Marion council OKs school-district partnership to build two homes on Midway Court

The Marion City Council voted unanimously to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Marion Unit 2 to build two single-family homes on parcels on Midway Court, a pilot project officials said is aimed at neighborhood revitalization and workforce housing.

Mayor Absher and council members approved the partnership after staff described a multi-year plan to rebuild a U-shaped block of acquired properties between Hendrickson and Concord streets. Cody, who introduced the plan, said the city has acquired multiple abandoned or dilapidated parcels and that partnering with the school district’s construction program could accelerate redevelopment while giving students real-world construction experience.

Mr. James, whose students have built several homes under the school program, told the council the class typically takes two semesters per house; he estimated both homes could be finished in about four semesters (roughly two years). Student designer Haley Mold presented house plans that include mirrored two- and three-bedroom designs, front porches, a 1½-car garage and centrally located HVAC and water-heater systems. “I have designed a two-bedroom, two-bath and a three-bedroom, two-bath that will be mirrored next to each other,” Haley said, describing the layouts and privacy features.

Officials said the city hopes to sell the homes at prices that are affordable to workers; staff noted market prices may exceed $200,000 but the goal is to make homes available in the neighborhood at around $150,000 or less. To discourage flipping, the council discussed a proposed five-year owner-occupancy requirement: the city would record a contract with the deed and retain a right of first refusal to buy back the house at the sale price if the owner tried to sell within that period.

The agreement also ties into ongoing efforts to pursue tax credits through the Illinois Housing Development Authority for larger multiunit redevelopment in the area; council members described this two-house project as a first step with potential to expand to as many as 20 building sites if the pilot succeeds.

The motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement was made, seconded and passed by roll call vote with all five members recorded as ‘yay.’ Council members and district representatives posed for photos after the vote. The project timeline depends on school-program schedules and property-by-property logistics; officials said they will return to the council with further implementation details as work is scheduled.