Rotary Program Recap – March 31, 2026
Tour of the City of Marion Public Works Facility
Speaker & Host: Michael D. Barkalow, PE
Marion Rotary members enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at one of the City’s most important assets during our March 31 program: a guided tour of the new City of Marion Public Works Facility, hosted by Public Works Director / City Engineer Michael D. Barkalow, PE. Mike shared the story behind the development of the $28 million, 144,000-square-foot facility and how it supports the City’s mission to provide reliable, safe, and efficient public services.
Constructed by Conlan Construction and funded through special revenue bonds tied to solid waste, sanitary sewer, and stormwater utilities, the facility replaces an undersized and structurally deficient former building. The new campus was designed with functionality, safety, and resilience in mind. Features include a 61-stall parking area, a modern fleet maintenance area with multiple wash bays, specialized concrete floors to accommodate rubber‑tracked vehicles, a fire truck lift, on‑site fuel storage, and a fabrication shop for welding. Members were especially intrigued by the practical design details, including three‑wheel bikes used by mechanics to efficiently move throughout the large building.
Resiliency and sustainability are central to the facility’s design. The building includes geothermal heating (supported by a $2.5 million rebate from Alliant Energy), a one‑megawatt generator, and a 24‑hour battery backup system. A FEMA‑rated safe room doubles as a tornado shelter, designed to withstand 250‑mph winds and missile impacts, and can safely hold up to 398 occupants. The site also incorporates low‑maintenance landscaping with buffalo grass and pollinator‑friendly plantings. Additional features highlighted during the tour included traffic camera monitoring, public safety training space, and environmental and safety systems such as CO₂ monitoring.
Mike also outlined the project timeline, from early design and bidding in 2023 through phased occupancy beginning in late August 2024 following the City’s reorganization into a combined Public Works Department. With 45 employees now based at the facility, Rotarians gained a strong appreciation for the scale of operations and the planning required to keep Marion running smoothly every day. The tour offered a fascinating glimpse into the infrastructure and people that support our community—and reinforced the value of thoughtful investment in public works.