Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon said “this is a new day for Davenport” as the city is investing in major road projects, helping build and fix homes, improve playgrounds, create a massive riverfront attraction and much more.
Those were some of the highlights of the mayor’s first Davenport State of the City Address, which was delivered in front of a crowd of about 220 people Thursday morning, June 11, at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport.
“The city is in a very strong, stable position. …. We are hyper-focused on growth in Davenport,” Mr. Gordon told the crowd at the breakfast meeting.
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During a video portion of the meeting, the mayor said: “We are a city moving forward.”
Mr. Gordon added that the city is moving forward in three areas – neighborhood investment, organizational stability, and community connection.
In the area of neighborhood investment, the city has a “hyper-local focus on block-level improvements that residents can see and feel in every corner of the city,” according to a city statement released following the State of the City Address.
The Davenport City Council has presented a clear directive to invest more in neighborhood streets, and the city moved quickly to allocate an additional $1.5 million for neighborhood street projects equivalent to 36 city blocks. Overall, the city’s fiscal year 2027 Capital Improvement Program includes $24.5 million for the street network, the mayor said.
Mr. Gordon also pointed out seven major projects representing about $17 million in investments. Those projects include:
- Eastern Avenue Bridge replacement and trail underpass project.
- Fourth Street resurfacing and conversion.
- “Quiet Zones” from Mound to Marquette streets.
- Rockingham Road, Second and Gaines streets work.
- 53rd and Utica intersection improvements.
- Pine Street, 49th to 53rd streets reconstruction.
- Division Street, 9th to 12th reconstruction.
The mayor said the city also is investing in its heritage neighborhoods through the Davenport DREAM Project. DREAM allows homeowners in qualifying areas to apply for funding to make exterior improvements. Round 8 will launch in July, along with a new round of Commercial DREAM, a similar initiative focused on commercial properties in the Rockingham Corridor.
He also provided an update on the city’s role in developing solutions for people experiencing homelessness in the region. Led by the Quad Cities Community Foundation and the Downtown Davenport Partnership, this regional approach is focused on connecting people to housing, addressing complex behavioral health and support needs, and maintaining safe, welcoming public spaces.
“I am fully committed to taking bold action to address this city-wide challenge,” the mayor said. “All the right people are in the room in this collaboration to make a positive impact on people and families experiencing homelessness.”
In the area of organizational stability, Mr. Gordon highlighted the importance of advocacy in bringing federal funding back to the community through grants that support critical infrastructure projects.
Over the past five years, Davenport has secured $82 million in federal grant funding. Recent examples include the berm and pumping system defending the Water Pollution Control Plant, the Eastern Avenue bridge reconstruction, and the purchase of a new fire rescue boat for river operations.
New award announced
New leadership also is a key component of long-term organizational stability. Mr. Gordon highlighted the early successes of Fire Chief Jeff VanderWiere and, in recognition of the recent retirement of Police Chief Jeff Bladel, announced the creation of the Chief Jeffery E. Bladel Legacy of Service Award. The annual award will recognize a department employee whose dedication, innovation, and leadership have significantly advanced the department’s mission through gun-violence reduction efforts and the effective use of data-driven analytics. The first recipient will be named later this year.
In the area of community connection, Mayor Gordon presented his vision for an engaged city where residents are welcomed into the decision-making process and invited to share in the city’s success.
“We are reclaiming the narrative of who we are as a city,” he said. “This is not the Davenport of five or ten years ago. We feel the momentum pushing us forward.”
The mayor pointed out improvements to area parks, such as Slattery Park, Emeis Inclusive Playground and Green Acres.
He also praised the new park ambassadors program launched by Davenport Parks and Recreation Department.
“This season, park ambassadors are visiting parks, trails, and public spaces throughout Davenport as a friendly, visible presence. Park ambassadors will help answer programming questions, engage park visitors with activities and games, and keep an eye out for maintenance or safety concerns that need attention. Overall, park ambassadors will work closely with other city staff to help keep parks looking their best and running smoothly.,” according to information from the city.
Main Street Landing
Providing an update on Main Street Landing, Mayor Gordon thanked the hundreds of people over the past 30 years who envisioned a destination on the riverfront and the community’s determination to bring that vision to life.
Main Street Landing will be a 10-acre park that will span between Main Street and the roller dams and will feature play areas, water features, a multi-use space for sports and much more. It is scheduled to be completed later this year.
When the groundbreaking for Main Street Landing took place last year, former Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said this about the project: “It will be one of the premier places in Iowa on Iowa’s front porch. … This will be the beacon of the Midwest.”
Several people in the audience said they liked what they heard about Davenport’s projects and progress.
“I’m excited for his (the mayor’s) vision of Davenport. … I’m excited for the progress being made in the city,” said Bryan Newswander, the pastor at Westside Assembly of God Church, Davenport, who was in attendance.
Mr. Gordon said Davenport residents should get ready to hear about more progress and projects in the city. “We are just getting started,” he added.
