Demolition could bring new restaurant
Staff writer
After she said she plans to demolish the back third of the 202 E. Main St. building, restore the front two-thirds, and open a restaurant there, Marion City Council gave developer Corrina Webber two deadlines Monday.
She bought the building in winter, had asbestos remediated, temporarily repaired the roof, and boarded the structure but said she faced delays from health issues and difficulty securing contractors.
Two investors have reviewed the project, and a restaurant operator has agreed to run a business there if the building is restored, she said. Fully restoring it would be too costly, so removing the decaying rear portion is the best path forward, she said.
The city does not want the entire structure demolished but needs steady progress on the building, which has become a safety concern on Main St., Mayor Michael Powers said.
Structural issues are sufficient only to justify demolition of the rear portion, councilman Zach Collett said.
The council will require an update by June 1 and set Aug. 31 as deadline for the rear portion to be repaired or demolished.