In 2019, Jim Clayton and the City of Knoxville signed an agreement to build a new $100 million science museum at the site of the now defunct Knoxville Police Department on Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, near the Civic Coleseum.

Now, the Clayton Family Foundation withdrew $150 million from the project that would have built the science museum.

The Clayton Family Foundation has not commented on why they withdrew the funding. However, times certainly have changed since August, 2019.

UPDATE: Jim Clayton responded to WBIR on Saturday with his own statement....

“Mayor Kincannon’s media statement is surprising, as I have enjoyed working with the Mayor and her fine staff. This matter can be resolved amicably, and a great science museum is in our future.”