MARION — The new harbormaster office building will be completed and open to the public soon as the project only awaits state inspection, Marion Town Administrator Geoff Gorman announced at the Marion Select Board Tuesday, Jan. 7. 

Gorman said he anticipates the state inspection to be completed within 72-hours. This is following the recent completion of the extensive elevator work — to ensure the building is accessible for all — and contractor inspections for the building.

“If the state comes in and gives the thumbs up, the building is complete,” he said, adding with the exemption of a few outstanding items.

Once the building is all set, the town will host an open house, where the public will be invited to take a look. 

The new facility would allow all functions of the harbormaster’s office to be performed in one place, rather than employees having to divide their time between the current building and Town Hall.

The more than $3.5 million project was completed by the Marion-based South Coast Improvement Company. Marion residents voted to borrow $922,000 for construction of the project at Fall Town Meeting in October 2023, with seaport grants and a previous Town Meeting appropriation already covering approximately $2.3 million of the cost.