Council backs Corn Palace plaza expansion concept, commissions seating and ADA design work and asks for schematic design for remodeling

Mitchell City Council on Jan. 20 reviewed a schematic design for a proposed expansion of the Corn Palace plaza and authorized several next steps including design agreements and further study of a larger remodeling concept.

City staff and Confluence landscape architect Lyle Pudwill presented a refined concept for the plaza that would enlarge the Main Street entry, add a synthetic lawn/flexible event area, a themed children’s play zone with unique climbers, shaded seating, fixed-arm swings and a misting spray feature. The plan preserves some angled parking to support events while improving circulation and providing space for food trucks and vendors.

City staff told the council some funds had already been budgeted in 2024 and 2025 and that the entertainment-tax fund is the likely source for construction; staff also proposed pursuing outside sponsorships. Planner Stephanie Owen said the estimated total for the presented plaza concept is up to about $1.6 million, with line items including a $100–120k synthetic turf, $450–550k for a high-end custom play climber, $75–100k boardwalk, $20k swings and $200–240k for spray features.

Council members generally praised the concept and encouraged staff to continue fundraising and to return with a design contract for council consideration. Several members asked staff to present alternative options or variations of shade-canopy treatments; staff said the committee process that produced the schematic considered several layouts and had narrowed to the presented design.

Separately, the council approved a separate architectural services agreement with Civerella Design to develop railings and ADA seating limits for the Corn Palace’s west side; staff said the design fee for that scope is about $9,700 with project estimates for railings and ADA upgrades at approximately $60,000 plus $10,000 in anticipated bidding/construction-phase services. Council approved that agreement so manufacturers could size replacement seating and determine how many seats would be lost or reconfigured.

On a larger Corn Palace renovation, the council heard a presentation from Schimmer Associates on a phased remodel that would add event floor space, retractable seating and improved mechanical systems. Schimmer presented options intended to create roughly 15,000 square feet of additional usable event floor, add retractable seating (approximately 1,200 on the main floor and roughly 550 on an upper level in the concept) and replace mechanical systems. Preliminary project-level budget targets discussed were about $12 million for an initial phase; construction could be timed for 2026–2027 in optimistic scenarios, with typical project timelines of two years once funding and design proceed.

Council directed staff to return to the Feb. 3 meeting with an agreement focused on the schematic design phase for the Corn Palace remodel (the schematic phase proposal discussed in the session was roughly $84,000); members said they preferred to refine concepts and costs before committing to full design/construction contracts. City staff advised the council that some money has been budgeted in 2024–2025 for plaza work and that additional budgeting could be proposed in 2026 if council proceeds.

Nut graf: The council approved targeted design work that will allow seat replacement and ADA improvements to proceed, supported a $1.6 million schematic plaza concept with further fundraising, and instructed the consultant to prepare a schematic design agreement for a larger, phased remodeling study that will refine options and costs toward a potential $12 million project.

Clarifying details: The plaza schematic aims to preserve flexibility for events and ticketing control while adding a children’s play zone, shaded seating, a mist feature and upgraded surfacing. Staff presented a planning-level cost estimate up to $1.6 million for the plaza schematic. The Civerella Design agreement for railings/ADA seating is a $9,700 lump-sum design fee; broader remodel schematic fee discussed ~ $84,000. Funding sources proposed: entertainment-tax fund, possible sponsorships and budget carryover in 2026.

Ending: Council gave staff direction to pursue schematic-design contracts (plaza and remodel schematic), continue fundraising and return with formal design agreement(s) and budget proposals for later meetings.