Full steam ahead for Marion, mayor says at annual State of the City

CEDAR RAPIDS — At the annual State of the City address Thursday, Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said it is “full steam and progress ahead” for the city.

Marion is in the midst of completing city-transforming projects, which includes its long-awaited Seventh Avenue streetscape project, this spring’s opening of a new public library, work on the CeMar Trail and Tower Terrace Road with other local jurisdictions.

The city is also in the planning phases of a plaza project for City Square Park and a new aquatic center.

Last year, projects like the city’s new YMCA and third fire station along with the opening of the new Sixth Avenue were completed.

The city is also growing. As of the 2020 Census, Marion is the 13th largest city in Iowa and is the third fastest-growing city in the top 15 behind West Des Moines and Ankeny.

During the decade, Marion’s population increased 18 percent and by 56 percent since 2000 to its current official population of 41,535.

In addition, the city hired a new city manager in Ryan Waller.

AbouAssaly gave this year’s address, his seventh, in person for the first time since before the pandemic at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. The event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Linn County.

“We’re no longer talking about the need to reach higher,” AbouAssaly said of the city’s slogan. “We are reaching higher and achieving more as a community. We’re no longer dreaming about a better Marion; we’re living it and everything we’re doing is not for its own sake, but to see Marion and the people who live here thrive.”

Economic development

AbouAssaly said he recalled not many years ago trying to convince investors to just “take a look at the untapped potential” of the booming population.

“It doesn’t take much convincing anymore,” AbouAssaly said.

He said the Marion Chamber of Commerce organized 25 groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings in 2021, which included its own new welcome center in Uptown Marion.

The Marion Economic Development Corp., both independently and as part of the city’s economic team, supported more than $117 million projects in 2021 with around the same expected to commence this year.

AbouAssaly said the past decade has seen $27 million in private investment and 107 business starts and expansions in the city’s Uptown District alone.

AbouAssaly also pointed to the success of Prospect Meadows as a major factor in bringing tourism and business to town. Prospect Meadows last year hosted a variety of teams from 17 states, resulting in 10,000 hotel night stays and a $10 million injection into Marion’s economy.

“The increased tourism activity is also a chance for us to show visitors what makes Marion and this region special at a critical time when we need to put our best foot forward in attracting the talent and the workforce that local employers need to power our economy,” he said.

Housing growth

Over the past two decades, with Marion’s growing population, new housing stock has mostly included single-family home construction.

AbouAssaly said in recent years, developers recognized a shortage in housing for older adults, which attracted several new senior-living complexes.

“Now, we’re also seeing even more diversification with multi-family complexes offering new levels of rental housing not previously available in our town,” he said.

In 2021, the 50-unit Marion Lofts apartments opened in the city’s central corridor near Sixth Avenue. On the east end, the first of three buildings comprising the East Town Apartment complex was completed.

This year will see the construction of the Green Park Apartment Living project. Planning is also underway for the Boulevard Apartments, a workforce housing project with 90 units on the former Hames mobile home sales site.

There is also the Broad and Main mixed-use development being constructed at the site of the old Marion Square Plaza. Once complete, the $25 million project will provide 81 market-rate housing in the Uptown area.

Equity and inclusion

Last year, the city’s community equity and inclusion task force finalized its recommendations for the city council after months of meetings. AbouAssaly said work in equity and inclusion is a priority for the city team.

He cited the city’s $1.2 million investment in updating the records management and computer-aided dispatch system, revising police department policies and hiring a mental health liaison.

“The records management system will enhance our ability to collect and analyze real-time data related to traffic stops, arrests and seizures, leading to allocation of resources and policy decisions based on current data and facts specific to Marion and allowing us to better gauge our progress over time in equitable policing,” AbouAssaly said.

In addition, he recently formed a “Mayor’s Diversity Council,” an unofficial advisory group to help AbouAssaly explore ways to extend equity and inclusion work into the community at large.

Award presented

At the event, the 2022 Morris F. Neighbor Community Impact Award was presented to residents Troy and Katie Benham for their active involvement in the city over the past 30 years.

They have organized Thanksgiving meals for those in need, led cancer benefits, supported the schools and spearheaded the “Miles for Smiles” vehicle giveaway with the Salvation Army.

After the derecho, the Benhams organized a team to walk through neighborhoods and perform wellness checks and help remove debris.

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