Davenport riverfront commissioners agree to seek utility quotes for historic Levy Inn restoration

The Riverfront Commission on an evening meeting focused its main discussion on bringing the historic Levy Inn back into use, agreeing the first concrete step is to secure cost estimates to get electricity, water and sewer to the building.

The commission, after a recent site tour attended by about 25 people, weighed options including restoring the structure as an operational concession stand, converting it into a museum-like historic monument, or relocating it if permitted. "We need to look at at least have a reasonable estimate on what the cost will be," Speaker 2 said, urging the group to collect quotes before committing to a plan.

Members raised flood-resiliency concerns and possible mitigations. Speaker 1 described flood-oriented measures discussed on the tour — removable equipment, stainless-steel interiors and temporary barriers — and said those options would affect both cost and feasibility. "The flood resiliency is gonna come up," Speaker 7 said, noting it was a recurring constraint on restoration choices.

Board members discussed fundraising approaches, including grant matches and corporate or in-kind donations. Speaker 1 noted matching requirements for grant-based funding and reported Kyle Carter of the downtown partnership had indicated willingness to contribute. The commission also discussed a prior contact from a MidAmerican representative who had explored donating electrification, and the potential role of Iowa American Water for temporary or donated water services.

To move the project forward the commission assigned outreach tasks: Andrea will contact her energy-sector contact (referred to during the meeting as a contact at "American Energy"), Speaker 2 will follow up with Todd Carter, and staff members Bruce and Andrew (as discussed in the meeting) will coordinate with city departments. The group agreed that power, water and sewer quotes are the gating items that will determine whether the Levy Inn can be an operational concession or should remain a nonoperational monument.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized scoping to control costs: a "dream" restoration could run into multi‑million dollar territory while a minimal concession configuration would require fewer utilities. Speaker 2 said a clear minimum viable scope will let the commission get usable bids and decide whether to pursue grant matches, seek donations or change the intended function.

The commission did not adopt any binding appropriation or formally approve a project budget; members framed the discussion as exploratory and a next step toward grant-writing and outreach. The board indicated it would return with estimates and clearer budget guidance at a future meeting, with drafting for the coming fiscal-year budget scheduled to be available by January.