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Council opens study into $1 Corn Palace admission; opts for further study not immediate fee
Summary
Council held a brainstorming session on whether to add a $1 admission fee at the Corn Palace. Members and stakeholders raised revenue, tourism and equity concerns and suggested alternatives such as donations, guided tours, and targeted charging for special events; no fee was adopted and staff were asked to research impacts.
Mitchell's long-running discussion about the Corn Palace returned to the council floor as members considered whether to add a $1 admission fee.
Council members emphasized this meeting was a brainstorming session rather than a motion to change policy. Supporters argued a small admission could raise dedicated revenue for mural production and operations; opponents warned the "free" attraction drives visitation and downtown spending and that charging could reduce foot traffic and harm concession and gift-shop revenue. One council member cited historical door-count estimates (roughly 137,000 annual entries during active periods) and staff said prior donation-box receipts have been in the low tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Speakers proposed alternatives: introducing or expanding paid guided tours, improving donation and signage strategies, offering county- or resident-exemptions, and charging only during marquee events. Chamber representatives recommended more outreach and economic studies before changing the admission model to avoid harming small vendors who lease space on the Corn Palace floor.
Council directed staff and the chamber to study potential economic impacts, concession and lease implications, staffing needs for point-of-sale collection, and comparable models (such as voluntary donations or paid guided tours) and report back to the council before any fee is considered.
No ordinance or formal fee was enacted at the meeting.
