In 1993, Oklahoma City voters began to dream of a city transformed by one penny at a time. OKC voters supported a massive redevelopment package known as the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) intended to revitalize the relatively lackluster downtown area, funded by a 1-cent sales tax initiative. The U.S. Conference of Mayors noted, “Using a pay-as-you-go structure allowed Oklahoma City to build world-class facilities without the burden of debt for future generations and city leaders. Oklahoma City citizens made the historic decision to invest their own money in the city they called home.”
The original MAPS program included the $34 million Bricktown Ballpark, home to the then Oklahoma City 89ers (presently the Oklahoma City Dodgers). The 12,000-seat stadium opened in 1998 and has since hosted numerous events including the Big 12 Baseball Tournament, Bedlam Baseball Series, Oklahoma High School Baseball Series, and the annual Oklahoma City WinterFest. MAC is honored to have been selected as Civil Coordinator for this iconic project – the first of many MAPS projects to make OKC voters’ dream come true.