Construction work has recently begun on a new Family Dollar combo store being built in the community of Tama. The new store is being built at the location of the former South Tama County Primary School.

The South Tama County School District finalized the sale of the property to One Site Development, LLC of Cedar Falls in the later half of 2021 for $15,000.

The property has been vacant since 2007 when the school district demolished the former STC Primary School building.

Work crews are in the process of removing the buried materials to allow for the building of a new Family Dollar variety store later this year.

In November, the Tama Planning and Zoning Board recommended a change of zoning for property to allow for commercial development. The recommendation was approved by the Tama City Council at its regular meeting in December.

Local developers say the 10,500 square-foot building will bring a hybrid version of the Family Dollar and Dollar Tree retail brands that share corporate ownership.

Patrons will gain access to the news store from 8th and 9th streets, rather than going directly out onto four-lane highway 63.

The project is expected to take about a year to complete with the store to be open in early 2023.