Developers outline plans for former Marion library site

MARION — Public and private stakeholders are ready to turn the page on the former Marion public library site with the proposal of a new multiuse building in Uptown Marion.

Developers on Thursday presented plans for an estimated $21 million, mixed-use building at the former library site on Sixth Avenue across from City Square Park. The yet-named development would include roughly 12,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space and 63 upper-level apartments.

While still early in the stages, Kilbourne Group President and Developer Mike Allmendinger said the goal is to foster a unique identity for the project while still complementing the surrounding Uptown district.

“We think this will be a great additive to the overall Uptown area,” Allmendinger said. “You already have great progress here, and ... we know that (this project) will add to that unique experience.”

The proposed site sits along Sixth Avenue between 10th and 11th streets at the site of the former Nancy A. Miller Marion Public Library. That facility opened in 1996 but closed in 2020 as a result of structural damage sustained during the derecho.

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The structure was demolished in 2023, and it has sat empty since, while city leaders discussed next steps for the site. The new library opened across the street in 2022.

The city issued a request for proposals for the former library site in 2023, and it was announced this year that the city had partnered with the Kilbourne Group out of Fargo and Dubuque-based developer Gronen to identify potential pathways toward revitalization.

Stakeholders have been working together on the proposal, which was presented Thursday at the Marion Economic Development Corp.’s annual city bus tour.

“In true Marion fashion, we have been very methodical, very thoughtful and very intentional about how we do this,” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “This block is very prominent. It’s very visible and it has the potential to change the trajectory and (create) further interest in Marion.”

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Development agreement underway

Developers now are working with the city to draft a development agreement further outlining the project and any potential city-issued incentives. That agreement also will outline how the land would be transferred out of city ownership for development.

Before the project can move forward, that agreement will require approval from the Marion City Council following a public hearing.

Given those discussions and the timeline related to developers’ intent to apply for state-issued incentives, groundbreaking on the project is unlikely to occur until at least 2027.

The site spans an entire city block, giving the developers a unique opportunity to create a significant addition to the Uptown area.

Allmendinger said the upper-story apartments would be made available for rent at market rate, and an indoor parking area is planned for tenant use. The site plan also calls for exterior parking for residents and retail customers.

The first-floor commercial space would focus on attracting a mix of restaurant and retail tenants with a particular emphasis on attracting and supporting local businesses.

“I’m a huge fan of locally owned retail businesses because it creates a unique experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the world,” Allmendinger said. “You’ll only find this in Marion, and that’ll be great.”

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