City of Muskogee, OK

PROJECT PURPOSE

Muskogee is home to Oklahoma?s only Martin Luther King, Jr Community Center. Owned by the City of Muskogee and operated by Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, the center lives up to its name by serving as a hub of activity for the community through various youth centered programs, such as after school tutoring, Night Hoops youth basketball program and Summer Youth Feeding Program. Attendance and participation in the activities have outgrown the existing parking space and a parking lot expansion is desperately needed to meet the current demand. The new parking lot will double the amount of parking spaces available and will be constructed according to standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The parking lot will be located on the west side of the facility and will be poured in 4? concrete with green spaces for landscaping and environmental beautification.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Muskogee is the county seat and largest city with 36,878 residents (2020 Census). It is a regional hub city with residents from six surrounding counties traveling to Muskogee daily for employment, services, and entertainment. The improvements requested in our water treatment plant project are essential as it is the only source of water for 55,000 residents in seven rural water districts, four towns, including the historic black community of Taft, and two state prisons, in addition to the City of Muskogee. Vulnerable populations include 17.1% of residents over age 65 and 24.4% of residents under age 18.Further, 21.1% are in poverty including29.4% of children under 18. Muskogee County has a high percentage of minority residents with 59.9% of its residents White; 10.9% Black; 19.7% American Indian; 8.8% two or more races; and 6.6% Hispanic. Minority populations in general have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic due to decreased access to health services. The opportunity to assess and improve this raw water line will better serve current residents who are now adversely affected by our inability to address these issues due to financial limitations. Moreover, the remediation of identified problems will further promote economic development and provide stability to our community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Performance will be measured by the completion of this project and higher attendance rates.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma