Below is a list of downtown streets expected to be under construction the week of September 6 - 10 and beyond.

• Reno from EK Gaylord to Robinson closed through October 2010*

  Reno from EK Galyord to Robinson will remain closed while crews complete streetscape construction. Motorists exiting the City via I-40 are being redirected to follow an alternate route. Here is the route for I-40 West and I-40 East.

• Robinson from Sheridan to Reno closed southbound until Spring 2011*

  Southbound Robinson Avenue between Sheridan and Reno is closed so crews can continue renovation work for the Myriad Botanical Gardens. In response to this closure, a counterflow lane has been constructed along Robinson between Main and Park to allow 2-way traffic and reduce congestion. Here is a map that illustrates the new traffic patterns.

• Hudson from Sheridan to Reno reduced to two lanes until Spring 2011*

  Southbound Hudson between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue is reduced to two lanes so crews can continue renovation work for the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

• Hudson from Park to Main reduced to one lane with new traffic flow

  Southbound Hudson Avenue between Park Avenue and Main Street will remain reduced to one lane but will be modified so crews can move into their next phase of a utility line installation. The work, which is part of a larger utility line installation project on Hudson Avenue between Park Avenue and Sheridan Avenue, will be done in several phases throughout August and September.

• Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson closed until Spring 2011

  Sheridan Avenue between Robinson Avenue and Hudson Avenue remains closed for utility work.

• Eastbound W Main from Walker to Hudson closed to through traffic

  Eastbound W Main Street between Walker Avenue and Hudson Avenue will be closed for several weeks so crews can complete utility work. Local traffic and parkers will be permitted access.

Film District improvements

The following traffic disruptions are part of ongoing street improvements in the Film District.

• Lee Ave. is temporarily closed from Main to California.

• Shartel Ave. is temporarily closed from Main to Sheridan.

• Sheridan is reduced to one lane in each direction from Walker to Classen.

*Denotes Project180-related construction

All project timelines are contingent upon the weather.

Places to Park for Arts Festival Patrons

Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority Offers Park and Ride Options for Festival Attendees

Thousands of visitors will descend on downtown Oklahoma City for the popular Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, April 20-25. The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) offers suggestions for places to park for those who may not be familiar with the downtown area.

The Arts Festival takes place in the area between Sheridan and Reno at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Gardens. Secured parking lots, only one and a half blocks from the Arts Festival grounds, are located under I-40, between Walker and Harvey along SW 3rd Street. The fee for parking is $5. Hours are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Limited parking is available at the Sheridan/Walker parking facility during the week and the rate is $5. The address is 501 W. Sheridan. There is also limited parking available at the Cox Convention Center parking facility during the week for a rate of $6. Parking is not available for festival goers at this facility Thursday, April 22 or Saturday, April 24 due to the NBA playoff games. The facility is located at 1 Myriad Gardens.

Parking is available at the Century Center and Santa Fe parking facilities and the event rate is $5. The Century Center Parking Facility is at 100 W. Main, and the entrance is on Sheridan. The Santa Fe Parking Facility is located at 2 Santa Fe Plaza.

The Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys are part of the downtown experience for many new and returning visitors. “Our normal trolley routes provide festival-goers the convenience of parking in one of our parking facilities and riding the trolley to the area near the Arts Festival grounds,” said Debi Holtzclaw, parking manager for COTPA. “Parking customers can ride for free by showing their parking vouchers to the trolley operators.”

Information about trolley schedules and route maps is on the website at gometro.org/trolley.

(Re-posted from www.okc.gov)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2010 

Places to Park for Arts Festival Patrons

Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority Offers Park and Ride Options for Festival Attendees

Thousands of visitors will descend on downtown Oklahoma City for the popular Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, April 20-25. The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COPTA) offers suggestions for places to park for those who may not be familiar with the downtown area.

Parking is available at the Century Center and Santa Fe parking facilities and the event rate is $5. The Century Center Parking Facility is at 100 W. Main, and the entrance is on Sheridan. The Santa Fe Parking Facility is located at 2 Santa Fe Plaza.

The Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys are part of the downtown experience for many new and returning visitors. “Our normal trolley routes provide festival-goers the convenience of parking in one of our parking facilities and riding the trolley to the area near the Arts Festival grounds,” said Debi Holtzclaw, parking manager for COTPA. “Parking customers can ride for free by showing their parking vouchers to the trolley operators.”

For more information about parking in downtown Oklahoma City, visit parkingokc.com. Information about trolley schedules and route maps is on the website at gometro.org/trolley.

About Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority

The Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA) was created by the City of Oklahoma City in 1966 to plan, develop, build, and operate a balanced parking and transportation system (METRO Transit) in the state’s capital metropolitan city. COTPA currently manages five COTPA owned garages and three surface lots. COTPA's Board of Trustees are the governing body for the oversight of METRO Transit, downtown off-street public parking and Oklahoma River Cruises.

When navigating a parking garage, keep your parking lights on (to increase your visibility), exercise caution (look for cars backing up), and don't hold up traffic waiting for a space if it is busy. It boils down to basically using common sense.

 
MYTH: There's no parking Downtown
FACT: On busy days or evenings, it may seem like there's no parking, but there is. Most open parking on busy days is usually no more than two blocks away. Sure, you're not right next to your destination, but two blocks is hardly a long walk (especially in Oklahoma City). If it's not a busy day in Downtown, parking is usually available within a block from where you're going.

MYTH: It takes 'forever' to get in and out of Downtown when there's a big event
FACT: Getting in and out of Downtown Oklahoma City when there are multiple events usually takes about a half-hour. Compared to other cities, that's practically warp-speed. In order to enter and exit Downtown faster, consider parking in a garage a couple blocks from your destination.

MYTH: If I have to park far from my destination, walking in Downtown is unsafe
FACT: Downtown Oklahoma City is an incredibly safe city for pedestrians. Plus, during events days, the Oklahoma City Police Department will maintain a presence to ensure safe passage for Downtown patrons.

MYTH: I have to pay for parking on evening and weekends
FACT: Downtown Oklahoma City maintains one of the best parking systems in the country. Unlike some cities, our Downtown on-street parking is FREE on evenings after 6 pm and weekends.