East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman, right, talks with people before his State of the City address Thursday afternoon, March 27, at The Bend Event Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
East Moline is getting ready for “maximum growth” in the coming months and years. It will soon have better roads, more and improved businesses and a new grant program to help the business community. That’s the message East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered during the East Moline State of the City address Thursday afternoon, March […]
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East Moline is getting ready for “maximum growth” in the coming months and years. It will soon have better roads, more and improved businesses and a new grant program to help the business community.That’s the message East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered during the East Moline State of the City address Thursday afternoon, March 27, at The Bend Event Center.
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East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman gives the 2025 State of the City address Thursday, March 27, at The Bend Event Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
East Moline City Administrator Mark Rothert talks to the audience about a grant program during the 2025 State of the City address Thursday, March 27, at The Bend Event Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman, right, talks with people before his State of the City address Thursday afternoon, March 27, at The Bend Event Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
These posterboards show plans for the Greater Downtown East Moline Revitalization Project.
“Whether it’s downtown revitalization, economic development, infrastructure improvements or fiscal responsibility, East Moline is on the move,” the mayor said to a crowd of about 75 people on Thursday in his address to the East Moline-Silvis Rotary Club.A big part of that progress will be the start of the Greater Downtown East Moline Revitalization Project.The goal of the $30 million project is to make East Moline more walkable, bike-friendly and beautiful. The project – which could start construction this spring and be complete in 2027 – will include new landscaping, more outdoor event space, improved railroad crossings and much more.During Thursday’s address, Tim Kammler, the city’s director of engineering, told the audience that the first phase of construction work is scheduled to start April 14. It will center on streetscaping in The Bend area of East Moline. Work on 12th Avenue around the Rust Belt will start in 2026. Bend Boulevard extension work will start in 2027, according to a series of four posterboards on display during the address.
BIG Program launching
Another project in the works is a new East Moline Business Improvement Grant, or BIG Program. This initiative, which is expected to start in a few months, will provide up to $500,000 a year to businesses through a competitive grant process. Under BIG, grantees can receive up to $50,000 per project to be used for construction, structural additions, repairs and renovations, facade restoration, signage, lighting and more.“This initiative is designed to revitalize our commercial districts and support local businesses,” Mr. Freeman said.East Moline City Administrator Mark Rothert said funds for the program will come from a business district sales tax that went into effect last year. “So, all East Moline businesses in the business district would be eligible to apply,” he added.Several members of the audience on Thursday said the BIG Program sounds like it will help the community.“I think it will be the kick start East Moline needs,” Brian Atkins, executive director of the Tri City Building Trades Council, said shortly after the mayor’s speech.Mr. Freeman added that BIG will be only one program that will be used for “our economic development tools for maximum growth.” He said some of the other plans for the East Moline business district include: creating a TIF district along the Avenue of the Cities; creating a new River Edge Redevelopment Zone tool allow for new state historic tax credits; and maintaining strong relationships with economic development groups, such as Grow Quad Cities, Visit Quad Cities, the Revitalize and Develop East Moline (REDEEM) organization and others.The mayor told the crowd that he sees the city continuing to take positive steps in the future. “The momentum we’ve built over the past eight years will continue into 2025 and beyond,” he added.
More in the works
Other subjects brought up during Mr. Freeman’s address included:
The city is going after state and federal funding for projects. They include: a $128,000 Site Readiness Grant to study the intersection of Interstate 80/88; $230,000 to improve Jacobs Park; and an unidentified multi-million grant.
He reminded the audience that East Moline voters will decide soon if the city will be governed by “Home Rule” that will allow the city leaders to use local solutions to local issues and problems. The question will be on the ballot in East Moline on Tuesday, April 1. Mr. Freeman said Home Rule can impact the city’s ability to govern locally and finance major infrastructure projects. For example, it would allow 40-year financing, instead of 20 years, reducing annual debt repayment costs by 35%. “This will help to stabilize utility rates for residents in the future and make them more manageable. No one wants to be forced into paying a 15-year mortgage when you can only afford a 30-year one,” he said.
The mayor also outlined a series of water and sewer utility improvements. They include: lead service line replacement plan; phosphorus removal from wastewater treatment; utility rate adjustments; and a water and wastewater treatment plant facilities study.
New businesses and developments are in the works include a new Casey’s store on the Avenue of the Cities; a new Bagby Construction shop; and an Awake Coffee shop on the Avenue of the Cities.
So far this year, five abandoned properties in East Moline have been demolished to make room for single-family homes.
The mayor praised the work of Tim Knanishu, who is retiring as executive vice president of REDEEM. Jenelle Wolber was named to that position on Jan. 1.
