News editor
Final paperwork for Homestead Affordable Housing’s projects in Marion has been delayed somewhat because a lawyer involved in the contracts had a death in the family, Todd Heitschmidt told Marion Economic Development Inc. board members Tuesday morning.
The paperwork was to be finished this week, but now it may be delayed until the week after Thanksgiving, he said. After that is completed, work on renovating September 1 apartments and construction of nine duplexes can begin.
Construction of the duplexes should be a nine-month project, he said. Economic development director Roger Holter said the main contractor is still looking for local subcontractors in several fields. Subcontractors interested in the project can contact Holter at the city office.
Elections may affect development decisions
Heitschmidt said he hopes Marion City Council will have a decision on a new city administrator before Thanksgiving and have the person in place by Jan. 1.
Holter is one of three finalists for the position. Michael Powers asked what would happen to the economic development position if Holter was hired as the city administrator. The last time an economic development director was promoted to city administrator, it took about 2½ years to fill the development position again, Powers said.
Holter said he thinks the administrator and development director need to be separate positions. If one person holds both jobs, one or the other will be shortchanged, he said.
Heitschmidt said that if Holter was promoted, a decision about the development position would probably wait until after city elections in the spring. Mayor Mary Olson and council members Jerry Dieter and Chris Meierhoff’s 4-year terms will be up.
In other business:
- Greg Carlson, Don Noller, and Adam Stewart were reelected to the board.
- Holter announced Red Fox Cottage antique store had been sold and the new owners will be open for business in time for the Dec. 1 Christmas events in town.