The smokestack at the Marshall Habilitation Center moments before demolition crews brought down the structure on Jan. 17, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

Just over a year after its demolition, the former site of the Marshall Habilitation Center smokestack building is now at the center of discussions between the City of Marshall and Marshall Public Schools.

While most of the land that once housed the center is now under the school district’s control, the former smokestack is the southeast corner of a section that will remain in the city’s possession. However, Supt. Caleb Petet said after the Jan. 13 board of education meeting that the district is looking to secure use of some of the city’s remaining land.

Marshall City Administrator JD Kehrman acknowledged after last week’s council meeting that discussions were ongoing, and that he believed the council would be receptive to an agreement.

The discussions come as the former Eastwood Elementary School site remains in the district’s possession, pending transfer to the city. The district and city had initially planned for the handover to take place last month; however, the district has until May to formally deed the site to the city.