YWCA project energizing downtown Rock Island 

It’s less than three city blocks from the YWCA Quad Cities’s longtime headquarters in downtown Rock Island to the bustling construction site of what will become its new home — but it’s been a long road to get there.  First discussed by the YWCA’s board and leadership some four years ago, the new facility only […]

It’s less than three city blocks from the YWCA Quad Cities’s longtime headquarters in downtown Rock Island to the bustling construction site of what will become its new home — but it’s been a long road to get there.  First discussed by the YWCA’s board and leadership some four years ago, the new facility only began to rise out of the ground in late November with its precast concrete walls and steel structures. It’s been a project hit by supply chain issues, unforeseen construction obstacles, rising costs and a few trips back to the drawing board.  

What began as a $15.4 million project when it broke ground in September 2021 has evolved into a $19.7 million project and YWCA President and CEO Julie Larson and her staff are elated to finally see progress being made. Site preparations including excavation began in May but the underground work was largely invisible. When it’s just a big hole in the ground, “you don’t recognize all the time spent and progress being made,” she told the QCBJ in an interview in late December.  Nick Hecker, senior site superintendent for Bush Construction, the project’s contractor, said crews have dealt with unexpected and excessive groundwater as well as unsuitable soil issues that were undetected in soil borings. He even said the ground’s consistency “was about like applesauce.”  “It took us a substantial amount of time to figure out how to excavate that safely and slowed the process,” he said.  While the underground work led to nine weeks of lost time, he and Jeremy Weih, the project manager for Bush, said the crews have made up valuable time and are tackling the project in several stages.  Mr. Weih said last month that 85 panels of precast concrete walls had been delivered and installed, and crews were beginning to hang steel. The activity and “the number of semis sitting here (with product) was amazing to see,” he told the QCBJ.    Mr. Weih, who took over the project’s management in recent months, said “It’s typical in construction that there’s always highs and lows … but it’s a very exciting project and Julie’s (Larson) been a great partner to work with.” Supply chain issues, including availability of product, have caused delays since the start, Ms. Larson said, applauding Bush Construction and project architect Shive Hattery for being flexible and solutions-driven. Like many post COVID-19 projects and workplaces, there also have been labor shortages to deal with, she said.  “You go to bid precast concrete walls and so many companies can’t bid on it because they have too much work already ahead of it,” said Ms. Larson, whose own husband is a building contractor by trade. “You just have to roll with the punches,” she said.

Campaign goal revised   

But for Ms. Larson and her staff of 31, it’s also been a labor of love. In fact, the delays and other issues have increased costs forcing the YW to raise its capital campaign goal. While the community, local foundations and other supporters have answered the call, Ms. Larson said the YW still needs to raise $2.8 million more to fund the project.  “It’s been a learning experience,” she said, adding that the project also marked the first capital campaign for the YW.  “It will be worth it when we open the door and can provide more services,” she said, adding “My staff is so excited now.”  The office chatter, Ms. Larson said, has evolved from talk of the hole in the ground to “talking about when we move and what they’re going to do in their new room.” 

“A whole city block” 

The brand new two-story, 48,900-square-foot facility — located on the site of the former Zimmerman car dealership on Rock Island’s 5th Avenue — will replace the organization’s circa-1954 building at 229 16th St.  where it currently operates its programs. The new modern facility will allow the YW to expand its signature child care program, provide new programming to all its populations and consolidate all its operations under one roof, Ms. Larson said. “We’ll have a whole city block,” she said.  Ms. Larson said the original building — used by generations of children and clients — “was not made for early childcare education.” Over the years, the YW has made renovations to the sturdy building to carve out more space for its growing number of children, swimmers and young and old learners. Staff have given up offices, closet space and other areas all in order to create much-needed classroom space.  But the time has come for up-to-date facilities and amenities. As its programming has grown — including the creation of Theplace2B, a drop-in center with services for at-risk and homeless teens, she said the YW took over space in the vacant former Hyman Furniture storefront next door. That building is being sold to The Sound Conservancy, which relocated from several blocks away. Ms. Larson said the existing YW will go up for sale once it is replaced by the new building.  

New amenities, programs 

When the new YW opens in late 2023 —and is fully completed in 2024 — some of its features will include: A childcare center that will expand from its current 130 licensed child care slots to serving 200 children, from infants to school-age children in its before and after school programs.  A new indoor aquatics center that will be larger than the existing pool and include a zero-depth entry. “A lot of people have learned to swim at the YWCA,” Ms. Larson said.  A new Empowerment Center, which will actually serve as a satellite to the YW’s current Empowerment Center, which opened in 2019 in Davenport and now is renovating the former Jewish center nearby and atop Mississippi Boulevard for its new office.  A dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) laboratory — that will increase its curriculum and include a dedicated staff member. An activity center with a gymnasium and a high-tech Cardio and weight room. A full-service kitchen that will have community access. A dedicated space for Theplace2B. Administrative offices. A modern outdoor play yard that will eventually be built on a rooftop. (Fundraising still is necessary for this project, but Ms. Larson said all the infrastructure is being installed for the future addition.)  Members still will find the YW offering its traditional services including a food pantry and clothing closet.   Ms. Larson’s staff will grow from 31 people to as many as 55 when the new facility is open — including new childcare, aquatics and other positions. She also estimates that the YW’s membership could grow from its current 3,000 to about 5,000 with its new space.  

Serving the next generation 

While Ms. Larson has had a personal connection to the old downtown YW since she was a child — including fond memories of family meals in its cafeteria on Sundays — she’s anxious to have a new facility and modern amenities and equipment to serve the next generation of YW members.  Keeping the facility downtown was key as the YW traces its early roots to 1917 in downtown before moving into its current facility in 1954. While it draws members from across the Quad Cities, Rock Island is, and will remain, its home. “This is going to be amazing for Rock Island, and for downtown,” she said, adding that YW’s project is among a slew of new construction projects underway — including the new federal building a block away that will house, among other uses, the U.S. District Court, and the city’s demolition of a parking ramp near Rock Island City Hall. “There’s a lot of construction in these four blocks,” she said.  The project also is key in downtown’s redevelopment, said Miles Brainard, the city’s community and economic development director. The new YWCA building “is one of several transformative projects happening right now in downtown Rock Island and represents a much needed facelift for the city.” The new YW, he added, “will be an amazing asset and allow the YWCA to expand their footprint in the community.”  Bush Construction also said it is honored to be part of the vision Ms. Larson and her board have for their new home.  “We’re always grateful to be able to work on projects that are giving back to our community,” said Amy Simler, vice president of sales and marketing for Bush Construction. “One of Bush Construction’s niche markets is a community builder. So we have been blessed to be part of (the YW project).” Ms. Simler credited Ms. Larson for staying true to the YW’s roots because she “stayed in the community where her needs are for her organization.” “But she was able to provide them the morale booster, the beautiful space they’re going to be able to come into now. We’re just really honored to be part of that,” Ms. Simler added.