The Daily O’Collegian

The Stillwater City Council approved a request on Monday to allow OSU to take the next step in building the Athletic Village.

OSU requested that the city close easements and rights of way within the Athletic Village area.

The area affected is bounded on the north by McElroy Road, on the east by Duck Street, to the south by Hall of Fame Avenue and on the west by Washington Street.

Paula Dennison, Development Services director, said nearby residents would not lose any utility service when the utility easements close.

“Certain utilities will remain in operation until substitute facilities are constructed and are ready for acceptance, along with easements, by the council,” Dennison said.

The council approved the request with two conditions.

The first condition states that results from a traffic impact study that the university conducted be submitted and accepted by city staff.

The second condition states the development agreement must be executed by OSU prior to the second reading of the closing ordinance.

Joe Weaver, associate vice president for administration and finance for OSU, said the traffic study results should be available within a few weeks.

Clarence Cunningham has lived in Stillwater since 1954 and spoke at the meeting in opposition to the request.

Cunningham said he came from The Ohio State University that built a similar building and has experienced problems such as riots, fights and vandalism.

He’s worried that Stillwater and Oklahoma State will experience similar problems.

“I think we’ve lost sight of the purpose of the university, I’m ashamed to say this because I enjoyed teaching [at OSU],” Cunningham said.

“Higher education is very important to this country and I was very disappointed that Oklahoma State has lost their sights and their senses in going about this athletic facility.”

He encouraged the council to consider the situation carefully.

“I don’t know what you can do but if there’s anything that can be done, we have to put a stop to it,” he said.

The council also approved a resolution adopting a rate structure for the Waste Management Division roll-off waste collection service.

Ralph Kinder, Public Works director, said the City has bought a truck with a hydraulic system arm that can lift large items without workers having to pick it up.

“We wanted the capability to lift up large items, refrigerators or an old couch, and load that without having to physically pick it up by hand,” Kinder said.

He said the city has high workers compensation insurance because of injuries to pickup workers, but new truck should help that problem.

He also said the truck will also pick up byproducts from the Waste Water Treatment Plant that the city didn’t want employees to have to touch.

Containers for oversized items to be placed on are available through the city to rent.

The containers will also be at the new Convenience Collection Center at the grand opening on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

The Center will have on-site staff available to collect recyclable items.