QC, That’s Where Downtown Leaders are Making a Place that Residents Love

Exciting plans are on the horizon for the Rock Island Downtown Alliance as it works with the City of Rock Island on large-scale capital improvements while launching its place management operations.

As the service provider for the City’s Downtown Special Service Area (SSA), Downtown Alliance Executive Director Jack Cullen is excited about the opportunities presented through the newly minted partnership. “We are investing millions of dollars in revitalizing the downtown core while also setting up an organization focused on managing the downtown beyond this initial injection of funding and improvements,” Cullen said. “The fact these initiatives are happening simultaneously should set us on a positive path toward creating a vibrant, welcoming and prosperous downtown.”

The Downtown Alliance, along with the Chamber’s other affiliate place management entities, has three key pillars of work: Business & Economic Growth; Infrastructure & Livability; and Advocacy & Promotions.

The Downtown Alliance put some of those pieces together recently when it welcomed its newest employee, De’Andre Robinson, as the organization’s Operations Manager. Robinson brings significant experience to his new role, having previously served as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Christian Care, performing mobile street outreach and case management work in downtown Rock Island and across the Illinois Quad Cities. Robinson will help oversee and facilitate on-street cleaning, maintenance and safety services with a crew of Cleaning Ambassadors and community partners.

With a larger team in place, the Downtown Alliance is preparing to take further steps toward achieving its mission, including through the creation of a capital improvement grant program intended to enhance the curb appeal of downtown businesses and properties within the SSA and supplement the City’s active citywide grant programs.

The Downtown Alliance’s place management efforts are in good hands with Cullen’s passion driving its work. “As a former downtown resident and Augustana College graduate, downtown Rock Island is close to my heart. I believe it can be better, and I am proud to be part of the team working to make that happen.”

The Downtown Alliance is currently working with the City of Rock Island and consultants Veenstra & Kimm and Streamline Architects to fine-tune a $7.4 million capital improvement project in the core downtown area. Funding for the monumental project includes $3 million from the State of Illinois Rebuild Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Grant Program secured by the Chamber, along with a $4 million contribution from the City of Rock Island.

The funds will enable major streetscaping and placemaking improvements in the Downtown Rock Island Historic District, primarily between 1st and 3rd Avenues and 17th and 21st Streets. The proposed scope of work calls for total reconstruction of multiple blocks, along with the addition of decorative lighting, landscaping, signage, outdoor dining structures, greenspace, public art installations and pop-up vendor stalls.

The project’s centerpiece is the transformation of the 2nd Avenue pedestrian mall into a curb-less festival street to accommodate both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. It will include the necessary infrastructure for special events, such as wide sidewalks, electrical hookups, dedicated areas for entertainment and removable bollards to close off the street to vehicles.

“Flexibility is the key goal for this block,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance. “It’s all about balancing the qualities of a pedestrian-friendly area while also allowing vehicle access for safety, maintenance and commerce purposes.”

Like the Downtown Alliance’s place management goals, Cullen said the overall goal for the project is threefold: enhance public spaces, encourage private investment and improve quality of life.

In Davenport, the Downtown Davenport Partnership’s (DDP) ongoing and upcoming infrastructure initiatives are creating a greater sense of place throughout downtown.

“We're really excited about the infrastructure improvements happening right now. The streetscape at 3rd and Brady is a project that has been in the works since the early 2000s. To see that finally come to fruition is very meaningful. We’re also working to bring more lighting installations to downtown,” said DDP Executive Director Kyle Carter.  

Infrastructure improvements are a main focus for the DDP team, and their grant programs are helping meet the needs of downtown businesses. “There's been a big movement to make sure that our properties are in tight shape. Property owners have really responded. There are a ton of grant requests and a lot of work going on to improve our historic properties even further,” said Carter. 

One historic property that has recently seen large-scale renovations is the Kahl Building, home of the Capitol Theatre, which opened its concert hall doors this week for the first time since 2010. The DDP anticipates a more lively downtown climate with the resurgence of the Capitol Theatre and the long-awaited opening of The Last Picture House two-story movie theater. The theater is slated to open in the Motor Row and Industrial Historic District later this winter. 

Also located in the Motor Row District, the DDP recently organized the creation of our region’s newest picturesque mural. The 2023 Alternating Currents Mural Fest delivered the mural, which can be found on the rear side of the building located at 221 E. 2nd Street. A variety of additional public art initiatives will soon be on display across downtown. 

Next month, DDP’s German Fest is coming to K-Square on Oct. 21 for the second rendition of the annual festival celebrating the QC’s robust German culture. The free event will feature a variety of traditional Octoberfest activities including music, food, beer and games.

In the near future, the Partnership plans to implement community programs focused on addressing homelessness and mental health challenges through partnering and coordinating with area social service providers.

In Bettendorf, Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) Executive Director Ryan Jantzi said plans are in store to continue the momentum of developing the city’s west side, starting with the new Be The Light Park.

“With our west side development, and especially the urban park, the bones are starting to be built for the commercial properties to add their flavor to it. Eventually, there will be some art initiatives involved also,” said Jantzi. 

The DBO plans to focus on the area around Be The Light Park to create a greater sense of connectivity between the east and west sides of downtown and between the commercial region of the west side and the residential neighborhoods directly to the north. The goal is to make the area more walkable and accessible. Activating this west side riverfront area is something that Jantzi and the DBO plan to explore and achieve in the future. 

Additional upcoming placemaking initiatives are building on the momentum of a stellar FY2023, which saw the awarding of $60,000 in facade grants to downtown businesses. These grants are going a long way in activating Bettendorf’s riverfront community. “These facade grants are enabling businesses to add patios and generate more activity outside,” said Jantzi. 

As more downtown business owners take advantage of the resources offered by the DBO, there’s a growing atmosphere of optimism about the future of downtown Bettendorf. 

“We're getting buy-in from our downtown property owners. They understand that we’re not just here to collect their taxes. We’re here to help get them a return on their investment and foster a love for the community, and hopefully create a positive ripple effect across our region,” said Jantzi.