BETTENDORF -- The long-awaited demolition of the empty Lodge Hotel will get underway in earnest next week, officials from Russell Construction announced.
A brief, private ceremony will be held on Monday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. to mark the kickoff of demolition.
Russell acquired the Lodge property last December with plans to re-develop the 8.5 acre site. In August, the Bettendorf City Council approved a development agreement with Russell granting a 10-year tax increment financing rebate in exchange for a new, mixed-use development on the site.
“We’ll continue to discuss the formality of a development agreement, but we don’t want to delay demolition any longer," said Jim Russell, developer and CEO of Russell. "It was once a beautiful building that created a lot of memories for Quad Citizens, but its condition continues to deteriorate and it simply needs to come down."
Bettendorf Aldermen Scott Naumann and Jerry Sechser applauded the decision to demolish now.
"It is becoming a nuisance and we share Russell’s enthusiasm to remove the building," they wrote in a joint statement. "We have great confidence in Russell, and the new life
that can be brought to this area of our great city,”