Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Community and Economic Development, says the city must grow so it can continue to provide essential services to its residents.
"We want to insure that this is smart growth, growth that is sustainable, both environmentally but also economically. So that we're not just going to grow for growth's sake. We want to insure that where we do grow it's a methodical and well thought-out process."
The area for possible future growth covers about 6,000 acres, and stretches south from the Quad Cities International Airport to about 120th Avenue.
Hvitlock says the next step is to revise the city's most recent development plan that was completed in 2013.
"One of things that really stood out to me when I reviewed it was very heavy in "office" for future land use. And I think we all understand that the office environment has definitely changed, post COVID."
Next steps also include talking with Moline residents, the school district, and major employers, to find out what they need and how growth might help them.
Hvitlock says the city can't compete with the explosive growth now going on in Texas, but if Moline has a good plan, developers will find the city.
