Marching bands from Iron Mountain and Kingsford high schools participated in the Memorial Day program May 31, 2021, at the Dickinson County Courthouse in Iron Mountain. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — A planned Memorial Day observance in Iron Mountain will be moved away from Dickinson County Courthouse due to concerns about the integrity of the building’s 89-foot clock tower.

While the courthouse remains open, county officials have decided it would be unwise to stage an event on the front lawn underneath the 126-year-old tower. Work to stabilize the tower was last completed in 2015 and reports are pending from structural engineers on whether more repairs are needed.

The Iron Mountain City Council on Monday agreed to move the ceremony to the downtown stage in the Hughitt Street parking lot. The parade route will also change, starting as usual on East Ludington Street at 8:45 a.m. but heading east to Iron Mountain Street and then south to the stage. During the program, Iron Mountain Street will be closed from Hughitt to East A streets.

Traditionally, the parade route is on Stephenson Avenue from East Ludington to East D streets.

The May 30 parade and ceremony are under the direction of the Dickinson County Office of Veterans Affairs.