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Council approves MOU to host privately funded 'Beacon of Vision' monument on Route 66; artist says no city funding requested
Summary
Council approved a memorandum of understanding with local artist Nathan Pratt for a privately funded monument called Beacon of Vision on city land near Route 66 at Post Road; the artist and staff said the project will be privately raised and, if built, will be donated to the city for operations transfer.
The Edmond City Council on Aug. 26 approved a memorandum of understanding with local artist Nathan Pratt to advance a privately funded public-art project called Beacon of Vision on city-owned property near Route 66 at Post Road.
Ryan Ochsner, director of community quality, told council that staff completed a feasibility assessment and that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended moving forward. Ochsner said the proposed location would not preclude future park development and that the project concept had been reviewed with neighbors.
Pratt presented renderings and a small three-dimensional model and said the monument would face a view-shed toward the softball complex and be accompanied by limited site improvements, planting islands and about 20 parking spaces. Pratt said the Oklahoma Historical Society and affiliated nonprofits are supportive and that fundraising will be private; he repeatedly told council he was not seeking city funding.
"I would like to make it clear once again that I'm not asking the city for money," Pratt said. "I am privately raising the funds. My initial proposal was to request a piece of land upon which to build it, and I would raise the money."
Council members and public commenters praised the proposal's potential to boost tourism along the Route 66 corridor and emphasized the project's private funding structure. After discussion on operations and maintenance (which Pratt said would transfer to the city after donation), the council approved the memorandum of understanding authorizing staff and the artist to proceed with the agreed feasibility and permitting steps.
Why it matters
Supporters said the monument could leverage Route 66 tourism traffic and complement nearby attractions such as Pops and the Round Barn; staff emphasized that the project would follow standard permitting and art review processes and that the city would not be responsible for fundraising.
What’s next
The artist will continue private fundraising and follow the city's land-use and permitting process; if installed, the monument and site improvements would be donated to the city for long-term operation and maintenance.
