During the Marshall City Council meeting on Monday, March 7, the council announced a resolution was passed to authorize the purchase of the Old Fitzgibbon Hospital property, located at 868 South Brunswick Avenue in Marshall.

According to a news release, The Nash Group of Kansas City currently own the property referred to as the Old Fitzgibbon Hospital – with it being the focus of a multi-year effort to establish an MHDC tax credit funded housing development.

City officials say after multiple applications for funding failed –  due to a large part expenses of the abatement and demolition of the old hospital building – the Council authorized Marshall City Administrator JD Kehrman to open negotiations with The Nash Group for purchase of the property.

In his negotiation Kehrman said, “It became clear after the most recent application for the [Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC)] funding failed, there was an immediate need to eliminate the nuisance structure and to move away from the original plan of low to moderate income managed housing at the site. Although the Nash Group had accumulated significant expense in pursuit of the MHDC development and desired to continue that effort, the City was ultimately able to negotiate the purchase of the property and gain site control over future development. The Council’s intent is to demolish the nuisance structure using ARPA funds and pursue residential development that fits the character of the neighborhood without the requirement for low to moderate income housing.”

The purchase price of $75,000 was authorized unanimously by a vote of the City Council with execution of the Sales Contract by both parties and closing to follow.

The council is scheduled to consider a contract for abatement and demolition of the structure at a future meeting.