Public Projects
Central Plaza ProjectPlanning is underway for the final design of the Central Plaza! We are picking-up where we left off with the conceptual design from the Uptown Master Plan Update as our starting point for the final design process. The Central Plaza will incorporate the eastern triangle of City Square Park and the vacated portion of 11th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.
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CEMAR Trail Extension to CRThe CeMar Trail is meant to connect Downtown Cedar Rapids with Uptown Marion. The portion of the CeMar Trail within Marion City limits will utilize easements from private property owners, City park land, and former railroad property. The last phase, south of Highway 100, will begin after easements have been obtained and construction of a sanitary sewer trunk line is complete in 2025. Funding for the final phase of the CeMar Trail includes a portion of the Destination Iowa grant Marion received in 2022, a Surface Transportation Program grant, and local funds provided by the City of Marion.
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7th Ave Reconstruction (12th - 22nd St)The 7th Avenue reconstruction project from 7th Street to 12th Street was completed in 2022. The next phase of the project is to reconstruction 7th Avenue from 12th Street to 22nd Street. The project is currently being engineered with expected start date within the City's 2025/2026 fiscal year.
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South Plaza ProjectIn 2021, the City of Marion completed the Uptown Master Plan. The plan calls for a variety of community spaces throughout the Uptown district. The South Plaza is the third phase of the Uptown Plaza project. Construction of this phase will depend on the public private partnership with the developer of the former library site just south of Marion Square Park. See page 72 of the Uptown Master Plan.
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Parking & Wayfinding Studies
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The City of Marion is undergoing two simultaneous projects to improve the user experience for both residents and visitors of the community. The first study will result in a wayfinding system designed to guide residents and guests to key destinations throughout the community using vehicular and pedestrian signage.
The second is a parking study of the Uptown District. The study will help determine current and future parking needs for businesses, customers and residents. It will make recommendations for helping manage on-street parking and surface parking lots, especially at times when parking demand is at its peak. Results are expected to be available early 2024. |
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Vacant Building OrdinanceThe City of Marion is working to be an ordinance that would require property owners to register vacant properties or submit plans to bring them into compliance with city codes. “Neglect of vacant buildings creates health and safety risk not only to the vacant property but the adjacent properties as well. . . Vacant buildings discourage economic development and depress the appreciation of property values. There is a substantial cost to the city for monitoring vacant buildings whether they are neglected or secured and maintained.” The policy is expected to take effect January 1, 2024
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Private Redevelopment Projects
Former Library Site (City Owned)Team Marion is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the former Marion Public Library site, located at 1095 6th Avenue in Marion, Iowa. The RFP is issued to identify private developers and development teams interested in redeveloping the site.
The site is owned by the City of Marion and located in the core of Uptown Marion. Team Marion envisions a privately owned building or complex of buildings with a mix of commercial and residential offerings that make the biggest impact of this anchor parcel in Marion’s Uptown District. The redevelopment should represent the character of the community and the history of the site. The project should also complement the historic nature of adjacent properties while enclosing the retail loop of the historic Uptown District. |
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Belltower Lofts
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After years of neglect, Conlon Construction purchased the 1896 former Methodist Church, which had extensive Derecho damage. The building plans call for 55 rental units and common spaces and received a CDBG-DR grant for state disaster recovery housing. The project also received brownfield tax credits from the IEDA. High Properties and Martin Gardner Architecture are working with Conlon and the City to save this historic landmark in the Uptown District. Project plan review will take place early 2024 with an expected Spring construction start date.
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Broad & Main on 6thPhase 1 of Broad and Main (on 7th) was completed in 2022. The second phase calls for a similar building to the South on the same block, just north of the new Marion Public Library. Preliminary plans include underground parking and 3 floors of residential. As of December 2023, final plans have not been submitted.
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Hoth FlatsHoth Flats received a CDBG-DR grant for state disaster recover housing in 2022. The project, located at 8th Avenue and 10th Street, calls for a 3 story building with underground parking for 20 housing units. As of December 2023, final plans have not been submitted.
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Owen Block RedevelopmentThe Owen Block building, located at the northeast corner of 10th Street and 7th Avenue, is one of the most recognizable buildings in Marion’s historic Uptown District. The building was built in 1880 and was most recently home to Maid-Rite Café, which closed in 2017. New owners plan to redevelop the property and have already made significant repairs to the façade. The new owners are also working with the City’s economic development partners to discuss historic design concepts, complementary business options and potential funding sources.
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