There have been some great trilogies through the years – "Lord of the Rings," Stieg Larsson's Millennium books, "Star Wars" (we don't count the prequels, of course) – but you could make a strong case that MAPS is the best trilogy of them all. First approved by Oklahoma City voters in 1993, a one-cent sales tax for the Metropolitan Area Projects revitalized downtown. The success of the first MAPS, phenomenal by every measure, spurred passage of two subsequent MAPS packages, the third of which is about to swing into action.

In 2012, construction on the $777 million MAPS 3 gets underway with enhancements on the Oklahoma River, including a public whitewater kayaking and rafting center. Subsequent projects include a new convention center, a 70-acre downtown park linking the Oklahoma River to the city's core, a modern streetcar system, more than 70 miles of sidewalks, 57 miles of bicycling and walking trails, fairgrounds upgrades and a number of senior health and wellness aquatics centers. Good things most definitely come in 3s.