DAVENPORT, Iowa — The City of Davenport is making changes to a popular overlook in the Quad Cities.
Construction equipment was moved into Riverview Terrace Park at the end of last week. The City plans to add six parallel parking spaces, new sidewalks and berms to block the entrance.
"A lot of people like to use the park," Davenport resident Marty Kurtz said. "It's a very historic place."
The City reports the last in-person meeting for the updates took place in spring 2023. The project is estimated to cost $76,000 and will come out of the parks and recreation budget. The discussions first began in August 2021.
Residents have mixed feelings about the renovations.
"It's the most beautiful view in the entire Quad Cities," Davenport resident Ezra Sidran said. "Please, please, please just leave it alone."
Sidran said crime and vandalization were issues at the park prior to changes being made to block off the vehicle entrances to the park.
"Every morning my wife and I would pick up lots of garbage," Sidran said. "Beer bottles, whiskey bottles, drug paraphernalia." However, he said the trash and crime decreased with the new barriers.
He claimed his family was left in the dark for the last six months. The City stated he attended early meetings when the project was discussed and was included on the email list.
Other residents have less strong feelings against the park revamp.
“It's been under discussion for a year and a half, and the whole neighborhood has been involved," Kurtz said.
Kurtz said parking space is the main problem the City is trying to solve.
"Certainly not against more people being able to use the park, but we don’t want the park to return to the park it was when it was open 24 hours a day."
Some residents were also concerned the height of the new berms could obstruct their view of the river.
"We'll see, it is a great experiment," Kurtz said.