Moline moving forward on University Square project
By Dawn Neuses
The Dispatch (Moline, IL), March 14, 2006
The city has asked developer
Gorman & Co.
to build the University Square project, a proposed mixed-use development
to be located west of the Western Illinois University Riverfront
Campus off River Drive on city-owned land.
More than a year ago, the city and Renew Moline created a plan
for the entire area, called RiverTech, which would include University
Square. As proposed, University Square includes four buildings
that would hold retail space, offices and residential units, which
could be apartments and/or condominiums.
The Moline committee-of-the-whole will be given a presentation
tonight from Mike Ash, Gorman's development manager. Moline's economic
development director Ray Forsythe said aldermen will be asked to
allow the city to pursue an exclusive development agreement with
Gorman for the project.
A development agreement usually lays out terms such as the amount
of the investment, construction deadlines and any incentives the
city will offer.
Christopher Laurent, Gorman's senior development manager, said
the city approached it with the project.
Gorman & Co. is currently creating the
Old Moline High School Loft Apartments in the former school at
1001 16th St.
Mr. Forsythe said the city believes Gorman will be a good fit
because of the history of the 21-year-old company and the projects
it has done.
Mr. Laurent said the Madison, Wis.-based company has extensive
experience redeveloping and developing new properties.
The company is currently working with SE Johnson in Racine on
a $20 million mixed-use development that will include 17,000 square-feet
of retail space, 84 apartments and 23 condominiums.
The city council would have to approve any development agreement
that is created.
If you go
The Moline committee-of-the-whole meeting
begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight on the second floor of city hall, 619
16th St., Moline. The regular council meeting begins at 7:45 p.m.
Agendas are available at www.moline.il.us.
