Extension Given To Company Interested In Purchase Of Helmerich Park

Thursday, April 7th 2016, 11:00 pm

By: News On 6

The fight to bring a high-end retailer to Tulsa’s Helmerich Park is one step closer to reality.

Save Helmerich Park supporters hoped to see the extension to build denied, but Thursday night, the Tulsa Public Facility Authority gave developers more time to meet contract requirements.

The chunk of land in question is the volleyball courts near 71st and Riverside; dozens filled the room at City Hall during the discussion of selling Helmerich Park.

Thursday’s meeting was about extending the contract between the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority and North Point, the company buying the land.

Multiple park supporters spoke against the extension; but after the meeting, in executive session, the board voted to extend the contract.

Three voted for it, two declined a vote, but with only three votes needed, the measure passed.

Save Helmerich Park supporter, Terry Long said, "We are prepared to go on as many years as it takes to win the lawsuit."

For months, TPFA has been at odds with people wanting to preserve the park; and since August, a lawsuit has slowed the process.

1/7/2016 Related Story: More Names Added To Sale Of Helmerich Park Lawsuit

"The lawsuit kind of has things in limbo. I don't know about fouling it up, but it does throw a cloud over things," said City Manager Jim Twombly.

The contract extension gives the developers more time to meet inspection requirements laid out in the contract.

Supporters like Bumper Prather said the vote is a hiccup in the plan to preserve the park, but they won't give up.

"I'm not opposed to development, however, I do agree with a lot of my colleagues when they say once the parks are gone they are gone," Prather said.

Extensions have already been granted. This one gives the company until August to meet the inspection requirements.

Our partner, The Frontier, has more on this story on their website.