The grand opening of Wilson Lofts happened yesterday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon and a public open house of the completed 15.6 million dollar Commercial and Housing Development.
Brian Hollenback the president and CEO of Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit development organization based in Rock Island, brought an 8.3 million dollar restoration plan for the building to the Clinton City Council in December of 2014 now nearly 10 years later the project is complete.
On the ground floor, there are Makers on 5th, an area of six incubator spaces designed for retail. Next to it is the Clinton Culinary, a space of kitchen incubators set up for culinary startup businesses. It’s set up much like a food court at a mall.
Much of the century-long history of the building is still incorporated into the design, including the original JCPenney sign that will be displayed inside.
Clinton Mayor Scott Madison had this to say
“I want to talk a little bit about the memories of the Wilson building, whether it was a long time ago, and you came here for I hear dentist appointments, my only real memory of the building coming here for school shopping. Today marks an area of new memories for this building. It’s cleaned up the inside and redeveloped but the nostalgia is still there.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a tenant can complete pre-applications online at www.wilson-laws.com and also applications for potential renters of the incubator spaces with Makers on 5th or Clinton Culinary and also be found on that website but you must submit your business plan.
