MOORE, Oklv. – A Cleveland County housing development has drawn criticism from a local Indigenous activist due to its ongoing arrested development woes. The development in question is the Cleveland Heights Urban Renewal Plan. It is part of a greater comprehension plan, Envision Moore Plan 2040, which identified the area of Cleveland Heights as needing significant infrastructure upgrades and improvements. Indigenous activist and Moore resident Timothy Barnett (Mvskoke/Western Band Cherokee/Laguna Pueblo) lives in the area. Barnett recently voiced his displeasure in a one-man protest on March 14.
Barnett is an enrolled citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His Mvskoke name is Ekvn Cate. He has lived in the Cleveland Heights area for the past two years. Barnett claimed that the city has mishandled the upkeep of the area by allowing it to become what he described as a dumping ground for garbage and stray animals. After several discussions with city leaders and police officials, no progress has been made to improve the area around Barnett’s residence.
“I’ve seen what’s been happening with my own eyes. I’ve woken up to what’s been happening to my mother earth in a really bad way,” Barnett said. “I kept seeing all these vehicles polluting, dumping their trash, and nothing happening. No city, no police, nothing happening.”
The area lies within Moore’s jurisdiction, but borders the cities of Oklahoma City and Norman. Cleveland Heights’ improper infrastructure has historically caused massive headaches for those seeking to develop it. According to the development plan, the Cleveland Heights area has “suffered from decades of obsolete platting, lack of necessary infrastructure improvements, and little to no investment or reinvestment”.
The area of Cleveland Heights has been in arrested development stemming back to the 1950s. Lots in the area were reportedly sold by developers who did not build the proper infrastructure needed for a housing edition. That, coupled with inaccurate property survey data has led to lawsuits over water rights, and property moratoriums. The site was declared a blighted area in 2019. A five-member urban renewal authority was authorized to oversee progress on future site developments.
Cleveland Heights Today
Fast forward to today, residents like Barnett have complained that the area’s lackadaisical development has made it a prime location for dumping and fugitives escaping law enforcement. According to Barnett, when law enforcement searches for fugitives in the area they would disturb residents at night by using bright flashlights. After dealing with these issues, Barnett believed it was his obligation to stand up for the area and the best interest of the ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it. That is when he decided to take a stand and protest.
During Barnett’s March 14 protest at 19th Sunny Lane and Bryant in the Cleveland Heights area, he was seen with a walking stick adorned with an eagle feather while publically voicing his concerns. Moore police officers were called to address the protest. After a discussion with the officers, Barnett agreed to leave the property peacefully.
The City of Moore released an official statement regarding Barnett’s complaints on Cleveland Heights’ management. The statement reads,
“Cleveland Heights is an undeveloped quarter section with approximately five structures on it. We are in the process of acquiring all of the lots so the property can be developed. We are aware of Mr. Barnett’s concerns.”
This decade marks over 60 years since the Cleveland Heights area first began modern development. According to Barnett, he was satisfied with the impact he made during his one-man protest, however he is seeking other ways to protest in the future.
