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Muskogee committee recommends transferring 322 Callahan to Sky Kings for $1; council asks for contractual safeguards
Summary
Following an RFP review, staff recommended and the council approved transferring the former teen center at 322 Callahan to the Muskogee Sky Kings for $1 to establish practice and 18–25 youth programming, while several councilors asked for performance safeguards in the eventual agreement.
City staff told the committee on July 13 that the city received a single proposal in response to an RFP for the surplus property at 322 Callahan (the former armory/teen center). The RFP review committee — which included council members and the deputy mayor — recommended accepting the proposal from the Muskogee Sky Kings, led in the record by owner Jonathan Reed.
Staff described the Sky Kings’ plan to rehabilitate the building, operate it as a practice court and training facility, and to offer vocational programming, career-development workshops and services focused on ages 18 to 25. The proposal requested transfer of the property for the sum of $1. The applicant representatives (including Jonathan Reed) were present and answered council questions about operations and long-term commitment.
Several councilors said they supported the Sky Kings’ programming but asked the city manager and staff to include contract safeguards — for example, performance milestones or reversion clauses — to protect the city if the group did not complete rehabilitation or maintain the intended programming. Staff told the council those stipulations had not yet been negotiated and could be included in a future contract. After discussion, the council approved the committee’s recommendation by roll call.
City staff said the Sky Kings have operated similar programs elsewhere and that the developer owns a larger facility in El Reno used for comparable activities. Council discussion focused on ensuring the city’s interests would be protected if the property is transferred for nominal consideration. The record shows council approval with a direction to staff to include appropriate negotiation points in the formal transfer contract.
