East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman gives the State of the City address Thursday afternoon, March 7, 2024, at The Bend Event Center. This year's East Moline State of the City address is set for noon Thursday, March 27, at the Bend Event Center in East Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
East Moline is riding a wave of momentum with big plans and projects in the works. Leading those projects is an almost $30 million revitalization of The Bend, Rust Belt and downtown areas of East Moline. That’s the message Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered Thursday afternoon, March 7, during the East Moline State of the City […]
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East Moline is riding a wave of momentum with big plans and projects in the works. Leading those projects is an almost $30 million revitalization of The Bend, Rust Belt and downtown areas of East Moline.That’s the message Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered Thursday afternoon, March 7, during the East Moline State of the City address.
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East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman, center, talks with Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher, left, and Bettendorf City Administrator Decker Ploehn on Thursday, March 7, just before the East Moline State of the City address. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman, right, talks with Alex McGehee, left, the president of the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club; and East Moline City Administrator Mark Rothert, center, just before the East Moline State of the City address on Thursday, March 7. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
More than 100 residents and community leaders listen to the 2024 East Moline State of the City address on Thursday, March 7, at The Bend Event Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A man looks over plans to improve East Moline during Thursday's event.
The East Moline State of the City address was held March 7.
The annual address was made before more than 100 people during a meeting of the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club at The Bend Event Center.“East Moline is not just a city; it’s a vibrant community of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to build a better tomorrow,” the mayor said during his address.Mr. Freeman outlined a series of city government improvements, new businesses and economic development plans that have occurred or are in the works in East Moline.The most ambitious of those plans is an almost $30 million project to make improvements to East Moline so the city is more walkable, bike-friendly and beautiful. The project – which could begin construction next year and be completed in 2027 – will include new landscaping, more outdoor event space, improved railroad crossings and much more.Those project plans were recently showcased during a Feb. 21 open house that served as the first public meeting for the Greater Downtown East Moline Revitalization Project. It also was held at The Bend Event Center.On Thursday, the project again took center stage as it was featured in a five-minute video shown to the audience. Also, 10 display boards showing project plans were available for view during the presentation. They highlighted planned improvements to The Bend that are part of the multi-year revitalization.“This is an amazing project that will be transformative for our downtown, its businesses and our residents when completed,” Mr. Freeman added.Some of the main goals of the multi-year revitalization include: Enhance connectivity between three districts of the city; support continued economic development; and facilitate safe pedestrian and bicycle traffic between the riverfront and 15th Avenue residential areas. Other goals include: creating a strong community brand; create improvements to make it easier to get to The Bend’s entertainment, businesses and riverfront; create new pedestrian-friendly connections, landscaping and directional signage at The Bend.Most the the multi-year project will be funded by a $23.7 million federal RAISE grant. The City of East Moline will kick in $5 million for the work as a required match.During Thursday’s State of the City address, Mr. Freeman also addressed other business developments, housing concerns, talent acquisition issues and more. Some of those issues included:
A new business, D’Savor African Cuisine restaurant is opening at 689 Avenue of the Cities. A grand opening is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9.
Four businesses that will soon be opening in East Moline are: Scooters Coffee, Awake Coffee Company, Casey’s and Silverstar Car Wash.
Mr. Freeman said East Moline has the most ethnic based grocery stores per capita in the region. They include: QC Global Groceries, 710 Avenue of the Cities; Hoang-Arch, 802 15th Ave.; Supermercado Monarca, 755 15th Ave.; World Food Market, 669 Avenue of the Cities; Martinez Meat Market, 914 15th Ave.; and Taqueria Any Lu, 635 15th Ave.
In the past few months, the city has filled several key staff positions including city administrator, finance director, community development director, wastewater treatment plant director and community service officer. The city is also looking for a fire marshal, and a crime analyst to determine where to focus public safety efforts. Mr. Freeman said that more than 50% of senior leadership positions in the city are filled by women or people of color.
In housing, developers in The Quarter have completed 36 units in the past 15 months. Twenty of those units are occupied and 14 more units are under construction. In time, there will be 65 housing units created in The Quarter with an assessed value of more than $5 million, the mayor said.
The city has received a $1.5 million grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development to be used for various police equipment, solar signs for school zones and more.
During Thursday’s presentation, the mayor received praise for helping spur some of the many projects helping the city. “He’s been instrumental in driving positive change in our city, and we’re fortunate to have his leadership,” said City Administrator Mark Rothert.The mayor, though, praised the entire city staff, community and business leaders for helping East Moline move forward.“Progress is not achieved alone, but through collaboration, innovation and a shared vision for a brighter future,” he added.
