GRDA Board Says Yes To Purchase Of Tulsa Office Building

The Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors has given its approval to utility to purchase a Tulsa office building.

The board made that decision during its regular monthly meeting, held in Vinita Wednesday.

GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dan Sullivan says they began exploring a possible expansion into Tulsa after reviewing earlier plans for new construction.

"The simple fact is, it's less expensive to buy than build new," said Dan Sullivan, "We feel a location in Tulsa will allow us to address our space and recruiting needs."

He says the Tulsa location will also allow GRDA to free up much-needed space in its other facilities.

A state lawmaker from Chouteau, Representative Ben Sherrer called the GRDA's board decision a "shot across the bow."

"I am very disappointed in the myopic decision of the GRDA Board of Directors. The reasoning and justification for GRDA's decision to take jobs away from rural Oklahomans is an offensive assault not only on northeast Oklahoma, but rural areas across the state. Just because GRDA's new CEO Dan Sullivan can articulate a reason for the decision does not make it the right thing to do. This action is a ‘shot across the bow' of GRDA's longtime rural constituency and base of support. It's a punch in the gut as far as I'm concerned," said Ben Sherrer.

Earlier this month, Jennifer Loren with our Oklahoma Impact Team reported Grand River Dam Authority wanted to buy a 42,000 square foot building in East Tulsa for about $2.6 million.

5/2/2012 Related Story: Some Oppose GRDA's Planned Operational Office In Tulsa

In a news release Wednesday, the GRDA said despites rumors related to the Tulsa acquisition, Dam Sullivan says the utility has no plans to close its Pryor or Vinita locations.