Moline city council discussed plans to renovate city hall Tuesday night. A consultant with Trivers came with a proposed $17 million plan to modernize the historic building.
The building was originally built in the 1910s. Now with the aging infrastructure, the plan would rework systems and services in the building. The proposal also listed moving and expanding council chambers to the first floor and adding solar panels to the roof.
On Tuesday, council members discussed the plan and other ideas for a new city hall. Some members indicated this project and building a new fire department could strain finances. Another council member brought up concerns about ignoring work the building needs.
“We have prime examples in Moline of government property that has sat vacant for 20 years,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Matt Timion. “I’m thinking of the library and post office, that we were waiting for someone to use. A city over in Rock Island, we had the old courthouse that sat vacant for so long it had to be torn down. I would not want that to happen with this building.”
The renovations would start in spring of 2026 if approved, finishing in fall of 2027.