After fire blazed through the historic Credit Island Lodge in May, residents got a first look inside the burned-out structure Thursday, June 13, 2013.
Now, it's their task to determine what comes next for the iconic building.
At the first meeting of the Credit Island Task Force, the 15-member group got a look at the challenge before them.
"It's been quite a few years since I've been here, but it was worse than I thought," said Michelle Saldana, a concerned citizen who toured the structure.
More than a month after the fire on May 2, 2013, mold is forming. On the second story, the roof is gone and parts of the floor are too damaged to walk on.
"You see what's happened, where we're at, and what we've got to deal with now. And on a positive note, I think it can be redone," said task force member Mary Cormier.
Now, the task force must decide whether to repair, rebuild, flood proof, or tear down the lodge.
"Right now, the sky's the limit. Let your imagination run, and then we'll start applying the criteria," said public works director Mike Clarke.
Criteria include federal law, which requires flood protection to be built if repairs cost more than half of the old building's assessed value. Credit Island Lodge was assessed at around $600,000, so if the city were to build anything that costs more than $300,000, they would also have to pay for flood protection.
The potential for additional costs has some people scaling back their plans, while still hoping the lodge will remain.
"There's an upstairs that nobody's lived in. Why replace it? There's no need to," said Saldana.
The task force plans to meet weekly until August 1. They hope to then make a final recommendation for the lodge to the Davenport City Council.