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IN FOCUS: 7.10.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

Post Date:07/10/2026 5:14 PM

IN FOCUS a weekly update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Thanks to Everyone Involved in a Successful Fireworks and Fireflies Event
Fireworks and Fireflies was another great success on July 3, despite a few raindrops to kick things off! Thousands gathered at Lowe Park to enjoy live music, food trucks, kids activities and a grand fireworks finale. An event of this magnitude could not happen without the support of many City departments, including Marion Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation and Public Works. Special thanks to the City’s event coordinator, Faith Pladsen, for skillfully organizing the many details of the event. Thanks also to all of the sponsors, vendors, supporting agencies and volunteers who helped make it possible. It was a great celebration of community!
 
7th Avenue to Close for the Uptown Marion Market
Please note, the Uptown Marion Market returns this Saturday, July 11, from 8 a.m. to noon. Seventh Avenue from 10th to 12th Streets will close to traffic from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. A detour will be posted.
 
Volunteers Needed for Indian Creek Clean Up Day
The City of Marion is teaming up with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants should meet at the English Pavilion. Volunteers will remove debris by boat and by foot along the paths of Indian Creek. Participants are encouraged to wear protective clothing that can get dirty. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. Complimentary lunch will be provided by Boone’s BBQ & Catering. The event is sponsored by Cargill. Help maintain Indian Creek’s beauty by signing up to volunteer at signup.com/go/NOBMLAL.
 
Tree Carving to be Re-Installed in City Square Park
Over the next two weeks, the railroad-themed tree carving, made from a tree damaged in the derecho, will be re-installed in City Square Park. It was removed from the park last summer to reduce conflicts with underground utilities and keep it clear from irrigation overspray. The new location, east of the Depot, will protect it from the afternoon sun and help prolong the life of the carving. Kudos to the members of the Parks and Recreation operations crew who were involved in restoring the 18-foot carving.
 
Look for Changes in On-Street Parking 
To improve emergency vehicle access and assist other larger vehicles such as garbage trucks and snow plows in maneuvering neighborhoods, the City is implementing "No Parking" on one side of the street in Area 4, which is bound by 10th Street to the west, 31st Street to the east, 10th Avenue to the south and McGowan Boulevard to the north. City Council approved this change during their meeting this week. Based on resident feedback, Henderson Drive will be reevaluated and brought back to Council. Look for signs to be installed in the coming months. To learn more, visit www.cityofmarion.org/noparking.
City Seeking Parking Management Consultant
Last week, the City issued a request for proposals seeking a qualified and experienced parking management consultant to evaluate parking in the Uptown area. The goal is to build on the recommendations from the 2023 Uptown Parking Study while factoring in Uptown’s substantial commercial and residential growth. The 2023 Uptown Parking Study provided a good sense of our current capacity through utilization of public (on-street and off-street) parking and private parking, as well as establishing general strategies for managing our existing parking supply. This is the next step in the process. The selected consultant will evaluate our current inventory and prepare us for growth over the next 5-10 years. A consultant is expected to be selected by early fall 2026.
Minor Pavement Patching Project Moves to 24th Avenue
Earlier this week, Cedar Falls Construction closed 24th Avenue between 35th Street and Stratford Drive. 24th Avenue will be closed while a large patch in the center of this section of the street is removed and replaced. The closure is expected to take two weeks, weather permitting. After the closure, the roadway will maintain one lane of traffic to finish patching. Total roadway patching on 24th Avenue is anticipated to take four weeks, weather dependent.
Road Construction Updates
Road construction season is upon us! As always, slow down in construction zones and watch for workers. Stay up-to-date on these and other projects by subscribing to the Public Works Project Newsletter. Here's a look at the latest.   
 
Marion Public Library Launches Community Food Pantry
The Marion Public Library is expanding access to essential resources through the creation of a new community food pantry, a project made possible through a combination of grant funding and community support. The pantry is located on the library's main level near the media section and is available during library operating hours. It is designed to offer convenient and welcoming access to food resources for community members. Learn more at marionpubliclibrary.org/news.
Friends of the Marion Library Book Sale Happening July 17-19
The Friends of the Marion Library Book Sale is happening July 17-19. The sale on Friday, July 17, from 4-5 p.m. is reserved for Friends members only, but all are welcome to attend on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, from 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, hardcopy books are $3, paperback books are $2, children’s books are $2 for hardcopy and paperbacks are $1. On Sunday, a bag of books is $5. The event will be in the Marion Public Library in the Community Room and all proceeds will support the Library. Hope to see you then!
 
Friends of the Marion Public Library Meeting Scheduled for July 28
The annual meeting of the Friends of the Marion Public Library will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at 5 p.m. in the Board Room at the Marion Public Library, 1101 6th Ave., Marion. This meeting is open to any interested residents. If you wish to attend the meeting, please RSVP to friends@marionpubliclibrary.org and include your name and mailing address.
We're Hiring
The City of Marion is currently hiring for multiple positions. Current full-time openings include a police officer, 911 communications operator, public works project assistant, public works equipment operator and general manager of the Marion Water Department. There is a seasonal opening for a public works worker, and we're also hiring part-time 911 communications operators and part-time bookmobile staff. Find the details at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.
New Faces in New Places
Ashlea Hooten will be joining the Marion Police Department as a police management analyst. Ashlea previously worked with the State of Iowa as a communications specialist II. Welcome to Team Marion, Ashlea!  

Word on the Street

  • How do you decide between pavement patching and asphalt overlay for specific projects?
    The pavement patching project is intended to extend the service life of the existing concrete pavement and preserve its structural integrity. As the pavement ages and its ride quality and structural condition decline, roadways are typically resurfaced with a hot mix asphalt overlay.
  • Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
    Between July 9-13, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2800 block of 10th Avenue. Between July 15-19, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 1400 block of 10th Street.

Upcoming Events

 

Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:

  • Friday, July 10 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Tangle Creek – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway
  • Friday, July 10 – Moonlit Movie Series featuring "How to Train Your Dragon" – 7 p.m. – Lowe Park
  • Saturday, July 11 – Sunrise Yoga – 7:30 a.m. – Lowe Park
  • Saturday, July 11 – Marion Farmers Market & City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m.– Willowood Park
  • Saturday, July 11 – Uptown Marion Market & City Council Office Hours – 8 a.m.-noon – 7th Avenue/Central Plaza at City Square Park
  • Tuesday, July 14 – Zumba at Lowe Park – 6-7 p.m. – Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park
  • Thursday, July 16 – Marion Big Band Concert – 7 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square Park
  • Friday, July 17 - Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring electric cellist Sam Day – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway
  • Saturday, July 18 - Music Under the Moon series featuring "Beyond the Blonde" - 8 p.m. - Klopfenstein Amphitheater 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:

  • Scheduled time out of the office
  • Internal meetings
  • Meeting with Linn-Mar and Marion Independent superintendents
  • Meeting with Denis Frischmeyer
  • Marion Chamber of Commerce board meeting

Sign up to receive this weekly newsletter and other updates from the City of Marion directly in your inbox by visiting www.cityofmarion.org/text

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