Time has come to invest in Marion’s ever-growing future

By Jill Ackerman and George Lake

Marion is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa, and with growth comes growing pains. An expanding population places increased pressure on the city's ability to provide basic services. If Marion is to maintain its superior quality of life, we must invest in the expansion and improvement of the city's infrastructure, including water, sewer and transportation.

Traffic problems on the Seventh Avenue corridor in Marion are clearly evident and need addressing. The road was not designed to accommodate 20,000 daily car passages. A lack of turning lanes, narrow streets and excessive access points all add up to an inefficient and unsafe Seventh Avenue.

Marion purchased the abandoned railway that runs parallel to Seventh Avenue in 2007 and is in the process of cleaning-up the property through the brownfields process. The city is proposing to address Seventh Avenue's traffic problems by converting the railway corridor into a fully developed Sixth Avenue with an adjoining recreation trail.

Most recognize that traffic issues on Seventh Avenue cannot be ignored and changes are needed. The challenge lies in determining the best course of action. Through a series of public meetings, the city presented several options for public review. Possibilities range from “do nothing” to conversion of the railway into a fully developed Sixth Avenue, otherwise known as Option D.

The boards of directors of the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Marion Economic Development Company have voted to support Option D as a foundation upon which to bring positive change to Marion's Central Corridor. Option D provides direction for long-term planning and it offers the flexibility and vision needed to take Marion into the future.

The city council is expected to vote on the Central Corridor plan tonight.

Option D calls for the construction of a roundabout that will allow traffic to smoothly and safely move through the city. We recognize that some businesses will be directly impacted by construction of the roundabout, and the city is prepared to financially compensate those businesses.

Option D will not close Seventh Avenue. Newly opened commercial property on Sixth Avenue will provide locations for relocated and new businesses. Additionally, the greenbelt parkway and trail established along Sixth Avenue would greatly enhance Marion's quality of life.

The boards of the Marion Chamber and Economic Development Company are committed to working with all citizens of Marion to improve our community for now and for the future. We feel “Option D” provides the best foundation upon which to build the best future for Marion.

Jill Ackerman is president, Marion Chamber of Commerce; George Lake is president, Marion Economic Development Company.