The city of Marion took steps Monday to move forward on two long-term projects. First, the city approved a bid to officially begin its downtown revitalization project, five years after the process began. Then, the city accepted two grants from the Kansas Department of Transporta­tion for upgrades to the city’s airport. This process began three years ago. Each were unanimously […]

?Simply stated, talk is cheap about vision and the future ? 2015 was the time to put actionable plans to work.??Todd Heitschmidt,Marion mayor The theme in 2014 was focused on ?energy and synergy?with a renewed sense of the city?s vision, according to Marion Mayor Todd Heitschmidt. ?For the community (and newly elected public officials in 2014), it was about laying […]

The city adopted a simplified design for its highway signs during 2014, as part of the city?s new outdoor marketing campaign. Free Press photo A lot can change in one year, but for the city of Marion, the transformation has affected the governing body and all departments. According to Todd Heit?schmidt, Marion?s first-year mayor, last year?s growth was centered around […]

Todd Heitschmidt, president of Marion Advancement Campaign, shows a model that closely represents what the stage, entertainment pavilion and restrooms would look like when completed. The cost for this first phase is $105,000, and thus far $90,000 has been either pledged or donated. Patty Decker / Free Press After almost two years of fundraising, the Central Park Improvement Campaign has […]