ABOUT US
Recognizing Our Past & Redefining Our Future
The vision of Downtown Marion Inc. is the revitalization of downtown Marion as a central hub of the community, restoring it to its former state of functionality, accessibility, and profitability. We will accomplish this by focusing on the downtown area as the ‘heart’ of Marion County; increasing its ability to thrive as a business, cultural, governmental, and residential center of economic growth.
Philosophy
Downtown Marion, Inc. from its inception built the organization on the Main Street principles philosophy. By strengthening the existing assets of the downtown area and reclaiming it as a center of activities for the community and its visitors, Downtown Marion, Inc. provides a service that reaps economic benefits for the community. As capable partners, Downtown Marion, Inc., Marion government agencies, businesses, residents, non-profit and for-profit organizations, churches, and residents are working together to bring the downtown commercial and residential corridors back to life.
The Main Street 4 Point Philosophy is designed to stimulate downtown revitalization through the use of:
Organization involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a revitalization program; building partnerships with diverse groups interested in downtown revitalization; building leadership and support within the downtown community of businesses, building owners, residents, non-profit and for-profit organizations, churches and business groups.
Promotion markets a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play, and invest in downtown Marion; promotion involves using every opportunity to present to the community and to visitors the vitality and thriving spark of a downtown that is transforming itself.
Design means getting downtown Marion into top physical shape which increases its ability to capitalize on its best assets; enhancing the visual image and quality of the downtown by giving attention to all elements of the environment, including signs, storefronts, landscaping, and displays, street appearance and encouraging the addition of green space.
Economic Restructuring strengthening the community’s existing economic assets; activities include working towards a balanced retail mix, creating a building and property inventory for the commercial district and encouraging the conversion of vacant buildings into housing, offices, entertainment, or cultural facilities; developing a grassroots effort to expand the economic base of downtown Marion.
Downtown Marion Board of Directors
Andrea Mullins - Board President
Downtown Property Owner, Downtown Business Owner, Shovel City Drinkery
Cheryl Wickersham - Board Vice-President
Sony Dawson - Board Treasurer
The Union Bank
Brenda Johnston - Board Secretary
Johnston Supply
Lois Fisher
Lois J. Fisher & Associates
Matt Tway
Lori Stevenson - Marion Community Foundation
Matt Carbary
Sims Brothers Recycling
Matt Frericks – Downtown Business Owner
Frericks and Howard, L.P.A.
Pat Case
Great Impressions Interiors LLC
Josh Cooper- Downtown Property Owner, Downtown Business Owner
RE/MAX Real Estate
Sandy Graff
Verne Hart Insurance
Brooke Olson – Downtown Business Owner
Alluvial Private Wealth
Mike Augenstein
Marion Technical College
Lindsey Henry - Downtown Property Owner, Downtown Business Owner
The Union, The Brickyard, Topped
Patrick Graham
GP Properties, LLC
Standing Members
Scott Schertzer - Mayor, City of Marion
Mark Davis - Marion County Commissioner
Ayers Ratliff - 2nd Ward City Council of Marion
Ex-officio Board Members
Allen Wilson, Manager - Downtown Marion, Inc.
Heidi Jones - Marion Area Chamber of Commerce President
Evelyn Warr-Omness - Board Chair, Design Committee
Marion City/County Regional Planning Commission
Meggie Breeding - Recording Secretary
Boys and Girls Club
Denny Ferguson - Marion CANDO!
Vaughn Sizemore
Contracted