‘Flexible’ agency helps get the job done

ROCK FALLS – Last year, the state killed Rock Falls’ plans to renovate an old building along the Rock River into offices. It was part of the city’s riverfront development plan.

Despite the setback, the city kept the state money for the overall project. It shifted money from refurbishing the building to demolishing it and building East Second Street alongside it.

Sandy Henrekin, executive director of the Rock Falls Community Development Corp., said the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was “very flexible” in allowing the city to shift the funds after another state agency’s default.

The money was meant to improve blighted areas, and the city’s new plans fit that goal, Henrekin said.

The targeted area is the old Reliant site just east of First Avenue bridge.

In July, the state Department of Central Management Services pulled back on a plan to move state offices from Sterling to the Reliant site, which was then key to the city’s riverfront plan.

After the agency defaulted on the project, it stopped communicating with Rock Falls, city officials said in July. That has remained the case, Henrekin said.
In November, the city completed East Second Street. The riverfront improvements amounted to $750,000, officials said.

At its meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved policies and procedures for the old Reliant site, now known as the Riverside Bike & Walk District.

The regulations cover such things as cleanup, entertainment, security and portable toilets.

All entertainment must be approved by the riverfront manager, Rock Falls Tourism Executive Director Cathy Brunner. For instance, no exotic dancers will be allowed.