Below is the text from the cover letter to the Union Station Resolution

August 11, 2008

Honorable Brad Henry

212 State Capitol Bldg.

2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4890

Dear Governor Henry;

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club has long opposed the unnecessary destruction of the Union Station rail facility in Oklahoma City. I have enclosed with this letter the most recent resolution by the state chapter reinforcing our position and appealing to you to use your authority to began a process to reconsider reasonable alternatives to the current route of the I-40 Crosstown expressway. 

The resolution speaks for itself.  We believe the long term economic and environmental benefits of preserving this facility will more than offset the cost of a course correction. Yes, a great deal of money has been spent. But it is a fraction of the total cost.  More importantly it pales in comparison to the cost of re-creating a passenger rail hub with all the assets contained in the Union Station.  Indeed the Union Station Rail facility is irreplaceable. Many cities have lost their Union Station and rail infrastructure to their everlasting regret and will never recover from that blunder. Those cities that were wise enough to preserve their rail facilities are decades ahead in providing economical, convenient and reliable public transportation.  It is not too late for us to change course.

Thank you for your consideration of this resolution.

Sincerely,

Charles R. Wesner, Chair

Oklahoma Chapter Sierra Club

Read the Union Station Resolution