QCI - you always seem to know whats going on in the QC. I have a question... When I drive to work every day I see construction of a couple fairly large buildings. They are on Kennedy Dr. over here in Moline just to the South of Avenue of the Cities. Being new to the area, I have no idea what they are building there. Any ideas?
"slow" makes it sound like it ought to be going faster. Tearing stuff down without a wrecking ball takes awhile!
Anyway, I can't wait to see it when she's all cleaned up. That corner will look exopdentially better, and a new business will be in the little brick buliding to boot.
Apparently there's a subdivision called Kennedy Square, although a subdivision doesn't sound like it would have very large buildings. Unfortunately I don't follow the IL side development as much.
I grew up right on Kennedy Drive, on the block that is across from Kennedy Square. It's been there for a long time, and is not what Robbie's asking about, but I'm equally in the dark about what is going on south of it. All I know is that the west side of that area used to house a building that had a business I loved called "the Cage" - a batting cage way back in the early/mid 80s. nostalgia.
I was actually going to ask the masses a similar question this morning. What's the history (and possible future) of that cluster of buildings just north of River Drive and just east of the QC Times - the cluster partially taken up by Republic Co? Some buildings seemed to be boarded up. Was there a fire in the past? Just general neglect?
No, its a couple boxey 2 storey buildings. Still just steel frameworks though. There are a couple of similar shaped buildings already there that are in pretty crappy looking shape. Its OK that you are Iowacentric. I understand. If I didn't live in Illinois, I wouldn't care ;-)
I actually saw a picture in I think Mondays QC Times that was giving updates of various construction and there was a project that was a medical building that was kinda similar in location and size, but I wasn't sure. I wonder if that stuff was online since it wasn't an article, just a photo montage.
I don't think they put their "What's going up there" segment online, which is too bad. I always look forward to seeing that feature in the business section, since I'm kind of a development nerd.
Any of my (few) Illinois readers know the answer to the Kennedy Square project?
robbie, that's just a tad south of MH Equipment, right? if i recall correctly, almost across the street from the U of IL extension? i don't drive that way on my way to my folks' place, and my memory of that stretch is a little fuzzy.
I'm an East Moliner and I can tell you that those two steel frame buildings are actually going to form into one as the new Rock Island County Nursing Home. It's relocating from their location south of Coal Valley which I think was built in the 40's or 50's, so they either needed to remodel or build a new location closer to the population core. The site is in East Moline and will actually incorporate a large building already on the property.
Just down the road across the street from Farm n' Fleet at John Deere, prep work is under way for the new Pedcor Apartments with an similar plan as the one rejected in Davenport. And on the other side of Farm n' Fleet next to the very cool looking new Hiland Toyota dealership, an new Bank Orion branch is about to open and construction work continues on an new retirement building and Residence Inn by Marriot.
Also the area around 41st Street and Ave. of the Cities is gaining business with an new CVS, Sonic, an awesome-looking new McDonalds, and an large fitness center that will take up an old Hy-Vee, and my favorite, Jimmy Johns. That whole area has definitely made a change in the past five years. I just wish someone would tear down that piece of junk, Gasland gas station.
I don’t know where someone got the idea that Kennedy Square is an subdivision, it’s an shopping center/strip mall which Jewel-Osco made the owners renovate about 4 years ago, which tore down the beloved Skateland that I’m sure Matt has memories of. I'm pretty sure there is a good amount of new developments on the Illinois side that have just not hit the Times, like an few new condo projects in and out of Downtown Moline, which does not include the Bass Street Tower.
the funny thing about growing up right across from Kennedy Square is that i went to Skateland no more than 3 times in my life. i guess i was more into bmx'ing and skateboarding. those signs all around kennedy square had nothing to do with me... i swear... (*whistles innocently*).
so, that old HyVee, and the old Sears building on 23rd ave - that's where all these new businesses will go? while i wish it were places other than chain food shops, i do think it's good to get that area looking nice again. is the donut shop staying? man... this is taking me back... remember the Big Boy on 23rd and 53rd?
It's probably coming down slowly because the demo contractor is salvaging the steel. The price of scrap steel has increased to the level that most buildings with a decent amount of steel can be removed at no cost to the owner once asbestos is removed.
May 31st, 2007
January 15, 2008
12 comments:
QCI - you always seem to know whats going on in the QC. I have a question... When I drive to work every day I see construction of a couple fairly large buildings. They are on Kennedy Dr. over here in Moline just to the South of Avenue of the Cities. Being new to the area, I have no idea what they are building there. Any ideas?
"slow" makes it sound like it ought to be going faster. Tearing stuff down without a wrecking ball takes awhile!
Anyway, I can't wait to see it when she's all cleaned up. That corner will look exopdentially better, and a new business will be in the little brick buliding to boot.
Robbie, is that west of Kennedy?
Apparently there's a subdivision called Kennedy Square, although a subdivision doesn't sound like it would have very large buildings. Unfortunately I don't follow the IL side development as much.
I grew up right on Kennedy Drive, on the block that is across from Kennedy Square. It's been there for a long time, and is not what Robbie's asking about, but I'm equally in the dark about what is going on south of it. All I know is that the west side of that area used to house a building that had a business I loved called "the Cage" - a batting cage way back in the early/mid 80s. nostalgia.
I was actually going to ask the masses a similar question this morning. What's the history (and possible future) of that cluster of buildings just north of River Drive and just east of the QC Times - the cluster partially taken up by Republic Co? Some buildings seemed to be boarded up. Was there a fire in the past? Just general neglect?
No, its a couple boxey 2 storey buildings. Still just steel frameworks though. There are a couple of similar shaped buildings already there that are in pretty crappy looking shape. Its OK that you are Iowacentric. I understand. If I didn't live in Illinois, I wouldn't care ;-)
I actually saw a picture in I think Mondays QC Times that was giving updates of various construction and there was a project that was a medical building that was kinda similar in location and size, but I wasn't sure. I wonder if that stuff was online since it wasn't an article, just a photo montage.
I don't think they put their "What's going up there" segment online, which is too bad. I always look forward to seeing that feature in the business section, since I'm kind of a development nerd.
Any of my (few) Illinois readers know the answer to the Kennedy Square project?
robbie, that's just a tad south of MH Equipment, right? if i recall correctly, almost across the street from the U of IL extension? i don't drive that way on my way to my folks' place, and my memory of that stretch is a little fuzzy.
i can ask around to find out what's up.
I wish the Times would add a What's being rehabbed section as well.
matt - the extension office is a bit further south. the construction is across the street from the gas station.
I'm an East Moliner and I can tell you that those two steel frame buildings are actually going to form into one as the new Rock Island County Nursing Home. It's relocating from their location south of Coal Valley which I think was built in the 40's or 50's, so they either needed to remodel or build a new location closer to the population core. The site is in East Moline and will actually incorporate a large building already on the property.
Just down the road across the street from Farm n' Fleet at John Deere, prep work is under way for the new Pedcor Apartments with an similar plan as the one rejected in Davenport. And on the other side of Farm n' Fleet next to the very cool looking new Hiland Toyota dealership, an new Bank Orion branch is about to open and construction work continues on an new retirement building and Residence Inn by Marriot.
Also the area around 41st Street and Ave. of the Cities is gaining business with an new CVS, Sonic, an awesome-looking new McDonalds, and an large fitness center that will take up an old Hy-Vee, and my favorite, Jimmy Johns. That whole area has definitely made a change in the past five years. I just wish someone would tear down that piece of junk, Gasland gas station.
I don’t know where someone got the idea that Kennedy Square is an subdivision, it’s an shopping center/strip mall which Jewel-Osco made the owners renovate about 4 years ago, which tore down the beloved Skateland that I’m sure Matt has memories of. I'm pretty sure there is a good amount of new developments on the Illinois side that have just not hit the Times, like an few new condo projects in and out of Downtown Moline, which does not include the Bass Street Tower.
the funny thing about growing up right across from Kennedy Square is that i went to Skateland no more than 3 times in my life. i guess i was more into bmx'ing and skateboarding. those signs all around kennedy square had nothing to do with me... i swear... (*whistles innocently*).
so, that old HyVee, and the old Sears building on 23rd ave - that's where all these new businesses will go? while i wish it were places other than chain food shops, i do think it's good to get that area looking nice again. is the donut shop staying? man... this is taking me back... remember the Big Boy on 23rd and 53rd?
It's probably coming down slowly because the demo contractor is salvaging the steel. The price of scrap steel has increased to the level that most buildings with a decent amount of steel can be removed at no cost to the owner once asbestos is removed.
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