Riverfronts

Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.10.90
Current Song - She's Not There (The Zombies)

I drive on First Avenue Bridge between Sterling and Rock Falls every day it seems. I'm used to seeing all of the rubble on both sides of the Rock River. Bring in anyone whos never been here before, and they'll think it's South Bronx in the 1970s.

There are a couple of spots that are being redevolped into hopefully something useful: the west side of the bridge in Sterling and the east side of the bridge in Rock Falls.

Rock Falls already has a plan for their riverfront. Sterling is trying to come up with one. We will focus on Rock Falls today, with Sterling at another time.


ROCK FALLS

http://www.rockfallsdevelopment.org/Master_Plan.pdf

The plan includes: A 2.5-acre waterfront plaza, including an amphitheater; a 185,000 square feet of new commercial and residential space; a bike trail connecting the upper and lower dams; and the extension of two city streets -- Second Street and Avenue A.

Most of the former Reliant/RB&W complex is gone. When all of this is cleared, there is a large open space between Wood Avenue and the bridge. I do like the open area promenade. The extension of second street (or rebuilding, depending on how old you are) relieves a traffic obstacle for those who live along the river.

I just don't know what is going to go into all these buildings that are proposed, and therefore the parking lots. Plus, building "H" is the old office complex, and is going to look ugly in all of this. We already have difficulty attracting businesses into our existing downtown buildings.

The best way to answer this question is, what are we lacking?

Hotels - It would compliment both Sterling and Rock Falls. No more driving all of the way to the Interstate for lodging. Examples: Rock Island District Holiday Inn and Freeport's Hamilton Inn. Maybe put that in buildings "A", "B" and "A'". I know that the plan says the "A" buildings are suggested for retail, but a hotel can't be that small. Building "C" would be the hotel's accompanying restaurant. Maybe shave off a part of "A'" to make for more parking.

That leaves 2, D, E, F, G, and H left. What else do we need? Okay maybe put some retail in "2" and "H" (maybe even the Hare-hopefully VA clinic), the long-awaited Post Office in "D," (with the current structure turned in a small bank), lofts in "G," and "E" and "F" for Coloma Park District use (offices, swimming pool, rec center, etc.).

I don't feel as if the whole complex should be entirely office and retail because it would take away from the existing downtown area. The artist's rendering shows that 2nd Steet will be turned into a boulevard. How about we improve the rear of the existing downtown businesses north of 2nd Street and between 1st and 2nd avenues, keep the parking spaces, and cut off 1st street to make it end/curve at 2nd Avenue and turn the old street into more parkland.

Still, you have the large open area west of 2nd Avenue (I doubt the limestone building is in any future use). Use the limestone area for expanded Lower Dam Park use, the burned-down part of IH for more lofts, and every empty lot beween 4th Avenue and 8th Avenue for houses (including the tearing down of the old art deco S&S building and Henry's laundrymat).

Next, is the connection all of these places will have with one another. The rendering has a bike trail connecting the "City Parkland" on east 2nd Street to the existing trail just west of the Bridge.

It would be nice if the bike trail could connect with the river front of Riverside Park, go up the hill onto 2nd Street and go on the sidewalk in front of the A.G. Smith Mansion to connect with the walking bridge and canal.

The trail should connect with First Avenue on the west side of the bridge. Maybe smooth the grade from the river trail to the Love Light Tree (remember, we are cutting off 1st Street). Another trail should follow Avenue A from the riverfront to the trail along the old CB&Q tracks.

I think it would also be cool if the western side of the bike trail crosses the river into Lawrence Park. And have a similar bike bridge to the Sterling side, right in front of what's being developed there.

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These are just my ideas. I don't know whether or not they will work out, but that's what I'd like to see.

Now, if I can draw something up on Sterling ...