[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6275436,"mediaKeyId","2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5","parentId",2772395,"title","Residents urge council to preserve Deep Fork Trail as Kirkpatrick Foundation seeks PUD change","audioSeconds",664,"startMs",2280000,"endMs",2944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5&start=2280&end=2944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275436/Oklahoma/Residents-urge-council-to-preserve-Deep-Fork-Trail-as-Kirkpatrick-Foundation-seeks-PUD-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275436-a9fd36fb5543ff710e7c2855f6a42ee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770715178&Signature=WVdtjxyTujHqT9xjJVeriAHs5Ad~zn6~SyRVGD0VnCbo0N1UVdD8qQT4V5tTFSivuWSIAqUhntVAg3v1ca7W26TTPmVdmRFAlxLSQS~J5O8yf-s~5ohRc81T47HTGMyVJwUW~2MXnP9RzO0oTVHkd9sUe3RB~o1ekftKmSnzMHjgJhNsoGVhSkRCqqFRSEVYIjSZ-62G1K8HTFPdlsDZlsgzIFzQfqYw0xkrVbvwmlzUYi7szCzB6FJ22GUO-3NUcN8GA2zl18YZQmDTd4a7ebCi1KDL6GcOM7TRR6eIj4Zc8mxVEeEnXxW6FCZ9EIFWiYxYQMWHsjhzK7XH9GsOWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oklahoma","date","2025-03-26T04:14:13Z","article","Dozens of residents, cyclists and neighborhood leaders urged the Oklahoma City Council on the introduction of a planned-unit-development (PUD) application to preserve the planned Deep Fork Trail alignment through the property recently purchased by the Kirkpatrick Foundation.

The speakers said the unfinished section of the Deep Fork Trail forces pedestrians, runners and bicyclists onto busy, hilly roads — including Northeast 50th Street and Kelly Avenue — and asked the council not to accept a proposed PUD change that removes express trail language from the development plan.

The speakers included residents who described near-misses with cars and longer, less-safe trips because the trail is not continuous. “We were forced…to jump from the curbs into the grass several times to avoid getting hit by cars,” said Antonio de la Vega, describing a 6 a.m. run that required two miles on busy streets. “Pedestrians, runners, dog walkers, and stroller pushers deserve to have a safe venue,” said de la Vega.

Why this matters: the Deep Fork Trail is the remaining link in a roughly 100-mile municipal trail network. Speakers argued the missing segment harms safety, accessibility and the connectivity that residents were told would be provided when voters approved related bond measures and trail projects.

The council heard that three of five Deep Fork Trail phases are complete; the phase that would cross the Kirkpatrick-owned parcel (Phase 2) is designed but not built. Melinda McMillan Miller, director of Parks and Recreation, told the council Phase 2 “will be constructed” and that staff has asked the original consultant, Half & Associates, to develop alternate routing options for the segment between Kelly Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard. Those alternate routes, she said, could include alignment near I-44 or other designs worked out with the foundation; Half & Associates is expected to return with options in early fall.

Multiple speakers urged the council to delay any final zoning vote until the alternatives analysis is complete. “This decision can’t really be done until we know what any potential alternatives are,” said Kevin Farmer, president of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, who called the existing plan “the missing link of our hundred miles of multiuse trail.” Several speakers said the trail alignment was included in project listings tied to voter-approved bond packages and to prior trail master plans.

Planning staff and the Kirkpatrick Foundation representatives said the current PUD contains coordinating language — “developer will work with the city of Oklahoma City on the coordination of the trail construction planned along the northern boundary of this PUD” — but not a legally enforceable easement. Planning staff member Jeff Butler said that language is “more of a coordinating language” and difficult to enforce as a binding obligation. The parks director confirmed the city does not currently hold an easement for the needed corridor and cannot build the trail on private land without acquiring legal rights.

Council procedure and next steps: the council treated the item as an introduction; the final hearing is scheduled for April 22. Parks staff said they expect Half & Associates to return with an alternatives report by early fall (staff gave an approximate target of September). Council members and speakers discussed whether the council should defer during introduction-stage discussion; the city clerk and legal staff noted the council can defer but that doing so at the introduction stage is uncommon and could invite repeated early appearances by interested residents.

What residents asked the council to do: several residents and advocacy groups asked the council to (1) retain the trail language the public originally expected, (2) defer final action until staff’s alternatives analysis and negotiations with Kirkpatrick are complete, and (3) prioritize obtaining the permanent easement required to build the trail along the originally planned alignment.

Council reaction and context: Councilman Cooper (Ward 7, sitting in this meeting) said he wants a “mutually beneficial solution” but emphasized that the PUD itself is not the only route to securing an easement and that easement acquisition is a separate process. Parks Director McMillan Miller said staff would continue working with the foundation and the consultant and bring reports back to the council. Mayor Holt and several council members recognized the public turnout and emphasized the importance of the trail for connectivity, transit access and safety.

Ending: The item will return to the council for final hearing on April 22. Staff expects to present alternative alignments from Half & Associates in early fall; until an easement or formal agreement is secured, the city says it lacks the legal authority to construct the segment across private property.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oklahoma City Council Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents, cyclists and neighborhood leaders urged the Oklahoma City Council on the introduction of a planned-unit-development (PUD) application to preserve the planned Deep Fork Trail alignment through the property recently purchased by the Kirkpatrick Foundation.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",69690,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6275421,"Riversport readies international canoe events and introduces new executive director",98,1560000,1658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5&start=1560&end=1658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5/thumbnail_1560000.jpg","/articles/6275421/Oklahoma/Riversport-readies-international-canoe-events-and-introduces-new-executive-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275421-0ee48383c8291dfc7d85f7c8c49c6805/orig.mp4?Expires=1770715178&Signature=diH0sBrtlH~XMOVBmgfT7fba9dVuqKTa3RMgj7XjDDStjNWOXg3EkjmJYLgiUwbXmCaHs64Tj6-V3Q9AsciMKD~u0wJRi7ONIwSrA2GXHj5kPeWYu1dzbGzPMV3vYRfVWoUYYNUXtlryGO7ErIOw1tEMGnxJjSHVdkfH99TlZdazI0ABczW~-D3pcHzaNLexc3nuqj4ERgu34lmUoYSMkYA0yYrbSydQPHZ5J~g9X6YOqnucsAUAMG8twlAGt6s~YHXGG8~wDq1XbUJEFdbxfqGpnbH8LHPekxfshTEe7zIy04PlSFqqEP5msHWL-Q0gfHIiy4nzpnhKTWkKLZM1Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riversport Foundation told the City Council on March 25 it will host a three-day international canoe slalom and kayak cross event this weekend that draws athletes from 10 countries and serves as a prelude to a world championship scheduled for next year.

Mike Knopp, founder of Riversport, said the competition — Friday through Sunday — includes both Whitewater Slalom and Kayak Cross events and that elite athletes are training on the city’s rapids. “We have 10 countries participating and they're in Oklahoma City now with the athletes training on our Riversport rapids,” Knopp said.

Knopp said the event is a prelude to a world championship next year that is expected to bring about 60 countries to Oklahoma City, and that the city hopes the sequence of events will position the facility for potential inclusion in LA 2028 programming if approved by the Los Angeles organizing authorities. “This event is a prelude to the world championship that will happen next year, which will bring 60 countries to Oklahoma City,” Knopp said.

Knopp also introduced Chris Sorensen as Riversport’s new executive director. Sorensen, who described two decades in the ski industry and said he grew up in Oklahoma City, said he will focus on operations while Knopp pursues the foundation’s international and legacy priorities.

Why this matters: the events draw international athletes and visitors and are part of Riversport’s multi‑year plan to host major whitewater competitions and related legacy activities. The leadership change signals a shift in Knopp’s role toward long-range event strategy and international outreach while placing day‑to‑day operations under Sorensen.

Ending: Knopp and Sorensen invited council members and the public to attend the weekend competitions and noted the events contribute to tourism and the city’s profile as a host of international sports.","Riversport Foundation reported a three-day international canoe slalom and kayak cross event this week with 10 countries competing as a lead-in to a world championship next year; founder Mike Knopp introduced Chris Sorensen as the foundation’s new executive director focusing on operations while Knopp shifts to legacy and international event work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6275426,"Council defers vote on consultant for soccer park operations after local clubs raise concerns",739,6604000,7343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5&start=6604&end=7343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5/thumbnail_6604000.jpg","/articles/6275426/Oklahoma/Council-defers-vote-on-consultant-for-soccer-park-operations-after-local-clubs-raise-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275426-8b1e3c36be8fd302d73e9a1893778a74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770715178&Signature=UL1odXgX9SMGb6Kev6zSQvrsoB7t82B-9twWo8hVjPj0mrX-Twcjgx8MQ6oEKsFiuvgf8AQT04hevEAMgX-XZa4WjYgQYiAxYzQvUAX2e9CiefIMPqo8hp-x5ksIUZUu3nkQfnkWnMXaSI~gI9fWWrYpC3yzbN~JnvW~dSqsZK~8-pz2qQXMx0BUxa7BoncWx7FbYOX86fHFbO2s0ZPOaMC1P9tvZhWz5dopGXTaVVVXAbmdpXd3JFBaHlgM8DIrEMvD9hS58cjtZzjvA0gNQhL5fgk4m4NJgabhz4HGh0JXd3jn7oG0qAaGj0S7FZ~olY8ENhkgUqRhxR5yEwIIoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Council on March 25 deferred consideration of a proposed services agreement that would fund a consultant study of the city’s two major soccer complexes, after local soccer organizations said the consultant’s initial report contained factual errors and expressed concern about potential operational outcomes.

Gabby Noble, president of North OKC Soccer Club, told the council the club and neighborhood supporters helped secure bond funding and MAPS support for a soccer-specific complex and that the organization has been a long-term caretaker and programming partner. “This is not what the voters of Ward 8 were told or what the Oklahoma City voters voted on,” Noble said. She asked the council to deny the item.

Brandon Lawless, executive director of Southlake Soccer Club, said the consultant’s phase‑one report misstated seasonal use and capacity. “Our soccer programming actually runs late January to mid December,” Lawless told the council, and he said the clubs already operate near full capacity. He warned that a recommendation for a multisport operating management company would be logistically incompatible with current usage and could displace existing clubs.

Council members, including the item’s sponsor, said they sought more time to review the full contract and attachments (staff noted the full packet incorporated a number of attachments that expanded the page count). Concerned councilmembers requested a briefing from staff so they could review the report, contract and attachments in more detail before making a decision. One councilmember noted the agenda language initially suggested a $72,000 fee going forward but attachments implied additional amounts; staff clarified the $72,000 was the next-phase cost and that $49,000 had been spent previously on the initial work.

Action taken: the council voted to defer the item to the April 22 meeting and asked staff to provide additional briefings and documentation so council members could review the consultant report and contract attachments.

Why this matters: the facilities — North OKC Soccer Complex and South Lake Soccer Complex — are longstanding community athletic assets and host year-round programming and regional tournaments. Local clubs told the council they have invested in facilities and programming for decades and opposed changes that would transfer operating control or reduce their ability to program the fields.

Ending: The item was deferred to April 22. Council members invited staff to schedule briefings explaining the consultant’s findings and the scope of services before the deferred hearing.","Councilmembers voted unanimously to defer action on a proposed professional services agreement with Collective Best to evaluate operations at North OKC and South Lake soccer complexes, after local soccer club leaders said the consultant’s report contained inaccuracies and worried about future management changes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6275431,"Council approves financing team for new arena and awards $160 million GO bond sale",6301,1389000,7690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5&start=1389&end=7690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772395-e9934ab2337ea9c875b9d99535ef67c5/thumbnail_1389000.jpg","/articles/6275431/Oklahoma/Council-approves-financing-team-for-new-arena-and-awards-160-million-GO-bond-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275431-376650a5e2dc56feef66fff611758413/orig.mp4?Expires=1770715178&Signature=EgClfasRMUuLbLnHnIdjutPmXVV9VdY~FNL8kLUtioVLSUrX1c~hpVvZLPiqJ9qW-Mq~hGUCp7WFZj~CY2nl9aapEeHgRcvIn-34LaEQvKkreF3Z~fXqJ7EmMY9bWtocySwp0DcUDQIdQ5jqa0S9cCAlNiszdpcg0iY-SLb39gUZncgtIyR38RL3ONnvVhaQJXYwwMsRuyuOT98Czk6la2SqUUBMv84~oTYYU7mi3Exqc6vYdnNDvLLPXR-Mu1Ipjsg7gNmTwcv6uu~BBV-D6spjlgTE03Nw0DZ7KAZGty51GYCSQKVrz4Fy3Ti-D4mQNuvFdZKvJ6hEdEeJmrlH8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Council on March 25 approved a financing plan for the new arena and accepted bids for a $160 million general obligation bond sale, part of a multi-step financing strategy to have construction funds available before the start of a voter-authorized sales tax in 2028.

Brent Bridal, assistant city manager and chief financial officer, told the council the city issued a request for proposals for a financing team in November and received 16 responses. After interviews and analysis with financial advisor PFM, staff recommended Goldman Sachs as senior manager, with BOK Financial Securities and Raymond James (Borg and Stanley was referenced in staff remarks) as co-managers to expedite a market sale when conditions are right.

Bridal said the arena sales-tax authorization — a 72-month, one-cent sales tax approved by voters in December 2023 — does not start collecting until April 1, 2028, and the city needs to borrow in advance to open the facility for the 2028–29 season. “Our goal right now is to get with our financing team and our underwriters to develop, get all of our documents in order so we can move quickly,” Bridal said.

Council later conducted the bond sale: staff reported seven bids were received and recommended acceptance of Goldman Sachs’ bid. The sale carried a reported true interest cost (TIC) of 3.936274 percent. Staff noted the city’s credit ratings were reaffirmed by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, and that after the sale the city would have about $66 million left to issue from the 2017 GO authorization.

Council action: the council voted to award the $160,000,000 general obligation bond sale to Goldman Sachs, approved the related ordinance on final passage and approved an emergency clause to expedite closing. City staff said the $160 million award will be used, in part, to support ongoing capital needs including arena financing; additional financing steps and documents remain to be completed by staff, bond counsel, and advisors.

Why this matters: selling bonds earlier than the start of the dedicated tax allows the city to pursue construction timing that staff says is necessary to open the arena by the intended season. The TIC and underwriting team selection affect the city’s borrowing cost and the speed at which the city can access debt markets.

Supporting details: staff contrasted the TIC with last year’s 3.44 percent TIC and noted market rates have risen; the spread between the lowest and highest bids on this sale was roughly seven basis points. Brent Bridal recognized bond counsel and advisory staff present for the sale, including bond counsel John Michael Williams and Jared Davidson, debt manager Mike Baskin, and PFM representative Dennis Whaley.

Ending: Staff said they will return to council with final documentation as the financing team and bond counsel move to close the transaction. No additional borrowing approvals were required at this meeting beyond the award, ordinance passage and emergency approval.","City staff recommended Goldman Sachs as senior manager for arena bonds; council approved underwriter selection and accepted a $160 million general obligation bond sale this week. Officials said borrowing is necessary because the sales tax to pay the arena does not begin until April 1, 2028.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to preserve Deep Fork Trail as Kirkpatrick Foundation seeks PUD change

Riversport readies international canoe events and introduces new executive director

Council defers vote on consultant for soccer park operations after local clubs raise concerns

Council approves financing team for new arena and awards $160 million GO bond sale