John Degenaer Jr., then Dickinson County Fair Board president, looks at the 1939-built exhibition hall building at the fairgrounds in September 2023, when roof and siding repairs were being discussed. (Terry Castelaz/Daily News, file)

IRON MOUNTAIN — A 1939 building at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds that some residents hope to save is actually beyond repair, according to County Board Chair Dan Harrington.

He offered that appraisal at a county board meeting Monday.

Commissioner Joe Stevens, however, asked that ideas for renovation be explored further, given the historical significance of what’s popularly known as “exhibition row.”

“I do think we need numbers,” Stevens said.

Harrington responded “no amount of money in the world” would be appropriate, citing decades of damage from a leaking roof. Three contractors have concluded the building isn’t worthy of renovation, he said, though he listed no specific inspections.

The fair board voted 7-3 last month to tear the building down. Voting against demolition were fair board members James DalSanto, John Gunville and Rob Barkle. Minutes from the Feb. 3 session included no cost estimates.

Harrington and Commissioner Victoria Jakel are county board representatives on the 11-member fair board. Harrington said Monday that if preserving the building was a better choice than a new structure, he would be happy to support it.

Friends of the Dickinson County Fair, an independent non-profit group, in January presented a $20,000 contribution to the fair board with the intention of helping save exhibition row. Most of the funding came through a donation from the Dickinson County 100-Plus Women Who Care, who heard a presentation by Friends representative Lisa Bedard at its August meeting.

Bedard, at the time, said the old antique storefront of the building makes it a showpiece for the Norway fairgrounds. She acknowledged that $20,000 was insufficient to save the structure but offered the possibility of skilled laborers donating time.

Harrington on Monday said the fair board hadn’t solicited the money from 100-Plus Women, adding, “We’re more than happy to give it back.”

He also said the initiative to secure funding to save the structure was the work of “an individual.” The fair board, he added, had been talking about tearing down exhibition row “for years and years.”

The building on the southwest side of the fairgrounds has housed canning, bakery and antiques during the fair. The Dickinson County Racing Association has made use of the section nearest to the grandstand. Historic features include an interior tin ceiling and archways.

During citizens’ time, prior to the county board’s discussion, Barbara Kramer of Iron Mountain asked for a “full public accounting” of the fair board’s actions before demolition moves forward. Permission will be needed from the county board to tear the structure down, she said — and Harrington did agree.

Stevens, meanwhile, suggested the county’s in-house construction unit have a look at the building.

During citizens’ time, George Wiedenhoeft of Breitung Township said a cost analysis is critical to any debate over the building’s fate, but nothing’s been communicated.

Elizabeth Stack of Norway said, “History is who we are,” and called for more information on the building’s viability. She also disputed Harrington’s claim that one person was behind the drive to save the structure, reading for the board a directive from the Friends group concerning the donation.

In another matter, the county board voted 4-1 to appoint Cameron O’Connor of Breitung Township to fill a vacancy on the fair board for a term expiring at the end of the year. Natasha Cronick of Norway Township also applied and was supported by Stevens.

The vacancy was created by the resignation of Anthony Grudnoski of Breitung Township.

Other current members of the fair board are James Stachowicz, Brian Swanson, Liane Arnold, Beth Bray and Chair Chuck Parker.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Reappointed Wendy Mattia of Norway Township to a three-year term on the Northpointe Behavioral Health Board.

— Heard Jakel report that Northpointe’s monthly board meetings will now be at the agency’s offices in Kingsford, Menominee and Iron River, with video connections between the three sites. More information and a Microsoft Teams link can be found at https://www.nbhs.org/northpointe-board-of-directors-info/. The next regular meeting is 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

— Agreed to consult with forester Brock VanOss of Crystal Falls on a harvest plan for the county’s wooded properties. During a May meeting, the county had consented to having Harrington and Controller Brian Bousley began an assessment of properties and prepare a harvest plan, though the possibility of hiring a forester wasn’t ruled out. VanOss, who has worked with the county on past harvests, approached the board Monday to say at least one parcel is due for a cutting, and possible replanting.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.