The Oklahoma Historical Society is asking the Legislature to approve $40 million of 20-year bonds to build a music and popular culture museum in Tulsa’s Brady Arts District, along with a parking garage.
The plan outlined late last week by Bob Blackburn, executive director of the historical society, said the facility would attract at least 100,000 visitors a year.
Blackburn said historical society executives have discussed the proposal with Gov. Mary Fallin and Tulsa’s legislative delegation.
If lawmakers approve a bond issue for fiscal 2012, Blackburn said, the Oklahoma Museum of Music and Popular Culture could open in 2015 in the arts district.
He said a legislative appropriation for debt service would not be required until fiscal 2014.
The proposal was first discussed in 2009, Brady said, but preliminary efforts began in 2007.
Funding for the 67,000-square-foot museum, which would be known as OK Pop, includes $8 million in private donations.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation said it would provide a $1 million challenge grant to prompt donations to the facility.
Blackburn said the bond proceeds would finance construction of the museum and parking garage. Collections would be amassed with the private donations, he said.
