Council orders demolition of back third of 202 East Main, sets April 6 deadline

The Marion City Council voted to require the owners of 202 East Main to remove the rear third of the building within 60 days, setting April 6 as the deadline for completion or demonstrable progress.

Staff described the building as hazardous, citing deteriorating limestone and structural trusses that make parts of the building a potential public safety risk. Staff and an outside consultant advised that saving the structure would be costly and would require contractor pricing; they said options included ordering the owners to demolish the back portion, requiring an engineer’s report, or soliciting bids for demolition.

A council member moved that the owners must demo the back third of the building by April 6 (roughly 60 days). The motion was seconded and councilors clarified that showing a signed demolition contract or contractor progress would allow the council to reassess the timeline. The council voted and the motion carried unanimously.

Staff said they will prepare letters, track progress (including a requirement that owners present a demolition contract if they cannot complete the work), and return the matter to the council if owners request more time or present alternative plans.

What’s next: Owners must show demolition progress or complete the removal by the April 6 meeting; if they fail to show adequate progress the city may proceed with ordered demolition and recover costs in accordance with city procedures.