Skyrocketing Costs Threaten OSBI Lab

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Unless the state Legislature hands over another $5 million, completion of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Center is doubtful, OSBI officials said.

“It is critical we get the supplemental appropriation,” Jerry Hire, OSBI special projects officer, said. “There is no way we can occupy the lab without it being finished.”
Construction of the $20 million project was expected to be completed by May 2007.

Higher construction prices caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and skyrocketing fuel prices have put the future of the 72,000-square-foot center in jeopardy, Hire said.

AP