DDP successfully advocates for two-way conversion on downtown streets

For more than 20 years, the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) has represented the voice of property and business owners, advocating for the return of two-way traffic on 3^rd and 4^th Streets to help calm and quiet traffic, make downtown more pedestrian friendly, more welcoming to new visitors and residents, and improve business visibility and accessibility.

On Wednesday, Sept. 29, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson voted ‘yes’ for the project, which broke a tied City Council vote (JJ Condon, Maria Dickmann, Kyle Gripp, Marion Meginnis, and Robby Ortiz all in favor), making the multi-decade proposal a soon-to-be reality. The conversion will be implemented following the resurfacing of 3^rd and 4^th Streets over the next two years. Businesses within the conversion zone, from Marquette Street to River Drive, will benefit from this change, as will the thousands of people who live, work and visit downtown.

DDP board members, downtown stakeholders of all kinds, and DDP staff spent the past seven months discussing the proposal with elected officials, businesses and residents.   

“We’re eager to build on downtown’s vibrancy with traffic patterns and infrastructure that support our downtown now and its ability to flourish well into the future,” said Kyle Carter, DDP Executive Director. “I’m particularly excited to see how this can open more opportunities to attract new small businesses and spur development further west.”   

DDP has committed up to $700K toward the completion of the two-way conversion from Marquette to River Drive, which is estimated to cost $1.7 million. DDP will cover about 40% of the cost by sharing in annual City bond payments toward the project over 10 years.

As the leading advocate for downtown, DDP works in partnership with business and government to identify needs, develop strategies, shape public policy and implement programs to strengthen the economic vitality of downtown Davenport and its role as the historic and cultural heart of the community.

DDP provides place management services for downtown's Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID). DDP is an affiliate of Quad Cities Chamber and manages the SSMID per city contract with a focus on three pillars of work: business & economic growth, infrastructure & livability and advocacy & promotion.