After over 100 years of use, the bricks making up the S. Market historic district were getting rough and starting to generate complaints from citizens. In July of 2016, City Commissioner John Goss requested permission from the City Council to advertise bids for restoration of the bricked street. Efforts were made from the beginnings to make sure that the original bricks were removed, sub-grade redone and that brick would be put back to restore the street to its original grandeur. Initial estimates ranged from about $450,000 to $500,000.

By October 2017, work had begun repaving the street and workers began laying 126,000 bricks. The city spent $700,000 on the project including the replacement of old existing water and sewer lines. By November 2017 bricklaying in the street had been completed and new sidewalks had begun. An historical marker to notate the project was installed near the library parking lot.

Marion High School freshman Rece Roper sold old bricks from South Market St. to be engraved and reinstalled in bands in the sidewalk along the street after getting approval from the council earlier in the year. The project raised $7,500 which Roper donated to three not for profit organizations; Boyton Street Community Center, the Lighthouse Shelter and the Marion Ministerial Alliance.

(Sources: Marion Star and the Southern Illinoisan; posted by Sam Lattuca 9/24/2018)