The City of Moline is taking a new look at its parking needs in its downtown core with a new survey for residents, business owners and others to share their thoughts and concerns.
The city hired Chicago-based Walker Consultants earlier this year to conduct the comprehensive study. It will assess the needs and opportunities related to on-street and off-street parking policy, operations, and management in downtown. According to the city, it aims to gain valuable insight into how residents, business owners, and visitors use – and feel about – parking in the downtown.
To promote the Downtown Moline Parking Study, the city is holding an open house from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Mercado on Fifth, 423 12th St., Moline. Residents, business owners, workers and downtown visitors are invited to attend. Discussion topics will include on- and off-street parking, signage and wayfinding, transportation preferences and potential improvements. The format allows attendees to drop in at any time, speak with the project team and share feedback through interactive maps, visual displays and comment cards.
Participants can enter a drawing to win one of five gift cards to downtown Moline restaurants.
To take the survey click here. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
According to Moline City Council documents, the council voted unanimously to contract with Walker Consultants for $124,945 plus reimbursable expenses. The firm was one of six consultants to answer the city’s Request for Proposal last fall. Walker Consultants was selected based on its experience and qualifications.
While the project was not previously budgeted, finance staff told the council that the city’s Parking Fund can cover the cost, council minutes show.
Redevelopment opportunities
The survey comes as the city also is advancing its ambitious Moline Front + Centre riverfront redevelopment plan.
In April, the City of Moline was designated as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ), which opens the door to state financial incentives that are designed to spur downtown development and attract private investment. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. The RERZ covers about 3.4 square miles of Moline’s downtown core including its Moline Centre and is bordered by the Mississippi River and extends roughly 4,500 feet to the south.
With the RERZ designation, eligible property owners can now access incentives to help reduce development costs, make projects more feasible and encourage investment downtown.
