Mayor Mike Matson and the Davenport City Council celebrated the official start of construction on the site of Main Street Landing.
At a groundbreaking ceremony held in Quinlan Court on April 3, 2025, City leaders reflected on the support that contributed to the thoughtful planning, development, and funding of this riverfront attraction.
“It really takes people who care to make something happen,” said Davenport Mayor Mike Matson. “The riverfront many years ago was not a cool place to go. But boy, is it becoming one now. And we are so proud.”
Notable features
Main Street Landing will be built on the 10-acre property between Dillon Fountain on Main Street and the roller dam. At the heart of the park is a multi-use flex area that can host pickleball or a sandy beach in the summer, provide a space for markets, or transform into an ice-skating rink in the winter. Other notable features include an adventure play tower, roller dam slides, and a splash pad.
Funding breakdown
Mayor Matson expressed his appreciation for Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s “Destination Iowa” program. In December 2022, Governor Reynolds announced a 9.6-million-dollar award to the City of Davenport and the Figge Art Museum through the program. Destination Iowa aims to fund projects that leverage local assets to create memorable spaces for both residents and visitors. The grant makes up about 35% of the overall project budget.
“Thank you to the Mayor and City Council, past and present,” said Clay Merritt, Director of Engineering and Capital Projects. “It is through your vision and direction that long-term projects like this can happen.”
After the presentation, community partners including representatives from the Quad Cities Chambers, Downtown Davenport Partnership, and Visit Quad Cities donned their hard hats to turn the dirt, ceremonially starting construction on the site.
“Not only will this bolster tourism, but it will also improve the quality of life and place for our residents,” said Katrina Keuning, Director of Brand and Content Strategy for Visit Quad Cities. “We’re so excited to see the lasting impact this will have on our community and our destination.”
Construction is expected to be completed in late summer/early fall 2026.