Marion city officials will work with developer to decide fate of former public library property

The Marion City Council at its Thursday meeting will hold a public hearing on a partnership announced two weeks ago, with Dubuque-based developer Gronen, and the Kilbourne Group, based in Fargo, North Dakota, to refine ideas and develop a project for the former Marion library property.

The property is bound by 10th and 11th streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues. Following the public hearing, the council may vote on a resolution to work out the details of a project with developers.

Two options are contained in the resolution. Both include a mix of retail space, apartments, and structure parking for tenants.

Option one proposes a one-story podium, with two additional stories of residential. There would be a total of 46 multifamily residential units, 45 structured stalls, and 34 on-grade parking spaces. The development would include 10,000 square feet of commercial space within the ground floor podium.

Option two also proposes a one-story podium, but with three additional stories of residential. There would be 67 multifamily residential units, 88 structured stalls, and 34 on-grade parking spaces. The development would include 12,000 square feet of commercial space within the ground floor podium.

The intent is for the development to complement the soon-to-be-completed Central Plaza in City Square Park.

The agreement is an “interim step in arriving at a development agreement,” City Manager Ryan Waller said. It sets a deadline of Oct. 31, 2025 for the city and the developer to work on a development agreement. The deadline can be extended to May 31, 2026.

Between approval of the agreement and the deadline for a development agreement, the city will work with the developer to shape the vision of the development, the cost and any incentives that may be needed.

If a development agreement is drafted, that would go through a public hearing process before going to the city council for a vote.

The former library opened in 1996, but closed in 2020 after derecho damage. It was demolished in 2023 and is currently a parking lot. The city’s new library opened across the street in late 2022.