Construction to halt on American Indian Cultural Center

[Townsend]

I think they should consider it complete and use it as a monument to our state and what we've accomplished.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Construction on the half-built American Indian Cultural Center will be suspended at month's end, as state funding for the project dries up.

Blake Wade, CEO of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority, said he will continue to pursue money to match $40 million in private, municipal and tribal pledges to the project after construction stops.

The project near Interstate 40 and Interstate 35 needs $80 million for completion, but the Oklahoma Legislature refused a proposed $40 million bond issue earlier this year.

The project has benefitted 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. The fourth bond issue proposal fell one vote short in the state Senate in the Legislature's final week.

Opponents of the measure argue that the project has been ill-managed and that the state is paying $5.5 million a year to finance the previous bond funding. With the proposed additional bond issue, the state's finance costs would have risen to $9 million a year.

Wade said most of the private funders who previously committed to the project have agreed to stick by their offers "for a reasonable amount of time" while he pursues more funding.

[AquaMan]

Looks like it would make a good outdoor drive-in theatre.

[Conan71]

I think they should consider it complete and use it as a monument to our state and what we've accomplished.

Clever.  I like what you did there.

[Hoss]

Clever.  I like what you did there.

It will be OKC's version of Eastland Mall in the late 70s/early 80s.

[Conan71]

It will be OKC's version of Eastland Mall in the late 70s/early 80s.

Finally an OKC smack-down.  Damn glad they said: "Enough is enough, get your project under control!"

That said, do we get our Pop Museum or not?

[Townsend]

That said, do we get our Pop Museum or not?

If we can raise our own funding, yes.

[Conan71]

If we can raise our own funding, yes.

So we just go to the GKFF and say: "I can haz pop muzeeem?"

Too bad OKC's version of Kaiser seems to be a little broke these days.  Maybe Chesapeake will sell off some more leases to help out.

[Townsend]

So we just go to the GKFF and say: "I can haz pop muzeeem?"

That'd be the route I'd recommend.

[Teatownclown]

It will be OKC's version of Eastland Mall in the late 70s/early 80s.

Just as Simon saved Eastland, the Tribes will save this. But anytime the taxpayer is relieved from paying for entertainment tourist traps it's good for society.

Don't count on GKFF...they are more cultured than that....

[sgrizzle]

Dave Ramsey should hold all of his seminars there.

[swake]

Just as Simon saved Eastland, the Tribes will save this. But anytime the taxpayer is relieved from paying for entertainment tourist traps it's good for society.

Don't count on GKFF...they are more cultured than that....

Why on earth would the tribes put $40 million into this place? That's simply not going to happen.

[carltonplace]

Why on earth would the tribes put $40 million into this place? That's simply not going to happen.

TTC was somehow being both glib and coy.

[Townsend]

Gov. Fallin renews pledge of support for American Indian museum financing

http://capitolbeatok.com/reports/oklahoma-gov-mary-fallin-renews-pledge-of-support-for-american-indian-museum-financing-as-bond-foes-

Despite her aversion to federal deficit spending, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin does not think all debt is bad. She has restated her support for completion of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City, including possible state bond financing. The chief executive's statement came even as legislative opposition to new state bond issues seems to have intensified. State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Oklahoma City, cautioned there was little appetite for a bond issue this year. He is encouraging Chambers of Commerce and others to "step up" and finance completion of the Center with direct contributions.

[sgrizzle]

Why on earth would the tribes put $40 million into this place? That's simply not going to happen.

Make a nice Casino.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Gov. Fallin renews pledge of support for American Indian museum financing

http://capitolbeatok.com/reports/oklahoma-gov-mary-fallin-renews-pledge-of-support-for-american-indian-museum-financing-as-bond-foes-

Just another line item in the list of idiocy of Mary Failin'.