ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Update: Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms delivered the annual "State of the City" address Monday morning at Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel. The speech's theme was about helping the community move "forward together," with one of the main talking points being new construction projects starting this year. Those include a $40 million federal courthouse expected to open later this year and a new, $20 million YWCA on Fifth Avenue. In addition, the multi-million-dollar project focused on rebuilding downtown Rock Island will break ground this spring.
"We've allocated almost $7.5 million for renovations down there," Thoms said. "A lot of it is street-scaping, new lights, sidewalks, wider sidewalks, café seating, plants, those kind of things. But it's also going to be used for renovation, some murals, helping people do facades on their buildings and helping businesses grow."
Watch the mayor's entire address
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Rock Island residents will have their chance to hear how the city is faring and what's in store for the future.
On Monday, Jan. 22, Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms will deliver the annual "State of the City" address at 10 a.m. at Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel. City officials said the speech's theme will be helping the community move "forward together."
“I am excited to provide the public with an update on the city's accomplishments in 2023 and share our goals for 2024 as we move forward together with inclusion and collaboration," Thoms said.
Coffee, tea and breakfast will be served ahead of the speech.
The address will also be live-streamed on the city's YouTube page and will later be available for future viewing on the city's website and Facebook page.
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