Linn County approves $100,001 ARPA grant to Uptown Marion’s Central Plaza project

The $7.3 million Central Plaza redevelopment project in Uptown Marion received a financial boost this week from the Linn County Board of Supervisors. The board approved a $100,001 grant to the project from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocation. In requesting support from the county, Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly and Chamber of Commerce President Jill Ackerman pointed out that the project is part of Marion’s “placemaking” efforts spurred by the city’s Imaginext visioning process, and will serve as an attraction to draw visitors from a wide area. “It has a regional impact for our quality of life,” Mr. AbouAssaly said. “We need to attract people to our region in our state. And it's really through these kinds of projects that we can do that, because we don't have the natural features that other states have or the great weather, so it's through creating these spaces and quality of life projects that that help make this region attractive. It’s important for our continued growth as a region, our economy and our workforce attraction.” When completed, the Central Plaza will connect to the Grant Wood Trail and eventually the CeMar Trail, further networking the communities of Marion and Cedar Rapids. Amenities planned for the Central Plaza project include an artistic Peace Tree, flexible outdoor seating, water features, play structure, refrigerated ice skating loop, event stage and space for festival and market tents. The City Square Park’s historic depot building will also see some upgrades in the form of a potential warming house during the winter months to complement the ice skating loop, restrooms and mechanical rooms for the various water features. The city of Marion and the Central Plaza Steering Committee also sought input from residents on various aspects of the project, which was awarded $3 million in funding through the state’s Destination Iowa program in August 2022. Ms. Ackerman said a private $1 million fundraising campaign has garnered significant support from local businesses, including Farmers State Bank and the McGrath Family of Dealerships. More fundraising may be needed, Mr. AbouAssaly said, if the project’s costs increase. County officials said the $100,001 donation was intended to qualify the county’s contribution for “Conductor” level designation, which recognizes donors who contribute $100,000 or more and incorporates several other benefits. The project is part of the overall Uptown Marion revitalization project, which has included the Seventh Avenue streetscape, North Plaza and Uptown Artway developments completed in recent years. Planning is under way for the Central Plaza’s final design, officials said. Construction could begin later this year, with a projected 18-month completion timeline.