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Design Review Board approves exterior work at Freight House, asks for concrete paint samples
Summary
The Davenport Design Review Board approved a city proposal to replace windows, repair concrete columns, refurbish doors and neon lighting at the Freight House, with conditions that window and railing finishes be dark bronze and that back‑of‑house concrete color samples be returned for review.
Davenport Design Review Board members approved a city proposal to renovate exterior features of the Freight House at 401 West River Drive, approving replacement windows, repairs to concrete columns, door refurbishment and neon‑sign restoration while asking staff to return with color samples for the rear concrete.
A city staff member described the Freight House as “a nationally listed historic landmark owned by the City of Davenport” and outlined the proposed scope: replace deteriorated historic wood windows with fixed metal units replicating the existing 3‑over‑1 grid, repair and resurface concrete columns on the riverside elevation, refurbish wood doors and hardware on the east (Ripley Street) elevation, replace an upper‑deck metal door, repaint handrails and, if budget allows, refurbish a red neon band below the roofline.
Board members and staff repeatedly framed the approvals as material‑ and color‑sensitive because the building sits next to Union Station and has previously approved dark bronze storefront windows. Board members recommended coordinating the new window material with the existing dark bronze storefront finish. The board set conditions that windows and the handrail be finished in a dark bronze, that the wood doors be left or restored to a natural/stained finish with a clear protective coat, and that the city return with paint samples for the rear concrete before that portion of the work is executed.
The presentation noted the proposed replacement windows would be metal fixed units (rather than wood, double‑hung) to improve maintenance and long‑term durability; the city said it would place window grids on the exterior of the glass to replicate the 3‑over‑1 pattern. Other clarifications provided during discussion: the storefront glazing and lower‑level storefront doors will not change, the gutter system had been previously replaced in dark bronze, and the project has not yet been put out to bid (the city offered to return with physical paint samples once they are available).
Formal action: the board moved to approve the case per staff recommendations with the listed conditions. The transcript records an affirmative roll call of board members for that motion (see actions array). The city’s project manager on the record for the case was Ian Martin, listed by staff as the project manager for the City of Davenport. The city did not specify a construction timeline or project budget during the presentation; staff said the neon refurbishment and railing painting depend on budget availability.
Why it matters: The Freight House is a prominent, nationally listed historic building in downtown Davenport; exterior work will affect a high‑visibility façade facing River Drive and the adjacent Union Station. The board’s conditions emphasize visual consistency with previously approved dark bronze storefront materials and require a return showing the concrete paint choices before those surfaces are altered.
Details and next steps: City staff said the project has not been bid; board members asked staff to return with sample colors for the back‑of‑house concrete and with a stain or clear‑coat option for the wood doors. The board voted to approve the package with those conditions; staff will carry forward the board’s direction in the construction documents and procurement process.
