Senator Says Enough to OKC American Indian Museum Funding Requests

[Townsend]

Why don't they hit up the tribes for the needed completion money?  They have plenty of cash with casinos and their various industries.

Oh, wait, that's right, the tribes have expressed zero interest in this project in the first place!

I don't think they've got the best thoughts of American Indian history in Oklahoma.

[Teatownclown]

Why don't they hit up the tribes for the needed completion money?  They have plenty of cash with casinos and their various industries.

Oh, wait, that's right, the tribes have expressed zero interest in this project in the first place!

+1 Tonto,

Lone Ranger

[Townsend]

  Hows that State Capitol Building repair fund coming along?  

Governor Fallin Embraces 'All Options' for Capitol Repairs

http://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/governor-fallin-embraces-all-options-capitol-repairs#.UPhYBUvcRG8.facebook

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin wants legislators to find a way to pay for repairs to a crumbling Capitol building and says she supports "all options" for meeting the estimated $160 million price tag.

After touring the Capitol on Thursday with the state architect and building maintenance supervisors, Fallin said she's growing concerned about the health and safety of people who work in the building.

The state already has erected yellow barricades to prevent pedestrians from approaching the south side of the building, where large chunks of limestone have been falling from the building's facade.

A proposed $200 million bond issue to pay for building repairs was overwhelmingly shot down last year in the House, where conservative lawmakers have grown increasingly opposed to approving state-backed debt.

[Townsend]

Oklahoma measure transferring American Indian center advances

An Oklahoma Senate committee passed a bill Monday that would abolish the agency overseeing the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, and place the center under the Oklahoma Historical Society.

http://newsok.com/article/3756790

A state Senate committee approved a measure Monday that would place the agency that is overseeing the half-built American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in downtown Oklahoma City under the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Sen. Greg Treat, author of Senate Bill 511, said his measure calls for the elimination of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority. The fate of the agency's 11 employees would be up to the Historical Society, he said.

The Historical Society doesn't want the Indian cultural center, said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. Treat, chairman of the Senate General Government Committee, asked committee members to vote for the measure to keep it alive with the hope he could find a state agency willing to take the authority.

The committee voted 6-2 to pass the measure, which now goes to the full Senate.

Blake Wade, executive director of the authority, had no comment about the committee's vote.

Contacted later, Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, said his agency, which collects, preserves and shares artifacts, has a different role than a cultural center, which looks at people and the way they lived.

Sen. Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, said he voted against the bill because the state could stand to lose $40 million in private pledges to help complete the center if it is placed under a different agency.
A bill authorizing a $40 million bond issue for the center failed by one vote last year in the Senate.

Treat said he is concerned by the findings of a state audit last year that criticized the authority for choosing highest-cost options when funding wasn't secure. Treat filed a bill last year to put the center under the state Tourism and Recreation Department; it passed the Senate but failed in the House of Representatives.

The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum project has benefited from three previous state bond issues totaling $63 million, as well as $14.5 million in federal funding and $4.9 million and 250 acres of land from Oklahoma City.

[patric]

Oh, so that's where they rebuilt Zingo.                                                   

[swake]

Oklahoma measure transferring American Indian center advances

An Oklahoma Senate committee passed a bill Monday that would abolish the agency overseeing the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, and place the center under the Oklahoma Historical Society.

http://newsok.com/article/3756790

The >25 parking spaces should tell you about the crowds they are really anticipating. I cannot believe that this metal clad building and hill cost more than $100 million and needs at least another $80 million.

And my god Oklahoma City is an ugly, ugly place.

[Conan71]

The >25 parking spaces should tell you about the crowds they are really anticipating. I cannot believe that this metal clad building and hill cost more than $100 million and needs at least another $80 million.

And my god Oklahoma City is an ugly, ugly place.

Some legislator's brother-in-law has/is made/making a mint off this boondoggle.

[Red Arrow]

Some legislator's brother-in-law has/is made/making a mint off this boondoggle.

It might be a sister-in-law.

[heironymouspasparagus]

They started out to build another "Crashship" like we have in Tulsa (BOK Center).  Got confused on where all the pieces went, so then just got up and went away leaving it scattered all over the floor!


Swake;  yep, kind of ugly from a distance.  But they have some nice things in the middle of that.  Myriad Garden is fantastic!!  Many good museums.  A couple of train items - one local rides, one to Ft Worth.  Just no texture or interest to the land, and there's just not a lot you can do to dress up a flat plate like that area is.

[DTowner]

They started out to build another "Crashship" like we have in Tulsa (BOK Center).  Got confused on where all the pieces went, so then just got up and went away leaving it scattered all over the floor!

It does look like a crash site, complete with a crater and scattered debris field.

But at least they have water in their river....

In all seriousness, based on the audit findings and state and federal funds involved, those board members should be facing a criminal investigation.

[heironymouspasparagus]

It does look like a crash site, complete with a crater and scattered debris field.

But at least they have water in their river....

In all seriousness, based on the audit findings and state and federal funds involved, those board members should be facing a criminal investigation.

That river has been bone dry for several months.  Up past the I-35 bridge (just beyond the museum site).  They are doing some kind of digging and construction just this side of the bridge on the river bottom.  We have more water in the Arkansas right now....amazingly.

[Townsend]

Indian Museum Plan Gets Frosty Reception in House

http://kwgs.com/post/indian-museum-plan-gets-frosty-reception-house

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Senate-backed plan to tap $40 million from the state's unclaimed property fund to help complete a Native American museum in Oklahoma City is getting a frosty reception from GOP leaders in the Oklahoma House.

Newly elected House Speaker Jeff Hickman said Thursday that the House Republicans' initial reaction to the proposal "was not overwhelming."

A Senate committee this week approved a bill to use the $40 million to match another $40 million in private donations that would be used to finish the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum along the banks of the Oklahoma River.

The $170 million museum remains mothballed after construction funds ran out.

Hickman says there is more support among House Republicans for a $160 million proposal to refurbish the state Capitol.

[Townsend]

Oklahoma Lawmakers Tour Unfinished Indian Museum



http://kwgs.com/post/oklahoma-lawmakers-tour-unfinished-indian-museum

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma lawmakers have toured the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center & Museum in Oklahoma City as administrators urge passage of legislation to provide funding to complete the structure.

More than a dozen members of the House and Senate walked through the incomplete building Tuesday as museum director Blake Wade urged passage of the $40 million funding measure.

The Senate-passed bill would take the money from the state's Unclaimed Property Fund to help complete the museum. The money would be matched with funds from Oklahoma's 39 federally recognized tribes, the city of Oklahoma City and private and corporate donors.

The bill is pending in the House and its author, Republican Rep. Dave Dank of Oklahoma City, says passage is not assured and may depend on lawmakers who belong to Oklahoma-based tribes.

[AquaMan]

I would rather see the money go to refurbishing the capitol. Can we put the unfinished building up for sale and recoup some of the graft?

[SXSW]

I still think this is a really interesting project/design and hope it gets finished.  Something like this would've been awesome in Tulsa on the river across from downtown but if it sits unfinished I'm glad it's not.  From a Native American history perspective this belongs more in Tulsa, in what was a Creek settlement in the remnants of Indian Territory, than OKC which got its start during the Land Run.