Davenport design board approves RediBlock retaining wall at 505 Iowa Street, asks for color match

The City of Davenport Design Review Board on Dec. 16 approved Case DR 204-14, permitting construction of a new RediBlock concrete gravity retaining wall in front of an existing limestone wall at 505 Iowa Street, commonly associated with Crescent Lofts. The board imposed one condition: the finished appearance should be stained or treated to closely match the stone color of the neighboring apartment complex.

City staff summarized the proposal as "to construct a new retaining wall in front of the existing limestone wall" and said the wall would be backfilled for structural integrity, graded for proper drainage and planted with low-maintenance ornamental grasses on the upper terrace. Staff recommended approval consistent with the submitted work write-up and materials. "So the design request for this evening is to construct a new retaining wall in front of the existing limestone wall," said Speaker 2 (city staff).

The applicant described the chosen product, a segmented RediBlock system, as a concrete gravity block designed to mimic historic stone while providing modern structural strength. "They're becoming pretty popular for their ease of both construction," said Speaker 4 (applicant). The applicant noted that a similar wall in the Hamburg Historic District had been treated to resemble limestone, and that RediBlock can be stained, acid-washed or painted to achieve a closer match to historic material.

Board members pressed for details about how the new wall would relate to the existing wall, site fencing and utilities. The applicant confirmed the new wall would be built in front of the original limestone wall and that existing utility poles and the wrought-iron fence along Iowa Street would remain in place. The board discussed safety and sightline concerns; staff said some form of fencing would still be required because of the drop-off.

During discussion, Speaker 1 proposed and moved approval with the added condition that the new wall "match the apartment complex next door." Speaker 4 seconded the motion. The board then took a roll-call vote: Hoth — yes; Rashid — yes; Tibbitt — yes; Peone — yes; Tilka — yes; Anderson — yes. The motion passed, approving Case DR 204-14 with the finish/matching condition.

The applicant said construction timing would be weather-dependent and subject to city permit and closure rules; they hoped to begin as soon as conditions and rules allow. "We were going to get to it yet this year, but the winter thing is kind of, you know, the thing," Speaker 4 said when asked about scheduling. Staff further noted the top planting area would be roughly 18 feet in width and that the new wall would extend outward about 20 feet from the existing face, leaving yard and green space for the adjacent apartment units.

In other business, a member of the public asked about visible plastic in the windows of a property on Eleventh Street; city staff said enforcement is ongoing with the building department and fire marshal but offered no immediate update. Staff also distributed the Design Review Board calendar for 2025 and confirmed the board will continue to meet the fourth Monday of each month, with the May meeting set for the Tuesday after Memorial Day and a possible December scheduling tweak if needed.

The meeting adjourned after the vote and a brief exchange of seasonal greetings. The board record lists the approval of Case DR 204-14 and the condition to match the neighboring apartment stone color; staff will implement the condition in the permit/plan review process.