Central Plaza Breaks Ground, Marks a Milestone in Marion, Iowa鈥檚 Revitalization Effort
The project, designed by 啪啪视频, demonstrates the city's commitment to meeting the needs of its residents and will offer a dynamic space for year-round community engagement and outdoor activities.
The City of Marion, Iowa, officially broke ground on the Central Plaza Project on Thursday, March 28. The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the transformation of City Square Park and the start of a multimillion-dollar project to revitalize Uptown Marion. The project demonstrates the city's commitment to meeting the needs of its residents and will offer a dynamic space for year-round community engagement and outdoor activities. 啪啪视频 is working with the city, (the construction manager) and various community partners to bring this project to life.聽
Emerging from the ImagiNEXT community visioning process and continuing the development initiated with the North Plaza, the project is designed to make City Square Park a hub of activity throughout the year. 啪啪视频's design for the Central Plaza will see the park and a vacated portion of 11th Street transformed to feature a refrigerated ice-skating loop, an enclosed Depot Pavilion, live performance areas, water features, an interactive play sculpture, public art and more. Enhancements such as perennial plantings, native trees, commemorative bricks and decorative lighting will further beautify the space. The project is part of a continued collaboration between 啪啪视频 and the city, following a partnership to develop the Marion Uptown Master Plan.
"Marion's Central Plaza will be a center for community and creativity, encouraging opportunities for people to come together," said 啪啪视频 Landscape Architect Sara Poetting, PLA, ASLA. "Our design aims to reflect the spirit of Marion, creating a space where residents and visitors alike can enjoy the outdoors, experience art and participate in events all year long."
Funded through a mix of public and private support, including a and a $1.3 million private fundraising campaign led by the Marion Park Foundation, the $8.35 million project kicked off in March 2024 and is expected to reach substantial completion by December 2024.
鈥淭his project is a celebration of our community鈥檚 history and an investment in future generations,鈥� said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. 鈥淚t is the crown jewel of the placemaking initiatives that have put Marion on the map and delivers on our promise to be the best place in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business.鈥�