About
About Maps 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $978 million over eight years.
Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028.
More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4.
The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust will develop a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects’ operational expenses and maintenance.
Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
What is a beautification project?
BeautifyOKC is a team of local planners, architects, designers, and consultants commissioned by MAPS 4 to engage the public and develop a solution as to where the city should prioritize beautification projects and what those projects should be. We are currently on a mission to hear from citizens from every ward so we can build an equitable plan that includes all parts of our great city!
So what is beautification? Beautification is the act of improving the appearance and experience in a place. There are many benefits from beautification, especially when it comes to first impressions and visual aesthetic; however, the community-wide benefits of beautification are the true value. Beautification projects create more interesting places, improve community health outcomes, increase property values, encourage economic development, and ultimately create a better environment for residents and visitors.
The Engagement Process
The most important part of this project is engaging with the public and stakeholders to gain a deep and authentic understanding of Oklahoma City. As an all local team, we know people want to be involved, and want their voice to count. We are taking a “roll your sleeves up approach, whether that means walking around downtown, neighborhoods, or districts, attending public events, or talking to business owners, young families, retirees, minority groups and more. Our goal is to identify what improvements residents and visitors would like to see — what are the commonalities, and what are the differences? The more people we talk to, the better! What does Oklahoma City look like and have to offer visitors? When visitors fly into Oklahoma City or drive through neighborhoods what impression does Oklahoma City give? What areas need beautification improvements? How do residents feel about living here? These are just some of the questions we’ll seek to answer through the engagement process.
We want to hear every voice in the community. The best decisions aren’t made in a vacuum, and that’s especially true for a beautification project. It’s important to hear from you about why you love living, working in, or visiting Oklahoma City. Without true, meaningful engagement, the project will not be representative of the whole community and will not be a success.