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Commission approves relocation of historic city bell to Copper Village Art Museum
Summary
Commissioners unanimously approved moving the city bell from the Kennedy Commons to a City Hall-facing site by the Copper Village Art Museum after local volunteers outlined plans and Job Corps offered construction help; Downtown TIF funds were identified as a possible payment source.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted unanimously to authorize the relocation of the historic city bell from the Kennedy Commons to a site at the Copper Village Art Museum.
Residents Mike Kovacic and Pat Connors presented the plan to move the bell to a 15-by-15-foot spot adjacent to City Hall on Commercial Street, described steps for concrete footing and anchor bolts, and said Job Corps has committed to digging, forming and sandblasting the bell if the commission grants approval. "We've been up there talking to him... they will do the digging, they will do the forming, and they will help us with the sandblasting," Pat Connors said.
Commissioners discussed ownership and protection of the bell. County Attorney Smith asked for clarification about ownership transfer to ensure the bell would remain county property rather than automatically becoming the property of the nonprofit that occupies the nearby building; the presenters and CEO Everett said the project would be coordinated so ownership would remain clear and the bell would be secured on a prepared base. Commissioner concern about theft prompted a request that the bell be set on a prepared base and installed promptly; one commissioner warned, "I know people in this town that would steal that in a heartbeat…" and urged quick installation.
Commissioners also discussed financing and logistics. CEO Everett and staff suggested the Downtown TIF could be an appropriate funding source; staff said applications to the Urban Renewal Agency's TIF program are open until Aug. 1 with voting on Aug. 21. Job Corps' limited painter availability was noted as a schedule constraint; presenters requested the commission's approval so work could begin within days.
The motion to approve the relocation carried by voice vote with five ayes and no recorded opposition. The commission did not attach other conditions beyond typical permit and coordination requirements. The next procedural step is for staff to finalize any necessary coordination with Job Corps and the Urban Renewal Agency's TIF application process.
