River City Centre has become dated, and the current Master Tenants has not made improvements to the storefronts or building in many years.

The EDA retained RSP Architects and Confluence to examine how to reposition the building to increase pedestrian activity and vitality and visibility for the downtown.

RSP recommends the following:

• Removal of the existing awnings and replacing them with canopies.
• New signage board to be installed on the brick banding course and back lit with LED
• New storefronts with glass to the bottoms of storefronts.
• Painting of the existing bays and clock tower a more neutral color
• Redoing the existing sidewalks to help with ongoing water infiltration issues.
• Installation of street trees in Silva Cells to allow stormwater collection and room for the tree roots.
• Installation of new pedestrian lighting that matches those that the city has already installed elsewhere in the downtown.
• Increasing pedestrian activity adjacent to the Reverend Pond statue.
• Installation of streetlights along the rear of the parking lot along CH 101 to provide additional parking lot lighting.
• Removal of some of the trees along CH 101 and installation of salt tolerant landscaping.
• Canopies on rear entrances and new storefronts and lighting.

The Scott County CDA has reviewed the concepts with its property management staff and are in support of the changes.

Kraus Anderson (KA) is currently pricing the proposed work as the EDA's Construction Manager as Agent.  They will be bringing back to the EDA an estimated budget.  Staff has currently placed a cost of $1.5 million on the project, which be paid back from Tax Increment Revenues and rents and EDA funding.