Tulsa World: Larger site in works for monument

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Larger site in works for monument

Oklahoma sculptor Shan Gray continues to work on plans to build a 21-story monument, "The American," near Tulsa, but the proposed location is likely to change.

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/18/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 10/18/2008 2:07 AM

"The American," a proposed 21-story bronze monument of an American Indian warrior, is likely moving to a new, larger location.

Plans to build one of the world's largest freestanding bronze monuments with an observation area were first announced in March 2004.

"A lot has happened over the years," said Melanie Gray, wife of Oklahoma sculptor Shan Gray, who hopes to build the monument.

"It's just not all seen by the public. We're moving cautiously."

During a committee meeting this week, Tulsa city councilors were told that the $36 million, 207-foot-tall monument project, initially proposed for Holmes Peak in Osage County, is moving to a larger, 300-acre site 3 1/2 miles away.

But reached Wednesday, Melanie Gray spoke vaguely about moving to a new site, saying it was a "possibility" because the footprint of the project had grown.

"What we have realized over time is that we wanted to have a strategic partnership with regard to the venues around 'The American' in order to secure and maintain some continuity," she said.

Gray said the topography of the Holmes Peak site is limited in space, making it difficult to ensure that the venue would work appropriately.

Paul Zachary, the Public Works Department's deputy director of engineering, told the council that land owned by the Catholic Diocese next to Holmes Peak could not be acquired, which limited the land available for the project. Zachary is the city's contact with the Grays.

The Grays also are going through a process with an American Indian tribe to become a vested partner in the project. Although Gray said most people will assume that it is with the Osage Nation because of the site location, she would not confirm that.

The Grays also have negotiated with a capital investment firm for a plan to build a luxury hotel and entertainment venue adjacent to the monument.

"We know it's going to be a high-visibility project, and due to the very nature of that and the fact that we consider this to be a world-class icon, we want to strategically position the area as a destination point, not just a pass-through," she said.

Gray said she and her husband have had no discussions about a casino on the site.

"We want to make sure the venue is family-oriented," she said.

Gray said not every component of entertainment that would surround the monument has been discussed. She also said she and her husband won't have control over all entertainment.

She said she believes that the overall project could become "a real family corridor of entertainment, especially with Branson and Oklahoma City in easy driving distance. We think you could make a whole vacation out of this."

"The American" will depict a warrior with a bald eagle landing on his forearm.

Visitors would be able to ride an elevator to a two-story gallery two-thirds of the way up the monument and then could climb to an observation deck in the statue's forehead. In addition to the monument, the site would have a visitors center and educational center.

Gray said recent national economic turmoil has put a hold on some potential investors, who are waiting to see the ultimate effect on their earnings.

The project is not raising funds through a public offering. Only qualified investors can participate and that includes individuals, companies or organizations with a certain level of annual income or net worth. The project is being pitched as an investment with projected returns.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment k-dog, Owasso (10/18/2008 9:30:24 AM) First - I'm still trying to figure out why the City of Tulsa is involved (Paul Zachary)? It certainly isn't in the city limits. Sounds like they should be working with Osage County. Second - I sincerely doubt this will ever get built.
	Report Comment zrs, Tulsa, Claremore (10/18/2008 11:13:14 AM) How long has it been since we've heard as much as a whisper about this? At least a year, if I remember. And as I recall, the last thing we heard is that if was set to break ground… again. It’s always been new groundbreaking date upon new ground breaking date, for years, and I'm sick of these developers leading Tulsa through the hoops. And K-dog, I gave up hope for this a long time ago. Sounds like the developers don't even know what is going on or how they will get money. That never bodes well for stuff like this.
	Report Comment osage2, Owasso (10/18/2008 12:56:59 PM) yea if we, being the indians, wanted it we would have no problem paying for it!!! the problem is we dont want or have a need for it. my family and I are Osage and there are many of us that are outragged by the development of this ridiculous statute and plan for an entertainment venue with a luxury hotel!!! are you serious?! why do we need this? we dont and the fact that the money to fund this is comming from the Osage Nation! instead of using that money for bettering the Osage Nation as a whole by helping with health care, housing and the community at large, it is being wasted on this plan that has been turned down by many investors around oklahoma, this only benefits one "family" and that is the Gray family. This does not benefit Tulsa or the Osage Nation by any means!! its just a way for someone to get what they want come hell or high water and the important issues and needs are fallen to the waste side.

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