Downtown Trolleys

The smallest of all MAPS 1 projects, $5 million was spent on rubber trolleys that circulate passengers and tourists around the Downtown/Bricktown area. Service has been ongoing since 1999.

Interestingly, this aspect of MAPS was originally planned by Mayor Norick to be full-blown light rail. Funding for that however was stripped by Congressman Earnest Istook who opposed light rail for OKC and refused to send any federal funding its way. Luckily the City today is ready to proceed with full-blown light rail and we anticipate a light rail announcement with MAPS 3 at the end of this year. The original MAPS 1 light rail line would have been 1 mile on the elevated BNSF tracks and then expand out from there. Pictured is a rendering of the proposed stop at 2nd Street.

Civic Center Music Hall

Civic Center Music Hall is a gem of performing arts centers. $53 mil in MAPS 1 renovations to this venue turned it into one of the most impressive performing halls in the Southern US. The grand music hall seats just under 3,000 and is the home of Ballet Oklahoma, the OKC Philharmonic, as well as many theatrical companies and Broadway plays. Built in 1937 as Municipal Hall, the renovations ending in 2001 added skyboxes, a hydraulic orchestra pit, more seats, a new look, and a coffee shop in the lobby.