On Aug. 9, Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced the third round of funding from Destination Iowa to support quality of life and tourism investments in Iowa. The funding was made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The City of Marion was awarded $3 million to be used for the development of a Central Plaza and the completion of the final phase of the CeMar Trail, which connects Uptown Marion to Downtown Cedar Rapids. Together these projects will serve as a dynamic, regional asset for attracting residents, tourists and visitors to Marion and bring more than a decade of planning and public investment in Marion’s Uptown District to life.

Plaza amenities include a dedicated performance space, ice skating loop, fire tables and seating, interactive play sculptures and green space additions.

The final 1.3 miles of the CeMar Trail will connect Uptown Marion with the Czech/NewBo Main Street Districts providing trail users with a unique biking experience and destination with limited use of city streets. The total project investment is over $9 million.

“This is as an endorsement of our leading role in creating great places that make Marion and our region desirable destinations for people and businesses,” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “The Central Plaza will be another point of pride and a testament to what a community can accomplish when we believe more in our own potential and reach higher together to achieve amazing things.”

The project grew out of many visioning efforts and public master planning processes and continues to be shaped by community input. The development of design and construction documents is expected to be complete later this year with construction projected to begin in 2023.