Plans for the Bronx to become home to New York City's first public observatory have come to an end.

The Amateur Astronomers Association, or AAA, announced the conclusion of its efforts to bring NYC’s first-ever public conservatory to the Bronx.

In partnership with NYC Parks Department, sources close to AAA say it took four years to obtain licensing.

Bart Fried, former AAA executive vice president, told News 12 the plans came to a halt when the city's attorneys got involved.

“Two lawyers came in who didn’t seem to know much about the project,” Bart Fried recounted. “People who care more about liability issues than a project where the city wins, the public wins, the Amateur Astronomers Association wins and the schools win.”

The AAA released a statement to its members and donors, saying in part:

“The Board of Directors has been negotiating with the city with the advice of nonprofit legal counsel for nearly 6 months, because after several years of diligent efforts developing plans, accumulating the equipment, and raising some funds to do so, the city imposed licensing requirements this summer before we could commence construction to build and operate it.”

The release cited legal roadblocks, including issues regarding liability insurance and an indemnification clause that sources claim was not previously agreed upon.

Katherine Troche, VP of operations for AAA, told News 12 the location was specially picked based on its vicinity to multiple schools.

“The real loss is, something that you can't quantify… academic potential” said Troche.

Troche expressed the need for access to educationally based initiatives. She emphasized her disappointment for the project's conclusion, “especially in a borough that continuously gets the shaft when it comes to certain resources,” she noted.

News 12 reached out to the president of the AAA, Alfredo Viegas.

He declined to speak on camera, but the insisted his organization remains dedicated to finding a space for the observatory in the five boroughs. He claims they are already in talks with a potential new location.

Both Fried and Troche expressed their hope for the project to come to fruition.

In January 2024, News 12 reported that Jerome Park would be the grounds of the borough's newest addition.