Last week, Mayor Frank Klipsch sent aldermen, incoming aldermen and members of River Front Improvement Commission a letter thanking them for their work with Canadian Pacific on getting rail crossings restored but also noting there is still work to be done on the issue. The letter also notes there is a preliminary agreement to raise the bike path in one area.
Here is what he wrote:
Hello Aldermen, Aldermen-elect, and Riverfront Improvement Commissioners:
First, I want to thank the Aldermen and Riverfront Improvement Commissioners who have put in many hours of work reviewing every downtown crossing restoration impacted by the Canadian Pacific rail raising. I believe our riverfront will be carefully and beautifully restored because of their diligent and thorough work. There is still work to do, but I am confident that the recommendation from this Task Force will be good for Davenport residents and visitors.
As you are aware, one of the items I have been working on now for several months was to ask Canadian Pacific to raise the entire length of bike path from Ripley to Pershing. Although this request would add to their project costs, we have all felt this was an important component to maintaining the current use of the path. After multiple phone calls stressing the importance of this element, Tracy Miller, Senior Vice President with Canadian Pacific agreed to the concession in our phone call late Wednesday evening. I wanted to make you all aware of this development, as well as let you know that Mr. Miller was very cordial throughout our conversations. I have developed a good relationship with him, and I know that everyone will continue to maintain that good working relationship when I leave office.
Again, thank you for your individual and collective efforts to transform our beautiful riverfront. Now that the bike path matter has been resolved, I look forward to a recommendation from the Task Force soon on the crossing designs.
Regards,
Frank J Klipsch
Mayor
City of Davenport
226 West Fourth Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801