Council approves site plans for new Osceola Farm and Home

It’s on its way back.

During an April 21 Osceola City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the site plan for the new Osceola Farm and Home.

The new building, which has also been approved by the planning and zoning officials, will be located between Southwestern Community College’s Osceola center and Boyt Harness. It is in the area of the Saylor business park.

The former Osceola Farm and Home was located on Highway 34 in the center of Osceola.

A devastating fire at the former Osceola Farm and Home began approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. The farm and home building, which also housed a tire shop, was considered a total loss after the fire.

Osceola Farm and Home’s owners and the project’s consulting engineers were in attendance at the April 21 council meeting to answer questions.

Construction

Nicholas J. Gehl with Neumann Brothers, building and construction services, said the project would be a “roughly” six-acre site with parking that would be “friendly” to the various needs of customers.

“The building, as currently drawn, is just under 36,000-square feet. I believe the old building was around 19,000-square feet,” Gehl said. “So, with the elevation, we went with the prairie-school style entrance, so it will give a real nice curb appeal on the front.”

Gehl said it will be a pre-engineered metal building, styled for construction, which will be economical for faster-paced construction.

The new Osceola Farm and Home will have many of the old favorites of its predecessor, including the tire center, repair shop, retail space and an area designated for hazardous materials.

Start and finish?

Councilman Dr. George Fotiadis asked the business’ representatives when the building project would be started.

“We’re currently working with the owner on procurement of the land and securing the financing, so we anticipate a May start with a goal of being completed in late October, November,” Gehl said.

Fotiadis also asked about the clean-up progress on the old Osceola Farm and Home site.

The council was informed clean up at the old site was scheduled to begin Monday, April 27.