Urban designer unveils ‘world-class’ Moline riverfront plan

MKSK Studios, the firm charged two years ago with creating a bold, unified vision for Moline’s riverfront, previewed for the Moline City Council on Tuesday, June 17, what City Administrator Bob Vitas called “a world-class plan” by “a world-class designer.” During the council’s Committee of the Whole Meeting at city hall, Brett Weidl, landscape architect […]

MKSK Studios, the firm charged two years ago with creating a bold, unified vision for Moline’s riverfront, previewed for the Moline City Council on Tuesday, June 17, what City Administrator Bob Vitas called “a world-class plan” by “a world-class designer.”

During the council’s Committee of the Whole Meeting at city hall, Brett Weidl, landscape architect with the award-winning urban design firm, shared an overview of the final draft of its proposed Moline Riverfront + Centre Plan. Among the concepts driving that design she said are increasing downtown and riverfront connectivity, adding large greenspaces and inviting public areas as well as an amphitheater, more housing, a new hotel and more. As the ambitious design for the city’s riverfront downtown takes shape, Mr. Vitas predicted, “we’re going to realize that there is nothing like this outside of major metropolitan areas anywhere. If you travel the world, travel the U.S., you don’t see this very often.” In addition to bringing in “a world-class firm to give us a world-class project” Mr. Vitas said he is “extremely proud of the council's leadership, proud of the team and staff” for their work on the project. He added Tuesday “This community deserves the richness of this plan.” Renew Moline Executive Director Alexandra Elias told the QCBJ that the agency she leads is “thrilled to see the unveiling of the River Front + Centre Plan" by the city and the MKSK multidisciplinary team.  “The plan is rooted in community engagement, and the work you see includes design features that the community called for over many public discussions," she added. "We congratulate the city on this important milestone in planning our community’s 'front porch' and its effort to create an iconic place in the Quad Cities.”

It’s a legacy project

Ms. Weidl, who has led the local planning effort for MKSK, recalled standing with city leaders two years ago on the Moline Mississippi riverfront near the new Interstate 74 Bridge and the still-remaining bits of the old one.

 “We were just kind of humbled by the experience and the opportunity to partner with you all on this wonderful project for your community,” she told the council and a large crowd of guests and staff gathered in the council chambers. She also thanked the community for allowing her to participate in what she called “a legacy project” that she hopes will be adopted by the city council in July. Ms. Weidl stressed that MKSK’s plan – which local leaders have said they hope will make the downtown a “beloved space” – isn’t written in stone. Instead it provides a starting point that is designed to evolve “with the needs of your community as time goes on,” she added. In the short term it also will help equip the city with the next steps needed to create the spark that will help make the overall vision a reality. She also thanked the thousands of Quad Citians who engaged in a critical two-year planning process through community meetings, community popups, stakeholder focus group meetings, task force meetings, three online surveys and the 5,500-plus views of its website by 3,300 unique visitors. MKSK leaned on their input and that of the council, staff, and Renew Moline, to create its plan for five critical areas of the downtown designated as the River District, which runs along the Mississippi; the Gateway District, which welcomes visitors from I-74; the Fifth Avenue Hub, which includes the commercial district that acts as the anchor point for downtown; the I-74 Corridor Connector; and River East, which is largely residential.

MKSK Studio partners

On Tuesday, Ms. Weidl also spotlighted the first-class MKSK partners who were critical parts of the Moline design team including: Lake Flato, sustainable architecture; EMHT, civil engineering; TyLin, mobility planning; Development Strategies, economic development; and Miles McClellan Construction. The design also includes pedestrian-oriented streets and public spaces and upgrading existing amenities such as the 19th Street Trail. The project also includes 300 residential units, a 45-60 room hotel, and mixed-use developments. Flood mitigation strategies were outlined, emphasizing the importance of resilience and public art. At the urging of the city Ms. Weidl added the city-owned Kone Tower – which she said was shown by a recent study to be structurally sound – into the design along with a skatepark and pump track city leaders have had on their wish lists since 2023. In addition, the project area includes large green spaces and other amenities designed to provide stunning views at the city’s front door for both its Iowa visitors and those from other Illinois Quad Cities towns and cities. As the plan was created, Ms. Weidl said the MKSK team also was careful to remember that “this is an active, very active riverfront.” As a result, the team took into account such things as the location of critical utility infrastructure and other essential uses of the riverfront, she said. Another goal of the design was to strengthen the downtown’s connection to existing and key attractions such as the Vibrant Arena at the Mark, the John Deere Pavilion, the Great River Trail and the city's historic downtown.

Celebrating a rich history

The plan also is focused on demonstrating “how we can work with the river itself and show people and teach people about its power and its beauty via public art and policymaking,” Ms. Weidl said. It also will celebrate Moline’s collective history from its indigenous roots and industrial past to its growing modern-day cultural diversity. A central part of this design also is aimed at connecting the downtown areas on Fifth Avenue that were cut off from the city center when the Interstate 74 Bridge was built. Ms. Weidl added that the site was “tricky” to design because it has only a few riverfront access points. One way MKSK recommends making that connection is by taking the existing Great River Trail and making it “even better than it is today” by expanding it to the east and west along the river. The firm's design also showcases the riverfront's naturally occurring wetlands. That’s a distinctive feature of the design of a large proposed downtown green space that is located on and protected by the slower moving waters of the river’s Sylvan Slough. At the same time, with so much expected to be going on there flood mitigation also is a critical component of the vision. So is creating a “catalytic site” that will be activated by the river, trails and natural spaces. It also will feature greenspaces along the river, outdoor programming, such play gardens for all ages and abilities and interactive fountains to cool off on hot days like Tuesday, she said. An inviting kayak launch area also is included in the design.

Exterior dining featured

The design also took into account the request by Quad Citians for more exterior dining opportunities by creating places where downtown-goers can eat lunch or dinner or grab a cup of coffee al fresco. And it aims to ensure that downtown streets are pedestrian-oriented and flexible so they can be closed for outdoor events such as festivals.   Another important component she said is the environmental hubs that will be designed to connect the public to nature and teach the visitors about the natural wonders of the Mississippi River, especially critical wetlands. It does that by bringing people to the river through dynamic pathways that overlook those beautiful natural areas, Ms. Weidl said while sharing illustrations of what they could look like. The overall goal she added is to "provide more of those opportunities to experience it with your family, with your friends, with your community."