City spec building ready for first tenant
Staff reporter
The City of Marion is optimistic about growth and development.
So much so it put some money where it matters — in a speculation building in the city's industrial park.
A 10,000-square-foot metal shell building originally was developed when a prospective client was interested in coming to Marion. Unfortunately, that particular business development did not take place, but the city continues to seek a tenant.
The 80x175-foot building has a concrete floor, six inches of insulation, a 16x24-foot overhead door, and three walk-in doors.
Plumbing has been "roughed in" in the middle of the building and the pedestrian doors are located on three sides of the building, so it could be divided for more than one use. There is no wiring for electricity.
The industrial park is zoned for light industrial uses such as light manufacturing, warehousing, and distributing. The lot and building currently is being advertised on a state web site and there have been some inquiries.
"We've had inquiries from the East Coast and Kansas City," Jami Williams, city economic development director, said.
When asked why the building was constructed at the rear of the industrial park, Williams said the front lots, near U.S.-56, are larger and are reserved for larger projects.
Even though the city-owned building has not yet been leased or sold, Williams said the development has spurred other activity with a retail business being planned at the industrial park.
