What is a ‘Woonerf’ and How it Will Affect Rock Island?

The City of Rock Island wants one but what in the heck is it?

Did you ask yourself the same question I did?

'What in the world is a 'woonerf?'  It sounds like an excited fan of nerf football, to me. I never expected it to be what it is.

As I learned on KWQC.com,

'Woonerf means “living street” and it’s where cars, cyclists, and people share the same space. That means the stage area in the plaza would go away to open up that block to motorists once again.'

This means that the Great River Plaza area on 2nd Ave. would under go a major facelift. Currently, that area is where a center stage exists and no vehicle traffic is allowed. Not only would all of that change, but other forms of transportation would be allowed through that area, including bikes and skateboards.

The City of Rock Island applied for a $2 million grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation, of which the City would have to match 20%. It's all part of a downtown revitalization plan.