Rock Island Today

City of Moline Historic Preservation Commission met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Commission Members	Present	Absent
Frank Ege	x
Jeff Adamson	x
Dan Mizner	x
Brandon Tidwell	x
Dick Potter	x
Barb Sandberg		x
Jeff Dismer	x
Jennifer Bizarri - Staff	x
Savanna Cruz - Staff	x
Seán Foley – Staff		x
Chris Mathias - Staff	x
Alex Elias – Renew Moline	x

1. Meeting called to order: At 4:05 p.m. by Chair Mizner.

2. Roll Call

3. Introduction of Guests – Alex Elias, CEO of Renew Moline.

4. Public Comment - None

5. Approval of the Meeting Minutes for December 11, 2023 Meeting

Motion made by Commissioner Tidwell, seconded by Commissioner Adamson to approve the minutes from the December 11, 2023 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

6. New Business:

a. Election of Officers

Chair Mizner stated this is his second term as Chairperson, and the Commission would need to nominate a new Chair. No nominations were made. Dick Potter volunteered for Chairperson, and Dan Mizner volunteered for Vice Chairperson.

Motion made by Commissioner Dismer, seconded by Commissioner Adamson to elect Commissioner Potter as Chairperson, and elect Commissioner Mizner as Vice Chairperson. Motion carried unanimously.

b. 2023 Year End Report

The Commission will review the 2023 Year End Report at their next meeting.

c. 2024 Annual Work Plan

Commissioner Mizner suggested they include the Historic Survey and the Demolition Ordinance in their 2024 Annual Work Plan. Mr. Mathias had asked Ms. Bizarri to try and find the 2023 Annual Work Plan for the Commission to review before the next meeting. More discussion on the Work Plan will take place at the next meeting.

d. Code suggestion: HPC review buildings over 50 years prior to issuing a demolition permit. Mr. Mathias gave a brief explanation of the history of the demolition ordinance. The Ordinance had gone to City Council, was tabled, and never went back to Council. Mr. Mathias had amended the ordinance since he has been appointed Director of Community and Economic Development (CED). After speaking with individuals in the Development Community, the ordinance seems to appear that it could cause a delay in demolitions that need to be completed in a timely manner. This ordinance will go back to City Council and the Commission will be aware when it goes so they can discuss their item. Mr. Mathias does have concerns with the ordinance, and if City Council asks his opinion, he will voice his reservations. Legal Counsel is still reviewing the ordinance and will have their revisions by the next HPC meeting.

e. Other – N/A

7. Old Business:

a. Gordon Memorial Church Property Redevelopment

The Gordon Memorial Property has not been closed on yet. Mr. Mathias is going to propose Landeros & Sons Construction develop more units on the property, possibly 3-4 units in the church, not the house, and use the yard for more parking spaces.

b. Redevelopment of the JCPenney Building

Mr. Mathias explained that the creation of the Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) District is underway. The City had a meeting with the Joint Review Board, and the Joint Review Board approved the TIF to go onto the next step. The JCPenney Redevelopment would not happen without the TIF. The plan is to have 32 residential units in the building, and the TIF should be completed in April of 2024. The development agreement for the project is also moving along. Discussion was had about the Form-Based Code and how there will be some design adjustments to the Code. The first floor of the building will be non-residential.

c. Draft RFP for the Historic Structures Survey (On Hold)

Mr. Mathias questioned why this item is on hold. Commissioner Mizner explained the application for the grant goes through the State of Illinois, and the Commission was not aware it was out last year because the notice was being emailed to a Staff Liaison that is no longer with the City of Moline. Commissioner Mizner stated he has corrected the email addresses with the State, so notices for the grant will go to either Commissioner Mizner or Mr. Foley. Commissioner Mizner also added that the application for the grant should open within the next few months.

d. Affordable Housing and Density Brief

Commissioner Tidwell stated the Affordable Housing and Density Brief was on the agenda to raise awareness of the housing problem. It was also an item on the agenda to support what the Commission was trying to advocate in the demolition ordinance.

e. Other – N/A

8. Reports:

● Fire Station #3 (502 River Drive) - Damage & Neglect

Mr. Mathias received a report on Fire Station #3 from Brad Hauman, Moline Neighborhood Improvement Officer, today. Mr. Hauman sent notices out for Fire Station #3, and assessed fines against the owner of the building, but has not received any response from the owner. Mr. Hauman believes it is hard for the City to acquire another building right now when the City has acquired the Manual Arts and McKinley School Buildings. Mr. Mathias stated it would be best to find someone who specializes in historic building development for Fire Station #3. Commissioner Mizner stated individual had attended a Historic Preservation Commission meeting, and showed interest into turning Fire Station #3 into a Fire Department Museum. There is no contact information for this individual.

● Public Arts Commission

Commissioner Dismer explained that projects are being discussed. The Public Art Commission (PAC) made some progress on the Public Sculpture Program by discussing potential locations. The PAC is looking to incorporate an art walking path along 5th Avenue. The Bass Street Landing Toilet Building is out for a construction bid, and the PAC is waiting to hear what the dimensions will be from the developer. The PAC is planning to pursue a permanent sculpture at the Channel Cat/Riverwalk location. It is currently in a rotating sculpture location, but the PAC plans to put out a Request for Proposal for a permanent sculpture. The PAC is also discussing a location for a “Welcome to Moline” mural. The PAC is working with the City Engineer on the Bloomberg Asphalt Initiative (where sidewalks/crosswalks/streets are designed with art) for potential locations and requirements.

● Proposed Riverfront Redevelopment

Mr. Mathias stated MSKS, Riverfront Master Plan Consultants, are making decisions on how to grade the site, and where the site is going to flood. There will be meetings with the Task Force and Stakeholders coming up. The project is moving along, and Mr. Mathias encourages the Commission to be involved when MKSK is looking for public input. There will be a Riverfront Master Plan Public Session on February 10, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. at Mercado on Fifth.

● David B. Sears Recognition – N/A

● Main Street & Commercial Façade Improvement program

There were lack of applications for façade improvements this month, so the Façade meeting was canceled, but the Façade Committee will meet next month. There is a possibility of the Committee to discuss targeting certain areas that need façade improvements.

● Downtown Heritage Tour Web site and promotional materials – N/A

● Spiegel Building (1506 River Drive)

Alex Elias stated Renew Moline is pursuing a contract with a firm called New Venture Advisors. Ms. Elias encouraged the HPC to visit Renew Moline’s website and view the Story Map for the Spiegel Building. Renew Moline would like New Venture Advisors to see if the Story Map project would work for the Spiegel Building.

● Leedy Building Renovation (1530 5th Ave) – N/A

● John Deere House (1217 11th Ave) – N/A

● McKinley School (4th Ave & 41st St.) & Manual Arts Building Redevelopment Mr. Mathias questioned if the Commission knew anyone in the community that works on historic rehabilitation for projects like McKinley School and the Manual Art Building. Mr. Mathias is setting up a meeting with Gorman & Company, who specializes in historic redevelopment, but wants the Commission to have input on developers too. Mayor Rayapati suggested to Mr. Mathias that these two buildings be community-based organizations, rather than residential units. Commissioner Tidwell explained in the past, the HPC had relied on Mr. Hauman to go in historic buildings and do an informal assessment of the property. Ms. Elias explained there was not a CED Director for a while, and she had stepped in for some projects while the City was searching for a CED Director. She had toured the McKinley Building with Gorman & Company at the time. There were a couple of ways the property was not feasible for residential units. One was the playground area was on a lower field, and they couldn’t figure out a way to get to the number of units to make this a residential project. Secondly, window frames on the building were rusted, and it would be extremely expensive to fix. The project is too big for small developers, and too small for big developers.

● Other

Commissioner Adamson discussed Watermark Corners, and how the building owners would like to rent out to retailers again. He suggested a coffee shop in the basement of the Sound Conservatory, as there are many parents waiting for their children’s music lessons to be finished and having to wait in their cars.

9. Public Comment

None

10. Announcements: Next meeting Monday, February 12, 2024

11. Adjournment

Motion made by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Ege to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9741