Historic building wins preservation grant
Staff writer
The historic Donaldson and Hosmer building in downtown Marion was chosen for an $89,700 historic preservation grant from the state Heritage Trust Fund.
The 1887 building at 318 E. Main St., now owned by Randy and Rachel Collett, was first the home of First National Bank, then used for offices and cafes. It has been remodeled a number of times over the years.
Now vacant, it houses retail space in the front of the first floor and residential space at the rear.
Two residential lofts are on the second floor.
The Donaldson and Hosmer building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places Sept. 23, 2020.
Randy Collett said he has two priorities for renovating the building.
“The first is replacement of the roof,” he said.
In order to have the second story livable, the roof, gutters, and downspouts must be replaced, Collett said.
“Most of this grant money is tied to getting the envelope enclosed,” he said.
Work also will be done on windows and doors.
“We can’t exactly replace the windows, but we can repair the ones that were there,” he said. “We hope to do something with the first floor and perhaps replace the aluminum structure with something that looks more historically related.”
Collett said the building needs work on the façade at its front.
“If you look very closely, you can see some rust and damage to stucco,” he said.
Collett said the building has been vacant since he moved to Marion in 2014.
“When we get to the end of the project, we intend to have two apartments on the second floor, some retail space on the first floor, and a smaller, studio apartment,” Collett said. “The intention is to make that a disability accessible apartment.”
He’d like to have the project wrapped up by late fall, but much will depend on what the construction cost will be.
“I’m looking forward to having that building back to being an active part of Main St.,” he said.