Tuesday, April 01, 2008

New Riverfront Low-Income Housing Announced*

News Release, 4-1-08:

In a surprise move, City Administrator Craig Malin announced today that the City of Davenport is partnering with John Lewis Community Services to build pushpin-inspired low-income houses in what is now LeClaire Park. The general contractor will be Niky Bowles. As part of the deal, the city will sell LeClaire Park to former Alderman McGivern and developer Steve Schalk for $1, who will then lease the land to JLCS for $145,000 per year. Phil Yerington has already been hired as head of security, and former-Alderman Keith Meyer is interviewing for a position as sidewalk-shoveler. Former-Alderman VanFossen has been surveying the site by spending the last 2 nights sleeping on the ground nearby.

Once the homes are built, they are expected to be rented to those making under $40 per year, with RDA grants available to those unable to afford the rent. The properties themselves will be managed by the Quad City Rental Property Association, which will receive $50,000 a year per home in management fees from the city. Due to the innovative rain-shedding design of the thumbtacks, the stormwater fees will also be waived. Dan Lubell, of the QCRPA, said he was excited to begin the project. "These people just need somewhere to live, so we will only be charging half of their income ($20) per year for rent," he said, "with a $10 discount for those who pledge to vote for Alderman Lynn in 2009." He also mentioned that they are interested in changing to a rent-to-own system to free the tenants from those pesky rental inspections. Tara England Barney, of D1, is excited to "continue the momentum of downtown rebirth, revitalization, resurgence, renovation, and a bunch of other r-words."


*Happy April Fool's Day

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Phil Yerrington announced his first hire, Quad City Images, Director of Riverfront Night Watchman, saying," as Chris has a college degree he will be an inspiration to all night watchman for the project.As a blogger Chris can fill all night time employess with hope past morning." Quad City Images commented, " I hope this new job gets me out of my parents house, Mom is starting to complain about having to pick up after me."

Anonymous said...

This article was just too funny! Kudos to the writer.

Unknown said...

You also forgot to mention that Malin wants to divert part of the 1% sales tax to send the kids who live in this housing to Harvard when they're old enough.

Anonymous said...

ROFLMBO - good job QCI! I love it.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting concept, bringing together the best of the best.

I heard Keith's application was rejected but that he would volunteer his time, while walking the dogs, to pick up trash in exchange for kudos from his one blog supporter.

Anonymous said...

Word in the Real Estate community is that Keith has been in the Iowa City area lately dealing a property exchange with a medical person relocating to the Quad Cities.

Anonymous said...

Hammerlinck is going to stand up against McGivern, Shalk for invasion of private property rights, while cutting a deal to both McGiv & Shalk the last minute for a "small" campaign contribution for his State Senate run, and then vote YES. Then at his next ward meeting tell his constituents in the 2nd ward he really voted against it.

Anonymous said...

Getting pretty darn creative here QCI....I loved it!!! LOL!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is too funny. I see that I do not stand alone in me beliefs. Good job!