Mayor gives State of the City address

QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup gave his first State of the City address to the Quincy Exchange Club over the noon hour Friday.

Troup, 10 months into his initial term, spoke for about 30 minutes and discussed his first year and offered a brief look ahead.

Troup said “Quincy is open,” which was also the message he delivered at December’s GREDF Annual Meeting. He talked about Quincy’s many events that have returned from COVID-induced hiatuses.

“Quincy brought out residents and attracted visitors to shop, dine, and party in our community,” he said. “Our hospitality industry has returned to pre-COVID bookings or better…several hotels have seen increases in occupancy levels in their operations. Our tourism and Oakley Lindsay Center staffs have seen an increase in the number of events, trips being scheduled, and activities here. Quincy’s hospitality industry is strong, healthy and growing.”

Troup said the city added 18 new businesses in 2021, including restaurants, specialty shops, new owners taking over companies and continue being locally owned businesses.

“Quincy continues to be a great place to have a business…Quincy’s businesses continue growing,” he said.

He talked about the many improvements at Quincy Regional Airport, including:

• Completing the application and approval for Essential Air Service which resulted in solidifying Quincy’s access to two major air service hubs – St. Louis Lambert and Chicago O’Hare airports for four more years.
• Securing $15.5 million of the $35 million airfield project, with all to be constructed this year.
• Securing $5.9 million for hanger expansion supporting local industry.
• Assisting the City through COVID-19 pandemic by alleviating the General Fund and Capital Fund securing $3.1 million for operation and maintenance costs.
• Received $1 million from Infrastructure Bill for Capital improvement projects and expect another $1 million.
• Expanded Aircraft Rescue Firefighting and snow removal fleets. 

Troup said Quincy Regional Airport provides Quincy and the region with a $24.7 million economic impact which supports 158 jobs.

The city’s infrastructure, a much discussed topic around town, was also brought up. Troup said the City repaired or replaced 3.5 miles of streets (including Maine Street from 30^th to 24^th), over 10,450 feet of water lines (including some which were installed in 1898), 8,250 feet of sewer replacements, and multiple curbs and sidewalks.

Investments in these infrastructure projects totaled $13,023,000 in 2021, which is the largest single year street investment in the city’s history, along with $6.4 million at the Water Treatment plant and $4.1 million into the sewer system.

Looking toward the future, Troup said the city’s top five needs are more infrastructure improvements, housing, hotels, more retail and jobs:

• Working on the engineering for our next round of infrastructure projects, budgeting $8 million to be available for additional roads, $10.1 million water, $13.75 million sewer projects as well as working on updates to Quincy’s Riverfront, the 6^th street Promenade, and Barge Dock. 
• Attracting developers and property owners to build new housing units, more rental units and more condos and townhouses. The City Council approved and funded $1 million for the Small Rental Housing Rehab Program which will provide financial assistance to rental housing owners in Quincy.
• Even with 800 hotel rooms in Quincy, Troup said groups are looking to use Quincy for their conventions and events and some need up to with 1,200 people. He said he is working to attract investors to build 200 to 400 additional rooms with at least one new hotel to be built West of 4^th street near the Oakley Lindsay Center and the Riverfront. Another one would possibly go at the Quincy Town Center.
• Troup mentioned there will soon be an announcement regarding the former K-mart site and the former ShopKo property has already changed hands to RPL Development out of Edwardsville, Ill.
• Troup said the Q-Wrap program has recruited more than 50 people to Quincy. The City contracted with GREDF to use North Star to establish the “Quincy’s Calling” campaign.