Marion OKs BBQ cost overrun

By DEB GRUVER

Staff writer

Marion City Council unanimously approved a $17,043 change order for work at 301 E. Main St., future home of Bill and Essie’s BBQ. Overruns are blamed on inflation.

The city had to sign off because owners Megan and Daryl Jones received a $250,000 community development block grant.

Only cities and counties can apply for such grants. Marion acts an intermediary.

“The city is not a co-signer on the project,” administrator Mark Skiles aid. “This is a grant so there is no payback on it.”

The grant is to rehabilitate the vacant building. The Joneses put construction on hold in May because of higher costs and supply chain delays.

The original contract for improvements was $279,614. The contractor is Vogts Construction. The change order approved Monday brings that contract to $296,658, according to documents provided in the council’s agenda packet.