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Dock developer misses demolition deadline, City Council losing trust in project

Up until now, Davenport City Council members have fully supported developer, Todd Raufeisen, on the Dock project but after missing Tuesday’s demolition de...

Up until now, Davenport City Council members have fully supported developer, Todd Raufeisen, on the Dock project but after missing Tuesday's demolition deadline, that sentiment may have changed.

"The fact that he admitted he did not uphold his contract has changed my mind. I think it's important that a project go forward down there, I'm not sure it's going to be this one," said Bill Boom, 3rd Ward Davenport Alderman.

Raufeisen was supposed to start demolition on the vacant old Dock Restaurant by June 30th, but in a letter to the Davenport City Council, asked for a second, 30 day extension to get his finances in order.

Todd Raufeisen letter to Davenport Council concerning The Dock property 6-29-15

"All the City Council has to do is look at their constituents and say they have two choices; we could extend some time and bring a couple extra million a year to Davenport, every year, year after year. Or I could run from the project and send you a bill every year for maintaining a park," said Raufeisen.

"I don't know what I've done to the city to where they wouldn't trust us. In this instance, did we miss a deadline? Yes, we missed a deadline. It's not uncommon in our business at all," Raufeisen said.

Davenport mayor Gluba advised the Council on Tuesday to cut Raufeisen loose from the project. Mayor Gluba has never supported the project and says it would be a mistake for the City of Davenport to keep Raufeisen as the developer.

"He's had three extensions. It's like baseball as far as I'm concerned, three strikes you're out," said Mayor Gluba.

"Right now the mayor spends everyone else's money and always has the answers," said Raufeisen "It's pretty easy when you're spending someone else's money."

Boom said the deal right now with Raufeisen is basically dead, unless a council member proposes the council give him an extension. If that happens, they will have to vote on the measure.

Unless the resolution for a further extension is brought up at a city council meeting, the deal with Raufeisen is over.

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