ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) - Tensions are mounting between environmental advocates and city officials as Quad City environmental groups held their second "Roost-In" at the Rock Island City Council meeting on March 17, 2025. Protestors voiced their concerns about the city’s proposal to build a mini-mart on Milan Bottoms, which they believe could seriously harm the area's wildlife, particularly the bald eagle population.
Kelly McKay, a wildlife biologist, was among the protesters, arguing, "I’d like to see them relocate this development. We’re not telling them don’t do the development; we’re saying don’t do it there, because of the sensitivity of this site to bald eagles." With the area's delicate ecosystem at stake, advocates emphasized the need to reconsider the proposed site.
Earlier in February, city officials engaged with the Sierra Eagle Group and other environmental representatives to discuss this project. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms noted during those discussions, "We were able to correct some misunderstandings and misperceptions. The city heard the group’s points of view." Yet, concerns still linger about the potential impacts of such development.
Just hours before the "Roost-In," more than 100 environmental advocates attended another public hearing, urging the city not to expand its tax-increment finance (TIF) district to include wetlands. This hearing, which spanned over two hours, echoed the sentiment shared at earlier protests, with many attendees voicing their disagreement with potential developments near the wetlands—specifically, the establishment of a gas station and cannabis dispensary across from Bally's Casino.
According to reports, the TIF district would jeopardize at least some of the more than 500 acres of wetland owned by the city and open the door for future development. Kelly McKay, who has been actively protesting the developments for weeks, has made specific requests to mitigate the impact on local wildlife, such as moving the proposed gas station away from the eagles’ roosting area and implementing conservation easements.
McKay stated, "We've done a lot of compromising. They have not compromised an inch," lamenting what he sees as dismissive responses from city planners. The city, meanwhile, argues the TIF district could actually help protect these valuable wetlands, as new property taxes generated would be reinvested back to fund conservation efforts.
While the city claims it has no plans to develop the wetland area, the direct proximity to wildlife habitats has left many nearby residents feeling skeptical. "For them to propose development right next to this massive night roost is shameful," McKay remarked, highlighting the fragile balance between community needs and environmental conservation.
After the public hearing, the city’s response indicated its willingness to explore community concerns: "City Council is committed to the creation of a conservation easement." Although Mayor Thoms and other city council members did not attend the hearing, they were represented by Miles Brainard, the Community and Economic Development Director, who emphasized the importance of public input. "The City appreciates all of the public interest in this project and respects the diversity of opinions voiced at tonight's hearing. The City will take the comments under consideration and hopes to find a way forward...that is amenable to as many as possible and is in the public interest," Brainard stated.
The current standoff reflects not only the specific proposals at hand but also broader questions about urban development and its costs to local ecosystems. The community's passion for protecting the bald eagles and other wildlife has shone through during the protests and meetings, asserting their commitment to preserving the unique environment of Rock Island. More discussions are anticipated, as both sides seek to navigate this complex relationship between growth and conservation.
