Major development project in Village of East Davenport turned away
DAVENPORT - This valuable wedge of land at the entrance of the Village of East Davenport has been empty for the last seven years. Local businessman Gregg Ontiveros has promised to put a major investment there, "I give you my word you will not be disappointed in this project." However, Davenport's Zoning Board voted otherwise. "Looking at it strictly statutory I believe we have some problems with passing this," said Chairman, Cathy Hart. Ontiveros gave his second and he says final pitch to the city Thursday night . His proposal is to build a five story apartment building that includes a restaurant, retail, and a rooftop pool at the corner of River Drive and Mound Street. However, there's one problem. To protect the area's architecture, the city says buildings in the Village cannot be built to be taller than three stories. "A 60-foot building in a very historic area of Davenport, which lacks a lot of history in preservation, it is totally just ou...