TULSA - A group of Tulsa citizens is opposing the partial sale of Helmerich Park after it was approved by the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority.
A former Tulsa mayor said that the sale violates multiple city ordinances and the city's charter. Former mayor Terry Young and a group of 67 citizens in Tulsa point to a 1991 video of then city councilor Dewey Bartlett discussing the future of the park.
Bartlett now says he supports the commercial development of Helmerich Park.
In 1991, then city councilor Bartlett asked for assurances that the park could not be sold to a developer. "I would want to make certain that does occur, because I don't want to have that, to have the authority take away the, the rights of the citizens of Tulsa to use that as a park."
"In the 20 years since I served as city councilor for District 9, much has changed in our great city and in neighboring communities. Tulsa has grown substantially thanks to the planning and foresight of former city and community leadership. Over the years, there has been a major shift when it comes to regional growth and competition. Competition will not go away as long as every city in the state of Oklahoma must rely on sales taxes to fund essential operations.
I want to thank Jono Helmerich and the entire Helmerich family for their commitment and support for economic development. Jono recently discussed at a public meeting that his father bought the land that is now Helmerich Park to lure development to the Arkansas River. My administration will continue to keep the momentum and progress going in Tulsa as we focus on economic development efforts citywide."
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
