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Davenport eyesore to be demolished

The longtime eyesore at the east entrance of downtown Davenport could soon be demolished. The old abandoned hotel at Third and LeClaire street has been vacant f...

The longtime eyesore at the east entrance of downtown Davenport could soon be demolished.

The old abandoned hotel at Third and LeClaire street has been vacant for years and is home to plenty of hazards, such as asbestos issues, fire hazards, and vagrants.

Executive Director of Downtown Davenport Partnership, Kyle Carter, has spearheaded the plan to demolish the old hotel.

"Redeveloping this site is part of our ten-year plan, and being able to get on it during the first year is pretty thrilling," said Carter.

Several developers have been interested in the property, but with the high cost of repairs coupled with the building's ownership price, most backed out.

That's when the non-profit organization Downtown Davenport Partnership got involved by pitching in to help Demolition Davenport cover the costs.

"Anytime an iconic eyesore can go away the whole community feels better about it," said Carter.

Across the street from the abandoned hotel, Jaguar Alley has been located on the corner for almost 20 years.

Owner Craig Heuer said he's confident the demolition will only help local businesses like his.

"Well, obviously, it's going to help downtown immensely, because that's been sitting empty for five or six years now, and it's just attracted trouble in all that time," said Heuer.

Both companies are still in the early development stages, but Carter said he hopes to see the building demolished by the end of 2014.

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