History
The first talk of cultivating a garden in downtown Oklahoma City began in 1964 when City leaders commissioned renowned architect I.M. Pei to create a revitalization plan for downtown Oklahoma City. The effort was led by Oklahoma City oil pioneer Dean A McGee (1904-1989), Founder and CEO of Kerr-McGee Oil Corporation.
The resulting initiative, known as the “Pei Plan,” included setting aside parkland for the development of a cultural, recreational and commercial complex in downtown Oklahoma City. Pei’s original idea was to create a space similar to the Tivoli Gardens of Copenhagen, Denmark.
McGee took up the project of pursuing the Gardens, and continued working on their completion up until his death in 1989.
Significant Dates:
May 5, 1970. The name Myriad Botanical Gardens was officially adopted. The name came from “the Myriad,” the new 13,000-seat arena and convention center across the street from the parkland.
August 11, 1970. The Oklahoma City Council established a 19-member task force to oversee the project's planning and implementation.
1971. New York architects Conklin + Rossant were chosen to design the new project after a nationwide competition.
1975. The City of Oklahoma City purchased the site for the Myriad Botanical Gardens for $900,000.
September 16, 1975. A public trust called the Myriad Gardens Authority was created and charged with developing the 17-acre (69,000 m2) property. McGee was the trust’s first Chairman.
November 17, 1977. With plans in hand, City leaders and Trust members officially broke ground to begin construction of the Gardens. Construction of the Gardens’ infrastructure, including the base of the conservatory, water stage and other core facilities continued over the next four years as funding became available.
1981. The Myriad Gardens Foundation was formed to raise private funds for the construction of the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. They raised a total of $5.1 million (equivalent to $21.9 million in 2008).
1983-1985. The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory was constructed. The framework that makes up the Conservatory’s unique cylindrical shape was built using 17 tri-cord trusses. The framework was then filled in with over 3,000 individual clear acrylic panels that assist in controlling the tropical atmosphere inside the building. After the building was completed, it took almost another two years to plan, select and install the plant materials.
1987. The Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department took over operation and maintenance of the Gardens. The Myriad Gardens Authority and Myriad Gardens Foundation both still play integral roles in establishing policy and raising private funding for the Gardens’ continued growth.
March 25, 1988. The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory opens its doors to the public. Among those in attendance were then-Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick, Mike Bush, the Gardens’ first Executive Director, and Mr. McGee, who at the age of 84, finally saw his vision for the Gardens realized. Opening weekend saw over 12,000 visitors to the Gardens and Crystal Bridge.
May, 2010 - January, 2011. The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory will undergo a $10.5 million renovation project beginning in May, 2010, during which all of the acrylic panels will be removed and replaced with new panels. In addition, the steel truss structure of the Crystal Bridge will be sandblasted and re-painted. Funding for the project was included in Oklahoma City's 2007 General Obligation Bond.
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