The first phase of this 70-acre project is well under construction with completion set for next fall.
The area known as the Lower Park is 28 acres south of Interstate 40 and north of the Oklahoma River. When complete, the central business district and all of downtown will be connected to the river, its extensive trail system and all the recreation facilities in that area.
The budget for the Lower Park is $20.5 million and construction should start by the end of 2019 with a grand opening at the end of 2021.
The City of Oklahoma City has purchased the required property, most of which inhabits the area commonly referred to as Hubcap Alley. Several homes and structures have been cleared or soon will be razed.
Hargreaves Associates, which is responsible for designing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and the grounds of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, presented the plan which includes a sports area, community garden, crescent lawn for events and a wide promenade which will flow from the Upper Park, across Skydance Bridge and I-40 and all the way to the riverfront.
Once the resolution is approved by city council, the project will move into final design with construction bids to follow.
The MAPS 3 convention center has started construction to the east of the Upper Park and the Omni Hotel -- to be located directly north -- is set to start next month.
When complete, the entire Scissortail Park will span 70 acres in the city's core at a total cost of $132 million.
