This land is a field of dreams for East Moline. But the site off Barstow Road could soon drive development away.
"All that is a signal for people to go to Iowa," said Mayor John Thodos.
Once earmarked for a pork processing plant, it continues to be farm land.
Now, revisions to the floodplain could make it unfit for development.
"The end result of what they're currently doing between the federal and states is very detrimental," he continued.
Illinois DNR is in the process of revising a flood map from 2010.
By using new models and data, the draft results would vastly expand the Rock River's floodway, which is more restrictive than a floodplain.
That would deter construction and increase the number of those needing flood insurance.
"They want to make sure that the maps are accurate," said Laura Berkley, a senior planner with Bi-State Regional Commission. "If it really is a flood risk, people should know that."
Mayor Thodos says that the proposal reinforces the image that Illinois is a tough place to do business.
But not everybody agrees with that assessment.
Longtime East Moline resident Doug Riel concedes that homeowners would likely pay more for flood insurance. But the development opponent supports the stricter mapping process.
"We know if you want to build out here, you've got to fill in the floodplain and flood storage," he said. "That pushes water off on somebody else. They (East Moline) choose to ignore that."
Local Rock River revisions could affect Rock Island, Whiteside, Mercer and Henry counties.
If FEMA eventually approves the more conservative floodway, it could cost homeowners and businesses alike.
"That basically has taken value away from all of these people who had structures," Mayor Thodos concluded.
There's no timeline for a final decision.
Players are lobbying hard for a chance to revise again.