Local news- Press Release
City of Marion Iowa - IN FOCUS 2 9 24 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller 09 February 2024 ( news )
City of Marion , state Iowa ( By Press Release office)
Feb 09,2024
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For the Good of the Order
Marion Brings Home Two Awards from Concrete Paving Association
This week members of the Engineering Department attended the
60th Annual Concrete Paving Workshop and Awards Programhosted by the Iowa Concrete Paving Association in Des Moines and Team Marion brought home two awards . The 7th Avenue Reconstruction & Streetscape Project from 8th Street to 12th Street was a winner in the Municipal Streets/Intersections ( <15 , 000 SY ) category . This was a signature two - year project that replaced 100+ - year - old underground infrastructure and replaced the surface with a new curbless festival street . Marion was also named a winner in the Concrete Pavement Restoration category for the improvements on 29th Avenue from Indian Creek Road to 35th Street and 8th Avenue from 13th Street to 22nd Street . Congratulations to all who had a hand in these projects!
Downs Represents Team Marion on Gazette Breakfast Panel
Deputy City Manager Kim Downs represented Marion on a panel of local industry leaders regarding the housing development forecast for the Cedar Rapids - Marion - Hiawatha area . It was hosted by The Gazette as part of their Business Breakfast Series . Thank you , Kim , for being such a positive representative of Team Marion and our community!
Central Plaza Project Update
On Thursday , Marion City Council approved the guaranteed maximum price ( GMP ) of $8 . 3 million with Rinderknecht Associates for the Central Plaza Project . Construction is slated to begin in March ( weather permitting ) with substantial completion by the end of 2024 . Some amenities , including the chiller for the ice loop , have extended lead times , so the ice loop is not expected to be operational next winter . The Marion Park Foundation is currently leading a $1 . 3 million private fundraising campaign to support the project , which will officially kick off next week . A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday , March 28 .
Status Update on the Public Services Maintenance Facility
Progress continues on the new Public Services Maintenance Facility . The
concrete flooring is being pouredwith approximately two pours happening per week . As more of the flooring is completed , the bricklayers will mobilize and start placing walls .
Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization ( CMPO ) Seeking Public Input
The Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization ( CMPO ) is seeking public input on upcoming trail , transit and road projects in the local metro area . The CMPO will be hosting two open houses and an
online survey
. At the open houses , the public can learn about projects and provide feedback . The first open house is at the Ladd Library on Feb . 27 , 2024 , at 5:30 p . m . , 3750 Williams Blvd SW , Cedar Rapids , IA 52404 ( accessible by CR Transit routes 8 & 12 ) . The second open house will be at the Hiawatha Public Library on Feb . 29 , 2024 , at 5:30 p . m . , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha , IA 52233 ( accessible by CR Transit route 30 ) . Both open houses will provide the same information and opportunities for feedback – there is no need to attend both . Follow the CMPO on
Facebook
or
Instagram
or visit their
website
for additional information and engagement opportunities .
Playground Improvements Begin at Butterfield Park
The Parks and Recreation Department is
removing the current play structure and preparing for a new oneto be installed this spring at Butterfield Park . It is part of the department’s annual playground replacement program where outdated playground structures are replaced when they reach the end of their useful life . Improvements at Butterfield Park include a new tower play feature , swings and glider and landing surface . In addition , the City’s first public gaga ball pit will be installed at Butterfield .
Informational Session for Contractors and Developers Happening February 27
The City of Marion invites area contractors , builders , developers , architects and realtors to an
open house and informational session
on Tuesday , Feb . 27 , between 7 - 9:30 a . m . at the Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center , 4500 N . 10th St . A light breakfast will be provided . Representatives from City departments and Marion Economic Development Corporation ( MEDCO ) will be on hand to discuss topics that impact those in the building construction industry . Learn about common construction violations , the digital plan review process , updates to stormwater management requirements , changes to the zoning map , possible fee changes , updates to the fire alarm and sprinkler review process and more .
Marion State of the City Event Happening March 5
The City of Marion is committed to being the best place in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business . Using an approach that is forward - looking , people - focused and rooted in partnerships , community leaders are delivering on a vibrant quality of life . Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly will review the challenges and triumphs of 2023 and highlight the projects slated for 2024 and beyond during the
30th annual Marion State of the City address .
His presentation is titled “Setting the Standard . ” The event is planned for Tuesday , March 5 , from 11:30 a . m . - 1 p . m . at the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids , 1200 Collins Road NE . It is hosted by the City of Marion and supported by local businesses . Reservations are due by Feb . 26 .
Absentee Ballots Available for PPEL Vote
Voters in both Marion Independent and Linn - Mar Community School Districts will be heading to the polls for a special election on Tuesday , March 5 , 2024 , to decide whether or not to renew the existing Physical Plant and Equipment Levy ( PPEL ) . PPEL is a voter - approved levy that serves as a revenue source for funding school infrastructure and equipment repairs , purchases and improvements . A mailed absentee ballot can be obtained from the Linn County Auditor’s Office by completing a request form . All ballot requests must be received by the auditor’s office by 5 p . m . on Monday , Feb . 19 . Ballots must be received by the auditor’s office or ballot drop box before the polls close at 8 p . m . on election day to be considered for counting . In - person absentee voting at the auditor’s office will begin during regular business hours on Wednesday , Feb . 14 , and end at 5 p . m . on Monday , March 4 . Voters will need to show a valid ID before casting their ballot . Polls will be open from 7 a . m . to 8 p . m . on election day . Voters can find their polling locations at
linncountyelections . org/lookup/
Come Work with Us
The City of Marion has a wide variety of seasonal and part - time job opportunities available with the Parks and Recreation Department and Marion Public Library . Come join a highly collaborative team where you can learn and grow while making a positive impact in the community . For a complete list of current openings , visit
cityofmarion . org/employment
.
New Faces in New Places
Johanna Heidelbauer will be joining the Marion Police Department on Monday , Feb . 12 as a police officer . Johanna has prior experience in the social work and domestic violence fields . We look forward to the contributions she will make as part of our team . Welcome!
We’d also like to welcome James Teahen back to the Marion Public Library as our technology and facilities manager . His first day in the office will be on Thursday , Feb . 15 . James did great things during his first stint with the library and we look forward to all that is yet to come .
Word on the Street
Will the City be out to fix the curbs/sod that may have been damaged by snow plows last month?
Yes . As the snow melts , know that the Public Services Department is out assessing any right - of - way damage caused by the plow trucks . They will be putting larger chunks of sod back in place and making note of areas that will need to be reseeded or resodded in the spring . For residents who wish to report damage to the curbs or sod , please complete
this formand crews will be by to check it out .
Help me understand how development works . Why isn’t there a gas station on the north end of town yet?
There have been a lot of questions regarding commercial growth along Tower Terrace Road lately . The City of Marion continues to invest in public infrastructure and planning efforts to support commercial growth in north Marion along the Tower Terrace Road corridor . Several commercial users have expressed interest in development in the area , however , many are still seeking additional residential development ( rooftops ) to support the uses . Others have said the completion of the Tower Terrace Road connection to C Avenue in Cedar Rapids will be the turning point as traffic counts will increase . The City of Marion and its economic development partners will continue to seek out and support high - quality commercial development not only along Tower Terrace Road but throughout the community .
Upcoming Events
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
Friday , Feb . 9 – Bingo Night – 6 - 8:30 p . m . – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
Saturday , Feb . 10 - City Council Office Hours – 9 - 11 a . m . – Marion Public Library
Saturday , Feb . 17 – Marion ICE Ice - Sculpting Demo & Outdoor Games – 4 - 7 p . m . – City Square Park
Future Council Items
Here’s an
overviewof several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead .
On the Docket
The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:
Internal meetings
Meeting with Brian Chubb
Meeting with Scott and Spencer Stephens
Meeting with Waste Not Iowa
Safe Routes to School meeting with Marion Independent and Linn - Mar representatives
Guest speaker for Leadership for Five Seasons class
Sign up to receive this weekly newsletter and other updates from the City of Marion directly in your inbox by visiting
www . cityofmarion . org/enotify
.
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