By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

The city of Marion has filed a lawsuit against a couple who signed a $269,238 lease-purchase agreement two years ago on a building to operate a business they have apparently closed.

The city seeks $28,327.63 in unpaid rent, plus interest, costs of the lawsuit, and compensation for any damages to the building, from John and Amy Minor, doing business as JALM Business Group.

The Minors’ 10-year agreement to purchase the building at 828 N. Roosevelt specified $1,619 per month rent from June 1, 2016, through April 2021, and a $160,438 balloon payment in May 2021.

The Minors originally operated the business as Power Track Sliding Door Systems of Kansas and later added Central Plains Perma-Column to their services.

At the time, the Minors said they planned to move to Marion.

The building, located in the industrial park, originally housed Arlie’s Paint, Body, and Glass, now Arlie’s Collision Specialists at 130 W. Main.

Arlie’s began operating in the building in July 2008 and vacated in August 2012.

From August of 2013 to late 2014, it housed Skywalkers Trampoline and Tumbling Academy. Owner Don Carter said in early 2015 that heating costs and insufficient heat in the building had driven away business.