East Moline Mayor delivers State of the City address

East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered his state of the city address on Thursday.

Freeman shared his vision for the city in his address at the Bend Event Center. He says downtown revitalization is front and center after being awarded $24 million in a federal RAISE grant.

Projects coming up include street-scaping roads at the Bend, work on the Bend Boulevard extension and new construction at the Rust Belt. He also said these projects will encourage a brighter future for local businesses and neighbors.

“We’re trying to say ‘Hey, this is a place to raise a family.’ That’s what it’s all about,” Freeman said. “Bringing people here but you have to do things to bring the people here. Let us remember that progress is not achieved alone, but through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for a brighter future,” he added.

Freeman said addressing deteriorating neighborhoods and aging infrastructure are among his other priorities.

He also mentioned new businesses that opened last year like coffee shops, a car wash and more on Avenue of the Cities. Freeman said he looks forward to work starting on the downtown revitalization project over the next few years and thinks it will transform that part of East Moline.

East Moline received a grant $1.5 million for public safety equipment, including a new fire engine.

See his presentation below: