RI thinks as big as the whole Quad-Cities
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Few would flinch at a $15 million riverfront development for a city of 300,000. That’s the approximate price tag for Rock Island’s stunning vision for the old armory site. Aldermen approved a plan to create a public park, marina, ferry boat dock and performance space that complements Davenport’s riverfront aspirations.
Of course, Rock Island isn’t a town of 300,000. It has about 45,000 people to cover the tab, making this project a huge commitment.
But not impossible.
Rock Island is considering tapping into its downtown Tax Increment Financing district’s $2 million in annual revenues to pay for the renovation.
This intriguing idea upsets the status quo. It creates potential funding shortages for the facade improvements, downtown housing initiatives and other things covered by the TIF revenue. But this vote for Armory Park suggests aldermen have a vision far greater than the status quo. This bold vision would make Rock Island a riverfront destination, instead of a historic town hidden behind a levee. It could quickly remove the armory, an eyesore that even $15 million couldn’t fully restore.
This plan ties Rock Island directly to the river with flood-free park space that adds value to existing downtown buildings by opening up more riverfront views.
This is precisely the inspiration we hoped for from Rock Island and Davenport’s RiverVision planning: bigger and bolder than any one town could accomplish alone. Together, Rock Island’s armory plan and Davenport’s long-term riverfront vision create a riverbank-to-riverbank, two-state park unlike anyplace else on the river.
Not in Minneapolis. Not in St. Louis. Not in Memphis.
But maybe, with smart collaboration from the entire Quad-Cities, it can be here.
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