First Americans Museum

[Pete]

That's good news Platemaker!

Thanks for the info.

[OKCNDN]

One thing about this area that needs to be done is...get rid of the sex shop right in front of Old Paris flea market. And probably clean up the truck stops on Eastern/Reno.

And there is a bit of truth to the statement that Tribes would rather have you visit their museum than come to this. I know the Kiowa would like for people to come to Anadarko to visit their Kiowa Indian City USA Cultural Center and spend a few dollars. But I do not think any tribes oppose this project.

[Rover]

I'm just a little concerned that the federal, state, and local government has spent $84 million on something the people it was built for seem to be indifferent about (judging by their almost $0 amount of financial contribution to the project).

That is like saying art museums are for the artists whose work hangs there. I don't think it is FOR native Americans, it is perhaps to educate and share with US who are not. We will benefit most from native Americans sharing their incredible heritage with us in an inspirational way.

[Kerry]

That is like saying art museums are for the artists whose work hangs there. I don't think it is FOR native Americans, it is perhaps to educate and share with US who are not. We will benefit most from native Americans sharing their incredible heritage with us in an inspirational way.

So why don't the Indians foot a larger portion of the bill? Who is going to own this when it is done? The artist don't own the Oklahoma City Museum of Art or the National Cowboy Hall of fame. Is the government going to spend $140 million and then just hand the keys over to someone? Even the Thunder and Bass Pro pay rent and don't own the buildings.

[ljbab728]

[QUOTE=Kerry;396420] Who is going to own this when it is done? QUOTE]

http://www.aiccm.org/mission-vision-...ion-statements

[Kerry]

[QUOTE=ljbab728;396681]

Who is going to own this when it is done? QUOTE]

http://www.aiccm.org/mission-vision-...ion-statements

Okay, so it is a state agency. That makes me feel a little better. I was afriad they were giving away all this money to some non-profit who didn't appear to be raising any money of their own.

[kevinpate]

It is the state as of now. Who knows who will own it once it is done, assuming it gets done given the financially strapped status of the state.
I do wonder about the level of commitment for the completion of this project.
We have very different leadership now and over time even the D's were willing to sell off the state lodges.

[Kerry]

It is the state as of now. Who knows who will own it once it is done, assuming it gets done given the financially strapped status of the state.
I do wonder about the level of commitment for the completion of this project.
We have very different leadership now and over time even the D's were willing to sell off the state lodges.

Well I hope they finish it, otherwise they spent $85 million building a dirt mound (still would like to know where all that money went because they don't seem to have much to show for it).

[Pete]

They are pretty close to finishing construction of the cultural center & museum piece. There is lots more planned but the museum is the first big hurdle and it looks like that will be finished in the next year or two.

From that point, other things like Arts Marketplace, hotel, and parks and trails could follow in their own time.

It may never reach the full vision -- at least anytime soon -- but the museum itself is almost certain to be completed and is the most important part.

[kevinpate]

I do hope support will continue, even improve.

[HOT ROD]

all great cities need a world class attraction, and this is OKC's.

[Pete]

Here are a couple of great new videos on the center:

[jonno]

Thanks for posting those videos Pete. Interesting stuff...

[Pete]

They seem to be making progress there and I hope they can get the museum open in the near future. From that point, hopefully they will get even more support to finish everything else.

I will give them credit for doing everything thus far in a professional manner. Their website, videos and PR have all been very well executed. Seems like they have some sharp people in leadership positions.


Like they said in the intro of one of those videos, the American Indian aspect of our culture is completely unique to Oklahoma. We need to celebrate that more!

[betts]

Like they said in the intro of one of those videos, the American Indian aspect of our culture is completely unique to Oklahoma. We need to celebrate that more!

Agreed. This is something we have that's unique. I got chills watching that first video.

[G.Walker]

All the money the tribes have to build multi-million dollar casinos everywhere, but they still can't come together to secure funding for their museum, I think this is sad:

http://newsok.com/20-years-later-lea...rticle/3559581

they even have where you can make a donation via PayPal on their website now, this is getting really bad...

[Pete]

They have been playing a very dangerous game all along: keep building and going forward and hoping the funding will come from somewhere.

Seems they've been getting bits and pieces, just enough to keep some construction going most the time. At least now they have enough in place that it's an easier sell in terms of fundraising.

Still, four years is a long time and that sounds like the optimistic version of their timeline.

[G.Walker]

2015 is the date of completion for their full masterplan, which includes mid-rise hotel and conference center, retail, and green space. But the funding is only for museum, and they are about 50% done with the museum, IF they get funding this year, it shouldn't take that long to complete just the museum.

Masterplan:

http://www.aiccm.org/commercial-development

[Pete]

That is an old timeline. Here is what was said in the article today:

The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority, established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1994 to oversee the project, wants to raise about $80 million through a combination of bonds and donations.

If the money becomes available this year — the Legislature would have to approve the sale of bonds — the cultural center and museum could open in 2015, said Anoatubby, the chairman of the authority.

“That completes the building and gets all the exhibits open and we’re open for business,” he said.

[ouguy23]

All the money the tribes have to build multi-million dollar casinos everywhere, but they still can't come together to secure funding for their museum, I think this is sad:

http://newsok.com/20-years-later-lea...rticle/3559581

they even have where you can make a donation via PayPal on their website now, this is getting really bad...

I hope this gets built fully

[warreng88]

From newsok.com:

Oklahoma Senate panel OKs $40M for Indian museum
Published: May 12, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Senate panel has approved a $40 million bond issue to help complete the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum along the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, which several members say is a waste of taxpayer money.

A bill authorizing the Capitol Improvement Authority was approved in a Senate committee Thursday on a 14-6 vote.

The bill provides that three separate series of bond issues will not be authorized until the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority has in place matching funds from private donors and other sources.

Republican Sen. Dan Newberry of Tulsa complained the state already has spent close to $90 million on the project over the last decade and is paying close to $6 million annually in debt service for a “hole in the ground.”

http://newsok.com/feed/oklahoma-sena..._headline_news

[mcca7596]

This is great news, hopefully they can get the matching donations.

This museum will be the most sophisticated, world-class museum in the state. It is disheartening to see opposition to it, especially from some of the tribes themselves.

[Thundercitizen]

Newberry doesn't like it because it's not in Tulsa. Oh well.

[HOT ROD]

+1.

Exposed!!!

[Larry OKC]

The Senator needs to look at the pics of the site or drive by on his legislative lunch hour, it is hardly a "hole in the ground"