Bids will be opened Thursday for the demolition of Hutchins Memorial Auditorium.

City Manager Craig Stephenson said he anticipates a contract award will be brought to the City Commission at its Aug. 22 meeting.

He said 16 contractors were present at the mandatory pre-bid meeting last week.

In place of the building, which was built in 1962, plans are being prepared for a concert hall to serve students at Ponca City High School. Hutchins is a 17,000 square foot building which had seating for 1,700 people, when chairs were added to the floor.