Marion busier than ever, mayor says

Mayor Paul Rehn on Tuesday painted a picture of a city that is on the move.

“It is my opinion, in terms of activities and projects in place, that this may be the busiest time in Marion's history since the coming of the railroad,” he told a packed house at the 16th annual State of the City luncheon at the Longbranch Convention Center.

He noted, for instance, that Marion is no longer a small town but one the fastest-growing communities in the state.

From a population of 18,028 in 1970, it grew to 26,294 by 2000 and is expected to top 34,000 in this year's official census.

The past year was one of significant capital improvement projects, with Marion receiving $3.7 million in federal stimulus funds, he said.

The grants will go to the extension of 35th Street to Lucore Road, reconstruction of North 10th Street near the Linn-Mar campus, Highway 100 intersection improvements at South 22nd Street and Armar Drive and traffic signal replacement in the uptown area.

Also, $1.3 million in state funds will go to construction of roads and storm sewers in the 188-acre Marion Enterprise Center on the east edge of the city.

Other highlights Rehn cited include:

• Marion being recognized as one of Iowa's Great Places. The designation grew out of a community vision project undertaken by the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
• The industrial park being developed by the Marion Economic Development Co. along Highway 13 will see dirt moving this spring.
• Detailed planning will begin this year after approval of a somewhat contentious long-range plan for a major overhaul of the central corridor through the city.
• The City Council is also to approving a new comprehensive plan for community growth over the next 15 to 20 years. Much of this activity will take place in the fast-growing north and northeast parts of Marion. The City Water Department is constructing a new well in the this area, and plans are in the works to extend Tower Terrace Road from Highway 13 to Interstate 380.

In short, Rehn pointed out, it's a time when Marion celebrates its history while looking to the future.

“Marion was, is and will continue to be a great place,” he said.

The luncheon, co-sponsored by the Cedar Rapids/Marion League of Women Voters and the Marion/East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club, drew a crowd of 171, which organizers said was one of the largest in recent years.

-- Tom Fruehling, news correspondent