MOLINE CENTRE PLAN

MAIN STREET DISTRICT

DISTRICT CONCEPT

Unique retail and services, upper-floor loft apartments, and a renewed sense of place will help drive the economic redevelopment of the Main Street Retail District.  Through the implementation of this plan, the district should regain the vitality that was lost with the economic decline that started in the 1960s. 

By increasing the downtown workforce and residential base, more people will want and need to use the services provided within this district.  Creating a visual link along the 15th Street corridor and reducing barriers along this street to the John Deere Commons will help to draw people from the visitor destinations to this district.

Existing Conditions

The Main Street Retail District has a variable degree of active and inactive storefront, with active storefronts housing a wide-variety of service- and retail-oriented businesses.  Several blocks of intact historic building stock remain, showing varying degrees of preservation and maintenance.

Moline’s Downtown recently receive the designation of a Historic Downtown, allowing for old and new business owners access to State and Federal grants for historic preservation of old buildings.  Moline should continue to Main Street Program objectives and improvements.

Heritage Plaza

Between 14th and 17th Streets, 5th Avenue should become an urban plaza and used as a space for sidewalk cafes, open-air eateries, and people watching.  Sandwich boards, kiosks, and benches should be scattered throughout the area to create a unique, visually active environment.  Additionally, the large amount of frontage space left by the Heritage Place office building is an ideal location for an active space with vendors, seating, an outdoor sculpture, and public art.

One-way streets hurt economics of retail due to increased speed, inability to cross several lanes of traffic, and inability to find the destination.  Two-way traffic should be restored to those areas currently marked as One-way traffic.

Connecting to the John Deere Commons

The Arsenal Island Bridge ramp and railroad corridor act as a visual and economic barrier between the John Deere Commons and the Main Street District.  To bring tourist foot-traffic down 15th Street and 5th and 6th Avenues, the Moline Centre Plan suggests the following:

• Enhance rear facades viewable at the John Deere Commons
• Diminish barrier effect by creating an inviting entrance into the 5th Avenue
• Create lighting enhancements that draw attention to architecturally appealing buildings
• Enhance and maintain inviting streetscaping to create a visual link between the Commons and 5th Avenue

DESIGN STRATEGY

The Main Street District is in the heart of Moline Centre and is the location of some of the City’s oldest buildings, most densely developed urban blocks, and the downtown’s primary retail area with its traditional commercial blocks.

The Main Street Retail District should build on its historic building stock, maintain high-density development patterns, and enhance entry and retail corridors.  This can be achieved through historic preservation efforts, creative new urban architecture, and parking lot and streetscape enhancements.