MARION — A new proposed building to house Marion’s Department of Public Works is nearing the final stages of its design, said Marion Town Administrator James McGrail.

Voters at Marion’s May Town Meeting voted to approve the project, which would see a new building constructed to replace a “dilapidated” DPW facility. A total cost of $4.456 million was approved for the project.  Free cash will cover $1.5 million, with $3 million to be borrowed.

According to McGrail, Saltonstall Architects, the firm contracted by the town, still needs to finalize a preliminary design for the building and create cost estimates for wood and steel construction. 

The project’s building committee will then make a decision on the construction method, allowing Saltonstall Architects to move forward with a full design, said McGrail.

Jennifer Francis, a member of the Marion Energy Management Committee said that the roof of the proposed building could be well suited for solar panels. 

She added that if solar panels are installed on the proposed DPW building, the town could take advantage of a 30% renewable energy incentive contained in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act.

Select Board Chair Randy Parker said that the building committee has “specifically stated that [they] would like that roof — no matter what the construction is — to have the ability to hold solar panels.”

McGrail estimates that the project could go out to bid in late winter, and could begin construction next summer.