Corridor plan will draw business to Marion

The Marion mayoral campaign is not and should not be a referendum on the Seventh Avenue corridor plan, but it has become a central issue. Opponents will have you believe that it will harm the local businesses; however, I know of no study that demonstrates the negative impact being touted. Simply adding up the number of businesses, employees and residents that are on the corridor and saying that they all will be hurt is a fallacy.

With a few rare exceptions, businesses aren't exactly knocking down our door to come to Marion and it is obvious that we need a plan. Given the research and information available, the city council has made the best possible decision to ensure the long-term economic vitality of Marion, which includes the local businesses in existence.

As someone who enjoys the Marion Arts Festival and the Chocolate Walk, I welcome improvements to make this area more pedestrian friendly and I applaud the city council, including Nick Glew, for undertaking a monumental task of working with many local businesses and residents on a plan to revitalize this area of town and lay the groundwork for more local businesses to develop.

One only needs to take a drive down Boyson Road in Hiawatha to see what a well developed and thought-out development plan can do for a local community. Shouldn't Marion also try to do the same?

John Sklarsky

Marion