http://newsok.com/construction-halts-on-american-indian-cultural-center-in-oklahoma-city/article/3688262?custom_click=masthead_topten
Oklahoma Indian museum suspends construction
06/28/2012 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Leaders with the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City say construction will be suspended July 1....
In a news conference at the half-constructed museum, Executive Director Blake Wade said construction crews will provide site maintenance until more funds can be acquired.
Wade said the board of directors for the cultural center voted unanimously Thursday for a plan to preserve and protect the empty shell of the estimated $170 million building.
The project has never been fully funded and has been constructed in stages as funding became available to the state agency overseeing construction of the building.
Completion hinged on a $40 million bond issue that was defeated by the Senate this past legislative session. It was the third time the Senate had denied funding for the project in similar bond proposals.
Wade said private donors who had pledged $40 million contingent on state matching dollars seem willing to grant an extension on their pledges for a reasonable amount of time.
Armed with letters of support from Gov. Mary Fallin and The Research Institute for Economic Development, Wade said project backers are working hard to secure pledges and new donations.
We have worked diligently over the last two weeks, working with our donors to make sure that they know we're not quitting, Wade said. It is so great to hear all the inspiration that they have said we will stay with you and you go ahead and get this done.
I have a solution- CASINO!
Oklahoma Indian museum suspends construction
06/28/2012 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Leaders with the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City say construction will be suspended July 1....
In a news conference at the half-constructed museum, Executive Director Blake Wade said construction crews will provide site maintenance until more funds can be acquired.
Wade said the board of directors for the cultural center voted unanimously Thursday for a plan to preserve and protect the empty shell of the estimated $170 million building.
The project has never been fully funded and has been constructed in stages as funding became available to the state agency overseeing construction of the building.
Completion hinged on a $40 million bond issue that was defeated by the Senate this past legislative session. It was the third time the Senate had denied funding for the project in similar bond proposals.
Wade said private donors who had pledged $40 million contingent on state matching dollars seem willing to grant an extension on their pledges for a reasonable amount of time.
Armed with letters of support from Gov. Mary Fallin and The Research Institute for Economic Development, Wade said project backers are working hard to secure pledges and new donations.
We have worked diligently over the last two weeks, working with our donors to make sure that they know we're not quitting, Wade said. It is so great to hear all the inspiration that they have said we will stay with you and you go ahead and get this done.
I have a solution- CASINO!
