March 2025

 Downtown Fire Protection

In our first year in office, we are proud to share that we have attracted over $15 million in new investments in our downtown Riverfront District. This includes both new developments and the redevelopment of existing structures. As these investments continue to grow, it is crucial that we ensure the area remains safe and secure, both from a law enforcement and fire protection standpoint.

A key element of supporting the continued growth of downtown is the rebuilding of Fire Station 1. This new, state-of-the-art facility will serve as the city's flagship fire station, encompassing over 8,500 square feet and featuring four bays. We are currently finalizing the design phase and anticipate breaking ground next spring.

Additionally, the city has committed over $2 million to public safety improvements this year, reinforcing our ongoing efforts to strengthen both police and fire services. These investments are essential in safeguarding the major investments we have already secured and ensuring our downtown's continued success.

Thank you for your continued support in these important initiatives. If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to reach out.

Warm regards,  

- Mayor Morrell

 Merry and Blight..?

As we officially kick off the holiday season in our city, I want to take a moment to highlight the exceptional efforts of our team in maintaining and improving our community. Even with all the festivities, the dedication to cleaning up the city remains unwavering. To date, we have successfully removed over 35 blighted structures this year—setting a new record based on recent historical data. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our team, and we are determined to sustain this momentum throughout the winter months.

 On a more personal note, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in one of my favorite activities as mayor: visiting our elementary schools to read to students. This month, we distributed over 160 books to first graders at various schools, fostering a love of learning and literacy in our youngest residents.

As we approach the final month of the year, let’s continue working hard and remain focused on ending 2024 on a high note. Together, we can head into 2025 with renewed energy and determination to achieve even greater success.

Thank you for your dedication and contributions to our city.

Best regards,

- Mayor Morrell

 Readers Are Leaders

From the beginning of my campaign and through the first eleven months of this administration, education and the next generation have remained at the forefront of our focus. This commitment is exemplified through initiatives like *Marion Reads* and the establishment of both the *Mayor's Youth Council* and *Mayor's Youth of the Year* program, set to launch later this year.

Additionally, recognizing the importance of literacy as a foundation for future leadership, I have personally purchased books for every first grader in Marion Community Schools. This gesture underscores our dedication to putting books in the hands of our young leaders and demonstrating the significance of literacy in shaping the future of our city.

Thank you for your support in fostering an educated and empowered community.

Warm regards,  

- Mayor Morrell

 Change Happening In Marion

Upon taking office, we inherited approximately $5.9 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds that required allocation before the year’s end to avoid forfeiture. With this mandate in mind, we devised a comprehensive plan to use these funds in ways that would benefit every part of the city.

A wide range of initiatives and organizations received funding through this plan. Notably, $1 million was allocated to the Building Department for blight elimination efforts citywide. Additionally, many smaller projects were approved, and it is exciting to see these initiatives starting to come to fruition.

One such project involves the Garden House stage at Matter Park, a venue that has hosted numerous community events, concerts, receptions, and weddings. Previously, the stage lacked a roof, which limited its functionality. This new addition will not only enhance the types of events we can host but also provide increased entertainment for our citizens and additional revenue opportunities through bookings.

While the larger projects—such as blight elimination, River Rock Development, and public safety improvements—have understandably drawn considerable attention, we are confident that these additional projects will also play a transformative role in shaping the future of Marion.

Best regards,  

- Mayor Morrell

 Let's Get In Shape!

As we conclude the ninth month of my first year in office, I am amazed at how quickly time has passed and how much we have accomplished together. September was a particularly eventful month for Marion, filled with significant milestones that highlight our collective efforts.

Here are some key highlights from September:

**Charles Park Fitness Court Grand Opening:**

We proudly opened the new fitness court at Charles Park, a space designed to encourage our residents to engage in outdoor exercise. This court will play a vital role in promoting health and wellness in our community.

**Mayor’s Scholarship:**

The City of Marion is partnering with Ivy Tech to launch the “Mayor’s Scholarship.” This initiative will provide graduates of Marion High School with the opportunity to attend Ivy Tech and study trades at no cost. More details will be announced soon.

 **Next Level Trails:**

We were awarded $548,000 from the Eli Lilly Foundation, through Indiana Wesleyan, to complete our trail project. This is another step forward in promoting health and wellness throughout Marion.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we are making great strides in improving our city.

Warm regards,  

- Mayor Morrell  

 When It Is Over.

I am pleased to announce that the City of Marion has been honored this year with the maximum Community Cross Grant from the State of Indiana. For the first time in Marion’s history, we pursued and secured the full matching grant of $1.5 million, which will allow us to complete $3 million worth of road improvements throughout the city. The work has official began, as on September 18th.

As with any large-scale infrastructure project, this significant endeavor will bring some temporary inconveniences due to construction. I fully understand how disruptive these can be to daily life; I share in that frustration. However, we must recognize that these temporary challenges are necessary steps toward a better future for Marion. I often refer to this period of inconvenience as "The Price of Progress." It represents the growing pains we must endure together to achieve the Marion we all want and deserve.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work through this transitional time. I am confident that the improvements ahead will be well worth the temporary discomfort.

Sincerely, 

- Mayor Morrell

 Collecting Trash and Cash

The City of Marion has had an incredibly eventful few weeks, with numerous community events, festivals, and activities taking place. I had the privilege of attending each one, and while I’m certainly feeling the energy it took, I am overwhelmed with joy by the remarkable sense of unity we are experiencing as a city.

A few highlights:

- We successfully hosted our 3rd City-Wide Clean-Up Day. Despite it being a holiday weekend, over 180 volunteers showed up to help keep our city beautiful.

- We are honored to have received a generous grant of $548,598 from The Lilly Foundation, in partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University. This grant will allow us to complete the Next Level Trails project, which began in 2019. Our administration is committed to making Marion a walkable city by connecting our trails to the Riverwalk, and this funding marks an important step toward achieving that goal.

As we enter the "fourth quarter" of my first year in office, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the support you've provided. Reflecting on the first three quarters, we’ve accomplished a great deal, and none of it would have been possible without your partnership.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Warm regards,  

- Mayor Morrell

 Nothin' Wrong With Singles

As leaders, particularly in the political arena, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of "home runs"—those big headlines, social media attention, and public accolades. However, what truly impacts our citizens are the consistent, day-to-day "single base hits."

For years, Marion has focused on chasing home runs, often overlooking the small, yet essential, actions that keep our city thriving. The danger in this approach is that, when the big win doesn't materialize, we find ourselves with a team that hasn't made steady progress. While I am excited about ambitious projects like the River Rocks Lofts, our administration is committed to making steady, daily improvements. This is why you’ve seen a focus on repaving alleys, updating street signs, organizing city-wide cleanup days, and developing a new app. Most recently, I've instructed our traffic team to repair every broken, or "blinking" stoplight as part of this effort.

Our mantra, "Marion Deserves Nice Things," reminds us not to overlook the small tasks that keep our city running smoothly. While the larger projects like new companies, job creation, and multimillion-dollar investments capture attention, it’s the small, consistent actions that prove we’re ready to support and maintain those investments.

I need your continued support on this journey of "hitting singles" every day, so that when the opportunity for a grand slam arises, Marion is prepared to seize it.

Thank you for your commitment to our shared vision.

Best regards,  

- Mayor Morrell