Marion, IA (population 37,000) is home to a historic commercial district, which has served as the community’s civic and cultural hub for 176 years.  A major streetscape project will disrupt traffic in Uptown Marion, and city leaders are working to help businesses stay afloat during the construction phase.  The alleyways will be transformed into welcoming walkways that the community will learn to use prior to the roadwork.  Dramatic infrastructure improvements will take place this summer, and once the area has become an attractive canvas, public art will be installed and cultural programming will bring customers to businesses’ back doors.  Due to a parking facility with retail and residential space now envisioned for one of the two blocks in the City’s original project area, the focus has shifted to the remaining block, sited at the very heart of Uptown.  Several property owners have provided easements to the City so that the open areas adjacent to their buildings can be transformed into vibrant public gathering spaces that will become destinations for pedestrians.