Evan Vitale Consulting: Consulting firm helps Bettendorf map future

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Consulting firm helps Bettendorf map future – Quad City Times

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By 2040, urban planners expect Bettendorf to add 5,300 jobs; approximately 2 million square feet of office, warehouse and retail space; 7,800 residents, and 3,800 housing units.

To help plan for that growth, the city hired RDG Planning & Design, a Des Moines-based consulting company, which produced those predictions. RDG presented its first draft of the city’s comprehensive plan to about 75 residents, business owners and city leaders Monday.

Discussion focused on connecting the city’s downtown and riverfront, improving new and existing neighborhoods throughout the city and managing future growth to the north.

Following construction of the Interstate 74 bridge, which is scheduled to be completed in 2021, city planners and leaders hope Bettendorf’s downtown will become more of a tourist destination with a variety of commercial and residential attractions for every age group.

A couple of options, “but nothing the city has committed to,” include extending Leach Park under the I-74 bridge to the Isle of Capri Casino and a walkable overpass along 23rd Street connecting the downtown and riverfront, RDG representative Cory Scott said.

“It needs more motives, the ability to create more memories and just an overall stronger brand to attract people from all over,” Scott added.

After the relocation of the bridge, Scott noted a potential residential development along the riverfront just west of the future bridge could become an amenity not many communities have access to.

Bettendorf resident Elizabeth Davidson, 25, emphasized the need to improve the downtown’s aesthetics.

Davidson, who grew up in Bettendorf, attended the presentation and open house with Bettendorf resident Tom Wauer, also 25.

“We want to contribute here because we care about this place,” said Davidson.

Wauer said he is trying to figure out whether or not he’ll stay in the coming years.

“I could see myself coming back here,” the Bettendorf High School graduate said. “It’s a good place to raise a family.”

Noting the proximity of the public library, Family Museum, nearby parks and schools, focus for future development and growth also centered on the area surrounding the city’s Learning Campus.

“I’m excited because libraries want to be hubs of communities and that’s one of the focused growth areas so I’m happy,” Bettendorf library director Sue Mannix said.

During the presentation, RDG stressed Bettendorf’s need for diverse housing options, a mix of low, middle and high-density housing.

The city has about 5,000 acres of undeveloped land, which will accommodate growth for the next 20 to 25 years, RDG planner Gary Lozano said.

Lozano noted the community’s need for more neighborhoods instead of scattered housing projects.

“People’s expectations for housing are increasing,” Lozano said. “Single-family homes will always dominate the market, but if you want to attract successful young people, they will want other options. Not everyone wants a bigger yard anymore.”

RDG representatives said the final draft of the comprehensive plan will be available to the public by Feb. 15.

Bettendorf’s community development director Bill Connors said the land-use map should help guide new zoning conditions for growth areas.

“At least with a new ordinance, they’ll be those options available,” said Connors, who hopes to bring the final plan to the planning and zoning commission and city council in February.

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