PRIDE shares its ideas
Uncluttering downtown was one of the goals Marion PRIDE talked about Monday during a meeting about downtown beautification. One idea discussed was burying wires underground instead of stringing them from one light pole to another.
Sally Hannaford said she had recently visited Iola and Parsons, and they were excellent examples.
“It is amazing what a town looks like without all the wires hanging overhead,” she said.
PRIDE is seeking grants to partner with the City of Marion to update streetlights, sidewalks, benches, trash bins, and other items in the public right of way on Main Street from Central Park west to Walnut Street.
The group had been considering new brick sidewalks downtown, but a member reminded them that brick sidewalks are treacherous for women in high heels. She suggested concrete stained and stamped to give the appearance of brick as an alternative.
For short-term improvement, members talked about repainting benches and trash bins downtown. Most would benefit from a fresh coat of paint, they agreed. City Administrator Doug Kjellin said he would see if Tabor College students would be interested in doing the painting as community service.