The city of International Falls has approval to tear down the fire-damaged bandshell at Smoky Bear Park.
Approval was given this week by city council to a contract awarded to Wagner Construction worth over $63,000.
The concrete stage will stay.
Public Workers Supervisor Ted Brokaw says they are still trying to convince the insurance firm to cover its removal if required.
“That’s been the struggle is trying to get the insurance adjuster to agree that if we get to a point that we need to take the rest of the concrete down that they’re still in the game,” says Brokaw.
The latest communication from the insurance firm came on Monday with it not committing to that.
The city wants to ensure the new bandshell meets existing accessibility guidelines.
Mayor Harley Droba is disappointed.
“My big concern in all of this. . . is if the concrete needs to go, the city cannot be held liable to move them. The insurance company has to be held liable because they’re the ones who have told us how to handle this, and I’m really struggling with them not committing to it,” says Droba.
Brokaw says architects have already been to the site to take measurements but emphasizes nothing has been agreed upon.
He adds the goal is to have the structure down and cleaned up by July 2nd.
The bandshell was destroyed by fire in early April.
