Committee reports donations for veterans memorial; American Legion asks to preserve existing monument

The committee updating the planned Kasson City veterans memorial reported new financial commitments and described a pending conversation with the American Legion about the fate of the existing monument.

Staff said the project has commitments that include $10,000 from Bigalow's and $30,000 from city liquor-store funds. "That right there puts us at roughly $80,000," one member said, describing the current fundraising position. The committee emphasized the city will continue to solicit donations through the year and then the city will take over the project as needed.

Two options from the Legion were reported: relocate the existing memorial to the Legion property or incorporate the existing memorial elements into the new memorial. Staff warned that the stone structure and brickwork are deteriorating and said moving the memorial intact is likely infeasible without significant repair or reconstruction. "There’s a right now no feasible way to move that memorial because it's deteriorating," a staff member said, noting bricks are falling out and a single-piece move could result in collapse.

Committee members said they will meet with Legion representatives to clarify expectations and to get cost estimates for relocation, stabilization, or partial reuse of plaques. Staff suggested an option to salvage plaques or components and integrate them into the new structure if a full relocation proves impractical.

Next steps: the parks staff will meet the Legion later this week to gather specifics on what the Legion wants and to obtain estimates for whether relocation or incorporation is feasible and what that would cost.