City officials and Marion Chamber Ambassadors will gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Marion Central Corridor Project. The ceremony will take place Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at the staircase on the 6th Avenue side of City Square Park. The public is invited to attend.

The Marion Central Corridor includes parts of 6th, 7th, and 8th Avenues from 1st Street to 35th Street. The first phase of the project included reconstruction of 6th Avenue, from 8th Street to 13th Street, and improvements such as a multi-use path, pedestrian accommodations and streetscaping. Improvements to the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water mains also took place.

In 2009, Marion voters approved a Local Option Sales Tax. As part of the spending plan, $3.9 million was allocated to the Marion Central Corridor Project. To date, expenses for Phase 1 total $3.1 million. The remainder of the allocation covers preliminary design costs for the entire central corridor.

This is first of several phases for the project. When complete, the revitalized central corridor will solidify Marion’s place as a regional hub for business, urban-living, and entertainment. For mor information, visit www.marioncentralcorridor.com.