Tulsa authority questions riot bill

(Tulsa-AP) -- The University Center at Tulsa Authority is questioning the constitutionality of a Tulsa Race Riot bill that calls for it to turn over a parcel of city land. <br><br>A provision in the bill

Tuesday, December 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- The University Center at Tulsa Authority is questioning the constitutionality of a Tulsa Race Riot bill that calls for it to turn over a parcel of city land.

A provision in the bill calls for the authority to deed over B-S Roberts Park to the Oklahoma Historical Society to establish a memorial site.

The land is part of the area involved in the deadly 1921 riot.

U-C-T Authority member Nancy Feldman questions whether the Legislature can direct a public trust to deed land to the state. She also believes such action would set an unwanted precedent.

Authority adviser Jim Hess says the members support a race riot memorial, but are interested in maintaining ownership of the park. Hess says that would give the authority some control over the memorial's development and daily appearance.