Proposed project in Bettendorf could bring more housing near downtown

After years of focus on the development of the area surrounding the TBK Bank Sports Complex, a proposed project would target residential development downtown.

The project would bring 168 new apartments to Bettendorf's State Street, replacing the Hillside Mobile Home Park. Businesses in the area say the project could bring new investment and economic activity to the area.

"It's more industrial in this area, so seeing some of that development come out our way is great," said Maureen Melson, the owner of Main on State (formerly The Main Event). "A lot of the expansion has been further downtown Bettendorf, so me, as a bar and grill owner, I'm looking forward to the addition of that closer by."

Main on State and the Duck Creek Pancake House have been waiting for development on their side of the city. More people living in the area means more business. A 168-unit apartment complex would do just that.

The proposed development would be a ten-minute drive from downtown Bettendorf. A city study found the area is short about 400 apartment units, and this project could close that gap. That's why the city is considering tax incentives to help make the development a reality, though Scott County Supervisor Maria Bribriesco says the Quad Cities must continue to diversify the housing market.

"Really the people that stay at these trailer parks don't have the means to live in $200,000 homes or really nice apartments," said Bribriesco. "We need to start thinking about the homelessness in Scott County and Bettendorf needs to be doing the same."

The Scott County Board of Supervisors said in a letter to the city it typically opposes using TIF financing to fund infrastructure for residential development, but it also generally supports TIF financing when it's used to reverse blight.

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