Nearly a year after the Bettendorf Fire Department burned down a vacant house on Elm Street in a training exercise, the charred foundation and debris remain untouched adjacent to the city's newest riverfront park/overlook and the new section of the Mississippi riverfront recreation trail.
The lot at 3717 Elm St. is owned by Bettendorf Terminal Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Moline Consumers, which operates a sand storage and barge-loading operation next to the lot.
The Pat and Jack Bush Scenic Overlook was opened in October 2012 and includes a river overlook, restrooms, parking and a picnic area. The Bush family donated the riverfront property to the city for the overlook, and the city spent more than $200,000 for improvements and the overlook.
