More than 60 years after they became one-way through downtown Davenport, city officials are considering restoring 3rd and 4th streets to two-way traffic.
Herb Trix reports.
Last week, the Downtown Davenport Partnership presented recommendations to the city council.
Partnership Executive Director Kyle Carter says 3rd and 4th streets were both changed to one-way traffic in 1954, but downtown Davenport has changed a lot since then.
"Sears isn't here anymore. There aren't giant trucks delivering furniture and goods into the downtown with thousands of cars coming and going. It's a very different type of feel. That was the justification for the one-ways in the first place."
Instead of helping motorists go through the downtown as quickly as possible, Carter says the streets should be changed to promote the downtown "neighborhood" - for residents and businesses.
"There's also the economic vitality you get from retail businesses that aren't being flown by at 45 miles per hour. Let along the safety elements of walking across 3rd and Brady to the Adler Theater and not fearing for your life."
And he thinks two-ways streets would make it easier for visitors to find their way through downtown Davenport.
City staff is now looking at the possible costs of converting 3rd and 4th streets.
