Marion mayor sets goals for 2017

Marion mayor sets goals for 2017

Fogleman: ‘ Our focus will be to do whatever we can to attract more residential and retail growth’

news@theeveningtimes.com

A railroad overpass, more street overlays, and continued residential and retail growth top the wish list for Marion in 2017.

Mayor Frank Fogleman said his number one wish for the year is for voters to approve refinancing existing bonds which will generate $16 million for more capital improvements citywide.

If approved, the money will be used to build an overpass, and for other projects such as a new Fire Station 1, more street overlays, a new water department office, ballfield improvements and walking trails, and for computers, radios, and a storage facility at the Police Department.

Voters approved refinancing the bonds with over 80 percent in favor in 1996 and 2006.

“I’m hoping for a successful bond election,” Fogleman said. “And that falls hand-in-glove with the other one, which is to kick off work on the overpass.”

The overpass would connect L.H. Polk to Military Road and make it easier for residents on the city’s east side to pass over the Burlington-Northern train tracks.

The city will need to come up with $10 to $11 million to build the overpass.

“If that is successful, then we can ramp up our efforts to break ground on an overpass,” Fogleman said.

Fogleman said another goal for 2017 is to continue repaving city streets now that they have the capability to do the work in-house.

Last summer the city bought a used paver for $130,000 and completed overlays of Miller Cove, Boston Cove, South George, South Dogwood and Allen Cove.

The city has been saving about $20 to $25 per ton on asphalt by not having to contract the work out. The new equipment has allowed the city to lay about 200 to 250 tons of asphalt a day.

“In 2016, we made moves to acquire an asphalt laying machine and learn how to use it,” Fogleman said. “So with the same amount of money we should be able to accomplish a greater distance because most of it will be done by city employees. There was a learning curve so I think they will be more efficient in 2017 than they were in 2016.”

The city budgets about $400,000 for street work.

Fogleman said he is also optimistic that Marion will see more residential, retail, and job growth throughout the year.

“Our focus will be to do whatever we can to attract more residential and retail growth,” Fogleman said.

The city recorded 38 new homes built in 2016 which fell just two short of their goal.

Fogleman said increasing development costs for land, building materials, and rising interest rates have slowed things down some.

“I’d like to target some more,” Fogleman said. “The number of lots to build new homes on are declining. So sooner or later something is going to have to be done to address the inventory of lots.”

On the commercial side, last year saw the opening of a Walmart Neighborhood Grocery store, This year, Marion is expected to see construction begin on two new hotels in Angelo’s Grove — a Best

Western and a Hilton Fairfield Inn.

Developers have indicated that they have agreements for a sports bar and Italian restaurant, and are actively talking to more hotels and making progress on a convention center and movie theater in the development.

“That’s all going to have a positive impact on our growth and sales tax collections,” Fogleman said.

By Mark Randall