By Rusty Nixon
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Those around the old Fulton-Marshall Co-Op building off West Jefferson Street in Plymouth may begin to see buildings falling on the property soon.

If so, there’s no reason for alarm. Thanks to closing on the property Monday afternoon, the group working for the new Community Resource Center is now proud owners of the property. The first step is to take down the existing structures to make way for the new one.

“Hopefully we’ll get Mr. Jackson’s demolition contract signed (Tuesday),” said Brent Martin, the architect for the project. “Maybe late this week, he’ll be able to start on the demolition.”

With loans in place, the project should soon be a reality for the area. The idea of the late Dr. Kent Guild and Rev. Ron Leichty to bring many of the county’s social service organizations under one roof will possibly happen before the end of the year.

Service organizations like WIC, Heart and Hands, Habitat for Humanity and the Marshall County Hous-ing Authority will now be able to share resources and ideas as well as space for serving those in need in Marshall County. The agencies will be relieved of the burdens of maintaining property for their offices and will be able to more efficiently focus on their mission.

The agencies will pay rent and the facility itself will be new property on the county tax roll that has laid dormant for years.

“It’s just very satisfying to see this all moving forward,” said Martin. “I hope that we can be starting construction on the main building by September. We still have to run all the plans and documents by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and I’m not sure how quickly that turns around so there is a chance it might be different than that.”

The main loan for the project came from a Rural Development loan sponsored by the USDA and therefore subject to their approval as the project steps forward.

“We have to follow their rules and that will affect the timetable,” said Martin. “Now our (B.A. Martin Architects) office has to finish the drawings and make sure everything is in order.”