Mayor: Davenport is a ‘beacon of awesomeness’

People will soon look at Davenport as a “beacon of awesomeness.” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson used that phrase to describe riverfront improvements that are in the works for downtown Davenport. But he could have also used it to describe the many new businesses, building projects, infrastructure improvements and other success stories he said the city […]

People will soon look at Davenport as a “beacon of awesomeness.” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson used that phrase to describe riverfront improvements that are in the works for downtown Davenport. But he could have also used it to describe the many new businesses, building projects, infrastructure improvements and other success stories he said the city has helped create over the past year.

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“The positive momentum happening in this city is second to none,” Mr. Matson said Monday, June 10, during the 2024 State of the City address at the Rhythm City Casino Resort, 7077 Elmore Ave. Several hundred people attended the lunch meeting, which was part of a Rotary Club of Davenport meeting. During that event, the audience heard about the city’s successes in attracting new businesses in the recent past – and he said it hopes to attract at least one more big business in the coming months: the $800 million data center by Meta. The proposed project would be located on 328 acres near Hillandale Road and Enterprise Way in north Davenport, according to the city. In late May, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved a High-Quality Jobs application for the proposed data center. “This moves the proposed project further along in their due diligence, with the company expected to make a decision later this year,” Bruce Berger, Davenport’s director of community and economic development, told the QCBJ in an email last month. “If selected, construction could begin in 2025 and expand opportunities for jobs for Davenport and Quad City residents.” Mr. Berger previously told the QCBJ construction alone would generate an economic impact of more than $1 billion in the region, and operationally, an annual economic impact of $78.6 million is projected.  On Monday, Mr. Matson called it an “$800 million-plus opportunity” that he hopes becomes a reality in the near future. Other business deals he outlined included the Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Davenport  which is currently employing about 1,500 people; and two buildings in the Russell Industrial Park in Davenport that sold for $42.6 million to Cedar Rapids-based Midwest Equity Investors. One real estate professional called it one of the biggest sales transactions in Quad Cities history. The mayor also used his State of the City address to point out projects in the works that he believes will attract visitors and improve the quality of life for residents. One is the riverfront development called the Main Street Landing.  That project includes about $24 million in improvements over the next few years. They will include enhanced lighting on the Davenport Skybridge and a massive lighting project on the outside of the Figge Art Museum. The mayor asked the audience to imagine visitors flying over Davenport on their way to the Quad Cities International Airport. They will soon look down to see a very bright downtown and Figge  building that will be a “beacon of awesomeness.” Before Mr. Matson’s presentation on Monday, Bill Churchill, president of the Friends of Veterans Memorial Park group, said he was “fired up” to hear about the positive projects and developments in the city. Mr. Churchill also praised the mayor for his handling of some great challenges over the past few years. That statement was one of the only remarks concerning such challenges as last year’s partial collapse of a downtown apartment building, and the ongoing controversy over the departure of former Davenport City Administrator Corri Spiegel. Last November, it was announced Ms. Spiegel was leaving her position and would receive $1.6 million for lost wages and “emotional pain and suffering.” Even though the mayor didn’t address that departure, he said the city was looking to hire employees, including, “maybe you have heard we are looking for a city administrator.” Some of the other subjects addressed during the speech included:

• City finances and budget: The mayor called the city’s financial situation strong, stable and balanced. Its financial status has been upgraded to Aa2 with Moody’s and reaffirmed at AA with S&P Global. The city has a $239 million budget for fiscal year 2025. Also, it has reduced the property tax rate by 17 cents to $16.61 per assessed $1,000 valuation.
• Park openings and upgrades: The new MLK Park, 501 Brady St., is open. A grand opening ceremony for the park will be 3 p.m. June 19. The Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St., next to the Davenport Public Library – Fairmount Branch, which is under construction. It is expected to be done this July. Park improvements include: Whalen Park, upgraded with new playground; Van Buren Park – multi-sports courts; Lafayette Park – relocation and installation of new play structure; Dohse Pool – new splashpad and playground; Cork Hill Park – multi-sport court and upgraded splashpad.
• New fire station: Fire Station 3 was completed at 300 42nd St. The 19,000-square-foot facility includes collaborative work space with the police department and a community room.
• Street projects: There are 24 street construction projects in development this year. Also, $14.7 million in street network improvements approved for fiscal year 2025.
• Duck Creek Interceptor Sewer: This $18.2 million project is a sewer interceptor from its current terminus at the West Side Diversion Tunnel to the existing wastewater treatment lagoon.
• Flood protection: Flood protection projects continue. In fact, this spring, the City of Davenport was awarded a $13.1 million federal grant to help the city fight and recover from river flooding in the future. It will support projects in the city’s Mississippi River Flood Resiliency Plan, including raising roads, street repairs and traffic safety improvements. When completed, the projects will establish a permanent flood detour route for large-scale flood events, ensure access to the Centennial and Arsenal bridges during periods of major flooding, and improve transportation safety at the River Drive intersections at Third and Fourth streets.
• Downtown projects: The mayor pointed out several downtown investment projects and partnerships. Those include: 800 new housing units downtown since 2013; 1,706 total downtown housing units; $300 million new total investment since 2013; 20 planned new projects totaling $132 million investments.
• New officers, firefighters: The city has hired 22 new police officers in the last two years, and 22 new firefighters in the same period. In addition to these hirings, the city is also looking to hire a new city administrator, corporate counsel and chief communications officer.

During his address, Mr. Matson thanked city employees, supporters and the many partners who have helped with the many projects that have helped the city over the years. “Thank you for giving a damn and working hard,” the mayor added.