Latest news with #JeffRose
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rock Island's College Hill District plans for future development
Augustana College and the City of Rock Island are teaming up with businesses and citizens to advance mixed-use retail, residential and neighborhood improvements in the College Hill District. They hope to create a more vibrant, walkable and economically dynamic neighborhood that serves Rock Island residents and Augustana students. The Hilltop Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a newly formed initiative to promote growth near the edges of Augustana's campus. A CDC is a nonprofit, community-focused organization that fosters revitalization by investing in housing, small businesses and neighborhood infrastructure. The CDC is part of Augustana's Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan and aligns with the college's commitment to connecting through partnerships, enhancing neighborhood vitality and activating campus edges, as recommended in the Campus Master Plan. The Hilltop CDC has purchased its first property, the former Curry-Out QC restaurant at 1407 30th Street that will be developed for mixed business and residential use. The property is a five-minute walk from the southern edge of Augustana's campus. The building has undergone an environmental review and is scheduled for removal this quarter. The College Hill District was founded in 2011 and is a walkable neighborhood that includes restaurants and businesses such as Fred & Ethel's 50's Antiques, Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream and Kavanaugh's Hilltop Bar & Grill. The district has hosted events including College Hill-o-Ween, Small Business Saturday shopping days, Christmas walks and retro car rallies. 'Augustana is thrilled to join with city and community partners to bolster economic, architectural and community-building initiatives in the College Hill area and to work together to seek solutions to meet the needs of the district,' said Augustana president Andrea Talentino. 'We want to be a strong partner in making Rock Island a valued place to live and work. Augustana is proud to call Rock Island home, and we're proud to unite to create a more vibrant and thriving hub for the benefit of our students and the community.' 'As a community member, it's encouraging to see Augustana stepping up as a thoughtful and engaged neighbor,' said Jeff Rose, a resident of the College Hill District. 'This initiative isn't just about buildings — it's about creating a place where people feel connected, supported and proud to live. The CDC is helping us imagine what's possible for the Hilltop.' 'Augustana has been a wonderful partner for many years, and we're very pleased to join them in this new initiative to bring increased resources, housing and storefronts to the College Hill District,' said Rock Island mayor Mike Thoms. 'We're excited to contribute to future-focused planning for Rock Islanders and the college.' 'The CDC will develop and prioritize projects with an emphasis on serving the College Hill District, including mixed-use redevelopment and attracting small businesses with a focus on food and beverage or retail,' said Kirk Anderson, chief financial officer at Augustana. 'The CDC's projected 2026 operating budget exceeds $90,000 through grants and philanthropic gifts, demonstrating strong early investment in the district's revitalization. We know the investments of the CDC will have a great impact on enhancing Rock Island and our region. These efforts will support job creation, strengthen local businesses and enhance quality of life for residents and students alike.' Anderson said the CDC will work on several goals to redevelop and expand quality housing opportunities, such as Augustana employee rental housing and campus-adjacent housing for Augustana seniors and Rock Island residents. The group also plans neighborhood identity and signage improvements. The college has worked with Rock Island on many projects, including creating a $1.5 million tennis court complex at Lincoln Park at 38th Street and 11th Avenue. The project includes leasing that section of the park to the college for 10 years. Over the next three years, the CDC hopes to create vibrant commercial spaces, improve housing access for residents and students and support Rock Island's growth. 'This is more than a symbolic gesture, it's a real investment in Rock Island's future,' Thoms said. 'With new infrastructure, commercial space and housing in the pipeline, the Hilltop CDC is setting a bold tone for the next chapter of neighborhood growth.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FAA Allows Sinclair to Fly Drones Over People and Moving Vehicles Without a Waiver
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Sinclair's Declaration of Compliance for Operations Over People, making Sinclair the first broadcast company authorized to fly drones over individuals and moving vehicles for newsgathering without needing an FAA waiver under FAA rules. The FAA's authorization allows Sinclair to operate specially modified drones while adhering to strict safety protocols and procedures that meet federal requirements. "This approval represents a significant step forward in our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative journalism," said Scott Livingston, senior vice president of News for Sinclair. "By incorporating expanded drone footage, we enhance our coverage of breaking news, local events, weather, and community stories-offering our audiences more compelling and dynamic storytelling. Our ongoing partnership with Virginia Tech has been instrumental in ensuring the highest safety and training standards." Sinclair's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, launched in 2016, operates across 50 newsrooms nationwide and has completed over 40,000 logged flights to date. The program includes 148 FAA certified pilots and 540 trained visual observers. All Sinclair drone pilots undergo rigorous training at Virginia Tech's Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), an FAA-designated UAS test site. This partnership ensures pilots are equipped with advanced skills and knowledge in drone operations and safety procedures. "Our dedication to safety is paramount and this achievement is the result of more than a year of extensive preparation, testing, and collaboration with industry and government partners. We've also conducted community outreach meetings in each market where we operate drones, engaging with first responders, Homeland Security, education officials, local government agencies, and the FAA," said Jeff Rose, Sinclair's UAS Chief Pilot. "We have worked for years with Sinclair, helping to train their pilots, and I have always been impressed with their professionalism and commitment to safety,' said Tombo Jones, director for the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. 'We were proud to build on that theme by using our FAA-approved test method to test a modified drone that allows Sinclair's pilots to meet the FAA's stringent safety requirements for operating over people or traffic."
