City Council approves plan to complete American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (http://www.koco.com/news/okc-city-council-approves-plan-to-complete-american-indian-cultural-center-and-museum/38522650?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=KOCO%205%20News)--from KOCO.

Awesome!

So glad this is moving forward again.

Well, I'm happy this is finally going somewhere. I had reached the point where I didn't care one way or another though if it was scrapped or saved.

Hopefully this land will reach a great use of it's potential and will continue the river areas rapid development.

That exactly what I thought. Some people are trying to invent a problem here. I guess we shouldn't be working on the new downtown park since it's next to the freeway and it will always be dirty. LOL

Since I made the comment, I should respond. Go back and look at the OP I responded to. The ONLY part of his model I was dubious about was the part immediately east of I-35. I really do love seeing how many people jump to conclusions about my motivation for the statement. At no time have I ever commented about what I think of the AICC as a concept. I've STRENUOUSLY objected to how the financing has been handled (or not handled as the case may be). At no time did I imply that development should be stopped. David, your comparison of the AICC with the Research Park is specious. An elevated interstate (35) with a huge percentage of truck traffic is not comparable to a sunken interstate (235) with little semi traffic. ljbab, the same goes for I-40, especially with the rr offset to the north and extra greenspace to the south.

Fine, don't like the Research Park comparison? How about the state fair grounds or Penn Square Mall right next to 44?

City Council approves plan to complete American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (http://www.koco.com/news/okc-city-council-approves-plan-to-complete-american-indian-cultural-center-and-museum/38522650?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=KOCO%205%20News)--from KOCO.

Not only will you see the completion & closure on the AICCM; but the Chickasaw Tribe in action--getting things done. Really curious about the parcels they want to develop around the museum. If it's anything on the level of the Winstar World Casino; we could be in for some big surprises.

Path open to complete Oklahoma?s American Indian museum | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2016/04/04/path-open-to-complete-oklahomas-american-indian-museum-real-estate/)

Path open to complete Oklahoma?s American Indian museum | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2016/04/04/path-open-to-complete-oklahomas-american-indian-museum-real-estate/)

Doing a little better on reply time today :)

Path open to complete Oklahoma’s American Indian museum

By: Tim Talley Associated Press April 4, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – It was conceived as a world-class showcase for Oklahoma’s American Indian heritage: a museum and cultural center in the heart of the state once known as Indian Territory would house artifacts and folklore to tell the history of Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized tribes.

During the next two decades, however, cost overruns led to political disagreements and a shift in priorities that halted work on the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, now an empty concrete-and-steel curiosity that looms over two interstate highways near downtown Oklahoma City.

But the dream that launched the 173,000-square-foot project is being revived in an agreement among the state and a partnership between the city of Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Last month, the city accepted the terms of legislation signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin last year to finish and operate the center. City and tribal officials are working out a final agreement.

“We are in a perfect position at I-35 and I-40 to get some of these cars off the highways and stay a day or two,” said Blake Wade, executive director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority.

Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation, said the site is situated “literally at the crossroads of America.” Surrounded by more than 100 acres of undeveloped commercial real estate, the museum offers the opportunity to unite Oklahoma’s diverse tribes.

“I think it’s everyone’s vision that this museum be a mechanism to strengthen tribal cooperation across the state, culturally and economically,” Lance said.

Museum officials are moving forward with collecting exhibits and historical information from various tribes for eventual display. Exhibits and interpretive programs will be developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York City, whose work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, has drawn praise.

“No one has understood how significant this is,” Wade said.

Appelbaum’s involvement has opened doors for cooperation from many other tribal-related museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, he said.

“We’ve been preparing for the last five years. He’s then going to take it over,” Wade said. “Because of him is why we’ve got all of this cooperation.”

Construction is likely to resume this summer and with the structure fully operational in 2020.

The state had spent about $90 million on the project before construction was suspended in 2012. Although incomplete, the state is paying about $7 million a year to maintain the property and make payments on earlier construction bonds.

Under the agreement, the state will provide an additional $25 million in bonds for completion of the museum and transfer responsibility for its operation and maintenance to the city. The city will provide $9 million toward the structure’s completion.

Wade said another $31 million will be provided by individual and corporate donors and that the Chickasaw Nation will provide the balance, about $15 million.

Tribal support for the project was critical to the city’s decision to accept the state’s offer to take it on, said Jim Couch, city manager of Oklahoma City.

“It was dead without it,” Couch said, noting that operating a museum is not a key city function.

In December, the tribe, which operates the 109-acre Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, offered to partner with the city to help complete the stalled project. The tribe owns the WinStar World Casino and Resort in southern Oklahoma and has extensive expertise in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Lance said preliminary work has already begun on ways to develop commercial acreage surrounding the museum and hospitality is a part of the plan.

“Our key strategy is to have supporting amenities,” Lance said. “This is a very complex commercial transaction. Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw Nation want to make sure it’s done the right way.”

Path open to complete Oklahoma?s American Indian museum | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2016/04/04/path-open-to-complete-oklahomas-american-indian-museum-real-estate/)

Doing a little better on reply time today :)

Path open to complete Oklahoma’s American Indian museum

By: Tim Talley Associated Press April 4, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – It was conceived as a world-class showcase for Oklahoma’s American Indian heritage: a museum and cultural center in the heart of the state once known as Indian Territory would house artifacts and folklore to tell the history of Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized tribes.

During the next two decades, however, cost overruns led to political disagreements and a shift in priorities that halted work on the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, now an empty concrete-and-steel curiosity that looms over two interstate highways near downtown Oklahoma City.

But the dream that launched the 173,000-square-foot project is being revived in an agreement among the state and a partnership between the city of Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Last month, the city accepted the terms of legislation signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin last year to finish and operate the center. City and tribal officials are working out a final agreement.

“We are in a perfect position at I-35 and I-40 to get some of these cars off the highways and stay a day or two,” said Blake Wade, executive director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority.

Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation, said the site is situated “literally at the crossroads of America.” Surrounded by more than 100 acres of undeveloped commercial real estate, the museum offers the opportunity to unite Oklahoma’s diverse tribes.

“I think it’s everyone’s vision that this museum be a mechanism to strengthen tribal cooperation across the state, culturally and economically,” Lance said.

Museum officials are moving forward with collecting exhibits and historical information from various tribes for eventual display. Exhibits and interpretive programs will be developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York City, whose work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, has drawn praise.

“No one has understood how significant this is,” Wade said.

Appelbaum’s involvement has opened doors for cooperation from many other tribal-related museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, he said.

“We’ve been preparing for the last five years. He’s then going to take it over,” Wade said. “Because of him is why we’ve got all of this cooperation.”

Construction is likely to resume this summer and with the structure fully operational in 2020.

The state had spent about $90 million on the project before construction was suspended in 2012. Although incomplete, the state is paying about $7 million a year to maintain the property and make payments on earlier construction bonds.

Under the agreement, the state will provide an additional $25 million in bonds for completion of the museum and transfer responsibility for its operation and maintenance to the city. The city will provide $9 million toward the structure’s completion.

Wade said another $31 million will be provided by individual and corporate donors and that the Chickasaw Nation will provide the balance, about $15 million.

Tribal support for the project was critical to the city’s decision to accept the state’s offer to take it on, said Jim Couch, city manager of Oklahoma City.

“It was dead without it,” Couch said, noting that operating a museum is not a key city function.

In December, the tribe, which operates the 109-acre Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, offered to partner with the city to help complete the stalled project. The tribe owns the WinStar World Casino and Resort in southern Oklahoma and has extensive expertise in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Lance said preliminary work has already begun on ways to develop commercial acreage surrounding the museum and hospitality is a part of the plan.

“Our key strategy is to have supporting amenities,” Lance said. “This is a very complex commercial transaction. Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw Nation want to make sure it’s done the right way.”

To me, this is the most important project in OKC because it so integral to the (often misunderstood) identity of state. I think this will be a big draw because when people think of Oklahoma, one of the first things they think of is Native Americans. It's been a total failure by the city and state to not have had a world class museum or cultural center to this point.

And far more than any economic incentives, hopefully more people come away with an appreciation and better understand of indigenous cultures and their peoples. Beyond tourists and locals, I am sure this will be big draw for Oklahoma History students from around the state too.

I'm looking forward to it. Big ups to the Chickasaw for covering another failure by the state.

Museum officials are moving forward with collecting exhibits and historical information from various tribes for eventual display. Exhibits and interpretive programs will be developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York City, whose work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, has drawn praise.

“No one has understood how significant this is,” Wade said.

Appelbaum’s involvement has opened doors for cooperation from many other tribal-related museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, he said.

Oh wow, that is pretty significant, I'm a fair bit extra impressed with this project just knowing who is involved.

On a related note, if you ever get a chance to go through the Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC, do not hesitate to do so.

Finally.

To me, this is the most important project in OKC because it so integral to the (often misunderstood) identity of state. I think this will be a big draw because when people think of Oklahoma, one of the first things they think of is Native Americans. It's been a total failure by the city and state to not have had a world class museum or cultural center to this point.

And far more than any economic incentives, hopefully more people come away with an appreciation and better understand of indigenous cultures and their peoples. Beyond tourists and locals, I am sure this will be big draw for Oklahoma History students from around the state too.

I'm looking forward to it. Big ups to the Chickasaw for covering another failure by the state.
Amen!

^
Seconded (or thirded)?

You know I am as excited at all of the new restaurants and bars as anyone, but does that really make a city unique? Any place can have an overwhelming plethora of places to stuff their face or get sauced, and I say this as someone who loves to stuff his face and get sauced. But things like this and the whitewater center are actually very unique things that you would not find even in a larger city.

Anyway, just my random musings on this.

The key will be to tie the north & south bank developments together with easy access across the Oklahoma River.

To me, this is the most important project in OKC because it so integral to the (often misunderstood) identity of state. I think this will be a big draw because when people think of Oklahoma, one of the first things they think of is Native Americans. It's been a total failure by the city and state to not have had a world class museum or cultural center to this point.

And far more than any economic incentives, hopefully more people come away with an appreciation and better understand of indigenous cultures and their peoples. Beyond tourists and locals, I am sure this will be big draw for Oklahoma History students from around the state too.

I'm looking forward to it. Big ups to the Chickasaw for covering another failure by the state.

Really interested to see how the content and narrative of the museum shapes up. Has the potential to be a top-tier museum in the country. I think telling that story will be a challenge. But if they nail it, this is a huge addition to OKC's appeal to regional/national tourists.

Really interested to see how the content and narrative of the museum shapes up. Has the potential to be a top-tier museum in the country. I think telling that story will be a challenge. But if they nail it, this is a huge addition to OKC's appeal to regional/national tourists.

When this story is told, it needs to start from over 11,000 years ago, when the first Americans lived here. Oklahoma is prime with evidence left by the Paleo-Indians. These people were hunting Mammoths, ancient Bison Antiquus, among other extinct critters at that time. There were many cultures that thrived in present day Oklahoma for thousands of years. The oldest North American art work ever found, which resides in SNMNH, was recovered in northwest Oklahoma. Oklahoma has an outstanding archaeological record, including some of the most historic artifacts recovered from the Spiro mound group. This story needs to be told, it began so long ago.

http://journalrecord.com/2016/07/01/aiccm-plans-remain-a-mystery-real-estate/

http://journalrecord.com/2016/07/01/aiccm-plans-remain-a-mystery-real-estate/

What is that article about, Plupan?

Well, if anyone has a subscription and would care to summarize, that'd be great.
Otherwise, it just says the Chickasaw are still planning.
I'd really like to see something major happen with this site, something new and different for the city...

Dupe.

Well, if anyone has a subscription and would care to summarize, that'd be great.
Otherwise, it just says the Chickasaw are still planning.
I'd really like to see something major happen with this site, something new and different for the city...

I always wonder about why someone just posts a link to an article about something that most people here can't read without giving at least a clue about the content.

My reasoning is that hopefully someone will have the link and post it. I am not subscribed to the JR.

My reasoning is that hopefully someone will have the link and post it. I am not subscribed to the JR.

Sorry to be tardy to the party...

AICCM plans remain a mystery

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record July 1, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The planned American Indian Cultural Center and Museum under construction on the Oklahoma River will dwarf the Red Earth Art Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

That’s fine with Red Earth Deputy Director Eric Oesch. In fact, he hopes the center becomes a runaway success with tourists eager to learn about Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes. He even envisions a partnership of sorts with the larger museum someday.

“We would certainly be open to anything. Our board has discussed the possibilities, although it’s all been very, very informal,” he said. “We want them to do well, because if they do well, we’ll do well. When you work together as a team, everyone benefits.

“We have not received any overtures yet to join them or become a part of the center, but we still have a long way to go,” Oesch said. “Who knows what the future holds?”

Such an offer is unlikely to come any time soon, according to Chickasaw tribal representative Tony Choate. The Chickasaw Nation is still considering all its options for running the AICCM and it’s far too early to identify a business plan.

In January, Oklahoma City Hall accepted the terms of legislation signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin to finish and operate the center. Since 2006, the state government has spent more than $90 million with the intention of showcasing Oklahoma’s American Indian heritage, but political arguments over budgets and responsibility brought construction to a halt in 2012. In its current incomplete form, the state is still paying about $7 million per year to maintain the property and make payments on earlier construction bonds.

City officials, however, researched the costs and tourism market potential and came to the conclusion that City Hall could not make the AICCM work. It looked as though the legislative deal would fall through before the Chickasaw tribe stepped up at the last minute and offered to do what the city could not.

Under that resolution, the AICCM will be completed by the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services with capital costs beyond $65 million picked up by the tribe. Once the center is running, any net profits derived from AICCM operations after repayment of the $2 million annual contribution will be used to fund an endowment for future operations.

The plan was signed by Mayor Mick Cornett in January, although the resolution itself says the Chickasaw Nation formally approached city officials with the fleshed-out idea in December. Since then, the tribe has been silent on the project.

The text of the city’s resolution focuses on financial details and shared responsibilities of making the center successful. Nothing in it specifies whether the center should involve any of the tribes or how it should represent their individual cultures.

A performance audit of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority conducted in 2012 highlighted the original intent of the AICCM. Then-state auditor Gary Jones found the authority lacking in its efforts to oversee the center’s development. When it was created by the state Legislature, the NACEA was tasked with collaborating with state, tribal, federal, city and county governments, as well as educational and cultural organizations, “to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation among all people of the diverse American Indian cultures of Oklahoma.”

The AICCM had a separate mission statement, according to Jones’ audit: “To serve as a living center for cultural expression promoting awareness and understanding for people regarding Oklahoma American Indian cultures and heritage.” The vision for the AICCM at the time was to function on three levels: to serve as a living center for contemporary American Indian culture, to communicate the story of American Indians in Oklahoma, and to provide a center for the study of American Indian culture and history.

“The notion of the AICCM as a world-class project has been widely touted by board members and on the AICCM website,” Jones wrote. “Though it is not immediately clear what the board considers to constitute ‘world-class,’ the board provides support for their vision by citing an economic study claiming the AICCM and surrounding economic development could generate up to $3.8 billion in economic activity over the next twenty years.”

Kenton Tsoodle, assistant finance director for Oklahoma City, said expectations for the center still haven’t been fleshed out.

“It’s never really been specified,” he said. “The thought was that they would try to have representation and changing exhibits regularly. The most I’ve heard is that the symbol or logo proposed for the museum has colored lines that radiate from a central point that, when laid at the site, will point to the parts of the state where the tribes have headquarters.”

T. Sean Barney, the executive director of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, said he would like to see an inclusive plan. Like Oesch, he believes the new center could serve as a complementary hub to all the other museums and cultural centers around the state.

Such inclusiveness will be a challenge, he said. His museum’s management must recognize five interests and be fair to everyone at the table. The arrangement has worked well for decades; this is the museum’s 50th anniversary.

“We try to stay out of political issues, otherwise it would be a no-win scenario,” Barney said. “When it comes to our funding and anything we receive from the tribes, we make sure they’re all the same amounts so no one contributes more than the other.”

Hey man not at all! You have no obligation to post anything, but I'm really glad you do :)

http://www.news9.com/story/32581674/american-indian-museum-in-okc-still-stalled-1-year-after-agreement

The 800-lb gorilla in the room is, as I understand it, the Chickasaws already have their own cultural museum. With a lot of checkered history for this project, one could argue this is a conflict of interest - running this museum that might draw attention away from its own, dedicated museum that serves substantially the same or very similar purpose. And that brings back the issue of just how much the tribes wanted this facility versus how much political leaders wanted it. Might explain, at least in part, why there's been so little released about how to complete and manage the place.

Oklahoma's Indian heritage goes way past the local Tribes. The first American Paleo-indians were here over 11,000 years ago. 33 of the state based tribes have been here for less than 200 years.

This museum should be more comprehensive than just historical times.

Anything worth having is worth the wait:

It will take time to get the agreement hashed out. There are many variables involved with the completion of this museum.

The Chickasaws know that it will eventually get completed; they want to put themselves in a position to develop the museum and capitalize on the develop around the museum; especially their specialty which is hospitality (hotels, gift shops, restaurants etc.,).

Personally, I have no problem about the timeline because the cultural center would still be there with uncertainty about its future especially with the stress the state's budget has currently experienced.

Oklahoma's Indian heritage goes way past the local Tribes. The first American Paleo-indians were here over 11,000 years ago. 33 of the state based tribes have been here for less than 200 years.

This museum should be more comprehensive than just historical times.

This +1. Also as far as the Chickasaw tribe goes, their museum is a good hour and a half from OKC. The tribe would have far greater exposure in OKC than in in Sulfur. I don't think many tourists would be all that interested in making that trek.

American Indian Museum still stalled 1 year after agreement

By: Tim Talley Associated Press August 1, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – It’s been more than a year since Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation authorizing the city of Oklahoma City to complete and operate the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

Yet the unfinished concrete-and-steel structure sits empty and construction is at a standstill while city officials and the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation work out the details of a complex partnership for operating and maintaining the 173,000-square-foot museum and developing the surrounding 200 or so acres of commercial property along the Oklahoma River.

Both sides are trying to conform to the requirements of the 24-page legislation that authorized the state-owned museum and allows the tribe to fully develop the commercial acreage, according to Oklahoma City Finance Director Craig Freeman. It’s that development, museum executive director Blake Wade said, that will help pay for the museum’s operating and maintenance costs – things like hotels, restaurants and shops filled with arts, crafts and other items produced by American Indians.

“It’s just trying to get all the details of that. They want to make sure they have full access for development,” Freeman said. “It’s an unusual agreement. It really is a partnership. Without the partnership, there’s no agreement.”

Wade describes the museum’s location at the junction of Interstates 35 and 40 near downtown Oklahoma City as “the crossroads of America.”

“It is our natural resource, the American Indian,” Wade said. “This is truly a destination spot when this opens. We couldn’t ask for a better spot.”

In March, city officials accepted an agreement with the state of Oklahoma to complete and operate the unfinished state-owned museum. The Chickasaw Nation, which operates the 109-acre Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, agreed last year to partner with the city.

Construction began in 2006 but has been dormant since 2012 when the project ran out of money and the Republican-controlled Legislature refused to allocate new funds. The state has already spent about $90 million on the project and is paying about $7 million a year to maintain the property and make payments on earlier construction bonds.

Completing the structure will cost another $80 million, Wade said, a sum that will be shared by the state, the city, private donors and the tribe. Plus, under legislation signed by Fallin signed in May 2015, the state will provide an additional $25 million in bonds to complete the museum. The city will put $9 million toward the completion, on top of operating and maintaining it.

Wade said another $31 million will be provided by individual and corporate donors and that the Chickasaw Nation – which owns the WinStar World Casino and Resort in southern Oklahoma and The Artesian Hotel in Sulphur and has extensive expertise in the tourism and hospitality industries – will provide the balance, about $15 million.

The delays and setbacks have been frustrating for supporters who believe the museum will be a world-class showcase for Oklahoma’s American Indian heritage. The state has 39 federally recognized tribes.

Already, Wade said, vacation planners and holiday tour companies from as far away as Europe and Asia call to find out when they can plan a visit.

“We’re constantly being called to see if we’re open yet,” Wade said.

Construction could resume this year, with the structure fully operational in 2020.

“We would like to move it ahead as soon as possible,” Freeman said. “But I think getting it done right is more important than getting it done fast.”

Meanwhile, Wade said museum officials are meeting with the project’s architects, dusting off plans for completing the museum and updating the exhibit designs.

Exhibits and interpretive programs will be developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York City, whose work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, has drawn praise.

Wade said Appelbaum’s involvement has opened doors for cooperation from many other tribal-related museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

This is the importance that Oklahoma has in the archaeological record -

http://westerndigs.org/11500-year-old-bison-butchering-site-discovered-in-oklahoma/

Indian cultural center to resume construction in spring
By: Brian Brus The Journal Record November 29, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma City Hall are resolving the last legal obstacles in developing the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum near downtown with expectations of movement on the project by spring, officials said.

Craig Freeman, the city’s finance director, said the Chickasaws are in the process of confirming the state government has cleared the site of other obligations.

“They are still in the process of getting clear title,” Freeman said. “They believe they’ve taken care of most of the hurdles and don’t feel like the legislation is going to be a holdup. … With all the different ownership issues and easements and other factors involved with that land, they want to make sure they’re clear to develop the property.”

Since 2006, the state has spent more than $90 million to create a site near the Oklahoma River to showcase Oklahoma’s wide mosaic of American Indian heritage, but politics over budgeting stopped construction by 2012. In its current incomplete form, the center is still costing the state about $7 million per year for property maintenance and payments on earlier construction bonds. Some City Council members have referred to it as an eyesore and curiosity to passersby.

In January this year, Oklahoma City Hall accepted the terms of legislation signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin to finish and operate the center. But at the same time, city officials said it would be counterproductive to get into the tourism business, so feelers were put out for third-party assistance.

The Chickasaw Nation stepped up at the last minute with a proposal that the AICCM be completed by the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services with capital costs beyond $65 million picked up by the tribe. Once the center is running, the tribe will pay Oklahoma City $2 million per year for up to seven years toward operating deficits. Any net profits derived from the AICCM above that amount will be used to fund an endowment for future operations.

The plan was signed by Mayor Mick Cornett in January. Since then, the tribe has been quiet about the project. A tribal representative Tuesday deferred comment to spokeswoman Kym Koch-Thompson, who said only that the Chickasaw Nation is still in a period of due diligence.

Freeman said Chickasaw and city officials are now working together on text to outline their relationship and transfer of property. A draft is expected in the first week of December; it will need to be approved by both governments.

“At that point, we’ll have a closing date that will rely on the completion of the title work, and I expect that would happen within a couple months,” he said.

“Some aspects of this are being worked at the same time, for example trying to get this agreement in place and in position so that the state can move forward with bonds to get started again on construction,” Freeman said.

Indian cultural center to resume construction in spring
By: Brian Brus The Journal Record November 29, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma City Hall are resolving the last legal obstacles in developing the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum near downtown with expectations of movement on the project by spring, officials said.

Craig Freeman, the city’s finance director, said the Chickasaws are in the process of confirming the state government has cleared the site of other obligations.

“They are still in the process of getting clear title,” Freeman said. “They believe they’ve taken care of most of the hurdles and don’t feel like the legislation is going to be a holdup. … With all the different ownership issues and easements and other factors involved with that land, they want to make sure they’re clear to develop the property.”

Since 2006, the state has spent more than $90 million to create a site near the Oklahoma River to showcase Oklahoma’s wide mosaic of American Indian heritage, but politics over budgeting stopped construction by 2012. In its current incomplete form, the center is still costing the state about $7 million per year for property maintenance and payments on earlier construction bonds. Some City Council members have referred to it as an eyesore and curiosity to passersby.

In January this year, Oklahoma City Hall accepted the terms of legislation signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin to finish and operate the center. But at the same time, city officials said it would be counterproductive to get into the tourism business, so feelers were put out for third-party assistance.

The Chickasaw Nation stepped up at the last minute with a proposal that the AICCM be completed by the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services with capital costs beyond $65 million picked up by the tribe. Once the center is running, the tribe will pay Oklahoma City $2 million per year for up to seven years toward operating deficits. Any net profits derived from the AICCM above that amount will be used to fund an endowment for future operations.

The plan was signed by Mayor Mick Cornett in January. Since then, the tribe has been quiet about the project. A tribal representative Tuesday deferred comment to spokeswoman Kym Koch-Thompson, who said only that the Chickasaw Nation is still in a period of due diligence.

Freeman said Chickasaw and city officials are now working together on text to outline their relationship and transfer of property. A draft is expected in the first week of December; it will need to be approved by both governments.

“At that point, we’ll have a closing date that will rely on the completion of the title work, and I expect that would happen within a couple months,” he said.

“Some aspects of this are being worked at the same time, for example trying to get this agreement in place and in position so that the state can move forward with bonds to get started again on construction,” Freeman said.

Great news!

And...

Great news!

The Chickasaws deserve all the credit for sticking with this project. It's not even their project.

The Chickasaws deserve all the credit for sticking with this project. It's not even their project.

100% agree. Seems to be a trend that the Chickasaws go above and beyond. I really respect Gov. Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation.

Yeah, really wish there was a way he could be responsible for the whole state... albeit part of his tremendous success in economic development is probably a function of the overall state sinking.

You mean degenerate gamblers?

I just meant the generally pent-up economic potential in a state that has stagnated due to prolonged bad policy, but that too.

Freeman said Chickasaw and city officials are now working together on text to outline their relationship and transfer of property. A draft is expected in the first week of December; it will need to be approved by both governments.

“At that point, we’ll have a closing date that will rely on the completion of the title work, and I expect that would happen within a couple months,” he said.

Sounds like we should know more about the details come 2017 with possible construction being resumed at that time.

http://m.news9.com/story.aspx?story=34366936&catId=112032

^ Great news!

Very exciting, but that last line is sobering... "The museum could open as early as 2020."

Very exciting, but that last line is sobering... "The museum could open as early as 2020."


http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kgou/files/styles/medium/public/201403/museum_side_shot.jpg

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/lead630-005135f224dd020f6503e8b59fd8e32a.jpg

The Chickasaw Tribe will probably release their planned development; it would be in their best interest to time it with the completion of the museum. Imagine you will hear something soon.

Great News!

There will be a number of MAPS 3 developments completed around 2019 & 2021 to complement the AICCM:

Oklahoma City:


Downtown Central Park
Convention Center
Intermodal Transit Hub
Transit & Street Car
Wellness Centers (4)

Omni Convention Center Conference Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites on Convention Center site

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okshores.jpg
What would you like to see near the AICCM?

"Wheeler East"?

Is that an actual rendering? I would like to see more of it left as green space, especially between I-35 and the Mound.

Is that an actual rendering? I would like to see more of it left as green space, especially between I-35 and the Mound.

Why?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okshores.jpg
What would you like to see near the AICCM?

The 700' water derrick...

I'm ready for what comes next, bring it on people.

Is that an actual rendering? I would like to see more of it left as green space, especially between I-35 and the Mound.

It was just a fantasy drawing from a study that was commissioned to come up with some ideas for commercial development to help offset the cost of the museum.

want to ensure a lot of traffic to the area.. add Casino Hotel on the water.. I mean.. why not

Why?

Because it looks nice. Because OKC doesn't have a lot of green space. Because there are great mature trees there that it would be a shame to lose. I can go on...

It was just a fantasy drawing from a study that was commissioned to come up with some ideas for commercial development to help offset the cost of the museum.

Thanks. This has been such a drawn out thing, I haven't been able to keep up.

want to ensure a lot of traffic to the area.. add Casino Hotel on the water.. I mean.. why not

IIRC, not even remotely possible.

Casino? The City said 'no way' they would zone or approve a casino on the land given the Chickasaws in exchange for development of the AICCM. State Law & the property deed prohibits it--according to Steve in this link's video:

http://newsok.com/article/5468307

Felt at one time that a casino would be great; however a friend of mine has had problems with her gambling addiction; right now she won't see help. Constantly contributes to the casino collection plate. She's so delusional thinking that the big jackpot will be the next coin dropped or money wagered.

Have tried to get her into Gamblers Anonymous; she doesn't want to seek help. When a person doesn't want help or counseling; it's not going to do any good to force it on her. She will just have to bottom out.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okshores.jpg
What would you like to see near the AICCM?
Whats That Tower?

Whats That Tower?

It's not anything but someone's fantasy. There is no serious proposal for anything like that.

Casino? The City said 'no way' they would zone or approve a casino on the land given the Chickasaws in exchange for development of the AICCM. State Law & the property deed prohibits it--according to Steve in this link's video:

http://newsok.com/article/5468307

Felt at one time that a casino would be great; however a friend of mine has had problems with her gambling addiction; right now she won't see help. Constantly contributes to the casino collection plate. She's so delusional thinking that the big jackpot will be the next coin dropped or money wagered.

Have tried to get her into Gamblers Anonymous; she doesn't want to seek help. When a person doesn't want help or counseling; it's not going to do any good to force it on her. She will just have to bottom out.

Mama always said stupid is as stupid does

I don't think an addiction is stupid.. some people are wired differently.
I was half kidding about a Casino I know that isn't in the cards just saying it would definitely create traffic for the project.
I personally only gamble in Vegas. it's Rare I walk into one in Oklahoma.