Bells Non-Parking Lot Nearly Finished

[EricP]

#^%!$@#$@#!@

How can these a**holes do this to Tulsa and have ABSOLUTELY NO CONSEQUENCES?! The Bells fiasco is a complete outrage. I don't know much about the local government here I admit, but this has to be the most visibly obscene corruption, confusion, and abuse of power I have seen in a while.

[Shavethewhales]

I guess I might as well throw my 2 cents in here as well.

I've said this time and time again - Bell's wasn't up to it's top condition at the end simply because it was preparing to undergo a massive re-hab project that would have re-built the park completely. Have we forgotten that they were readying to break ground on the largest roller coaster in the state? The mini-golf course that so many people point to as a sign of Bell's decay was left to rot because a roller coaster was supposed to take it's place - because it took so long to get the proper permissions all worked out, it got pretty crappy. It wasn't because Bell's was a craptacular park - it was always fairly clean and well maintained compared to most parks in the nation of the same size.

Bell's was kicked out because they were about to re-build themselves, and in doing so they would have taken a large slice out the the Murphy's pie - it all adds up.

About the accident - yeah, it was horrible, a terrible fault that was pretty surely Bell's fault. Yet, accidents happen all over the amusement industry: have we forgotten the 3 accidents that happened on a roller coaster of the same model during the 2007 state fair? Bell's deserved to pay dearly for their fault, which I guess they did, seeing as it was settled out...

[T-Town Now]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by T-Town Now

If Randi Miller is involved in something, it's tainted from the word go. I don't trust her as far as I could move the IPE Building with my bare hands.

The woman is a disgrace to Tulsa.

i dunno, KK gives her a run for her money on that title.

Mayor Taylor is so much better than the LaFlamingIdiot who preceded her in office, I must have a much higher tolerance level for what she does, because she doesn't bother me 1/10th as much as the guy who always looked like he slept in his clothes...on the street somewhere.

[cannon_fodder]

OK, well I decided to cut to the chase and just email Randi Miller to get her side of the story.  It's only fair.  To her credit she emailed me back with "Please call me at ***-**** to discuss these matters whenever you have the time."

So over lunch today, I did.

She was forthcoming, polite, and generous with her time and went into all kinds of ancillary topics.  Including some politic-ing about how the Fair/Expo Authority is run and what she has done to improve operations.  She was shooting from the hip and I was scribbling as she talked, so any quotes are approximations.

From Randi Miller, not my opinion on the matter but what I was told.  I think it is a pretty honest assessment of the conversation.

- - -

She was not the spearhead on the ouster.   The Expo Authority had an accountant look over the Business Plan (which she was VERY careful not to discuss or even insinuate anything on) and the accountant was not satisfied with it.  It was then presented to the County who had the county CFO do the same - and it failed to satisfy them.  It then went to a committee to determine an action.

She was but one person on that committee.  Not the head. The County was concerned about both the appearance and safety of the amusement park in conjunction with what was reported to them as a sub-par business plan.  Slated with maintaining the safety, aesthetics,  and well being of the County property they decided they should cancel the lease.  (later she commented that at neighborhood meetings people often brought noise and minor crime complaints because of Bells, then it's gone and those same neighbors are sad)

When it went public no one from the committee wanted to speak on camera.  Feeling that someone had to fill everyone in she assumed the role.  She was speaking as a member of the committee and not FOR the committee.  But, in spite of the quote starting this thread - there never was a plan for that land and she said currently "it is just a parking lot."

A committee will be formed to determine a future course for Expo Square - as of yet there is no plan for that parking lot but presumably there are long term goals.  The Drillers will probably leave she conceded - and stated that she didn't think it was proper for the County to compete with private enterprise nor the city of Tulsa to maintain the Drillers. The 66ers are leaving and she said they have had a good relationship too, but they got a better offer.  So the Authority is considering many options for Expo Square.

Ms. Miller believes that the business plan, if released, would calm many peoples concerns (this point was reiterated).  In the future all County Contracts involving fixed assets on County land will have a clause requiring a business plan that can be released to the public to avoid this problem.  Repeatedly she said she was sorry to see Bell's go and it was "very hard for her."  

I asked how the County ended up paying some of the removal fees.  On that note she explained that to purchase the sky ride they had to clear certain other assets of liens (I was left to assume that meant helping remove them physically, though I was left unclear on this point). The purchase of the sky ride was proposed by Robby Bell and was based in part on the difficulty (or futility) of moving it and a belief that it would be an asset to the County.

She was devote in insisting that she wanted Bell's to stay and had conversation to that effect with Robby and his dad.  Ms. Miller said she understood why people were upset. She said that if they wanted to reopen somewhere she would help them if she could.
- - -

In other areas:

- She hinted that Big Splash is being encouraged to make capital investments

- The fiber optics on the IPE building (AKA QT Center) are broken.  They got water damage just out of warranty and the contractor that installed them went bankrupt.  They tried to get the sub-contractor to help with it but have been unsuccessful.  Cost to repair them looks to be $150,000 and she hopes to get that done in the future. (we both liked them)

- Work is behind and they are hurrying to get it done for the Arabian horse show.  They are expected to have a $40mil impact (Chili Bowl x 2) on the economy but are "very demanding"

- She is committed to working to keep the Chili Bowl at Expo in Tulsa (neighbors complain, growing pains, etc)

- The horse track needs some upgrade work

- They do not yet know what they will do with the Driller's stadium if/when the Drillers leave (she seems supportive of the downtown concept but said it's hard to be critical of private development anywhere in the county...  Jenks I presume).

After all of that, I never got a real explanation on why she insinuated that there was a plan above and beyond just a parking lot - when all we have is just a parking lot.  But I did not press the issue.  I assume she is alluding to the future committee that might do something (which I doubt since we just built a parking lot).

BUT, in any event, she was very generous with her time and answered all my questions .  We spoke for over 30 minutes and she was concern with MY time. In my book that goes a long way, so thank you (if you happen to read this).  But I still wish it would have gone down differently.

[Conan71]

For you newbies who have not seen it, I did manage to get a bootleg copy of the Bell's business plan:




Oh, and here's a blog entry with more details if folks are interested

http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=41863675&groupID=106568103&adTopicID=16&Mytoken=2F4E24EE-AE29-48B9-B8F8F60B297C5C89973262

[cannon_fodder]

Interesting points Conan:

1. No business plan required for Big Splash
2. First Dibs on Bell's land
3. Donations to the decision makers who eliminated competition and freed up space for them

I did not know it was that devious seeming.  I assumed a business plan was required of all tenants, especially since "making them public" was a point of emphasis.  I guess the next contract will have that clause in it, which presumably will include Big Splash.

[TeeDub]

Did she mention when the Big Splash contract was up and when we could see the business plan?

Also, I wouldn't mind seeing where the naming rights and all the advertising revenues are going. (Advertising being all the tacky signs being put up in and around all the buildings.)

[swake]

Randi Miller saying she's "She was but one person on that committee" is maybe technically true. But is in reality is a load of crap.

Here's what the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority is:
The Tulsa County Public Facilities authority (TCPFA) is a public trust established in accordance with Oklahoma law. It has the sole purpose of managing all activity occurring on certain property (commonly known as the Tulsa County fairgrounds) which is owned by Tulsa County but leased to the TCPFA. The TCPFA has a five member governing board: the three county commissioners and two private citizens who are appointed by the commissioners.

http://www.tulsacounty.org/agenda/agendasdetail.asp?Title=TCPFA%20-%20Tulsa%20County%20Public%20Facilities%20Authority

She is not only a member, she's a Tulsa County Commissioner, and as such has an automatic seat on the board and also (with the other commissioners) appoints the two non-commissioner members of the board. She also is Chairman of the County Commission. As such she is the most powerful person on the county commission and on the fair board. She most certainly is NOT "but one person" on the committee if the board was to vote a way she didn't like, she can change the membership of the board.

And remember, the Murphy's made contributions to TWO county commissioners' campaigns. John Smaligo also got $5,000. That's enough to get the vote to go their way because even if the vote on the board was 3-2 against, in the county commission the vote would be 2-1 to replace those two dissenting votes.

More here:
http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A16859

[patric]

Another less-than-perfect business plan?

PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Tulsa, Okla., carnival company apparently defaults on its $2 million offer to buy the defunct Wild West World and now a Wichita businessman has the city's blessing to buy the property.

The Park City Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday and unanimously approved a letter of intent to issue up to $5 million in industrial revenue bonds to Wink Hartman. Hartman has offered $2 million to buy the land and develop it.

Tulsa-based Spectacular Attractions had asked for a 60-day extension to complete its financing package to buy the amusement park. But the park's consortium of lenders objected to the extension.

Park City officials say the the offer by Spectacular Attractions, headed by businessman Jerry Murphy, defaulted at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

[breitee]

quote:Originally posted by patric

Another less-than-perfect business plan?

PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Tulsa, Okla., carnival company apparently defaults on its $2 million offer to buy the defunct Wild West World and now a Wichita businessman has the city's blessing to buy the property.

The Park City Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday and unanimously approved a letter of intent to issue up to $5 million in industrial revenue bonds to Wink Hartman. Hartman has offered $2 million to buy the land and develop it.

Tulsa-based Spectacular Attractions had asked for a 60-day extension to complete its financing package to buy the amusement park. But the park's consortium of lenders objected to the extension.

Park City officials say the the offer by Spectacular Attractions, headed by businessman Jerry Murphy, defaulted at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Typical Murphy BS job. We need to boot his donkey out of town for good!

[cannon_fodder]

Did Bell's default on any obligations to the City before they were declare unfit and booted?

Does the city have Big Splash's business plan yet?  Miller said she was going to require one when the lease was renewed...

I'm not anti Big Splash, but it looks more and more like political shenanigans did Bells in.

[RecycleMichael]

Why was Murphy Brothers given a ten year, no-bid contract for the state fair midway two months before Bell's was booted?

[breitee]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Why was Murphy Brothers given a ten year, no-bid contract for the state fair midway two months before Bell's was booted?

Because Jerry is in bed with Randi.

[CoffeeBean]

Make an Open Records Request and see what happens.

[chlfan]

Someone ought to see if a 60 Minutes or 20/20 type expose show needs something to sink their teeth into.