Home Delivery |
Contact Us |
Jobs |
Alerts |
News Archives |
Site map |
Log In |
Webmail |
Internet Services |
Mobile
Text size: 
New RI Board chairman wants building update plan
|
New Rock Island County Board chairman Phil Banaszek wants the county to develop a plan to update county buildings. The courthouse and county office building in downtown Rock Island are more than a century old and there's general agreement the county needs to develop a plan to renovate the properties or move them somewhere else. In the 1990s, the county decided to build a new jail because of mounting legal problems related to overcrowding at the old building, Mr. Banaszek said, adding that he wants to make sure the county does not run into similar problems again. He said that on his first day in the office as chairman, an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) inspector dropped by the county office building. "This kind of stuff can force you into a situation and I guess that's my biggest concern is that I don't want to be like we were with the jail forced into a situation," Mr. Banaszek said. But coming up with a solution to the building problem won't be easy. Former chairman Jim Bohnsack tried to resolve the problem when he presented a proposal from a developer to build a new county complex at the Quad Cities Industrial Center. But the plan met with opposition from Republicans and concerns from the public about the implications for downtown Rock Island if the county moved out. Mr. Banaszek said the county board should have looked at several options, and he will support a plan to ask developers to bring proposals to the county, whichcould include building new, or renovating the existing properties. "It's an issue that's been out there for a long time, and we need to address it," Mr. Banaszek said. "I'm not going to shy away from it, and honestly I feel most of the county board members I've spoke to feel the same way." Any option put before the county is likely to be expensive, but Mr. Banaszek said the county could take advantage of the low interest rates currently available to local governments. Refurbishing the current buildings may be too costly, he said."You're probably looking at a new building one way or the other. Once again, I think it's going to come down to what's cost effective." Rock Island County Board member Rod Simmer, R-Rock Island, agrees that something needs to be done to improve the county's aging offices. "We can't continue to let the buildings rot out under our feet," he said, adding thathe was "on board" with Mr. Banaszek's proposal to seek ideas from developers. Mr. Banaszek said he would suggest to one of the county board's committees early next year to work on a request for proposals from developers.He also plans to meet with Rock Island County Chief Judge Jeffrey O'Connor to seek input on the future of the courthouse. 
|
 |
|
||
Erie, IL Details |
|||
Wonderful Sweet Potatoes
(More recipes)
| (More Print Ads) |
Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
(More History)