For the Good of the Order

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 also be closed on Monday. They will keep their normal hours on Tuesday and Saturday.

Marion Pool and Splash Pads Open This Weekend
Marion's splash pads and water features have opened for the season. 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 tomorrow, Saturday, May 23. It will be open for lap swim only from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and open swim will be from 1-5 p.m. The pool’s normal hours of operation 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. and a lap lane is open from 1 p.m.-close daily. From June 1-12, the pool will close at 4 p.m. to accommodate evening swimming lessons. Find additional information at www.cityofmarion.org/aquatics.

Oak Shade Cemetery Crypt Wall Ribbon Cutting Happening on May 28
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Thursday, May 28, at noon in Oak Shade Cemetery, 789 2nd Avenue, to mark the completion of the crypt wall restoration project. Oak Shade Cemetery was established in the early 1840s, before Iowa was a state. The crypt wall is a unique feature of the City-owned cemetery. In 2021, the crypt wall began to show signs of deterioration, and with the help of the Friends of Oak Shade Cemetery, a feasibility study was conducted to determine options for repairing the historic structure. Special thanks to Martin Gardner Architecture, Rathje Construction, Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Wilbur Vault and the Marion Parks and Recreation Department for being part of this effort.

Military Tribute Banners Now on Display
The City of Marion, Marion Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Marion Main Street District are pleased to announce that the military tribute banners, sponsored by area residents and businesses, are now on display. Here's a look at the printable map. This year, 80 banners are on display honoring veterans and military personnel with ties to Marion. The banners will be up through Veterans Day 2026. More than 500 veterans and military personnel have been honored since the program began. A portion of the sponsorship is donated to local veteran affairs programs. To request to be notified when 2027 sponsorships become available visit: tinyurl.com/marionmilitarybanners. 

Marion Lifeguards Receive Emergency Training
Lifeguard training at the Marion Pool took place earlier this week with hands-on emergency training. The Marion Fire Department (MFD) worked with seasonal staff of the Marion Parks and Recreation Department to train for real-life rescue situations. Through this partnership, pool staff are more equipped with valuable training for emergency situations. Thank you, MFD!

Marion Fire Hosts Fire Training Exercise
This week, the Marion Fire Department hosted a joint live fire training exercise with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department at the Marion Public Safety Training Center. The training provided firefighters from both departments with valuable hands-on experience while strengthening regional partnerships and enhancing emergency response readiness.

Bookmobile Routes Expand to Five Days a Week
The Marion Public Library Bookmobile's summer schedule has launched just in time for warmer weather! The Bookmobile will be out in the community five days per week and stopping at more places per day, including parks, senior living communities and more. Visit marionpubliclibrary.org/bookmobile for the most up-to-date scheduling information - we'd love to see you out in the community!

Pop-Up Acts Return to Uptown Artway Fridays in June, July & August
The City of Marion will host Pop-Up Acts in the Uptown Artway every Friday in June, July and August (except July 3). Enjoy free live music from the Uptown Artway or on the patio of a nearby business from 6-8 p.m. The weekly concert series is sponsored by Iowa Appliance Center and Affordable Heating and Cooling and supported by Marion's hotel/motel grant program.

Uptown Utility Burying Project Nears Completion
The Uptown Marion skyline is looking cleaner as overhead electrical lines and utility poles have been removed from 11th Street to 12th Street and through the public parking lot to 8th Avenue. The work has opened up the corridor and improved the appearance of the area for residents and businesses. One temporary pole remains near Studio 811 to support communication lines, with removal expected within the next 30 days. After that work is complete, Alliant Energy will remove the final pole and old street light foundations on 12th Street.

8th Avenue & 10th Street Lane Restrictions
Earlier this week, Compass Construction closed one lane of traffic at the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and 10th Street. The northern outside lane of 8th Avenue is closed for westbound traffic entering the intersection and all vehicles must use the inside turn lane. The eastern outside lane of 10th Street is closed north of 8th Avenue and vehicles heading north on 10th Street will use the southbound left turn lane. Southbound traffic entering the intersection on 10th Street will use the through lane. Eastbound traffic entering the intersection will not be impacted. These lane closures are necessary for ongoing construction at the Hoth Flats building, 801 10th Street. Work is expected to last two months, weather permitting. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this lane reduction. 

Asphalt Overlay Program to Begin Next Week
On Tuesday, May 26, crews from LL Pelling will begin work on the 2026 Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Resurfacing Project in the following locations: 6th Street from Central Avenue to the dead end, 13th Avenue from 6th to 10th Streets, 12th Avenue from 10th to 12th Streets and 12th Street from 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue. Work includes milling the existing street surface, full-depth patchwork and resurfacing the street. During this time, these sections of roadway will be closed to through traffic. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic during working hours. Work is expected to last three weeks, weather permitting. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these closures. 

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, Klingler 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 Rights Commission, Construction Code Review Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. To be considered, please submit an online application.

Word on the Street

• What is the latest regarding the future of the Marion Pool?
  The City, its consultants and a resident-appointed steering committee continue to evaluate the future of aquatics for Marion through three active project tracks. These include (1) assessing the capabilities, maintenance considerations and lifespan of the existing Marion Pool at Willowood Park, (2) determining private sector interest in an outdoor aquatics park and (3) refining the scope and scale of the previously proposed aquatics park. Visit www.cityofmarion.org/aquaticspark to learn more and find answers to some frequently asked questions. 
   
• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between May 22-26, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 5200 block of Winslow Road. Between May 28-June 1, the mobile speed vehicle will be located in the 2900 block of 29th Avenue. 

Upcoming Events

• Saturday, May 23 – Marion Farmers Market and City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m. – Willowood Park
• Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day - Most City Offices Closed
• Thursday, May 28 - Oak Shade Cemetery Crypt Wall Ribbon Cutting - Noon - Oak Shade Cemetery

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:

• Offices closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday
• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Juliet Abdel
• Meeting with Aaron-Marie Thoms

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