a hotel would mean city subsidies totally around $200 million.

"Hardly no city owns a hotel. He's trying to make assertions that the city would have to go $200 million in debt to have a hotel. That's totally premature," said OKC Chamber CEO Roy Williams, who says OKC convention business is growing.

Shadid is collecting signatures with a citizens group. A little more than 6000 are needed in the next 90 days for the convention center issue to end up on the ballot.

The issue will not end up on the March 4 ballot, when voters decide OKC's mayoral race.

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