Opponents Try To Stop REI Site Along Arkansas River

A local man has filed for an injunction against the city, asking a judge to stop the approval of the REI site on parkland along the Arkansas River.  The City of Tulsa has a letter of intent from a developer interested in the land near 71st and Riverside.

Now, a petition on behalf of concerned citizens wants to keep the area for public parks.

Meanwhile, Don Bouvier with UCR Development is presenting video to the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority hoping to move the transaction forward.

Though the developer didn't specify the business, its label is on some of the presentation material, according to News On 6 anchor Meagan Farley.

"The subject property was acquired by the City of Tulsa for the sole purpose of enhancing public parks, preventing inappropriate commercial development, and improving Tulsans' quality of life in an effort to attract new businesses and families to Tulsa," the injunction reads.

3/31/2015 Related Story: Developers Interested In Riverside Property Must Meet Certain Specifics

"The development proposed for the property disrespects the legacy of the generous donors that donated time, money and land to acquire the land for recreational use only."

The injunction asks for a 90-day delay to stop the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority (TPFA) from entering into an agreement with the developer for the 12.3 acres of publicly-owned parkland in Helmerich Park, on the southwest corner of 71st and Riverside. 

The lawyer for the developer said the injunction holds no grounds to slow the process, and a city attorney said he agrees. He also said the city has done everything correctly in the process.