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QC developer is not giving up on Rock Island

A local man who wants to develop retail and office space in Southwest Rock Island says he wants to move forward, despite complaints of some neighbors. “I ...

A local man who wants to develop retail and office space in Southwest Rock Island says he wants to move forward, despite complaints of some neighbors.

"I want to start smaller, like a strip mall, and keep growing," said Raju Penmatcha in an interview at his home on Wednesday, January 21, 2015.

Penmatcha owns 60 acres off the Centennial Expressway, and another 190 acres off Route 67.

He is a retired civil engineer who managed military construction for the Department of Defense for many years.

"My background is in civil engineering, planning, and design," Penmatcha said.

He says he is disappointed the Rock Island City Council rejected his first proposal for the site on Monday.

"It might be a great project, but it might not be a great project for that spot. So, that's why I think we need more information," said Rock Island Alderwoman Joy Murphy.

"We are pro-business. But we're not making a decision just for the businessman. We're making a decision for the whole community. I couldn't make a decision based on the info I had," Murphy said.

Penmatcha says he is continuing to work on the grading requirements for the land and has a permit from the EPA.

He says the land is technically in the county, so he is asking for a rezoning, and then annexation into the city.

"Right now, Rock Island doesn't have any open area for commercial development, except for mine. You go in phases, we don't need to develop extensive plans right now," he says, adding that the plan is preliminary by design. He needs the rezoning before he can approach potential tenants.

He says he plans on consulting with city staff and making another pitch in the spring.

He hopes to access city services, but says down the road, if it is not approved, he will move on to do business with the county.

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