PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Pierre's City Commission has decided to continue developing an event center and schedule meetings for public input.

Architects earlier proposed a $14.5 million facility that would have seating for 4,000 people. Mayor Laurie Gill says the commission on Tuesday night voted to continue moving forward, but she says many decisions need to be made before a final design is authorized and the project is approved.

An event center would replace the old downtown City Auditorium, which hosted everything from sporting events to governor inaugurations. It was closed in 2010 because of structural issues and demolished last year.

The city plans to schedule three event center public input meetings by next spring.

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