Rental duplexes planned
as Marion housing expands
Staff writer
Marion City Council members heard Monday from two companies that want to build housing in the community.
David Pyle of Pyle Construction asked council members to upgrade water service in an area on Forest St. east of Sunshine Country Day Care on S. 3rd. St.
Pyle plans to build four two-bedroom duplexes — eight units total — in that area of town. The duplexes would be all-electric and energy efficient and rent for between $670 and $720 a month.
“With bringing the water to the property, we’d like to use the opportunity to improve the service lines,” Pyle said.
The upgrades would cost the city $18,000 to $20,000.
Pyle said the duplexes would target people 18 to 30 years old and retired people not ready for assisted living.
Interim city administrator Mark McAnarney said many cities in the area were thinking ahead for future needs.
“I think the question for us tonight is, do we let him go ahead with his project and then improve the water lines,” Mayor Mike Powers said.
Council member Amy Smith moved to put in a line that would have expansion potential. Council members voted to install the line.
Council members also heard from Kristin Wewe of Lange Real Estate of Wichita.
Lange Real Estate earlier was approved to take over construction of houses on Coble St. The addition was begun in 2020 using a grant from Kansas Housing Resources Corp. Strawn Contracting, which began the project, later decided not to build more houses.
Wewe said a new needs assessment would have to be completed within two or three weeks to apply for more funding.
She asked council members whether they wanted to do the assessment, which the city could then use for other projects, or she should, in which case Lange would retain the study.
Powers said he was inclined to let McAnarney work with Wewe on the assessment.
Kansas Commerce Department’s housing assessment tool includes several steps for housing assessments. Part 1 is to create a housing committee or partner with stakeholders. Part 2 is to collect and analyze data. Part 3 is community engagement. Part 4 is final assessment of the data.
Beer at park
Chingawassa Days asked the council to use the entire south half of Central Park as a beer garden for this year’s festival.
Council members gave permission to expand, but Powers warned that people would be watching how this plays out.
Wristbands will be required for those of legal age who wish to drink.
Council members also approved a lease agreement with Central National Bank for a $130,223 truck for the electrical department. The truck, ordered last year on the belief that it would not arrive until later this year, was delivered a month ago.
Community enrichment director Margo Yates told council members that Courtney Wagner, who owns JetSet Clothing Co., wants to close 4th St. next to her shop to allow vendors at a special event April 20.
Access to a post office drive and sheriff’s office still would be available from Williams St.
Powers told Yates the council wants more lead time for such requests, but council members voted to allow the street closure pending approval by the sheriff’s office.
Council members also heard a request from Marion Merchants to use guest tax money to hire a contractor to do promotion work.
“They do not intend to replace me or anybody else,” Yates said.
After hearing that the association would be responsible for finding the part-time worker, council members approved using guest tax for that purpose.