OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A $25 million plan to complete the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum has passed its first legislative hurdle.
Without debate, the House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget voted 21-5 Wednesday to send the plan to the full House for a vote.
The bill by Republican House Speaker Jeff Hickman of Fairview would authorize $25 million in bonds to finish the museum, which is situated on 67 acres along the banks of the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City.
Hickman says 143 acres that surround the museum will be transferred to the city of Oklahoma City for economic development and all lease revenue would be used to operate it. Once all state bond payments have been made, Hickman says the museum could also be transferred to the city.