Return Marion to its former glory

By Craig Campbell

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Twenty years ago, Priscilla and I purchased the old Kendall Hardware building in Marion. Occupancy in the Uptown at the time was about 50 percent, which explains why two creative-types with little financial wherewithal could afford such a fabulous, historic structure.

That first year, we moved into the upstairs to live with our three small children, opened an art gallery on the main floor, and started Liars Theatre. We were certain that we would be the vanguard of a new Uptown Marion. Arts, culture, and 100 percent cool, commercial occupancy.

But, for the next 10 years, we felt alone. Thousands of fine-art consumers and theatergoers were coming through our door every year, but Uptown wasn't changing.

Early on, we instigated the creation of the Marion Arts Festival. Still nothin'. Just one great day, followed by 364 others.

Then, about 10 years ago, things started to change. For the next 10 years, one independently owned business after another established themselves in neighboring, historic buildings. No incentives, no tax increment financing (TIF) district - just individuals with a good idea reaching deeply into their own pockets to start a new business.

And guess what? We are no longer alone. We've got coffee, chocolate, wine bars, quilts, men's and women's clothes, purses, a toy store, and gift shops. And we're just getting started.

Now it is time for the city of Marion to step up and invest in an infrastructure that supports the concept of buying local, walking and biking to get there, and creating an overall cultural and commercial center for the community. A destination. A historical, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with brick streets and appropriately slow traffic … in which everyone feels welcomed and safe.

And stepping up is just what the city is doing.

With excellent leadership from the current city council and city staff, and massive community input, a redevelopment concept plan has been created for the Uptown.

And now it is time to start the bulldozers. Open up 11th Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues to through traffic, and put four-way stops at those intersections.

Next, let's tear the asphalt off the Uptown streets to reveal the historic brick that has been waiting patiently for an opportunity to once again take center stage. Now - and here's the key - let's just see how it goes. Drive it and walk it for a few months. Then talk about it in March. What worked, what didn't, what's next? That's process.

We may discover that we like our old brick streets. If so, let's use the savings to tear down and rebuild the entire strip-mall block. rebuild it with two-story brick buildings at the street line. Like it used to be. Live upstairs, work downstairs. Refine our Uptown concept by respecting our original town planners.

And let's rebuild our train station. Right where it was. Like it used to be. Only better. Brick, wood, limestone, glass - make it a restaurant. It'll be an Uptown anchor.

That brings me to the Marion Public Library, the most successful business in the Uptown District. Literate people should be Uptown customers, strolling through Cherry Square on their way to shop. Pausing at a circular granite fountain dedicated to, and surrounded by, life-size bronze sculptures of the Cherry Sisters, Marion's most famous residents.

It's all about process. Process is community involvement. Process requires leadership. Get involved. Don't settle.

Craig Campbell and his wife, Priscilla Steele, are co-owners of Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion. Comments: craig@camp

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