MARION – We’re just days away from the new Marion City Hall opening on the northwest side of Tower Square.

The new City Hall is located in the former First Southern Bank building. The city purchased the 100+ year old building in late 2020. Work to convert the building from a bank into Marion City Hall began in the fall of 2021 and will wrap up in the coming weeks.

Marion Chief of Staff Cody Moake says the original construction contract for the facility was $3.82 million. Due to some overruns, the city is expected to close out the contract at around $4.28 million.

So when does the big move happen from the current City Hall near the Salvation Army on Tower Square to the new facility?

As for the current City Hall, the city put it up for sale and it was purchased back in April by Chris Harris, who owns Route 51 Brewing Company in Elkville, and his business partner Dave Fenley. They hope to have a name for the microbrewery at some point and have it open hopefully in the fall of next year.

Moake says First Southern Bank will still operate a location behind City Hall with walk-in and drive-through service.

The drop off box to pay your water bill will be located in the third drive-through lane at the bank. It will be moved from the current City Hall and be ready for use on Monday, Sept. 25 at the new location.