First Americans Museum

[lasomeday]

Looks like it is eroding away. I don't think they know what they are doing.

[jbrown84]

I think they are waiting on funding.

[Pete]

Hadn't seen this before and wanted to make sure people saw it...

10 minute video on the Center:

OklaTravelNet

[ssandedoc]

The state approved funding back in May 2008 for the next phase. They maybe waiting for more money for the final one or two phases.

[DaveSkater]

I think they're in D.C. Begging for stimulous money.

[metro]

The state also just passed a small amount of money in the last week or so, $100K something I believe.

[ssandedoc]

If you go to their website: aiccm.org

2009 Construction
January - May

* Bid Documents for the Gallery building shell & Hall of People steel prepared
* Open Phase 2 bids January 29, 2009
* Award contracts to complete exterior building structures for gallery, east wing & erect steel for the hall of the people
* Perform quality control reviews on all Phase 2 building components (submittals and shop drawings)
* Complete phase 1 promontory topsoil & native grass seeding

So looks like they may have the money, but are receiving bids or they are getting bids to pursue a new budget with the state. I think it will be built, but the recession isn't helping things.

[Pete]

I saw that update as well but I wonder if they have actually put things out to bid and are still on track.

With the resources on this site, it seems we would have heard if there was an active construction RFP of this size.

[ssandedoc]

I have AN UPDATE!

Source: Oklahoma Historical Society's Dr. Bob Blackburn

My class was at OHS today, they lost power, and he stopped by to say hello to us as he walked out another group. My professor got him to talk about the building of the history center, and in passing he talked about AICCM. He said they need $20 million now to finish building (something), and another $60 million to finish the complete infrastructure. So, they're $80 million away from finishing. Big ouch in this economy! To my knowledge the capital campaign has not been formerly launched, so they are heavily relying on state and federally funding (most of it state). Blackburn said it can be done though, OHS got the last part of their funds in 2002 - pretty bad year for the state in terms of funding.

[Jesseda]

whats sad is that we dont have enough money to build this nice indian ( im sorry since i am indian I mean native american anyways lol metro likes to poke at me all the time) museum, but th city has enough money to hire people to think about a new convention center.

[metro]

Native American

[BDP]

whats sad is that we dont have enough money to build this nice indian museum, but th city has enough money to hire people to think about a new convention center.

Holy crap! Did we pay 80 million dollars for the convention center study!? Rip off.

BTW, I don't think the city is building the museum.

[ssandedoc]

Holy crap! Did we pay 80 million dollars for the convention center study!? Rip off.

BTW, I don't think the city is building the museum.

Actually, the city donated the land for the AICCM. The state government has put up most of the funds, the federal government promised some limited help but those funds hadn't come through last I heard.

[okclee]

If the indians (native Americans) would use some of their casino money, they would have the funds by days end.

[Jesseda]

sorry metro, even though i am part indian or native american, its doesnt bother me one way or another same with many of my indian-native american friends lol but metro you seem to always creep up on post something negative after me about my recent posts like you have to have the last word? whats up, did i do something to you recently or is this just you?

[metro]

It's a lot more complicated than just the "City handing over money." This is a public-private partnership and also in conjunction with the Smithsonian. Tribes have donated money to the project already, this is a project in the close to $200K, and they've raised about half. Since each tribe owns their own casino's, what is the benefit of donating to a museum that features all native american tribes instead of helping the people of their own nation? On top of that, the City can't really afford to donate a large chunk of money during a recession when revenues are down. This won't bring in NEAR the sales tax a new convention center will. This is definitely a worthwhile project, but the city has to act on priorities, especially when this isn't a municipal project.

[LordGerald]

sorry metro, even though i am part indian or native american, its doesnt bother me one way or another same with many of my indian-native american friends lol but metro you seem to always creep up on post something negative after me about my recent posts like you have to have the last word? whats up, did i do something to you recently or is this just you?

metro knows all, sees all. At least he seems to think so...

[jbrown84]

Metro's right.

[DaveSkater]

The only package out to bid right now is bid package 8.2 Timbers and I think it's a rebid.

So, there is some bidding going on, albeit very slowly. My sources say the next major phase should bid in the summer. Of course that is 2 month old information, so who knows.....

[bombermwc]

Metro - going back to partnerships....on an unrelated story. Do you feel the city should be contributing to complete the Land Run Monument? We haven't seen any progress there in a while.

[kevinpate]

I'm not metro, but to bombermwc's question, the city, and the state, and the BT Association ought to all commit to assuring the the Land Run monument will be finished, and finished soon.

[okrednk]

metro knows all, sees all. At least he seems to think so...

Is it really necessary to attack him. Give it up if you don't agree, choose to say nothing.

I am so tired of hearing someone bash someone else all because that person is providing conversation on a FORUM.

[LakeEffect]

Metro - going back to partnerships....on an unrelated story. Do you feel the city should be contributing to complete the Land Run Monument? We haven't seen any progress there in a while.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the City's project anyway, so the City is the major, if not only, contributor already. The project has turned out to be more expensive than planned, so they are searching for additional funding. The sculptor/casting company are working hard. A report was given to Council some time last year...

[sethsrott]

Capital Campaign

They have a list of the major donors, they also are about $75M away from having full funding.

[Steve]

For the record, the city did not pay anything close to $80 million for the convention center study. I'll ask and find out the cost, but likely it was in the low six figures or less.