Yahoo News - The Oklahoman: OKC hosting open houses to discuss $2.7B bond vote in October. When is your ward meeting?

By: Jordan Gerard

Date: September 18, 2025

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Oklahoma City councilmembers are inviting people from their wards to learn about the upcoming bond issue in October, the largest in the city’s history.

About 547 projects over 11 areas of infrastructure and services such as streets, sidewalks and libraries would receive funding if approved by voters on Oct. 14. The total is about $2.718 billion.

Half of that amount, $1.35 billion, is slated for streets and sidewalks, which will include resurfacing, widening, street enhancements and sidewalks, according to planning commission documents.

Voters passed the last bond issue in 2017. It paved the way for Better Streets, Safer City, which featured a 10-year, $967 million investment in streets, parks, police and fire facilities. OKC Mayor David Holt previously told The Oklahoman the new bond is timed to follow the payoff of prior bonds and will not result in an increase in property taxes.

Voters can expect to vote on each proposition individually, meaning there will be 11 categories requiring a yes or no vote.

Here’s where and when councilmembers are hosting open houses in their wards. A Spanish speaking session will be held on Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Yale Theater, located at 227 SW 25 St. Wards 7, 2, and 5 have already held their open houses.

When are the OKC Bond 2025 program open houses?

Ward 6: Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon will host the open house on Sept. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, located at 300 Park Ave.

- Ward 4: Councilman Todd Stone will host the open house on Sept. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pete White Wellness Center, 4021 S. Walker Ave.

Ward 3: Councilwoman Katrina Avers will host the open house on Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 10928 SW 15 St.

Ward 1: Councilman Bradley Carter will host the open house on Oct. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Healthy Living OKC, located at 11501 N. Rockwell Ave.

Ward 8: Councilman Mark Stonecipher will host the open house on Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library, located at 5600 NW 122 St.

Several notable projects slated to receive funds if bond is approved

Some of the bond categories will improve infrastructure, but others will bring new amenities and improvements to the city over the next 10 years if the bond passes.

A new west Oklahoma City library, expansion to the Ralph Ellison Library in northeast Oklahoma City and replacement of flawed exterior panels at the downtown library are on a proposed list of bond projects that may be sent to voters later this year. Additionally, roofs at three other libraries would be repaired, and the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center would be slated to receive about $10 million.

A community center near Oklahoma City’s Plaza District that has stood dormant for years could see new life if a massive bond project is approved by the city council and city residents. A new center at McKinley Park, with an estimated project budget of $4.93 million, would replace the existing community center, which has been unused for several years.

The Oklahoma City Police Department could see a new police annex facility too, but an uncertain future awaits the historic Union Station while another landmark owned by Oklahoma City, the 1930s-era former police headquarters and jail, is set for demolition after years of unsuccessful efforts to come up with a restoration plan.

What projects will be a part of OKC 2025 bond program?

Streets: $1.35 billion

Parks and recreational facilities: $414.2 million

Economic and community development: $175 million

Drainage control system: $140.4 million

Fire facilities: $130 million

Transit and parking system: $129.6 million

Police, municipal courts and family justice center: $107.3 million

Bridges: $90.5 million

Traffic system: $81 million

Libraries and learning centers: $52.4 million

City maintenance, data and municipal services support facilities: $47 million

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