By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer
The Marshall City Council has decided on the future ownership of the Marshall Municipal Court building.
At a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, by a 5-2 vote, the council approved a contract with a real estate developer, allowing the city to sell the court building to the Overland Group.
The developer plans to collaborate with Dollar General to establish a new location in Marshall. The contract grants Overland a six-month period to finalize the purchase of the property for $150,000, with the condition the property will house a market-style store with a grocery component.
Councilman Jim Papreck expressed his strong desire for a grocery store in the area. However, he raised concerns about the possibility of a company obtaining and not developing the property. He suggested delaying the approval of the contract in order to include a clause that would allow the city to reclaim the property if the company does not initiate development within the next two years, for example.
City Attorney Josh Taylor stated the council must make those changes before passing the ordinance.
“Once we pass this, they get the contract, so … I agree with Jim here,” Green said. “I don’t know if there’s a big hurry, but I don’t like that idea either. … I don’t just want an empty lot there and they control something in our city that they’re not going to do anything.”
When asked if a decision had to be made that evening, City Administrator JD Kehrman said “They are pressing. … When we began these negotiations earlier this summer, they were talking about … September 9 (as) the drop-dead date.”
Kehrman mentioned that they had discussed including a revisionary clause in this situation. However, he did not think it would be suitable for this type of sales contract.
“It was something that was considered,” Taylor added. “Whether there was a way to remove that risk … There is that risk there. I think in terms of what the council does … It’s just a matter of what the council, what its risk tolerance is.”
Despite opposition from council members Green and Nathan Swisher, both readings of the ordinance authorizing the contract were approved.
