Marion plans mixed-use project on former library site

MARION — City officials are kicking off planning for a new mixed-use development on the site of the city’s former library.

The city on Wednesday announced a partnership with Dubuque-based developer Gronen and the Kilbourne Group, based in Fargo. The parties will be working together to further refine ideas and develop a project. The city, working with the Marion Chamber, Uptown Marion District and Marion Economic Development District, issued a request for proposals for the site in 2023.

“We’ve intentionally taken our time to select a group that shares our vision and will dream big with us to create a new destination in the heart of our central business district,” Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said in a news release. “The prospect of closing the retail loop in historic Uptown Marion will take a vibrant district and make it even better.”

The city still owns the land of the former library site, located on Sixth Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. 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 in late 2022 across the street.

While the project remains in the very early stages, the proposal envisions a mixed-use development featuring market-rate apartments and structured parking for tenants, alongside retail space designed to complement the soon-to-be-completed Central Plaza in City Square Park. City leaders said they want to continue to grow a dynamic and walkable space that links the Shops at West End with the Uptown District.

City officials and the project team will continue to work closely with community members and other stakeholders to refine the project.

City officials toured some of the projects Gronen completed in Dubuque, and noted the Millwork project and DuPaco Voices Operation Center as standout projects.

“You could see the level of detail they were thinking about in every piece of those projects,” AbouAssaly told The Gazette.

"We are excited to explore the possibilities for this important site and collaborate with the City of Marion," said Shawn Hilborn, chief operating officer at Gronen. "While plans are still taking shape, we see a great opportunity to contribute to the city’s vision by offering high-quality housing and retail that activate this key location."