If you didn't notice the blurb in the QCTimes, the new Crescent Cleaners in the tiny former gas station, former burger joint building at 4th and Iowa is now open. This should provide downtown residents and employees both with a convenient downtown option for one of their day-to-day services.
The railroad embankment brush-clearing continues even outside of downtown. I'm not sure if this is a project by the railroad at this point, or still a city thing. On one hand, the volunteer trees are basically just giant weeds, but sometimes what's behind them isn't much better to look at. It does make for fewer hiding spots for homeless camps, however.
The building at Rusholme and Arlington that used to house Cottage Corner is currently being demolished to make way for, from what I've heard, more parking for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. This building was really in disrepair, but it seems like something different could have been done other than a parking lot. From watching some of these churches over the last year you'd think the biggest problem facing religion in America today is insufficient parking.
Work on the Harrison Hilltop Neighborhood continues. There are some conceptual renderings for a few potential facade improvements floating around. The one for the Harrison Hilltop Theatre can be found on their Facebook page, and I'm hoping to get a few more to post on the blog.
As someone pointed out in the comments on my last post, the downtown bar and grill Sippis has apparently closed for the Winter. They seemed to always have a good crowd out on the patio whenever I was downtown this summer, so I was surprised to see this. Maybe there was more market for the outdoor dining than the indoor. Either way, I hope they return in the Spring.
And here's a picture of the progress on the 7th Judicial District building between Main and Brady Streets. Looks like they got the exterior work done in time to beat the snow.
10 comments:
Didn't the owners of Sippies remodel the apartment above the restaruant, and move into it themselves?
It's all my fault for them closing. I've been working out of state since the middle of Aug. so we haven' been there in quite a while. They are our favorite place to go during the summer. Always lots of shade in the afternoon and good food at resonable prices. Gosh I hope it's just a temporary thing.
Quad City Images: What Davenport Alderman was behind the concept of the building in your picture?(The Seventh Judicial District)
Probably VanFossen by the looks of it...
If there's an actual answer, I don't know. Its a heck of a lot better than the old 605 Main, but it doesn't do much for me otherwise. The state doesn't exactly have a bunch of extra money to spend on "starchitects" and expensive materials at the moment.
Gee, I kind of like the looks of it. Modern, simple.
I like the modern glass part of it, but don't care much for the blank pre-cast concrete ends. Or maybe it just needs more mermaids and fish fountains.
The Downtown Partnership has been responsible for the brush clearing throughout the railroad viaduct; however, the City has contributed time and labor to help remove some of the debris.
Also, all of the space cleared has been planted with a wide variety of native Iowa wild flowers, which will be blooming by next year. In fact, many different kinds of seeds were used so as the years go by, different kinds of flowers will continue to bloom. It will look really beautiful when it grows in, and should really transform the viaduct. Royal Neighbors helped plant the seeds.
Here is a link to a QC-Times story that makes reference to it.
http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_7822c882-bebc-11de-9fea-001cc4c03286.html
The cleared brush has already made a difference reducing vagrant issues on the viaduct, and once spring and summer roll around, it's going to look really good too.
As for Sippi's, the owners do live in the condo above the building, and they do plan on opening again this spring.
Thanks Adam.
The building at Rusholme & Arlington was the home of the last great soad fountains in Davenport. I think it was "Burke Drugs" and you could always get a Green River there....
I think it closed in the early 1980's, was still there when I graduated from 8th grade at ST.Pauls...
A group of parish investors bought the building, for future expansion if needed. Not sure if it will be a parking lot or greenspace, but the building itself was falling apart...
Demolotion by neglect
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