The empty lot near downtown Davenport is rather unimpressive at the moment. There are remnants of a parking area, weeds and an old chain-linked fence surrounding much of the lot.
But big things are on the horizon for the lot at the corner of Brady and Fifth streets – next to the MLK Interpretive Center.
Within a few months, construction work will begin on the empty lot to transform it into a $1.1 million park to be called the MLK Commemorative Park in honor of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The park is expected to be complete by summer.
The project took a huge step forward on Wednesday, Jan. 11, when the Davenport City Council gave its approval to a development agreement with the nonprofit group planning the park – the Friends of MLK. That group’s MLK Interpretive Center is located next door at 501 Brady St.
Money to fund the park has come from a variety of sources. Those sources include American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through the City of Davenport, a state tourism grant through the Enhance Iowa Grant program, Ascentra Credit Union and the Scott County Board of Supervisors.
Also, the MidAmerican Energy Foundation recently awarded the Friends of MLK a $250,000 grant for the project.
The Friends of MLK group still is accepting donations for the park project. (For more information, visit https://fomlkdavenport.wixsite.com/website or email the group at fomlk.davenport@gmail.com.)
The MLK Park plan was introduced to the public in January 2022 when Friends of MLK members during a news conference. At that time, Ryan Saddler, CEO of Friends of MLK, called the park a “celebration spot” to honor MLK and the many Quad Cities pioneers who helped the civil rights movement.
“The vision for an MLK memorial began in 2014 with a City of Davenport Task Force,” Mr. Saddler said in a news release then. “It is our hope that all Davenport residents and Quad Citizens will see this park as an opportunity to gather and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. This park is our reminder of the fight for equity and justice that has made America what it is today.”
Some of the expected features of the park will include:
- History panels that will have various themes, such as civil rights history, local pioneers of civil rights and Hispanic heritage themes.
- A stage to host concerts and speakers.
- Room for vendors.
Mr. Saddler added that it’s important that the new park be located on this land because of its link to local history. The history of the property off Brady Street includes its early days as the location of mixed-race restaurant, entertainment, and rooming houses from at least the 1880s to the 1940s. Also, it could be the location of the Blue Bird Tavern, a legendary hot jazz and dance spot in the black part of town, Mr. Saddler said. Legend has it that young talent such as Bix Beiderbecke also performed here after hours.
“This park will provide Davenport residents with a place to gather, celebrate, remember and honor the legacy of someone who fought for the freedom of many,” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said in the release.
