City leaders said in an effort to revitalize Moline's Olde Towne neighborhood, they wanted to level dozens of homes and replace them with businesses.
The plan was to level 43 homes and build a new grocery store and drug store.
Residents were offered three-times the value of their homes if they would sell. One resident said she was told they would build around her home if she refused to sell.
Several years ago, there was an effort to designate parts of the area as a historic district. Those efforts fell through after some push-back from residents in the area.