DPD station LEED certified

The new DPD station is the first in Iowa to be receive LEED certification. It will open late summer. To view pictures and to learn more: click here.

Wilco to play Adler

If you haven't been to the newly renovated Adler Theatre, a good opportunity will be June 13th when Wilco comes in for a Wednesday night show. Tickets are on sale now. Wilco won a 2005 Grammy for best alternative album. To view upcoming events at the Adler: click here. To learn more about the band: click here.

QC Bike Event Saturday at Botanical Center

I received the following email today, thought I would share for anyone who might be interested:

Saturday, April 28th

Head your bike to Rock Island’s Botanical Center for a news conference/bike event that you won’t want to miss. We’ll meet in the Center’s north parking lot at 11:00 a.m. where the following activities will take place:

1. The official presentation of the Quad City Metro Bicycle Map to the public. The Quad City mayors and bike shops have been invited to participate and receive a ceremonial copy of the map. All those in attendance will also receive one of the new maps.
2. Also the new edition of River Action’s Trail Brochure will be presented. The brochure has been redesigned and configured to better show the splendor of our trails.
3. The kick-off for the Quad City celebration of Bike to Work Week, which will be held from Monday, May 14 to Friday, May 18. Posters, flyers, and promotions for this week will be presented at the news conference so that people will have ample time to plan their riding to work.
4. Further information about the Ride of Silence to be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m., starting at the same place as the news conference.
5. QC Transit systems will be on hand to demonstrate how easy it is to use the bike racks on most busses.
6. A short Metro Map bike ride will take place right after the conference/event. Cyclists will tour some of the Metro Map's preferred routes in Rock Island, Moline, and Davenport.

- From River Action

All Wards meeting follow up from Sat.

Follow-up on the items requested at Saturday's meeting - thanks to staff for the quick follow up:

1) Having the city bus routes start earlier in the morning (5:00 a.m.) and later at night to accommodate second and third shift workers.

A) It is a goal to start service earlier, such as 5:00AM, and more importantly evening service. To accomplish this, the funding needs to be established via federal and state grants for operational costs, which are available through a competitive process. This is phase three of our improvements of our transit system. Phase one being restructuring our routes to go with our citys growth. Phase two is to improve our transit amenities, such as bus shelters and bus stop signage.

2) Is bus hub going to be built by St. Ambrose and then move all buses out to public works?

A) The St.Ambrose (Midtown) hub will be permanent. The proposed public works facility will be for maintenance and administration offices for transit.

3) Graffiti at 11th and 12th on Mound in alleyway.

A) Turned into DPD.

4) Graffiti north of 12th street, looking west whole back of garage is covered.

A) Turned into DPD.

5) Curbs on both sides of street this time on 11th between Mississippi and Spring St. Is this in CIP?

A) Curb replacement is a shared cost with the property owner. The program is funded at a 50-50 sharing. The property owner requests repair by using the action center or calling engineering at 326-7729.

6) Check on house on Jersey Ridge that has been under construction N of Elm.

A) CED Dept. is reviewing and in contact with owner.

7) What is happening to the Forest Block building?

A) The City has conditionally awarded Highland Investments $200,000 to assist in the redevelopment of the façade of the building through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Redevelopment Program. This program is for the removal of slum and blighted conditions in targeted downtown commercial buildings. Because the program is federally funded, we had to conduct an environmental assessment on the building. That environmental assessment has been completed and final clearance was received by the federal government approximately ten days ago. A commitment letter from the City to the company will go out later this week. The CDBG award will be contingent upon the company securing all financing for the project, which I understand the company is in the process of finalizing.


8) The old Ramada Inn at 67th and Brady near the old cinemas – is an eyesore, what is happening here?

A) The property is a focal point for the Brady/Harrison corridor planning. Plans for redevelopment are being considered. The corridor planning consultants have suggested that property plus the cinema should make for an attractive redevelopment parcel with a variety of possible uses.

9) Ref. the Linden apartments fire – did the city receive $80,000 from owner?

A) In December the FD billed it, we waited the 30 days to see if the bill was paid. I requested a copy of the file from the FD in January. Legal drafted the lawsuit and filed it in March. An appearance has been filed by their attorney but no answer to the petition has been filed. Legal will proceed through the discovery phase of litigation.

10) Need extra patrols in area of 3538 Bridge.

A) Sent to patrol division of DPD.

11) Tree limbs blocking sidewalk behind Star Medical.

A) Forestry dept. has taken care of this (4/26)

12) Walk signal at Kimberly and Eastern not long enough.

A) Traffic engineer to review.

13) Concern on money - re: class action lawsuit for cameras.

A) Click here

LeClaire Park Meetings This Week

** Concept sketch: click here; Comment: click here


City staff will share feedback and ideas received from citizens regarding LeClaire Park at two meetings this week, open to the public. The meetings will center on re-claiming a fair amount of surface parking, around 5 acres, (see above from Absolute DSM) and transforming these areas to green space and amenities that tie into the existing park space.

The schedule:
Meeting #1
Mon., April 23, 6:30 pm
River Music Experience, 2nd floor
Corner of Main and 2nd - Downtown

Meeting #2
Fri., April 27, Noon
City's Design Center
Corner of Brady and 2nd - Downtown

Additional info: click here

All Wards Meeting Reminder, Sat. at 10 am

I wanted to send off a quick reminder for my all wards meeting from 10 am - Noon, Saturday, at the Genesis Heart Center's Adler Room in the 1200 block of E. Rusholme. The agenda will include a report from DPD, a review of our city's new Green Program, a review of our UCR crime stats released this week, and any other items folks wish to discuss. For additional information/map: click here.

Related - UCR w/one page summary: click here
Related - Green Program: click here

*** MEETING FOLLOW UP -
HERE'S A LIST OF ITEMS/COMMENTS RECEIVED:

(I'll post responses on these later in the week, thanks to those who attended and thanks for assistance from Cindy Webb and Capt. Murphy from PD)

Here are tasks from Saturday’s meeting:

1) Having the city bus routes start earlier in the morning (5:00 a.m.) and later at night to accommodate second and third shift workers;

2) Is bus hub going to be built by St. Ambrose and then move all buses out to public works?

3) Graffiti at 11th and 12th on Moundin alleyway.

4) Graffiti north of 12th street, looking west whole back of garage is covered.

5) Curbs on both sides of street this time on 11th between Mississippi and Spring St. Is this in CIP?

6) Check on house on Jersey Ridge that has been under construction N of Elm.

7) What is happening to the Forest Block building?

8) The old Ramada Inn at 67th and Brady near the old cinemas – is an eyesore, what is happening here?

9) Ref. the Linden apartments fire – did the city receive $80,000 from owner?

10) Need extra patrols in area of 3538 Bridge.

11) Tree limbs blocking sidewalk behind Star Medical.

12) Walk signal at Kimberly and Eastern not long enough.

13) Concern on money - re: class action lawsuit for cameras.

Proposed Green City Program, Earth Week Activities

:::
Detailed info - all links, click here
:::

The city will be reviewing a proposed Green City Program next week, while concurrently moving forward with daily Earth Week activities from April 16th-22nd.

The Davenport Green City Program addresses each of the four components made up of the National Cool Cities Pledge. The pledge has been signed by over 400 mayors from throughout the country and dedicates efforts toward: reducing air pollution, improving air quality, restoring urban forest, greening the environment, improving water quality, creating healthy livable urban centers, and building sustainable practices.

I believe it is important for us to celebrate what we have accomplished, set new goals and initiatives, and raise awareness throughout the community. I believe the new Green City program does this (click here).

As for Earth Week (click here for full schedule/details), activities include:
Monday, 4/16, 1 pm, Vander Veer Park Rose Garden
Mayor Winborn Press Conference, RE: Cool Cities Program
Tuesday, 4/17, 9 am, Public Works Facility (Start) - 1200 E. 46th
Green Fleet Jazz Parade - 53rd Clean Up
Tuesday, 4/17, Noon, Training Center
Presentation on Alternative Energy, Sustainable Living
Wednesday, 4/18, 5 pm, New DPD Station
City council tour of LEEDS building
Thursday, 4/19, 11 am - 2 pm, Design Center (Brady/2nd)
Healthy, Active, and Green Open House
Friday, 4/20, 1 pm, Skybridge
LeClaire Park Planning Overview
Saturday, 4/21, 10 am - 4 pm, QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island
Earth Week Fair
Sunday, 4/22, 10 am - 5 pm, Fejevary Park Zoo
Kids spring gardening
Sunday, 4/22, Noon - 2 pm, Vander Veer Park
Tree, shrub give away

Hopefully folks will be able to take part in Earth Week events and will support the Green City Program.

Also, thanks to the department heads and staff members that put in so much time to outline this green program and to plan next week's activities. The dedicated efforts are appreciated.


Related article: click here

All Wards Meeting Set for April 21st

I will host an all-wards meeting from 10 am until Noon, Sat. April 21st, at the Genesis (East) Heart Center's Adler Room, 1236 E. Rusholme. The meeting will be my second gathering in the 5th Ward since taking office. I welcome any agenda ideas or topics through this blog, email (ian@ianfrink.com), or phone (508-2842). For additional information, map/directions: click here. Parking is available in the ramp on the North side of Rusholme.