SCHWIEBERT RIVERFRONT PARK (Armory Park Plan)
Rock Island’s newest park, located on the riverfront between 17th and 20th Streets, was officially named Schwiebert Riverfront Park at a ceremony on Friday, October 23, 2009, honoring former mayor, Mark Schwiebert.
The River Vision Plan created a framework for Rock Island and Davenport to orchestrate new development and public space improvements in a manner that will refocus both communities back to the river. Rock Island’s specific opportunities include improved access to the river, additional river oriented open space and infill development opportunities.
Schwiebert Riverfront Park will offer spectacular views of the Mississippi River, and will include an open-air stage, playground areas, interactive fountain, observation shelter, waterfront promenade, bike trail, beautifully landscaped grounds, and other amenities. The Parks and Recreation Department is making special event and activity plans for the park, including a grand opening event as well as family-friendly activities. In addition, the public will be able to reserve park space for reunions, weddings, parties, and other functions. The $10 million park is on target to be completed in Summer 2010. Click here to view the final concept.
Creating a Riverfront Park
An important element of the RiverVision Plan in Rock Island is development of a public park on the Mississippi Riverfront. This one-fifth of a mile long park is adjacent to downtown. Much of the area was formerly used to support Jumer’s Casino Rock Island riverboat gaming operation, which has now relocated to the City’s southwest area, at the interchange of IL-92 and I-280.
The City started working with Schreiber /Anderson Associates Inc. to design concepts for the riverfront park in 2004. Sub-contractors for the design include: Stanley Consultants for structural engineering and permitting, Gere~Dismer Architects as architects, KJWW Engineering Consultants as electrical engineer, and WESCO Fountain, Inc. for fountain mechanicals.
The park has several project goals:
- Maximize use and flexibility of the green.
- Iconic space on river.
- Aesthetically pleasing, creative design.
- Water access - physical & visual.
- Public boat docks.
- Retain flood control.
- Capture river views.
- Meet park programming needs.
- Linkage to downtown and The District.
- Enhance downtown and riverfront redevelopment opportunity.
After reviewing many options, holding a series of meetings to gain public comment in 2005-06, and refining the plans, then-Mayor Schwiebert and the City Council selected a preferred concept to move forward with design and development in February 2008.
Known at that time as the “Armory Silhouette” concept, it included a main stage area and great lawn that mimics the former Armory building’s footprint.
This park, when completed next year, will establish a beautiful riverfront area for public use that provides a year-round venue for arts and entertainment and recreational programming. It is the City’s goal to use the proximity of the riverfront to complement development activity in the downtown and create a legacy and point of pride for future generations.
Flood Protection
The north façade of the Armory was part of the City’s flood protection system. Due to the Armory’s demolition, the City designed and installed a demountable flood protection wall to replace the existing structure. This new system will only be installed when directed to do so by the Corps of Engineers. It will provide an unencumbered view of the Mississippi River and downtown Davenport for the majority of the year.
The flood protection system was recently installed to see how easily and quickly it could be put in place and to assure that it meets Corps of Engineers requirements. It will remain in place until the 2010 flood risks have passed. One of the features of the park design extends the normal height of the flood wall providing an additional 3 feet of flood protection without the demountable flood wall.
Construction of Armory Park
This project has been broken into several construction phases.
Williams / Valley Construction Management LLC was hired in June 2008 to assist the City in the overall construction management of Armory Park. They will handle all the bids and manage all the sub-contractors on the project.
An environmental evaluation for asbestos and lead-based paint was completed in November 2008 by EnviroNET at a cost of $5,110 in 2008.
An environmental Abatement was completed by Advance Environmental Testing and Abatement, Inc. in January 2009 at a cost of $61,818.
Temporary flood protection barriers were purchased in January 2009 from Centennial Contractors of the Quad Cities at a cost of $52,000.
Bid Release 1: Williams / Valley Construction Management LLC, the construction managers for the project awarded the bids in January 2009. The work is now underway. The total cost of Bid Release 1 is $2,137,302, which is 24% below estimates.
- Demolition bid (Armory demolition and site clearance) was awarded to Valley Construction at a cost of $414,620.
- Interceptor sewer bid (part of the City’s $60+ million Long Term Control Plan) was awarded to Foley Construction, Inc. at a cost of $1,068,525.
- Fencing bid (site security) was awarded to Lovewell Fencing at a cost of $75,370.
- Sheet piling bid (Provides underground support for permanent flood protection) was awarded to General Constructors, Inc. at a cost of $324,750.
- Construction Management (overall management of park construction) was awarded to Williams / Valley Construction Management LLC at a cost of $254,037.
Rock Island Armory demolition started April 9, 2009 with a public ceremony. Williams / Valley Construction Management LLC are the construction managers of the park project. Valley Construction, the sub-contractor for the Armory demolition, swung the first wrecking ball. To learn about the history of the Armory click here.
Bid Release 2: Williams / Valley Construction Management LLC awarded fifteen bid packages in April 2009. The total of the bids was $6,768,694, which is 8.5% below estimates.
- Earthwork and concrete bid was awarded to Treiber Construction in the amount of $1,564,900.
- Site utilities bid was awarded to Tri-City Blacktop, Inc. in the amount of $101,612.
- Landscaping bid was awarded to Miller Trucking and Excavating in the amount of $774,700.
- Fence bid was awarded to Lovewell Fencing, Inc in the amount of $20,836.
- Demountable floodwall bid was awarded to Langman Construction in the amount of $218,888.
- Playground equipment bid was awarded to Valley Construction in the amount of $218,000.
- Masonry and stone veneer bid was awarded to Bob White Masonry in the amount of $537,000.
- Structural and miscellaneous steel bid was awarded to Design Build Structures in the amount of $404,235.
- General trades package bid was awarded to Valley Construction in the amount of $153,200.
- Roofing and sheet metal bid was awarded to Sterling Commercial Roofing in the amount of $144,900.
- Aluminum framed light tops and skylight bid was awarded to Crawford Company in the amount of $177,500.
- Water feature piping and equipment bid was awarded to Greenscape Pump Services in the amount of $674,584.
- HVAC and plumbing bid was awarded to Ragan Mechanical, Inc. in the amount of $127,343.
- Electrical and sound equipment bid was awarded to Rock River Electric, Inc. in the amount of $692,143
Here is the complete version of the Armory Park’s Asbestos Inspection NESHAPS Report and the Armory’s Regulated Materials and Lead-Based Paint Report.
The project is being paid for from the Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District funds, a source that can only be spent in the Downtown area. Bonds have been issued totaling $11.1 million, plus TIF revenues of $1.25 million totaling $12.35 million. TIF funds will be used to retire the bonds.
Honoring Mark Schwiebert
The new riverfront park in Downtown Rock Island, on the site of the former National Guard Armory, is being named for former mayor, Mark Schwiebert, for his tireless efforts to promote public use of the Mississippi Riverfront.
Mark Schwiebert served as mayor of Rock Island for twenty years. During his tenure, Mr. Schwiebert provided vision and leadership for the creation of this new riverfront park. Naming Schwiebert Riverfront Park recognizes Mr. Schwiebert’s tireless efforts to guide the City of Rock Island in the decisions of what should be built on the riverfront, what it should look like, who it should serve, and how it will play a critical role in connecting The District to the Mississippi River. Naming this park for Mark Schwiebert is a fitting tribute for the countless hours he spent on this effort.
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