By Kayla Fuller
ABSTRACT
This
paper will explore the historic downtown district of Quincy, IL to encourage
residents to live downtown and specifically in the area around Washington Square.
In July 2010, the town was awarded a six million dollar grant for the design
and construction of an intermodal transportation center that would bring
together inner city passenger rail, local and regional bus services1. Focusing on creating livability
in conjunction with a new intermodal transportation facility, a development
plan will be proposed. The study area is
defined by Broadway on the north, 6th Street on the east, the
Mississippi river on the west and Jersey Street on the south.
Quincy was founded on the bluffs of the
Mississippi River to take advantage of the river commerce in 18252. As the western most city of
Illinois, Quincy has developed an important history over time because of its
close proximity to Missouri and the Mississippi river. Quincy has been
accepting of the many people that have fled surrounding areas to seek shelter
from discrimination. The city was an abolition center and one of the first
stops along the Underground Railroad; tours of this historic location are
available3. Due to the strong support
of anti-slavery, Quincy was selected as the location for one of the
Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 18584.
The town is very proud of its heritage of strong commitment to people and
community.
Economic growth encouraged immigrants to
settle in this town, establishing a diverse economy to emerge. The modern
economy has a strong influence from manufacturing and agricultural development5. The foundation of this commerce
has allowed the town to remain prosperous even during times of crisis. Manufacturing
receives support along the riverfront through its connection with the historic
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad; called “The Burlington6.” This railroad established a
commercial connection from Quincy to Chicago and eventually expanded its reach west
to Colorado, developing an even greater network of commerce for the town7. Due to the proximity of the river and
bluffs on which the town was founded, flooding is a major design consideration
for any development within the 100-year floodplain. Some of the identified study
area is located within the 100-year floodplain8.
The historical and still active original
rail yards are located in this floodplain.
With a consistent population of 40,000
and a typical increase average of .66 percent, Quincy is the largest city
within a 100-mile radius9.
Development has increased in response to the city serving as a commercial
center to meet the daily needs for more than 600,000 persons in a 75-mile
radius10.
Tourism-related commercial activities and public parks have become a focus for
development around the historic downtown and riverfront areas. In response to
this increase in tourism, new entertainment, dining and lodging adaptive reuse
within historic structures has begun to provide residents options for quality
of life within this area11.
New buildings in the downtown area include the Salvation Army Kroc Recreation
Center and the relocation of the Adams County Health Department. Although these
facilities provide residents with some beneficial resources, the study area is
still lacking vital elements for quality of life. Urban livability combines all
the factors required for a community’s quality of life - more specifically the
paper will focus on the following: housing, shopping, transportation, cultural,
entertainment and recreation possibilities.
1 “Quincy, IL
(QCY), Station Facts”. The Great American
Stations, accessed October 30, 2013.
www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/QCY.
2 City of
Quincy, Department of Planning and Development. “ City of Quincy Neighborhood Land Use Plan 2013,”
April 1,
2013: 2. http://www.ci.quincy.il.us/files/documents/document/000/000/506.2013NLUPlan.pdf
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 “About the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.” Burlington
Route Historical Society, accessed October 31,
2013. http://www.burlingtonroute.com/cbq.html
7Ibid.
8 City of
Quincy, Department of Planning and Development. “ City of Quincy Neighborhood Land Use Plan 2013,”
April 1,
2013: 3. http://www.ci.quincy.il.us/files/documents/document/000/000/506.2013NLUPlan.pdf [1]
City of 9Quincy, Department of Planning
and Development. “ City of Quincy
Neighborhood Land Use Plan 2013,”
April 1,
2013: 5. http://www.ci.quincy.il.us/files/documents/document/000/000/506.2013NLUPlan.pdf
[1]0
Ibid, 12.
[1]1
Ibid.
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