Rock Island and Quad Cities leaders are making welcome progress on a pair of major economic and community development drivers that if realized would pay big dividends for the region.
They are the $12 million Rock Line Studios film production complex planned near downtown Rock Island and the new Augustana Hilltop Community Development Corporation. That CDC is designed to revitalize the unique neighborhood around Augustana College, a community economic development engine in its own right.
Rock Line studios
Leading the production studio’s launch are Fresh Films principals Kelli and Estlin Feigley. Michael Wiebler is ably leading its fundraising with the assistance of local business advisors for Rock Line Studios, which will be built by Davenport-based Russell and designed by Streamline Architects of Moline.
Cheers to all behind that effort which has raised all but $3 million needed to make it a reality. That includes the City of Rock Island for committing tax increment financing funds to the project.
Kudos, too, to QCA Film Office Manager Holly Sparkman and film liaison J. Douglas Miller for their support of the project including creating a resource database that will be essential in attracting $5 million to $20 million film productions to the region.
Thanks, too, to the creators of “A Quiet Place” and the Last Picture House — Scott Beck, Bryan Woods and Julia Glausi of Beck/Woods Productions — for lending their support to the project.
Like Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell said, “We are looking forward to seeing this opportunity get across the goal line and are confident it would add value and further competitively position the Quad Cities region.”
Augustana Hilltop CDC
Even as it navigates a complex path to create a new nonprofit development corporation, Augustana Hilltop CDC Executive Director Jerry Lack and its board of 11 college, city, business and community leaders are laying the groundwork for investing in the College Hill area.
As Rock Island Economic Development Director Miles Brainard told the QCBJ “The creation of the Augustana Hilltop CDC is a great step toward reinvigorating that area of the community.”
He likened its potential to Rock Island’s partnership with the Quad Cities Chamber on a Rock Island Downtown Association that is helping rejuvenate its downtown.
“The city is hopeful that by working together new investments will be made and community character strengthened,” Mr. Brainard said of the Hilltop CDC.
Augustana College President Andrea Talentino, whose strategic plan was a springboard for the CDC, said the college “is thrilled to join with city and community partners to bolster economic, architectural and community-building initiatives in the College Hill area and to work together to seek solutions to meet the needs of the district.”
The QCBJ salutes those working together to bring new life and new investment to that unique live, learn, work, play district as well as the leaders who seevk to create a film production campus expected to bring millions of new dollars to the region each year.
We look forward to seeing what comes next.
