$75M sports/commercial project could put Bettendorf on national stage

An expanded sports facility and commercial development plan – expected to cost at least $75 million – will put Bettendorf on the national stage as a tourism destination site. That’s one of the major goals of a massive development plan to bring new sports facilities, ball fields, a three-level golf entertainment facility, a new hotel […]

An expanded sports facility and commercial development plan – expected to cost at least $75 million – will put Bettendorf on the national stage as a tourism destination site.

That’s one of the major goals of a massive development plan to bring new sports facilities, ball fields, a three-level golf entertainment facility, a new hotel and much more to an area near the TBK Bank Sports Complex.  Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher, along with representatives from project partners Middle & Forest Grove LLC and FG80 LLC, introduced the new project during a news conference Wednesday morning at the sports complex at 4850 Competition Drive. Mr. Gallagher said the project will create a “national footprint” in the Quad Cities to attract many more people to the area for sports events and other activities.

“It will help introduce hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of visitors to the Quad Cities. … We know once people visit the Quad Cities, they fall in love with our culture, with the people, with the way we live. This is a great opportunity to bring people to our area,” Mr. Gallagher added. Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, echoed how the proposed sports facility/commercial development will attract scores of people to the region for sports events. But it also will serve as a catalyst to attract more residents to fill open jobs in the community. “This project puts us not only on the regional stage, but also on the national stage,” he added. The project is expected to begin construction in April, and will cost at least $75 million, according to Kevin Koellner, president of FG80 Holdings LLC, one of the development partners. Mr. Koellner added that numerous factors, such as cost of materials, supply chain issues and the ongoing worker shortage, could impact the construction cost estimate.

“Our biggest challenge will be managing the labor market,” he told the crowd of nearly 100 attending the news conference. One of the key features of the plan is a new golf entertainment facility that developers called the first of its kind in Iowa. That facility will feature TopTracer Range technology. It is being developed by Middle & Forest Grove, LLC, a new entity created by local investors Ryan Hintz, Doug Kratz, Ben Logsdon and Mr. Koellner. The 70,000-square-foot facility will include a three-level golf entertainment venue, 60-plus climate-controlled hitting bays, video gaming space and much more, according to Mr. Hintz. “This venue will be a place with activities the entire family can enjoy. We have a lot more exciting features that are in the works…” said Mr. Hintz, CEO of Middle & Forest Grove LLC. “This entertainment venue is something we have been working toward for quite some time now, and we are delighted we finally get to share it with the public.”   The golf facility, which could be up and running by the summer of 2023, will be managed by the golf management company Troon, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It will offer year-round programming with events for kids and families, social leagues, g olf tournament, corporate events and more. It also will boast state-of-the-art gaming space, a large event space, future rooftop patio and a common plaza. A new website — www.golfmfgi80.com – has been created to give construction and development updates on the golf facility. In addition to the golf facility, other highlights of the Urban Renewal Plan are:

• The total development will cover 109 acres of property east of Middle Road and north of Forest Grove Drive with about 75 acres to be developed in this phase.

• The project will include two synthetic turf multi-use fields – sized to accommodate two collegiate/high school sized baseball fields as well as eight youth baseball/softball fields or four full-sized soccer fields with lighting for night activities and parking.
• The new development will create at least 100 jobs.
• Plans also include a restaurant, bar, meeting and entertainment areas, along with related parking.
• A 16-acre site, owned by FG80 Holdings LLC, is slated to include a hotel with at least 80 rooms, a commercial strip center and a convenience store.
• Construction will begin about April 1 and be completed about Dec. 31, 2023.
• The project must include at least $32 million in developments, according to the project agreement with the city. (Top project officials said Wednesday the construction would cost at least $75 million.)

The project is expected to create millions of dollars in revenue for the City of Bettendorf. According to information from the city, the project’s total city revenue over 20 years will be $14.4 million; total incentives to developers will be $10.9 million; and the net gain to the city over 20 years will be about $3.5 million. According to council documents, the City of Bettendorf will provide incentives including a 75% tax increment financing (TIF) rebate for 20 years (rebates will be paid only from TIF money derived from the project), economic development grants and eight years of annual commitments and infrastructure improvements. The city will give the project developer $3 million in grants in two equal installments to be paid Jan. 3, 2023, and upon the completion of the golf facility. The city also will pay the developer $350,000 a year for eight years, beginning July 1. That money will come from municipal funds. But city leaders indicated that Bettendorf also will see other additional revenue as a result of the new development. Bettendorf officials provided this information on anticipated “paybacks” from the project:

• New sales tax: Estimated at $84,000 annually, totaling $1.7 million over 20 years.
• New hotel/motel tax: Estimated at $143,000 annually, totaling $2.8 million over 20 years.
• An additional $5 fee per hotel room per night: Estimated at $91,000 annually, totaling $1.8 million over 20 years.
• 25% tax increment financing (TIF): Estimated at $188,000 annually, totaling $3.8 million over 20 years.
• Debt service on the expansion: Estimated at $155,000 annually, totaling $3.1 million over 20 years.
• 45% of state sales tax rebate award: Anticipated to be at least $1.125 million.

Mr. Gallagher said he is especially proud that the development could make Bettendorf the ultimate destination for tourists around the country. “This is the future of Bettendorf and our region. We’re setting up our community to be one of the most forward thinking and coveted tourism destinations in the midwest, maybe even the country,” he added.