OSU continues making progress on plans to build world-class athletic facilities
Friday, July 28, 2006
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University continues moving forward with its historic
plans to create one of the nation’s premier athletic complexes.
The OSU Foundation has purchased through negotiations 86 of the 87 properties in the
initial athletic village expansion area north of Boone Pickens Stadium between McElroy
Road and Hall of Fame Avenue. Negotiations continue to purchase the last property
in the area.
“The OSU Foundation, through the tireless efforts of its general counsel Gary Clark,
has done a remarkable job negotiating the purchase of properties,” said David Schmidly,
OSU System CEO and President. “We have heard from numerous satisfied owners who have
complimented Gary for his fairness and compassion throughout this process. We have
made amazing progress.”
On Friday, the OSU/A&M Board of Regents gave the University the approval to purchase
the remaining property, including the use of eminent domain if necessary.
“We have said all along that we want to avoid eminent domain, and that remains the
case,” Schmidly said. “We continue to actively negotiate. We remain optimistic we
can reach agreements on the final property. If we do not, it will not be from a lack
of sincere effort by the Foundation and the University.”
“We commend the Foundation and those involved in this process on their efforts to
purchase properties by working with home and property owners to negotiate fair prices,”
commented Joe D. Hall, OSU/A&M Board of Regent, Chair.
“We have been much more successful purchasing properties on a volunteer basis than
any of us could ever imagined. We applaud the thoughtful way the Foundation has approached
this process. We also thank the many property owners who worked with the Foundation
on this far-reaching initiative.”
Oklahoma State began the process of purchasing the properties in the initial expansion
area last year and to date has acquired 86 properties from 46 owners. Nearly half
of the properties have been or will be relocated by the owner or individuals who have
purchased the structure through auction.
As it has cleared the expansion area of properties, the university has coordinated
closely with the city, including working with Stillwater Police to use structures
for SWAT training. In addition, OSU allowed Habitat for Humanity to gather home materials
and appliances it could re-sell or use in homes it builds.
“Under the direction of Mike Bale, the Rental Property Management Team has done a
tremendous job addressing the concerns of tenants; coordinating with the owners, the
city and vendors; and quickly clearing the area. We owe Mike and his team a huge
thank you.”
Thanks to the Pickens gift, OSU has begun work to bowl the west end zone of Boone
Pickens Stadium, which will create a world-class 60,000-seat stadium and house a weight
room, training table and coaches’ offices. The north side of the stadium will be
ready for the upcoming season and the west end zone should be ready for the 2008 season.
In addition to the west end zone work, the Pickens gift will also provide for the
following top-of-the-line facilities north of Boone Pickens Stadium:
• Multi-purpose indoor practice complex
• Outdoor practice fields
• Soccer/track complex
• Indoor and outdoor tennis facilities
• Baseball stadium
“We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made to-date.” said Schmidly.
“These new athletic facilities are a critical component of our three-pronged approach
to developing a top-tier university. Athletics, academics, and student life must all
fit together to build a competitive institution.”