Tinker AFB land acquisition plan nearly complete

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma County is nearly complete with a plan to buy land around Tinker Air Force Base to enhance security and keep homes away from the base's main air strip. <br/><br/>A family-owned

Monday, January 9th 2006, 9:52 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma County is nearly complete with a plan to buy land around Tinker Air Force Base to enhance security and keep homes away from the base's main air strip.

A family-owned gas station condemned by county commissioners last week as the final piece of property in the buyout. The price to be paid will be determined through condemnation hearings.

The plan was funded with a $50-million bond and the county was able to complete the plan at a cost of $20-million. Officials are debating what to do with the unsold bonds, which they had said would be canceled if not needed.

Retired Lieutenant General Richard Burpee says the project was instrumental in keeping Tinker off a base closure list last year.