OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[Southsider2]

I passed this property yesterday and it looked like they had fresh dirt near where the resort will be. Perhaps doing some early dirt work? I know they wanted to move quick but I didn’t imagine they’d move this quick!

[G.Walker]

They wanted to get started pretty quick. Probably prepping for a groundbreaking ceremony. The City Council still needs to approve the bypass of the River District Design Review, but that vote is just in a few weeks. After that, I'm sure they are ready to get things started.

[Laramie]

this property is not eligible to be a casino

We know that a casino was not eligible to be apart of the completion agreement.

The agreement in 2017 was to convey to the The Chickasaw Nation 100 acres if they completed the museum; they started plans on the 100 acres while they were completing the museum. "The city council last August (2017) approved an agreement among the city, state, tribe, museum foundation and NACEA that created a framework for completing construction."

The Chickasaw Nation guaranteed to cover operating deficits up to $2 million a year, for the first seven years after the museum opens and additional funds if the project exceeds $65 million.

Chickasaws are experienced in design and engineering, did the city mention design and review oversight when those 100 acres were agreed upon in exchange for completion of the museum...

The CN finished the museum. Let's not cost them anymore money in delays, they bailed out the city and state; kept this unfinished property from becoming dilapidated.

Exempt them and let them get started.

[BoulderSooner]

We know that a casino was not eligible to be apart of the completion agreement.

The agreement in 2017 was to convey to the The Chickasaw Nation 100 acres if they completed the museum; they started plans on the 100 acres while they were completing the museum. "The city council last August (2017) approved an agreement among the city, state, tribe, museum foundation and NACEA that created a framework for completing construction."

The Chickasaw Nation guaranteed to cover operating deficits up to $2 million a year, for the first seven years after the museum opens and additional funds if the project exceeds $65 million.

Chickasaws are experienced in design and engineering, did the city mention design and review oversight when those 100 acres were agreed upon in exchange for completion of the museum...

The CN finished the museum. Let's not cost them anymore money in delays, they bailed out the city and state; kept this unfinished property from becoming dilapidated.

Exempt them and let them get started.

this land is not in federal trust status .... it can't become a casino .. this is not a city choice ..

[Dob Hooligan]

this land is not in federal trust status .... it can't become a casino .. this is not a city choice ..

My understanding is that because this area (like all of Oklahoma County IIRC) is Unassigned Lands, all tribes recognized as Oklahoma based must waive their claim to the land before the trust status and state compact processes can begin. I can't imagine the compensation demanded by 38 tribes in order for the Chickasaw to begin the process.

[Laramie]

this land is not in federal trust status .... it can't become a casino .. this is not a city choice ..

BTW are you okay. You seem to be driving a nail in this coffin.

Is there something illegal being done with this whole process...

[Urbanized]

The Chickasaw nation can only have land placed into trust if it was a part of their reservation at the time of the most recent treaty. You can see Chickasaw lands at the bottom of that map. This is why all of the Chickasaws' casinos with full class III gaming can only be found in that area, delineated on the map. Including Riverwind. There is a reason why it is south of Norman instead of Norman proper; it's south of the South Canadian River, which is the squiggly line at the bottom of the Unassigned lands.

The Chickasaws DO operate limited gaming at Remington Park, but that is not tribal gaming. It is a business owned by the tribe, and the gaming is allowed via a state law that was passed that allowed reels and electronic gaming at horse racing facilities. This is why there are no table and card games.

The unassigned lands were just that; unassigned and not subject to any treaties, with no reservations designated. It's a bit more complicated than that; at the time of Removal this area WAS assigned to the Seminole, but that changed around the time of the Civil war for reasons I won't get into here.

Either way, the area where OKC is located could not be put into trust for the Chickasaw under the current federal Indian Gaming Act, passed by congress in 1988. Meaning it would literally involve an act of the United States Congress to put it into trust for gaming. It's silly that we have to keep going over this here. OKANA is going to be an incredible, game-changing addition to Oklahoma City, and it doesn't require a casino to accomplish this.

[Swake]

BTW are you okay. You seem to be driving a nail in this coffin.

Is there something illegal being done with this whole process...

The point where the Osage Nation, Cherokee Nation and Creek Nation all meet is the northwest corner of downtown Tulsa. This is why Tulsa has casinos and Oklahoma City cannot. There's nothing illegal about any of this. It's all defined by treaty and federal law.

[Dustin]

Even if casinos were allowed in OKC, I wouldn't want one to be a part of this project. It would just cheapen it IMO.

[Laramie]

My concern was the design and review committee.

That's why I posted the MAP of unassigned lands which includes OKC I am not in favor of a casino; one will never be built in OKC.

The Okana Resort Project needs to move on without any delays. Oklahoma City Council will vote Tuesday, February 1, on whether or not to exempt this project from the design & review committee. The CN doesn't need to spend time or money in delays going thru that process.

The Oklahoma City Planning Commission approved the SPUD (Simple Planned Unit Development), unanimously recommended that the Chickasaws should be granted the exception from design and review.

[Jeepnokc]

Even if casinos were allowed in OKC, I wouldn't want one to be a part of this project. It would just cheapen it IMO.

Valid point. Some (I) could also argue that a waterpark and swimming pool also cheapen a world class museum. I am very disappointed that they are basically building the waterpark and resort in front of the museum instead of the museum being the centerpiece you see from the road. They should have done the resort behind the museum along the river or stretched it out to leave a nice approach to the museum from the entrance.

[unfundedrick]

Valid point. Some (I) could also argue that a waterpark and swimming pool also cheapen a world class museum. I am very disappointed that they are basically building the waterpark and resort in front of the museum instead of the museum being the centerpiece you see from the road. They should have done the resort behind the museum along the river or stretched it out to leave a nice approach to the museum from the entrance.

It's obviously too valuable to be left as a landscaped approach to the museum. My opinion is that the proposed development will be a boon to the museum, attracting those who would stop or stay for that and decide to visit the museum as a side attraction while they are there.

[BoulderSooner]

The Chickasaw nation can only have land placed into trust if it was a part of their reservation at the time of the most recent treaty. You can see Chickasaw lands at the bottom of that map. This is why all of the Chickasaws' casinos with full class III gaming can only be found in that area, delineated on the map. Including Riverwind. There is a reason why it is south of Norman instead of Norman proper; it's south of the South Canadian River, which is the squiggly line at the bottom of the Unassigned lands.

The Chickasaws DO operate limited gaming at Remington Park, but that is not tribal gaming. It is a business owned by the tribe, and the gaming is allowed via a state law that was passed that allowed reels and electronic gaming at horse racing facilities. This is why there are no table and card games.

The unassigned lands were just that; unassigned and not subject to any treaties, with no reservations designated. It's a bit more complicated than that; at the time of Removal this area WAS assigned to the Seminole, but that changed around the time of the Civil war for reasons I won't get into here.

Either way, the area where OKC is located could not be put into trust for the Chickasaw under the current federal Indian Gaming Act, passed by congress in 1988. Meaning it would literally involve an act of the United States Congress to put it into trust for gaming. It's silly that we have to keep going over this here. OKANA is going to be an incredible, game-changing addition to Oklahoma City, and it doesn't require a casino to accomplish this.

this is not the entire story ...

the Shawnee tribe (which is located in the far NE corner of the state) was restored by congress in 2000 because they didn't have much or any available land at that point they were able to apply to put any land in the state in trust status

the Cherokee did not want them to build a casino inside their tribal boundaries ..

so they decided to try to build a casino in OKC just north of Remington park ..

the OKC chamber supported this idea the state and OKC city council did not ..

the Oklahoma congressional delegation added language to a transportation bill that add steps to put land in federal trust status (basically putting the OK Governor in the process)

https://www.indianz.com/News/2005/08...sportation.asp

this put the nail in the coffin for that casino ..

however after lots of negotiation the Shawnee tribe opened a casino in Guymon in 2019 ..

https://www.indianz.com/IndianGaming...ber-12-ope.asp

[G.Walker]

I would imagine that the McGirt decision changes some of these laws/pacts in NE Oklahoma?

[Urbanized]

I would imagine that the McGirt decision changes some of these laws/pacts in NE Oklahoma?

Certainly not an expert in this area, but even if so McGirt would not affect the Unassigned Lands. McGirt pertains to eastern Oklahoma (Indian Territory, home to the Five Tribes).

[BoulderSooner]

Certainly not an expert in this area, but even if so McGirt would not affect the Unassigned Lands. McGirt pertains to eastern Oklahoma (Indian Territory, home to the Five Tribes).

this is correct ..

[G.Walker]

That's what I mean, the Cherokee Tribe should be able to build a casino anywhere in Tulsa with the supreme court decision.

[Pete]

Took these this (Friday) afternoon:

[ChrisHayes]

It begins!

[MagzOK]

Yes, this is going to be so super cool. And what great eye candy it will be for drivers who drive through our city here at the crossroads of America!

[Swake]

That's what I mean, the Cherokee Tribe should be able to build a casino anywhere in Tulsa with the supreme court decision.

No, they can't. Only part of Tulsa is in the Cherokee Nation. North Tulsa north of Admiral/Edison and in Tulsa County. The Cherokee tribe has never built a casino in the city of Tulsa, the Hard Rock is in Catoosa, but they can.

Northwest Tulsa in Osage County is the Osage Nation, and they can and have built a casino.

Most of the city of Tulsa, downtown and everything south of Admiral/Edison, is in the Muscogee Nation and they have the Riverspirit Casino. The tribe can open more casinos in Tulsa if they wish, just before Covid the Nation was looking at building a casino-hotel across the street from the BOK Center.

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/mu...f5ce1f3a8.html

[Laramie]

It begins!

Alleluia, rejoice. Okana Resort construction will begin soon. Site clearing is always a good sign. Good view of the city skyline from the resort--this is a game changer for sure.

FAM Museum and Okana Resort will be to complementary pieces for extended stay in the area. Now a hotel will be on site with a parking structure.

Those permits are just a formality...

[Plutonic Panda]

News 9 article: https://www.news9.com/story/61ee2c6a...r-downtown-okc

[Pete]

News 9 article: https://www.news9.com/story/61ee2c6a...r-downtown-okc

Ha! They did that story the day after I posted the drone photos showing earth moving, but just showed old helicopter footage from months ago that didn't show that work had started.

Local news is getting lazier and lazier in copying our work.

[Plutonic Panda]

Ha! They did that story the day after I posted the drone photos showing earth moving, but just showed old helicopter footage from months ago that didn't show that work had started.

Local news is getting lazier and lazier in copying our work.

Yep. It’s also a very lazy article with almost no details. It’s sad to see the state of local news.