MEDI gets 1st look at restroom project
Staff writer
Marion Economic Development Inc. got its first look Tuesday at a three-dimensional model of a proposed restroom and stage to replace an aging gazebo in Central Park. The facility would include a performance stage.
If fundraising goes to plan, the facility could be ready for Chingawassa Days by next year.
With donations and pledges, the city has raised around $55,000 of its $105,000 goal. Possible additions to the project, such as a canopy, stage rigging system, and cover roof system would raise costs anywhere from $125,000 to $160,000.
The stage would face Main Street, made of split face rock beneath a concrete slab, with porcelain fixtures, a metal roof, and possibly a stone wall behind the stage.
The current gazebo is 20 feet wide and 11 feet tall. The new stage would be 20 feet wide, 12 feet deep, and about 2 feet above the ground. The back wall of the stage would be 13 feet above the stage floor, with the peak of the restroom portion 13 feet above the ground.
In other business:
- Marion economic development director Terry Jones gave members a booklet explaining his vision of economic development in Marion.
- Mayor Todd Heitschmidt reported Marion High School seniors Braden Fahey and Jacob Baldwin were interested in participating with MEDI but were unable to attend the meeting.
- Jones said he had received a bid for the Batt Industrial Park building that formerly housed Arlie’s Paint, Body, and Glass. He did not provide the name of the bidder or amount of the bid.
- Heitschmidt said the Homestead Affordable Housing project renovation of September I apartments should be completed in 30 days.