The Smithsonian Seeks to Delay Demolition of the Gazebo Where Tamir Rice Was Shot and Killed by Cleveland Police

The gazebo at the Cudell Recreation Center where Tamir Rice was shot still stands, an unfortunate reminder for the Rice family and the neighborhood of the terrible event that took place there on November 22, 2014. The City of Cleveland had plans to deconstruct the gazebo this week with the blessing of the Rice family reports wkyc.com.

However, the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture recently contacted the City of Cleveland and asked for a delay in the plans to demolish the gazebo according to a statement released Monday evening:

"On Friday, April 29, Ms. Samaria Rice contacted the Cleveland Law Department asking that the City not deconstruct the gazebo at Cudell Recreation Center because the Smithsonian Institute was interested in preserving it. This morning the Law Director received confirmation from Mr. William Pretzer of the Smithsonian Institution, on behalf of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, stating that they were interested in exploring the possibility of an historic preservation of the gazebo. Because of their expressed interest in discussing possible relocation of the gazebo, the City will delay deconstruction of the gazebo for thirty days to allow that discussion to continue."

The original plan was to take down the gazebo and replace it with a memorial, Rice family attorney Subodh Chandra said. Chandra added that the family would also support the relocation of the gazebo and its display in a museum exhibit.

The City of Cleveland recently agreed to a $6 million settlement with the family of Tamir Rice.

The image with this story is a screen-shot from the surveillance video showing the police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice on Nov. 22.