A public input meeting has been set to gather opinions and views on the Greater Downtown East Moline Revitalization Project and its impact on The Rust Belt area.
That meeting will be from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at The Rust Belt Common Area, 533 12th Ave.
The goal of the almost $30 million project is to make improvements to East Moline so the downtown and riverfront are more walkable, bike-friendly and beautiful. The project – which could begin construction next year and be complete in 2027 – will include new landscaping, more outdoor event space, improved railroad crossings and much more.
As part of that plan, the City of East Moline is working with a design and engineering team to develop proposed improvements that will make the Rust Belt more accessible and better integrated with the greater downtown area. Proposed improvements include full reconstruction of 12th Avenue between 1st and 7th streets, a new bike and pedestrian path, improved intersections at 3rd and 7th streets, and significant upgrades to the railroad crossings to improve safety and accessibility.
“These proposed improvements will transform the Rust Belt area into a safer, more connected community asset, fostering economic growth and enhancing the overall quality of life for everyone in East Moline,” East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman said in a news release announcing the latest public meeting. “We encourage all residents to attend this meeting and share their thoughts on how we can make the Rust Belt area even better.”
Attendees can stop by at any time during the meeting to view proposed designs, talk with the project team, and ask questions.
Visit www.downtowneastmoline.com to learn more, sign up for updates, and share comments online.
The Rust Belt improvements are part of the larger Greater Downtown East Moline Revitalization Project, supported by a $23.7 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity, safety, and accessibility between 15th Avenue, the Rust Belt, and The Bend, benefiting both residents and visitors alike. The city plans to begin construction in 2025, with input from the community helping to shape the final designs.
Here are some of the details of the East Moline project and the process:
- Main goals : 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.
- Project team: The teams working on the plan include the City of East Moline; Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) engineers; Image, Inc.; SWT Design; Hutchinson Engineering, Inc.; Terracon; and American Surveying & Engineering, Inc.
- Construction targets: Streetscaping at The Bend is scheduled to start in 2025. Rust Belt work will start in 2026. Bend Boulevard extension work will start in 2027.
- Funding: 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 required by the terms of the federal grant.
