The mission of the Community Planning & Economic Development Department is to make Davenport a better place to live and work by developing, preserving, and enhancing its physical, social, and economic resources.  The department groups its various activities into several program areas.

Planning & Land Use

• Urban Design

The City Designer is responsible for planning and carrying out work dedicated to improving the built environment in Davenport and thus enahncing the community quality of life.  The Design Center led the process of updating the City's comprehensive plan, completed in 2005, and consults on design improvements for public capital improvements and private development projects.  Design staff is also responsible for staffing the Downtown Design Review Board as it interprets and enforces the Davenport Downtown Design Guidelines.

• Planning & Land Use

To ensure that the development occuring in the city is consistent with the vision of the comprehensive plan, Planning & Land Use staff administer the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance with assistance from the City Plan and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Issues related to these ordinances include zoning classifications, building setbacks, flood zone locations, and allowed uses for commercial and residential property.  Department staff, with review by the Historic Preservation Commission, also administers the Historic Preservation Ordinance. 

 

• Project Management

The Project Management staff involves the planning, design, development, and coordination of various projects which serve to make the vision of the comprehensive plan become a reality.  This includes capital improvement projects, facility repairs and safety related projects.  The process involves everything from the identification of a community need or deficiency; the preparation of studies, concept, master, or site plans as required for the implementation of the project; and the oversight of the construction process. 

 

• Neighborhood Services

A new way of providing services to residents is through the Davenport NEW initiative, focusing on providing City services and developing priorities through neighborhood organizations.  The Neighborhood Services Specialist works with various groups along with other City staff to facilitate better coordination and communication to identify and resolve neighborhood issues.

 

• Economic Development

Staff works to promote the economic growth of the city, working with existing and new businesses to expand job opportunities that will add value to the Quad City economy.  Staff works with other regional organizations as well as the State of Iowa to provide financial and technical assistance to complement private investment in qualified projects.  This office also administers assistance for downtown redevelopment, including commercial redevelopment and enterprise zone programs, as well as urban revitalization and industrial tax exemption programs.

 

• Assisted Housing

The staff from Assisted Housing provides rental assistance to families and individuals who are low-income, elderly, or physically or mentally disabled.  This office also staffs the Davenport Housing Commission.  Facilities operated by Assisted Housing staff include the Heritage and scattered sites of Section 8 assisted housing units.

 

• Housing Rehabilitation

Providing assistance in preserving and conserving housing opportunities for all residents is the primary mission of staff in this area.  To accomplish this, programs provide various financial assistance programs to renovate or construct rental and owner-occupied housing units, make homes safer through the removal of lead-based paint, and providing incentives and other programs to enhance the livability of Davenport's neighborhoods.

 

• Parking

Every good development needs adequate parking.  The Parking staff are responsible for informing citizens of and enforcing the City's parking ordinance.  Many of the enforcement efforts are focused in the downtown area, but enforcement does occur citywide, especially during winter snow emergencies.