Quad Citians want to see a well-connected, inclusive, walkable, bikeable and livable downtown Moline riverfront rich with history, art and entertainment that is not only a great place to live and work, but a regional destination. Those are among the items on the wish lists of some of the 700+ respondents who shared their thoughts […]
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Quad Citians want to see a well-connected, inclusive, walkable, bikeable and livable downtown Moline riverfront rich with history, art and entertainment that is not only a great place to live and work, but a regional destination.
Those are among the items on the wish lists of some of the 700+ respondents who shared their thoughts about the future of the historic riverfront area through the Moline Riverfront + Centre (pronounced “Riverfront and Center”) public engagement process.
The ongoing effort is designed to help guide the early stages of the city’s Moline Riverfront + Centre Plan. The ambitious riverfront and downtown master plan visioning is led by the City of Moline, Renew Moline and a multidisciplinary national team headed by world-class design firm MKSK. The effort is designed to create a compelling vision and implementation plan for a reimagined Moline riverfront.
An essential early component of that effort is the public engagement campaign by All Together Studio. It was held over the past several months. It included a survey, in-person meetings and social events. Other public engagement surveys and workshops also are planned as part of the process.
Plan expected in 2024
Such input is vitally important as Moline embarks on this generational opportunity to redevelop and reimagine some 14 acres of prime riverfront real estate adjacent to downtown, the city said in a Friday, Dec. 15 news release. The information gathered will be used to inform the work of the team led by MKSK Studios, which is charged with delivering a final document to the City of Moline by September 2024. Among the things standing out from the survey, Renew Moline President and CEO Alexandra Elias told the QCBJ, is this: “People appreciate our proximity to the river, and want to celebrate that it is one of the things that makes our community special.” In addition, she said, through the four in-person events held to gather additional information the groups all ranked three things as their top riverfront “needs”:- Eat & Drink
- Play & Explore
- Experience Nature
What do Quad Citians want?
Some of the key takeaways from the initial survey results, shared by participants in that public engagement campaign, include:- Positioning the downtown Moline riverfront as a destination for the Quad Cities and beyond.
- Creating an accessible, engaging and flexible environment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
- Improving the connectivity and visibility between the riverfront and greater downtown area, adjacent neighborhood and existing community assets.
- Sharing the stories of the Moline community through public art and wayfinding.
- Balancing public and private investment/development to create a livable district for residents and a welcoming environment for visitors.
- Designing with sustainability in mind and protecting natural systems for a resilient and lasting waterfront community.
A riverfront reimagined
As part of the process, Quad Citians also were asked to imagine what they would see 10 years from now when Moline’s downtown riverfront area had been reimagined. A sampling of those shared in the summary includes:- “The Riverside area has undergone tremendous changes, transforming from a sleepy industrial area into a modern urban area full of life and vitality.”
- “As the sun sets, head to the riverfront amphitheater for a live performance or concert. Grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks or vendors and enjoy the show. End the night with a drink at one of the rooftop bars or lounges that offer stunner views of the river and the city.”
- “An open air farmers market!”
- “I live in a modern high-rise apartment with a magnificent river view.”
- “More hybrid buildings to create a truly walkable, livable downtown.”
- “A place that is unique to the Quad City area as a whole, and will draw people to Moline. It should include a central area surrounded by dining with outdoor seating, live music, cool lighting, and walking paths. Artistic water fountains would definitely tie it into the river theme. Having a clear view of the bridge would be great, too.”
