EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – Plans for a sculpture park in Edmond that would have rivaled Tulsa’s Gathering Place has been scrapped by the developers.

The park would have been built at the corner of Northwest 2nd and Coltrane.

The Edmond City Council first passed plans for the sculpture park last month, but now the developers say delays, hurdles and obstacles have drained their energy and enthusiasm and ended their dream for the project.

The developers confirmed that they felt the city and it’s managers just did not support the project.

“I support public art and the Uncommon Ground proposed park. It is my responsibility and staff’s to assess and to present to City Council any initial and long-term financial costs attributed to any project so they can take that into consideration as they consider a project.

The City was working with them on a master plan and the City Council recently approved their site plan and all 8 variances they requested, which included assuming responsibility for improving Coltrane and 2nd Street.

The City has funded the arts programs and again in this year’s proposed budget is funding for the arts program and the Parks Conservancy Trust.”

City Manager Scot Rigby

“I am sorry to hear of Mr. French’s decision to not move forward with the Uncommon Ground project.  I know both the city and Mr. French’s team were earnestly engaged in working through the details of this exciting project.  After last Council meeting’s approval of Uncommon Ground’s site plan, I thought we were positively moving in the right direction.  I would hope in the coming days we may have the opportunity to visit with Mr. French and his team to discuss how the project could move forward.”

Mayor Darrell A. Davis