The state of Illinois has given a major boost to the YWCA of the Quad Cities and its plans for a new building. It's announced a grant for 597,000 dollars for the project in downtown Rock Island - one of eleven capital development projects across the state.
YWCA President and CEO Julie Larson says the money will pay for site preparation - in the 17-hundred block of 5th Avenue, the former location of Zimmerman Honda.
"It includes surveying, environmental studies, some architectural work - you know all kinds of things you need when you have to have the site ready for the new building."
Public fundraising for the new YWCA began in December, and Larson says with the state grant, they've raised 10.5 million dollars of the 12.5 million needed for the project.
Once the state grant is officially received, then the site preparation work can begin, although the old buildings have already been demolished. Construction could start this summer and be completed in one year.
The current Y facilities, just a few blocks away in downtown Rock Island, have been listed with a realtor.