On Tuesday, crews will start working on the total reconstruction and streetscaping of four blocks and will tackle 18th Street from 1st to 3rd avenues, plus 2nd and 3rd avenues from 18th to 19th streets. The roads will be closed for construction, but the sidewalk will remain open.
Sarah Hayden, community engagement manager for the city, says the Rebuild Downtown Rock Island project will add ten outdoor patios to existing businesses plus updated street lighting and more.
"We are converting an old parking lot that is currently where the former Dacquiri Factory was, that's at 2nd Avenue and 18th Street, into a new green space for special events, " Hayden said. "And right there at that intersection as well, we are going to install a mini roundabout."
Kyle Carter, vice president of place management for the Quad Cities Chamber, said the project will improve downtown Rock Island for both businesses and residents.
"This particular project will help make all these businesses more visible. It's also going to be a flexible event space, so it'll have both benefits where you're going to be able to get to these businesses more easily when it's done," Carter said. "Or, when you want to shut the street down, and you want to have a party like the district's more accustomed to, it's very easy, very inexpensive. All of the infastructure is here, so it's going to be the best of both worlds for these businesses."
Hayden says the Rebuild Downtown Rock Island project is set to be completed by the end of this year.