Historic Marion receives funds to improve the downtown area

$30,000 has been awarded to Historic Marion to help in downtown improvements.

“We wanted to enhance the downtown with charm and make inviting space for families and children,” Anne Kohlmorgen said.

The money comes from the 212 degree grant from the Community Foundation of Grant County and the city of Marion. 

Planned improvements include new benches, trash cans and renovating alleyways. 

“It’s mainly about space making, or place making,” Jay Johnson said, “That is creating a space that is welcoming to pedestrians and residents and visitors, and just brightens up the downtown.”

Kohlmorgen and Johnson are chairheads for Historic Marion leading the design and promotion teams respectively. 

“We’re hoping for it to be completed by August/September of next year,” Kohlmorgen said.

Local business owners are hopeful for the “space making.”

“Any small thing brings people,” said David Henry, the owner of Mama’s Hometown Market. “All throughout the year, some of those alleys right off the courthouse are filled with people taking pictures because they’ve made it a scenic destination.”

Henry said he hopes more things come in further from the square to draw attention outwards.

“I would love to see some things, whether it’s banners or additional planters,” David Henry said.

Historic Marion formed about one year ago and was accredited by Indiana Mainstreet as an Okra downtown affiliate network

“So we’re basically just at the beginning stages,” Anne said, “and we’re going to kick off with a breakfast in January with the mayor.”

Before Historic Marion was founded, Marion had a Main Street organization that ran with similar goals.

“Marion’s main street organization kind of fell by the wayside. I’d say COVID was probably the final nail in its coffin,” Johnson said. 

Now, Historic Marion works in four committees to improve the downtown.

“The promotion committee handles promotion materials and organizes events such as the Eclipse-a-Palooza last spring,” Johnson said.

The promotion committee is followed by the design, organization and economic vitality. 

Kohlmorgen and the design committee handled the application for the 212 Degree Grant.

“At 211 degrees, water’s hot water. At 212, it boils,” Johnson said, “We’re kind of putting heat to the downtown to kind of move it forward.”