Davenport council approves agreement for old Dock site

Just hours before Davenport aldermen approved an agreement to redevelop the old Dock restaurant site, the city's Levee Improvement Commission passed a measure expressing reservations about the deal.

At their meeting Wednesday, commissioners worried the deal could curtail public access to the redeveloped property, that the new building might be too large and that too much leeway was being given to the developer in the eventual construction of an elevated walkway that would provide flood protection.

AtWednesday night's city council meeting, the agreement was approved without discussion.

Developer Todd Raufeisen has outlined an approximately 40,000-square-foot mixed-use development that would include a restaurant, office space and a banquet facility at 125 S. Perry St.

Commissioners worried that the proposed development agreement didn't specify a restaurant would be built and that the project could end up being entirely private office space.

"We know the public wants a restaurant," said Bill Ashton, a commissioner. Other commissioners expressing concerns were Anne Corbi, Pat Walton, Mary Dubert and Audrey Linville.

Alderman Gene Meeker, at large, said the private sector is best positioned to decide on specific uses, although City Administrator Craig Malin noted the council's "expectation" is there will be a restaurant.

Commissioners also questioned whether the city should commit to an elevated walkway from the skybridge to Perry Street before the public fully understands the implications. The agreement says the city will build the walkway, called a belvedere, but also opens the door for Raufeisen to do so if the city doesn't by Oct. 31, 2016.

Malin said the RiverVision planning process that included a belvedere had significant public input and the city would maintain sufficient control over construction of the walkway. He noted a design would have to go through the city.

A flood control structure, even one of limited size, on the riverfront would likely be controversial. Past plans for structural flood protection on the city-owned riverfront, albeit ones that were far more intrusive, have met with significant opposition.

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Davenport council approves agreement for old Dock site