Spicing up Southpark? - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Spicing up Southpark?

Update:

Moline is looking to breath life back into its shopping mall.
 
Tuesday Night,  a public hearing was held to talk about a tax break on stores and restaurants willing to set up shop there. Many businesses have closed up and have yet to be replaced. But during the meeting, a Moline resident told city leaders she doesn't want to have to pay more for new businesses to move in.

"It is possible to build new businesses and remodel others in Moline without involving the taxpayers," said One Moline Resident.
 

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One Quad City is trying to keep its largest tax generator thriving and shoppers say, it's about time. Southpark Mall in Moline has seen better days. Now the city is looking at ways to fill those empty store fronts. The city is looking into offering tax breaks for restaurants and stores that buy into its plan. City Administrator, Lew Steinbecher says it can do great things for Moline.

"It's an opportunity to see prop values reverse and start to increase rather than decrease as they have been over the past several years and to strengthen the tax base of the community."

An opportunity that shoppers feel has been a long time coming.  But some mall goers, like Sharon Hanson see a bigger issue than the inconvenience of making the hike across the river.

"I think it's a big impact for Illinois, why should we spend all our money in Iowa when we should have it here."

Tuesday night the city will hold a meeting for residents to get feedback and ideas on the tax break. City officials say tax-wise it's really important to get Southpark back up to par with Northpark.

The meeting will be held Tuesday night at 6:45 at City Hall.