Design review board approves Channel Cat signage and pier upgrades at Lindsay Park

At its July 28 meeting, the Davenport Design Review Board approved exterior signage and dock upgrades for the Channel Cat stop at Lindsay Park, a project the presenters said is funded with Federal Transit Administration passenger ferry boat funds and a 20% local match from the city of Davenport. The project replaces the existing concrete platform and small-wayfinding elements with a new freestanding wayfinding sign, upgraded pier materials and fencing, and revised bench and ADA access arrangements. Staff recommended approval of the work as submitted. Metrolink and Channel Cat representative Jennifer Hirsch said the project was funded through the Federal Transit Administration and the city is providing local matching funds. “This project, the village of East Davenport Dock, was funded by, through federal transit administration passenger ferry boat funds. And in addition, the city of Davenport is providing the 20% local match,” Hirsch said. Project representative Jake Sharp described planned site changes, saying the concrete area will be replaced, benches removed and reinstalled, and fencing will be upgraded. “It’ll be more ADA accessible. So, visually, it’ll be a lot more attractive in that area,” Sharp said. Board members heard that the proposed freestanding sign will follow the existing Channel Cat/riverfront wayfinding pattern used at John Deere Commons and other docks; staff noted the John Deere Commons sign is about 11½ feet tall and the submitted plans did not list an exact height for the Lindsay Park sign. The presenters said the sign frame will be steel, brown on the support structure with a blue sign top to match existing wayfinding. On the dock itself, presenters said the current wing wall/jetty area will be elevated for flood protection and the new pier will use aluminum elements and silver fencing rather than the existing wooden pier and black fencing. Presenters also said environmental reviews required for construction on the Mississippi River have been completed and that the city has provided the local match. Construction is expected this fall; presenters estimated work would begin in mid to late September and noted the Channel Cat regular season ends Labor Day weekend but that weekend service continues into September. They said there may be a few weekends in which the dock is inaccessible depending on schedule and construction timing. Staff recommended approval and a board member moved to accept the plan as presented; the board approved the application at the meeting by voice vote. Board members and staff said they will try to limit service disruptions during construction and that the Channel Cat will coordinate timing with seasonal operations to minimize impacts.