$9.6M awarded to Davenport through Destination Iowa

Today, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced $9.6 million in grant funding to help transform the Davenport riverfront. 

The City of Davenport and the Figge Art Museum were awarded funding for three signature projects that combine art, architecture and play. The projects to receive funding include Main Street Landing, an all-season riverfront plaza for both recreation and events; technology enhancements to the lighting on the Davenport Skybridge; and the creation of an evanescent light field at the Figge Museum. These projects are part of a larger creative placemaking effort and represent 40% of $193 million in public and private investment in the Davenport Riverfront area. 

"This huge $24 million project in the heart of our community is the definition of a placemaking investment, making a generational impact on our quality of life and enhancing the likelihood of adjacent business growth, city taxbase stability and most importantly, people choosing to live or visit here," said Kyle Carter, Downtown Davenport Partnership's Executive Director "Through intentional and thoughtful coordination, the approval of this Destination Iowa grant provided the last key dollars needed to make what has long been a dream a reality on the riverfront."

Without the collective effort of federal, state, local and private investment, this would not have been possible. "Thank you Gov. Reynolds and the team at IEDA for this significant investment in downtown Davenport and the Quad Cities," said Carter. "We are also grateful to the City of Davenport for their leadership on this project." 

We look forward to seeing the transformation begin.