By DEB GRUVER

Staff writer

Members of Marion Merchants told a consultant Tuesday that the city needs more housing, a vibrant Main St., robust entertainment, and activities for young families.

They answered questions posed by Andrew Myers, a program manager for Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University, which the city hired to help create a strategic plan.

Myers guided participants through a series of questions.

Q: If someone were to visit Marion for the first time, how would you finish this sentence: ‘Marion is a community that …’

A: It’s friendly and open. It does events well. It doesn’t realize the assets it has such as Central Park.

Q: What are the best assets or qualities of Marion?

A: Marion’s two lakes. Its historic buildings. Its location in the Flint Hills. The Santa Fe and Chisholm trails.  Its broad array of churches. Its antique stores. 

Q: What are the concerns or challenges you see for the community of Marion?

A: Lack of housing and capital for startup businesses. Antiquated infrastructure. Absence of a chamber of commerce, convention and visitors bureau, and economic development director.

Q: How do people find out about Marion and in what ways?

A: Attending an event. Coming to Marion for health care. They learn more after coming to Marion Reservoir or Marion County Park and Lake.

Q: If things remain the same, what are the things the community could potentially lose out on?

A: Entrepreneurship. Growth of businesses and housing stock.

One attendee who moved to Marion from a large city said that he finds himself exceedingly bored.

“There’s nothing for me to do for fun after 8 p.m.,” he said. “I can go listen to the neighbor’s dog bark.”

Q: What are critical issues?

A: Housing, infrastructure, diversity, infusion of young families.  

“I think the overarching issue is leadership,” one participant said.

 Q: What stands in the way of addressing some of these issues?

A: “This is not a city with an excess of leadership.” Tired attitude of “this is how we’ve always done it.”

Q: What type of community growth would you like to see in Marion?

A: Artsy shopping. More restaurants. Better internet and cell service.

Additional meetings to get input from residents are scheduled, but Wichita State did not provide information about them.