Riverfront Steering Committee approves governing agreement; now goes to city, county and park board

QUINCY – A governing agreement for a new Quincy Riverfront Development Corporation (QRDC) was unanimously approved by the Riverfront Master Plan Steering Committee Thursday evening.

The QRDC will consist of a nine-person governing body who all have to live in Adams County. The body will include two city representatives, two county representatives, two park board representatives and three at-large members. There can only be three elected officials on the committee. Each member will have a three-year term.

Now the development corporation must be approved by each of the three associated governing bodies: The Quincy City Council, the Adams County Board and the Quincy Park District.

Then the QRDC will need by-laws and the nine people who will make it up must also be selected by the governing boards.

At Thursday’s meeting, committee members also discussed how the project will eventually be funded through grants and donations. The possibility of establishing the corporation as its own taxing body was also brought up.

Mayor Mike Troup said the process is underway to establish a foundation for riverfront development, which would be a 501 (c)(3).

The Park District, City Council and County Board are expected to consider the QRDC after the first of the year.