Davenport council adopts 2025 URTE list, approves two liquor licenses, removes one application and clears consent agenda

The Davenport City Council on Feb. 26 adopted a resolution approving the 2025 urban revitalization tax exemption (URTE) projects, approved two liquor-license applications (one with an outdoor endorsement) after staff reviews and a fire inspection, removed one liquor-license application at the applicant—s request, and passed its consent agenda.

The URTE resolution passed by roll call after Alderman Anne Newton said she would abstain from voting on several properties because of her personal involvement with those projects. "So that's the the reason for that abstention," Alderwoman Anne Newton said as she read a list of addresses for which she would abstain, including 709-711 Gaines Street, 517 Ripley Street, 2109 Brady Street, 314 Gaines Street, 1029 Mound Street, 628 Harrison Street, 1527 Brady Street, 2225 East Second Street, and 204 Prospect Terrace. The resolution was adopted; the council recorded the motion as approved in the roll call.

Why it matters: URTE approvals allow qualifying redevelopment projects to receive temporary tax abatement under Davenport—s urban revitalization program, affecting property owners and local redevelopment projects across wards.

On liquor licenses, city staff and public safety reviewers reported no code or public-safety reasons to deny applications. City Administrator Maxeyner summarized staff—s review to council: "all those items that have been raised regarding code violations have been reviewed and deemed in compliance," and said the police department found no determinative factors to recommend denial. Fire Marshal Jim Morse told the council he conducted an on-site liquor-license inspection the previous week and said, "I did a liquor license inspection at that establishment last week, and it passed with no violations. I was on the interior as well as in the basement, and I had no concerns while I was there." Based on those reviews the council approved the Hawkeye's Sports Bar and Grill (Ortiz Holdings LLC) class C on-premises license with an outdoor endorsement and approved a class E carryout license for Save More Guru Kirpa LLC at 405 East Locust Street.

A resident who spoke during public comment raised concerns about visible dumpster conditions and past citations at the Hawkeye's property and asked the council to ensure full compliance; she told councilors, "I just feel like this is a good time to take care of many long standing problems that have been there and just get it up to par." City staff responded that building, zoning and police reviews found the property in compliance and that the fire department—s required approval would be completed before final endorsement.

One license application was removed from the agenda at the applicant's request. The applicant for Ace of Spades (405 East Locust Street) told the council he no longer wanted to pursue opening a bar and asked that his application be withdrawn; the council deleted the item from the agenda by voice vote.

The council then approved all items on the consent agenda by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution approving 2025 Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption (URTE) projects: adopted (roll-call approval; abstentions noted for properties read by Alderwoman Anne Newton). Motion carried.

- Hawkeye's Sports Bar and Grill (Ortiz Holdings LLC), 4646 Cheyenne Avenue — Class C on-premises license with outdoor endorsement: approved (roll call recorded in favor after staff, police and fire review). Motion carried.

- Ace of Spades (405 East Locust Street) — application withdrawn by applicant; item deleted from agenda by voice vote.

- Save More Guru Kirpa LLC, 405 East Locust Street — Class E carryout license: approved (roll call recorded in favor). Motion carried.

- Consent agenda (all listed consent items): approved by roll call.

What the council said and did

- Alderwoman Anne Newton read the list of properties for which she would abstain and explained the nature of her involvement: "These are 2 condo units ... owned by and being rehabbed by my husband and myself" and listed other addresses tied to her work on historic tax credit applications. Newton said she routinely identifies URTE items where she has a conflict and abstains on those votes.

- City Administrator Maxeyner and staff summarized reviews of zoning, building code and police records and told the council the reviews found the liquor-license applicants in compliance. "All those items ... have been reviewed and deemed in compliance," Maxeyner said.

- Jim Morse, Fire Marshal, performed the onsite inspection for at least one establishment and reported it passed without violations.

Next steps and context

- URTE approvals are administrative steps that allow qualifying redevelopment projects to receive temporary tax-exemption status; property owners must still complete their rehabilitation or redevelopment under program requirements.

- Approved liquor licenses are contingent on final administrative endorsements (fire endorsement was noted as pending but later confirmed complete before final issuance for at least one application). The council emphasized that required departmental approvals must be completed before final license endorsements are issued.

- The council did not take additional policy action on code enforcement at tonight—s meeting; residents raising code or public-safety concerns were directed to staff inspections and follow-up processes.

Ending note: The meeting also included ceremonial proclamations and routine reports; the council adjourned after approving the consent agenda and other items.