Marshalltown's largest employer will grow in size and employment numbers if the city goes forward with plans to sell Margaret T. French Park Monday.
In an agreement with JBS USA, L.L.C., the park will be sold to the pork-processing plant at an estimated cost of $223,759 for future its expansion.
The company must conform to stipulations of a building at least 100,000 square feet for purposes of a distribution center, and adding jobs to its operational staff.
JBS must also replace the facilities on the park property by erecting restroom facilities, relocating playground equipment, and constructing hard-court surfaces. This includes the basketball and tennis courts.
The Parks & Recreation Department is currently trying to determine various locations where the facilities can be replaced within that portion of town.
There is a possibility the softball diamond may not be reconstructed, according to City Administrator Dick Hierstein.
"It may be replaced as some other facility in a sitting park," he said.
If the project isn't completed by Dec. 31, 2011 the property would revert back to city based upon a reversionary clause and the park would be re-established.
Formerly known as JBS/Swift & Company, Human Resources Director Tony Harris said the name change was in line with its acquirement by JBS S.A. in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"We still own the name 'Swift & Company' but when we were purchased by the Brazilian company, we changed our title to JBS USA, L.L.C. for legal reasons," he said.
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Contact Tammy R. Lawson at 641-753-6611 or tlawson@timesrepublican.com
