Scammers Target Homeowners in MAPS 3 Proposed Central Park Area

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Before Oklahoma City starts building the MAPS 3 voter approved central park downtown, the land has to be acquired. The location of the proposed 70 acre park is filled with land currently belonging to both commercial and residential property owners.

The process for the city to acquire the land has not begun, but property owners have been getting offers from people who imply they are with the city.

"They are knocking on doors. Coming and offering very little money, creating fear in the community. I'm going to give you $10,000 for your house and if you don't sell it to me, I'm here with the city. I'm connected with the city. We're just going to take it away from you," said Pat Fennell, who leads the Latino Community Development Agency.

The area in question is historically Latino, and Fennell has taken calls from concerned homeowners. It has prompted Fennell to call a meeting with city leaders and those in the community to clear the air. The truth is, no one from the city has been dispatched to start acquiring property yet.

Although the Urban Renewal Authority is ready to do so, they have not gotten the official go ahead. Instead, scammers are knocking on doors in hopes of acquiring property at a low price to make money when the city actually starts acquiring land.

"They try to make their money that way and it's really unscrupulous," said Joevan Bullard with the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority.

Fennell said she is disappointed but not surprised.

"I think there are always people who are ready to be opportunistic and prey on people who might be well intentioned but maybe that don't know how the system works," Fennell said.

Property owners in the affected area will be compensated for their move and the market value of their property. The city has the right to acquire the land through eminent domain. Eminent domain is the power the city has to take property for public and civic use.

City leaders want to acquire not only the proposed MAPS 3 park area but also the land that borders the park. MAPS 3 funding can only be used for property inside the park area. The border will have to be funded a different way. Bullard said the city is still working on that.

Oklahoma City's Urban Renewal is the agency that will help Oklahoma City acquire the land. The agency has already hired appraisers, surveyors, and a title company.

"I'm ready. I'm ready. Bring it on," Bullard said.

The work will likely start next month after the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Council is expected to release a list that prioritizes MAPS3 projects. Bullard said the Renewal Authority can begin work if the park is placed as the top priority. The advisory council's chairman Tom McDaniel said that is likely.