ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The City of Rock Island has dozens of projects in concept, in progress or complete, supported by over $26 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The projects cover a variety of categories, from quality of living, infrastructure, economic growth, and improving civic services like police and public city buildings.
On Monday, Jan. 22, the Rock Island City Council approved more than $2 million for city hall renovations, with most of that budget coming from ARPA funds.
At a study session on the same day, council reviewed the progress of several projects; for example, the new STEAM lab at the MLK Center is expected to be ready by June 2024.
"We're going to be able to bring to our community, accessibility to drones, to robotics, to 3D printing," MLK Center Executive Director Jerry Jones said.
The project is funded in part by $100,000 of ARPA money.
"Our Rock Island and greater Quad Cities community — we plan to make this a resource to all," Jones said.
Another huge investment is infrastructure, where the city is using millions of dollars for utilities in water treatment and road improvements. One such project is the reconstruction of 1st Avenue, which the city has more than $700,000 ARPA funds and $1.6 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant money set aside for.
"It's going to be a complete reconstruction of 1st Avenue, from approximately from 15th Street to 24th Street," Rock Island Public Works Director Mike Bartels explained.
The road will be changed to one-lane in either direction with a turn lane in the center, and other changes made with pedestrians in mind. "We want to focus on pedestrian safety there, bring people into the downtown. Try to quiet that area down in the future for the railroad, possibly add a quiet zone," Bartels said.
The big economic improvement — the revitalization of downtown Rock Island — is using $2.5 million in ARPA funds.
"The money that we spend with regards to ARPA is not going to add huge obligation into general funds," city clerk and ARPA program manager Samantha Gange said.
The clock is ticking, as all ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2024. All projects must also be complete by the end of 2026.
"We are very careful in ensuring that none of these funds would have to be repaid back, that we followed all the US Treasury guidelines, rules and procedures," Gange said.
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