22-03-2025
Rock Island proposes compromise for Milan Bottoms development
Mayor Mike Thoms held a news conference Friday about a controversial proposed development near the Milan Bottoms wetlands area.
The city has created a task force to help maintain conservation for the site. Meanwhile, the city wants to expand an already-existing TIF – Tax Increment Financing – district to include more property where the dispensary and truck stop are proposed.
'The mayor was pretty explicit in saying that we're going to proceed with this development, but at the same time, also proceed with trying to create a permanent conservation easement on the wetland behind the site,' said Jon Duyvejonck, a member of the Sierra Club Eagle View Group. 'So we kind of agree to disagree. So there are still environmental steps to be taken to approve this project.'
The Rock Island City Council will vote to approve the easement on Monday. One part of the compromise would be maintain a tree line between the development and the wetlands to help block some of the light and noise.
'We must strive to balance the city's need for economic development with the environment, environmental conservation, which I believe can be hand-in-hand,' said Thoms. 'The city is committed to economic development while protecting our natural resources.'
Thoms also announced that a groundbreaking for the project is planned for next month.
'I think it's kind of premature to do that, but then again, a lot of the groundbreakings I've been a part of are just kind of a formal thing,' said Duyvejonck.
Duyvejonck says some activists plan to attend Monday's city council meeting to discuss holding off on plans for the TIF to make time for more environmental surveys.
What is a TIF district?
A TIF is a tool municipalities can use to spur economic development in certain areas by designating them as eligible to use an increase in property tax revenue generated by new development within those areas to fund projects and improvements.
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