Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Canal

The idea of a canal running through Bricktown began in the late 1880s, and in 1890, following a year of construction, a canal had opened; however, two days later the canal had naturally drained itself leaving an empty waterbed through the area. Nearly a century later in the late 1990s, in an attempt to bring “spark” to the area, the idea began to once again gain support. The canal was funded and built as part of Oklahoma City’s $1.8 billion Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) investments, which has a $7 billion economic impact on the city. The 4-foot-deep canal is currently one mile long and underwent improvements in 2004 and again in 2013, it is maintained by the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department.

The impact of the MAPS investments has been significant. A recent study found:

  • The total market value of properties nearly doubled between 2009 and 2017 – a gain of $1.88 billion which exceeds the $1.8 million expended by the City on all MAPS programs to date

  • Population in downtown grew by 20.8 percent, adding 2,200 new residents

  • The rate of population growth is twice the average for the county, and three-times the average for the state

  • 2,700 housing units have been added during this period, and the median age is falling

  • School enrollment in the downtown area has increased, including more than 800 residents enrolled in college or graduate school

  • More than 9,000 jobs were added, and growth far surpassed levels in the county, metro and state

  • Most new workers commute from outside the study area, but inside Oklahoma County

  • An initial 1,220 hotel rooms were added in the area following the 1993 vote, with another 1,532 rooms added since 2009

  • When the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel opens with 605 rooms in 2021, the total number of hotels will reach 3,768, a nearly 10-fold increase over the number of rooms available at the start of the MAPS projects

  • Visitation/participation in the downtown area has increased from nearly 6.5 million in 2003 to more than 11 million annually in 2017

To view the full report, visit www.okcchamber.com/mapsimpact.

Activities & Amenities

The thriving Bricktown urban district is home to more than 45 restaurants, bars, and retail shops, along with family-friendly attractions, public art, museums, galleries, and even an urban beach for summer fun. The diversity of businesses, educational institutions, housing and leisure activities in this area make it a true 24/7 destination, one of the most distinct and historic in OKC.

Economic & Social Impact

The impact of Oklahoma City’s investments in the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) totals more than $7 billion. Approximately $1.8 billion in city investment has been used or earmarked for the three rounds of MAPS projects in Oklahoma City.

Construction & Funding

The Bricktown Canal was completed in 1999, at a cost of $23 million. The canal was funded by voters in the city who approved a temporary one-cent sales tax increase as part of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS). The canal is a prominent hub and feature of the vibrant Bricktown urban district.