Central Corridor Districts Plan

This plan is an extension of the 2009 Central Corridor Plan, as it established new zoning districts with specific standards for the corridor between 5^th Avenue and 8^th Avenue and 2^nd Street and 31^st Street. An Advisory Committee provided community input and ensured that the community vision was incorporated into the new zoning districts and design standards.

Uptown Market Study & Strategies 

The study summarizes key strategies in the form of market insights and directions regarding economic development and enhancement initiatives. To gather public input, a consumer survey and Uptown Marion business survey were created; the consumer survey resulted in a total of 704 participants and the Uptown Marion business survey resulted in 53 respondents. The invaluable information gathered reinforces what residents and visitors want to see in Uptown from the types of shops to public improvements. Improving Uptown’s streets, sidewalks, lighting, furnishings, green spaces, trails, etc. was the number one priority for Uptown Businesses and the number two priority for consumers.

imagiNext: Vision Plan - Future Four Action Plans (and the Power of Public Plazas)

The Heat of it All section is specifically geared towards Marion’s Historic Uptown Business District. A few main concepts include creating a plaza for year-round activities, enhancing public safety and ambience, and adding more public seating in the shopping area. The imagiNext: Future Four Action Plan was built from community brainstorming sessions where ideas were generated and built upon via interactive group activities. Those ideas where then translated into four main ideas with specific project goals.

*The plan above does not include Appendices G-J: Public Art Master Plan; Marion, IA Reservoir Study; Indian Creek Watershed Management Plan, or Step into Nature - Biophilic Design Plan.

Step into Nature

This guidebook consists of six big ideas, green network, (inter)active neighborhoods, just a step, active transportation, develop the culture, and step together, that focused on the following four key principles: active living, active transportation, biophilic design, and community. This updated Uptown Master Plan and Streetscape Plan touches on a mix of the six ideas, including the enhancement of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, the integration of nature within the built environment, and the addition of art installations around the Uptown area.

Marion Master Trails Plan

Along with a Steering Committee to help provide insight, ideas, and feedback regarding the Plan’s goals, objectives, and recommendations, an online mapping tool and survey were used to gather public input regarding current walking and biking routes being used, obstacles faced, and areas where future network connections were desired. Two open houses were held to present the information to the public. One goal of the Plan is to interconnect our trails and on-street bicycle accommodations to local destination including parks, commercial areas, and civic buildings. Another is to support economic activity through the use of trails and on-street bikeways by providing better access to and from shops, restaurants, and other commercial businesses. These goals are seen within the Uptown Master Plan Update by shifting routes as to provide better access directly into the heart of Uptown.  

ImaginART: A Public Art Plan for the City of Marion

The Plan specifically called out the need for public art in Uptown, along its streetscape, and within the roundabouts adjacent to Uptown. A community workshop was held on May 4, 2011, where more than 40 citizens gathered to shape Marion’s public art vision, provide input into locations, and approaches to public art. Additional public outreach occurred at the Marion Arts Festival (May 19, 2011) where 162 people filled out a survey regarding public art in Marion.

Uptown Streetscape Plan (Retired)

Citizen input was a key component for this plan, which focused on detailed design concepts for the Uptown Area between 9^th Street and 15^th Street. This plan was the first step in implementing the Central Corridor Plan (2009), which had a general overview. Goals that arose from the plan included a pedestrian friendly Uptown, better business environment, improved vehicular circulation, preservation of Marion’s historic past, recognition of Uptown’s importance to the entire community, and enhancing City Square Park. More than 100 community members participated in a kick-off meeting where they walked around Uptown rating a series of topics. Portions of the Plan have been realized, from a bike path along 6^th Avenue, the reconstruction of 6^th Avenue as brick, planters, and street furniture such as trash receptacles, benches, and a bike rack.  A few key items brought forward into the new plan include an extension of a bike and pedestrian route to and through Uptown, use of tones that enhance the historic feel, opportunity for art, monument markers, and additional pedestrian seating.

WestEnd Corridor Plan (Retired)

This plan encompassed the western portion of 7^th Avenue from approximately the western city limits to 9^th Street. The plan focused on vehicular circulation and safety, a better business environment, an enhanced pedestrian environment, improved aesthesis leading into Uptown, and the creation of a gateway feature welcoming people into Marion. Following this plan, the 7^th Street railroad viaduct was removed for a safer roadway transition from 7^th Avenue to 6^th Avenue. Currently underway is the pedestrian bridge over Marion Boulevard which will serve as a gateway feature into Marion.

Marion Comprehensive Plan

A variety of community outreach efforts were used to involve Marion residents, elected and appointed officials, property owners, and business owners in the planning process. Marion's Comprehensive Plan is a document that all cities use to determine community goals and aspirations in terms of community development, and it is the City's official policy guide for physical improvements and development.  The Plan considers not only the current needs and issues within the community, but also presents a plan for guiding new improvements and developments for the next 15 to 20 years. The reemergence of Uptown as a vibrant destination for shopping, dining, working, and living is a part of the vision statement that was created. Included within that vision statement are remarks about the Central Corridor receiving improvements in the form of streetscape, buried utilities, gateway features, and community art.

Central Corridor Plan (Retired)

A variety of public participation and citizen feedback was integral to the final concept of this plan. Participation took the forms of a visioning workshops, stakeholder focus groups, steering committee meetings, an interactive project website, social media outreach, and a design team charrette. The boundaries of this plan stretched along 6^th Avenue and 7^th Avenue between 9^th Street and 35^th Street and took a high-level approach of how road alignments may look and how redevelopment could occur. Citizen feedback was centered around maintaining a historic, small town feel while transforming the area into an aesthetically pleasing destination with a variety of retail and restaurants in a mixed-use environment that builds on Marion’s culture and community. Public suggestions that built on those ideas included increasing the amount of residential housing in Uptown, adding public art to the area, growing pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, and increasing family friendly activities.