As the first black woman elected into the Ocala City Council, Mary Sue Rich retired after 24 years as a community advocate and the longest serving member on the council. Now, the community gave back as residents rejoice in new hope, while honoring the city’s retired councilwoman and her work. What used to be an unused charcoal factory that was finally demolished in 2018 (to the residents’ delight), the Mary Sue Rich Community Center will replace the open area with a 41,750 sq. ft., two-story building that includes a multi-level indoor playground on the first floor, an indoor walking track on the second floor, a fitness center, a public library, senior activities, and multi-purpose rooms for children. Trident is working with RL Burns of Orlando on this nearly $10-million project that is projected to be completed in May of 2022. The center will take approximately 105,000 pounds of steel to complete.