A public hearing for the fourth and final phase of the REES Project was conducted during Monday evening’s City Council meeting.
Shannon McLeod, the grant writer for the REES told council members the total cost for the final phase is $1,645,000. She gave a brief overview of the renovations that will be completed. Construction includes plumbing, heating and air conditioning along with fire protection. Doors and windows will be installed with lighting fixtures and casework and cabinetry. The interior will be finished with flooring and wall covering.
The REES Project is a part of the Marshall County Crossroads Stellar Communities Initiative and McLeod said $1,139,500 is coming from OCRA through a Community Development Block Grant through Stellar. She told council members the required local matching funds of $505,000 were obtained from Regional Cities and local donations made to the REES.
Councilman Don Ecker asked what would be the impact for the city andCity Attorney Sean Surrisi said the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission had previously pledged $575,000 toward the overall project. He went on to say this is no financial obligation for the city with this application; the city is simply a pass through administrator for the grant.
While Surrisi was the only public comment during the meeting, Donna Pontius was attending the meeting through zoom. As the weather was getting worse outside Pontius took cover and texted Surrisi saying she was excited about the project.
A second public hearing on the project will be conducted at the August 24th meeting of the Plymouth City Council. The grant application will be submitted on the 25th with the announcement of award in the middle of September. The final phase of the REES project could be bid in October with construction expected to begin in November and completion in late spring or early summer of 2021.
