Oklahoma City American Indian museum to halt construction

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Leaders with the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City say construction will be suspended July 1.

The museum's backers said Thursday that work is stopping because they've run out of money for construction. The museum says builders will remain on site on a month-to-month to provide security.

The project stalled after the Oklahoma Legislature declined to issue an additional $40 million in bond funding for the museum. Some legislators were critical of the museum's total costs, which are estimated at $171 million.

The state has already spent $63.4 million in bonds for the incomplete museum in Oklahoma City.