Some believe that momentum is building for action to be taken on the Native American Cultural Center, and Rep. Harold Wright is throwing his full support behind it.
The Weatherford lawmaker says that no action is the worst action.
Here is the lengthy argument he wrote on Facebook:
“It’s time to move on the Native American Center. The Oklahoma Native American Center, located at the crossroads of I-40 and I-35 in Oklahoma City, has become an albatross around the necks of Oklahoma Legislators. The concept of the Native American Center was established by Governor Henry Bellman…who believed that the Center would attract tourists world wide to Oklahoma.
“A State Native American Educational Authority was established, and the project was started in the 90’s on land donated by Oklahoma City.
“The legislature authorized bonds to build the facility, but the Authority ran out of funds and have been unable to finish the project. The Authority came back to the legislators in 2008, asking for additional money to finish the project. Because of term limits, none of the current legislators were in office when the project was started. Legislators have been hesitant to provide additional funds
to complete the Center. Over 90 Million dollars have already been spent, and its estimated to cost over 80 million to complete the project. Oklahoma City leadership and Oklahoma Nativ American Tribes have raised 40 Million and are asking the legislature to match the 40-Million.
“There are three solutions to the problem: 1. pay the bonds and give the facility back to Oklahoma City to complete, 2. match the raised funds and complete the facility, 3. demolish the facility and give the land back to Oklahoma City. It’s costing thousands of dollars a month to keep the Center moth-balled until funds can be raised to finish the project. That’s the dilemma, facing legislators, but the worst action is no action….it’s time for the legislature to get off dead center and get the job done.”
This project could go down as one of the biggest boondoggles in state history. Solution one is the best option. Solution two would just continue and grow the waste and solution three wouldn’t allow any of the waste to be salvaged.