Board approves $23,410 contract to replace failing panels at Larry Bird Museum

The Vigo County Capital Improvement Board approved a $23,410 contract with Ignition Arts to replace four delaminating graphic panels at the Larry Bird Museum.

A board member described how four graphic panels began delaminating and popping off their medium-density fiberboard backing roughly 11 months after opening. The presenter said the original fabricator (Ravenswood) declined to replace the panels; the design firm recommended phenolic panels (a resin-embedded graphic with long durability) as the replacement material.

"We went back to Hilferty, who was the design firm in Athens, Ohio, and they suggested a standard material referred to as phenolic...it's got a 10 year warranty on it," the presenter said. The board discussed sourcing: phenolic panels would be ordered from a Texas supplier (iZone), with Ignition Arts (Indianapolis) acting as a turnkey fabricator and installer. The quoted turnkey estimate was $23,410; speakers noted the estimate could change and that the quoted price had an expiration.

One board member criticized the original product and recounted attempts to pursue remedies, including contacting the glue manufacturer (3M) and following up with Ravenswood. "It stinks to high heaven as far as I'm concerned about the humidity and heat deal when you have just a couple of the graphics that have exploded on us," a member said.

The board moved and seconded a $23,410 appropriation to Ignition Arts and approved the expenditure by voice vote. Members also discussed logistics such as whether the quote included removal and disposal of old panels and whether the invoice would be current; staff and members noted some follow-up was needed to confirm scope and timing. Legal counsel said continuing legal options would be discussed in an executive session to evaluate risks and costs.

Next steps: staff will finalize the Ignition Arts contract scope (confirm removal and disposal), schedule an executive session to review legal remedies, and process the invoice through normal claims procedures.