| River's Edge Homepage | Current
Management The 1970's and 1980's brought a change in the Quad Cities. The trend in development was to move away from the downtown areas and to build on the outskirts of the cities. In the early 1970's the opening of malls on the outskirts of both Moline and Davenport drew businesses away from the downtowns and the river's edge. Industries also suffered. Farm implement factories that had brought the Quad Cities the title, "The Farm Implement Capital of the World" closed down as well. The Farmall plant, the Caterpillar plant in Bettendorf, and the Case plants in Rock Island and Bettendorf all closed in 1986 (American Mosaic 76-79). The process of disinvestment in the downtown areas was occuring in the Quad Cities. The cities were becoming decentralized as business interests moved to the outer edges of the cities.  It was clear that something had to change. A small group of Quad
City citizens realized that the Mississippi River was a good place to start the process of
renewal for the Quad Cities. They saw that the Quad Cities had "turned their
backs" on the Mississippi River for too long. As early as 1974 an article was written
in the Quad City Times that called for a rediscovery of the river. The use of the river
for recreation has been promoted. Wetlands and natural areas are being restored so animals
and humans alike can thrive by the river’s edge. The Junior League of the Quad
Cities declared that the year 1983 was the "year of the river". They held a
conference that year that brought together various river users. At this conference they
developed the theme for the Quad Cities-"Joined by a River" (American Mosaic
82). Though separated by state lines, the communities on each side of the river have been
bound together by this theme. The cities are trying to work together towards the common
goal of a healthy river and community. |