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Fort Kid farewell celebration pushed back due to coronavirus, committee requests demolition delay

Beth Waters, Chairperson of the Fort Kid Committee, sent Mayor Kincannon a letter asking her to reschedule Fort Kid's demolition.

Fort Kid is scheduled to be demolished on April 6. 

Fort Kid's 29th-anniversary celebration was originally set for April 4, two days before its scheduled demolition. Now, the Fort Kid Committee is worried the anniversary may pass by and people won't get a chance to wish Fort Kid farewell.

Committee members sent Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon a letter asking for the demolition date to be postponed.

Beth Waters, the Chairperson of the Fort Kid Committee, asked Kincannon to delay the demolition so the celebration can be rescheduled and more people will have the opportunity to say goodbye. 

If the demolition date is not delayed, Waters said that they would need to make arrangements to lower the flag and dig up the time capsule.

Waters also wrote that Fort Kid would be a good place to take children to play outside, with several businesses closed and events canceled across the region due to coronavirus.

The iconic playground was temporarily shut down in November 2018, after inspectors found several safety hazards with it. After that, officials scrambled to create plans to renovate, replace and repair the area.

The mayor's office has not responded to the letter.

RELATED: Knoxville leaders to meet with community on plans to dismantle and rebuild Fort Kid playground

RELATED: City accepts $200K for Fort Kid renovations, wants community input on playground renovation

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