Grand Palace Nelly concert hits complications

Branson's Board of Aldermen on July 27 voted against Grand Palace owner Paul Dunn's request to hold the impending Nelly concert outdoors, after the city denied the permit July 8. Coupled with a stop work order on the theater's interior renovations, the denial has forced the event to a new location.

After more than an hour of public hearing, the board voted unanimously to deny the appeal for the special event permit for the event to be held in the Grand Palace's back parking lot, according to a board news release.

Six residents spoke in favor of reversing the denial, and one spoke to uphold it, the release said.

During the hearing, Alderman Mike Booth spoke on behalf of the board's decision, the release said.

"It's the wrong place for the event," he said during the hearing, according to the release.

The city first denied the event July 8 after noting a number of violations, but pledged to help Dunn prepare the inside of the Palace in time for the Aug. 21 concert, according to Springfield Business Journal coverage.

Grand Palace officials have now vowed to take the issue to Taney County Circuit Court, a theater attorney told the News-Leader July 27.

Further complications hit the promoters - Dunn and Stephen Lind - July 27 when the architect overseeing reconstruction of the Grand Palace removed himself from the project, leading the city to post a stop work order on the theater, the board release said. Dunn said the architect, Brent Butler, did not give a reason for removing himself.

On the Grand Palace Facebook page - where updates on the concert have been posted since its announcement - a notice was posted yesterday stating the Nelly concert will still occur on Aug. 21 but will be held at a different location to be announced.[[In-content Ad]]