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IN FOCUS: 5.15.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller
For the Good of the Order
Marion Hosts Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer
Earlier today, the City and its partners with Marion Economic Development Corp. and the Marion Chamber of Commerce hosted Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer. The meeting was an opportunity to showcase Marion’s key amenities, current and upcoming development projects and share the vision for what’s ahead. Thank you, Lt. Governor Cournoyer, for visiting our community.
5K4K9 Fun Run/Walk a Success
The return of the 5K4K9 event was a tremendous success on Saturday, bringing together 180 participants and raising nearly $9,700 to support the Marion Police Department’s crisis canine program. The community gathered to enjoy a morning of fitness, family activities and K9 demonstrations while helping support training and wellness resources for individuals experiencing crisis situations. Attendees also helped name the department’s newest crisis canine-in-training, Dexter, who will provide comfort and emotional support to community members, victims and first responders. Thank you to our sponsors, Hy-Vee and The Waldinger Corporation, and all who played a part in making this event a success. I'm already training for next year!
Road Closures in Place for Marion Arts Festival
Marion is the place to be this Saturday with the 34th annual Marion Arts Festival happening on 7th Avenue in Uptown and Great American Kites happening at the PeeWee Diamonds at Lowe Park. Residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of localized road closures that will be in place to accommodate the festival and road races. Seventh Avenue from 10th to 12th Streets is closed today for vendor move-in and will remain closed until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Detours are posted. Both the half-marathon and the 5K races will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, and will impact travel throughout Marion until approximately 11 a.m. tomorrow. The start/finish line will be set up on 5th Avenue, between Vernon Middle School and Marion City Hall. Several officers will assist runners and motorists as they navigate area roadways. The race routes will see intermittent closures on race day, depending on the volume of runners passing by. Please practice patience during delays so that officers and volunteers can keep the runners safe.
Marion is the place to be this Saturday with the 34th annual Marion Arts Festival happening on 7th Avenue in Uptown and Great American Kites happening at the PeeWee Diamonds at Lowe Park. Residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of localized road closures that will be in place to accommodate the festival and road races. Seventh Avenue from 10th to 12th Streets is closed today for vendor move-in and will remain closed until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Detours are posted. Both the half-marathon and the 5K races will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, and will impact travel throughout Marion until approximately 11 a.m. tomorrow. The start/finish line will be set up on 5th Avenue, between Vernon Middle School and Marion City Hall. Several officers will assist runners and motorists as they navigate area roadways. The race routes will see intermittent closures on race day, depending on the volume of runners passing by. Please practice patience during delays so that officers and volunteers can keep the runners safe.
2026 Pavement Patching to Begin Monday
On Monday, May 18, Midwest Concrete will begin pavement patching work on 35th Street from Munier Road to 3rd Avenue. Work will include the removal and replacement of deteriorated pavement joints and severely cracked concrete panels. During construction, traffic on 35th Street will be reduced to one lane. In the first phase of work, the northbound lane of 35th Street will be closed from Munier Road to 3rd Avenue. Following completion, construction will shift to the west side with the southbound lane closed to traffic. Work will impact access to the City’s Recycling and Yard Waste facilities. Please follow the posted detours. Motorists are encouraged to use caution in work zones and allow extra travel time during construction activities. All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.
Overnight Street Painting Continues
Starting on Sunday, will again be working overnight to paint crosswalks and stop bars in Marion. They will be working overnight Sunday through Thursday to take advantage of lower traffic volumes and to minimize disruptions for drivers. The work zones will be clearly marked and crews will wear reflective clothing. Please be vigilant and slow down in the active work zones.
City Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
Marion City Hall, Marion Public Library and other City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, May 26. Garbage, recycling and yard waste will not be collected on Memorial Day. Collection will be one day late all week with collection happening Tuesday-Saturday instead. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, located at 195 35th Street, will maintain their normal hours on Tuesday and Saturday.
Marion City Hall, Marion Public Library and other City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, May 26. Garbage, recycling and yard waste will not be collected on Memorial Day. Collection will be one day late all week with collection happening Tuesday-Saturday instead. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, located at 195 35th Street, will maintain their normal hours on Tuesday and Saturday.
Marion Pool and Splash Pads Open Next Weekend
Marion's splash pads and water features will be up and running next weekend. Daily hours of operation for the splash pads at Thomas Park, Willowood Park and Gill Park are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The Central Plaza water feature is in operation from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The Marion Pool will open on Saturday, May 23. It will be open for open swim only (no lap swim) on May 23 and 24 from 1-5 p.m., and from 1-7 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The pool will be open for lap swim only (no open swim) on May 26, 27 and 28. Regular pool hours will begin on Friday, May 29. They are Monday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Lap swim is offered daily from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Find the complete schedule and other exceptions due to evening swimming lessons at www.cityofmarion.org/aquatics.
Marion's splash pads and water features will be up and running next weekend. Daily hours of operation for the splash pads at Thomas Park, Willowood Park and Gill Park are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The Central Plaza water feature is in operation from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The Marion Pool will open on Saturday, May 23. It will be open for open swim only (no lap swim) on May 23 and 24 from 1-5 p.m., and from 1-7 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The pool will be open for lap swim only (no open swim) on May 26, 27 and 28. Regular pool hours will begin on Friday, May 29. They are Monday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Lap swim is offered daily from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Find the complete schedule and other exceptions due to evening swimming lessons at www.cityofmarion.org/aquatics.
Military Tribute Banner Map Coming Soon
For the last several years, the City of Marion has partnered with the Marion Chamber and Uptown Marion organizations to provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to honor someone who has served in the military. Special thanks to Trenton Wennermark and Garrett Linderwell with the Public Works Department for installing the 2025/2026 military tribute banners. A map of the 80 banner locations will be created and shared next week. More than 500 veterans and military personnel with ties to Marion have been honored since the program began. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/militarybanners.
For the last several years, the City of Marion has partnered with the Marion Chamber and Uptown Marion organizations to provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to honor someone who has served in the military. Special thanks to Trenton Wennermark and Garrett Linderwell with the Public Works Department for installing the 2025/2026 military tribute banners. A map of the 80 banner locations will be created and shared next week. More than 500 veterans and military personnel with ties to Marion have been honored since the program began. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/militarybanners.
Latest Edition of the Marion Messenger Now Available
The latest edition of the Marion Messenger hit mailboxes last week. Find project information, upcoming event details and more in this quarterly newsletter, which is delivered to every Marion household with a 52302 ZIP code. This issue also includes the Pride & Pack insert from Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Schools.
The latest edition of the Marion Messenger hit mailboxes last week. Find project information, upcoming event details and more in this quarterly newsletter, which is delivered to every Marion household with a 52302 ZIP code. This issue also includes the Pride & Pack insert from Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Schools.
Community Events Happening in Marion
There is a lot going on in Marion this spring and summer. Between festivals, movies, music and more – you’re sure to find something for the whole family to enjoy! Stay up to date on all things happening in Marion by visiting www.cityofmarion.org.
Fireworks & Fireflies Returns July 3
On Friday, July 3, Marion will host its 6th annual Fireworks & Fireflies celebration. This free event will take place at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park beginning at 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by the Well Lit starting at 7 p.m. An additional performance stage, featuring School of Rock, the Barnyard Discoveries petting zoo and an expanded Family Fun Zone, will be located near Irish Drive. Food trucks, face painting and a grand fireworks finale will round out the event. Organizers are pleased to welcome the Marion Chamber of Commerce, Klinger Paint, Mediacom and the City of Marion as the event’s red-level sponsors. Additional details, including a list of frequently asked questions and a printable parking map, are available at www.cityofmarion.org/fireworks.
Apply to Join a Board or Commission
Do you want to provide input on City policies and help shape our city and its government? Apply to be one of 100+ volunteers who serve on Marion boards and commissions. There are openings on the Civil Service Commission, Civil Rights Commission, Construction Code Review Board, Park Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. To be considered, please submit an online application.
New Faces in New Places
We are thrilled to have several new faces joining the City of Marion on Monday, May 18. Please join us in welcoming Heidi D’Arcy as the communications center manager with the Marion Police Department. She comes to us from the City of Cedar Rapids. We look forward to working with you, Heidi!
We are thrilled to have several new faces joining the City of Marion on Monday, May 18. Please join us in welcoming Heidi D’Arcy as the communications center manager with the Marion Police Department. She comes to us from the City of Cedar Rapids. We look forward to working with you, Heidi!
Isabelle Whitson will also join the Marion Police Department as a communications operator. She previously worked as a nanny. Welcome to Team Marion, Isabelle.
We also want to congratulate Natalie Murrell on her job change within the Marion Public Library. Natalie will transition to a library clerk in youth services on May 16 after serving as a shelving clerk since Nov. 2023. Congrats, Natalie!
Word on the Street
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Are changes coming to the Yard Waste Facility on 35th Street?Since the completion of the new Public Works Facility located on 44th Street, the City has been engaging in a master planning process for the former site. As part of this effort, the City anticipates relocating the Recycling and Yard Waste facilities to the new site. A timeline and funding source for those future improvements is yet to be determined. In the meantime, the current operations at the 35th Street site remain unchanged. Recent activity on this site is due to the removal of several deteriorated structures as part of the former Public Services Facility in preparation of the property to be marketed for sale.
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Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?Between May 16-20, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 1500 block of 50th Street, northbound. Between May 22-26, it will be located in the 5200 block of Winslow Road.
Upcoming Events
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
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Saturday, May 16 – Marion Arts Festival 5K & Half Marathon – 7:30 a.m. – Start/Finish on 5th Avenue between City Hall and Vernon Middle School
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Saturday, May 16 – Marion Farmers Market and City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m. – Willowood Park
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Saturday, May 16 – Marion Arts Festival – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets
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Saturday, May 16 – Great American Kites sponsored by Summit Pointe Senior Living – 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – PeeWee Ball Diamonds at Lowe Park
Future Council Items
Here’s an overview of several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead.
On the Docket
The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:
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Internal meetings
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Meeting with Rene Gadelha and Colette Atkins
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MEDCO Board meeting
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City Council work session
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Marion Chamber of Commerce Board meeting
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City Council meeting
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