Old buildings, new money
Marion revives interest in 60% credit for renovations
Staff writer
Marion City Council members heard Monday from an architect whose company surveyed historic downtown buildings five years ago.
The survey was part of an effort to apply for designation as a historic district. That designation would open the door for tax credits that could be sold to raise money for work on the buildings.
“It’s just so expensive to have contractors do that ornate work that was done back in the day,” architect Ben Moore said. “This year, in a historic old building, it’s going to cost about $250 a square foot.”
The original effort to propose a historic district stalled soon after survey results were sent to the state in December, 2019.
COVID-19 shutdowns brought progress to a halt because it prevented a round of required community meetings.
Moore talked to council members Monday about pushing forward and continuing to seek tax credits.
When the survey was completed in 2019, a total of 44 downtown buildings were nominated for the Kansas Historical Society to review.
The buildings were in an area that included Main St. from Walnut to 5th Sts., 3rd St. from Valley United Methodist Church to Marion City Library, and adjoining areas.
Buildings had to be at least 50 years old. Nearly all of Marion’s downtown buildings were nominated in 2019.
At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Mike Powers asked Moore whether the survey area could be expanded to include Marion Historical Museum and the Hall School, which already is on the National Register of Historic Places.
If the council approves a contract Moor expects to present in two weeks, the next step would be to officially nominate downtown Marion as a historic district.
That process would be expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.
“It’s not a fast process at all, but I think that’s good,” Moore said. “It gives people time to think about it and ask questions.”
Moore said businesses in Marion could get up to 40% in tax credits from the state and up to 20% in federal credits.
Even tax exempt entities could qualify. They would be able to sell their credits, he said.