ROCK ISLAND, Illinois — Amid a list of accomplishments and projects that the city saw in 2016, Mayor Dennis Pauley talked about the failed Walmart development.
It was a quick mention, but Pauley acknowledged the surprise of Walmart pulling out of their development plans, and noted the one good thing he sees coming from the situation.
“The only positive side is that Walmart put a lot of money into testing the property’s environmentals,” he said, “we now have a shovel-ready site and our staff is working hard to bring development to that area.”
Mayor Pauley said the community has been in favor of a grocery store going in that area, and surrounding it with other retail outlets.
Also within his speech, he mentioned programs put into place by the MLK Center and activities offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. He also talked about the police department’s new facility and upcoming body cameras and new equipment for the fire department.
“The State of the City Address is an opportunity for me to reflect on our accomplishments of the previous year and inform citizens of our opportunities for the coming year,” said Mayor Pauley. “I look forward to even more successes in 2017.”
Some of Mayor Pauley’s main points from his 2016 “State of the City” address included the (now-failed) Walmart plans, a new downtown grocery store (which had its original opening date pushed from April 2016 and now into 2017), property values, and revitalizing the downtown.
Mayor Pauley will be giving the address again at 6:45 p.m. at the city council meeting. It will be aired on Channel 9 to Mediacom subscribers.
