Land deal brings Indian museum closer

A Chickasaw Nation subsidiary and the city of Oklahoma City have closed on a land transfer for property to be developed around the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum near downtown.

Clearing title to the land and completing the transfer is a major step toward restarting construction on the long-dormant museum project.

“This is another important milestone in our journey to fulfill the vision of a world-class facility which will tell the powerful and significant story of Native Americans in Oklahoma,” said Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby.

Anoatubby chairs the board of the state of Oklahoma’s Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA), which has overseen the project.

Anoatubby expressed appreciation for museum supporters “who continue to share our vision of a world-class facility which will tell the story of Native Americans in Oklahoma while serving as a hub for tourism, economic development and job creation.”

Closing on the property will enable AICCM Land Development LLC to begin commercial development of more than 100 acres around the museum. Plans are to open the museum in 2021.

“In a few years, we’ll share the rich culture and proud history of Oklahoma’s Native Americans with the world through one of the nation’s finest museums,” said Mayor Mick Cornett.

“We would not be here today without the city’s partnership with the Chickasaw Nation and we’re all looking forward to the day the finished facility opens its doors,” he said.

After state funding ran out, legislation passed in 2015 proposed shifting responsibility for completing and opening the museum from the state to Oklahoma City.

The city was close to rejecting the terms when the Chickasaw Nation offered to partner with the city.

The tribe offered up to $14 million to offset pre-opening costs and cover operating deficits the first few years as the museum becomes selfsustaining.

The state is to sell $25 million in bonds, the city will contribute $9 million and the museum foundation is raising $31 million to cover the estimated $65 million cost to complete the project.

The museum property is on the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, off Eastern Avenue at the Interstate 35-40 interchange.

The city council last August approved an agreement among the city, state, tribe, museum foundation and NACEA that created a framework for completing construction.

A tedious process of clearing title to the land ensued before the deal could close Tuesday.