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Get the Boat off the River and out to Highway I-80. But, make sure that we can tax the land and the buildings. They will save big bucks by not having to have a ship's Captain and Coast Guard Certified Crew. Make them pay the bills and not the City of Davenport. Help them with getting approval for the move, but don't put a lot of city money in this project. They are the ones that will gain the most.

Thank God we will save a lot by not having to do sewer work, parking ramp, etc.

We will have a problem with the parking ramps and the cost that we will have to put into them, but lower the costs so more people will use them.

People visiting the Art Museum should be given free parking stamps so that they are encouraged to go to the Figge. The same should be true of RME.

Unless we lower the cost of parking for these attractions we will end up spending more money for the attractions which we must keep operating for 20 years thanks to the unthinking people who put them into River R. and got some State Monies.
 

The parking charges are unfortunate but I don't think they really contribute that much to people not going down town.

I like the idea of the Figge, RME and anyone else giving parking comps if the customer uses the ramps.

Let's be careful again about this Freight House business. Farmers market should be an all outdoor venue. That's what these operations are all about. There is no reason to have a market during the months of November through April. There are enough coffee and sandwich shops about town that something like that will never work as part of an indoor Freight House operation. Basically I think the best thing economically is to tear down the Freight House. It has served its original purpose in a different era and its recent track record indicates nothing but failure.
 

Re: Freight House structure

What about using the building as a police sub station or better yet a MEDIC ambulance sub location for quicker response downtown and the lower East and West ends?
 

The Freight House proposal came back. I will try to post it here. I believe there is still a push for an market.
 

As stated elsewhere, we need to wait on a Fright House decision pending where the gambling people relocate to.
 

Shawn:

How about a food court kind of place for the FH? Do you think that vendors would come to particpate?Maybe office space too or something.

In Muscatine, the main area has been renovated into ofice space for attorneys, flower shops and eating establishments. Looks great. Whynot down there? Why a farmers market only?
 

We have tons of eating establishments. A nice variety throughout the Davenport area. Food or flower shops would never work long term in the Freight House.

Let's stop wasting money on studies, consultants, and goofy ideas just to utilize these old buildings. Freight House and some of these others have served their purpose and now need to be demolished to bring the city's image and appearance up to date.
 

Attorneys! Oh brother!

Reminds me of the old joke ... what do you call 500 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A GOOD START!!!!
 

On the question of whether or not a food court, restaurant or small stores can go into the Freight House I believe either one or all can go. For me it is important for businesses to independently choose to expand into the Freight House. I do not believe their move should be subsidized by the City. I believe it is important to remember that we do not own the Freight House. We own the land but not the building.
 

Shawn,

Have you given the thought of "joint accountability" for this freight house? Shouldn't Larry Whitty (the landlord) be making the improvements on the building? Why must the city be making improvements on a building they do not own and why are we, the people, paying for the marketing of the property? Are there regular inspection being done on this property and why hasn't the fire department enforced the codes? Just a few question for you, please reply.

I think ther is a need for more green space in the downtown. How about a playground for my childeren to play on while I'm at the farmers market or listening to the Sunday concerts?
 

I am asking the same questions you are Joe. We do not own the Freight House or the Dock which could become the new greenspace on the river. I will speak on this further at our December Ward Meeting. I hope you can attend.