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Board backs city application for Drexel transit planning grant, agrees to $20,000 local match
Summary
The board agreed to support the city's application for a federal transit-oriented planning grant for the Drexel Heritage property and to split a $20,000 local match with the city if no other funds are identified.
County staff briefed commissioners on an opportunity to apply for federal planning funds to evaluate part of the Drexel Heritage Furniture site in Marion for transit-oriented development and a potential passenger rail station. The city owns the property; the county holds a 50% interest and staff recommended supporting the city's application and sharing the required local match.
Staff said the county's share of the local match would be $20,000. The board voted to approve participation in the local match split 50/50 with the city and to allow the city to lead the federal application process as the owner of the property. Commissioners described the project as an opportunity to encourage private investment and new commercial activity if a rail station proves viable.
The board instructed staff to handle the county's portion from the economic development line item if award and obligations fall in a future fiscal year; staff estimated an application award timeline of roughly a year. The action does not commit construction funds or guarantee a station; it authorizes support for the city's planning application and a conditional local match commitment.
