MAPS board adopts $32.9M beautification master plan; Route 66 project designated a public art commission

The MAPS for Citizens Advisory Board approved a master plan for the MAPS Beautification initiative, authorized an engineering/design contract to begin project work and designated the Route 66 Centennial project as a public art commission administered through the city’s public‑art process.

Daniel Sperley of Guernsey presented the beautification master plan, describing a three‑year public‑engagement process that included about 3,500 surveys, nine pop‑up events, three focus groups and two public open houses. Sperley said residents prioritized "walkable, safe and green" as descriptive goals and favored low‑maintenance, sustainable treatments, public‑space investments and projects that strengthen neighborhood identity.

The presentation described a palette of interventions (seating, lighting, plantings, public art, projection mapping and pocket plazas) and a project map with phased investments across major corridors and gateway locations. The master plan proposed a $32.9 million program budget with project phasing: near‑term projects including Route 66 (20th/Third and Classen) and airport approaches, followed by corridor work and longer‑lead bridge and gateway projects. Sperley noted that two river bridges were removed from the immediate MAPS scope because ODOT’s plans include those bridges on an 8‑year schedule.

Board member Chelsea asked about opportunities for more public art and color; Sperley said interior exhibits and exterior projection mapping are possible and that a playground or additional landscaping might be pursued via outside funds. The plan sets aside a $1 million allocation for trees that staff recommended be managed later (phases 4–5) and tied to maintenance agreements with neighborhood groups or other partners.

Following the master‑plan approval, the board approved an agreement with CH Guernsey and Company to design the first group of projects (phase 2) and approved a staff recommendation that the Route 66 project be executed as a public art commission and that the funds for that work be routed to the planning/public‑art process for an artist selection process similar to prior city art projects. The board approved the master plan (item 2o), the Guernsey design contract (item 2p) and the Route 66 public‑art designation (item 2q).