The developer of a vacant office building in downtown Rock Island needs more time. So Monday night the city council will consider extending an agreement with Saratoga Capital for the renovation of the VanDerGinst Building at 17th Street and 2nd Avenue.
Chandler Poole, director of Community and Economic Development, says finding funding has delayed the 10 million dollar project.
"It needs some help. There was a lot of deferred maintenance and with older historic buildings definitely, the challenges are different than a new building that just needs new carpet and paint."
To qualify for incentives from Rock Island's downtown tax increment financing district, the project must be completed by next June - converting the building into 33 apartments and an 11 room "boutique hotel," with commercial space on the first floor.
Poole says the city will pay for the restoration of the mural of Chief Black Hawk on the exterior facing First Avenue.
