ROCK FALLS – The city hired an economic development firm Tuesday to market its available land, placing the highest priority on its newly acquired interstate properties and the riverfront.

Tim Reddock of Retail Attractions, a consulting firm from Owasso, Oklahoma, made his pitch at a Committee of the Whole session held an hour before the Rock Falls City Council meeting.

The city has been doing its own development work since terminating the financial agreement it had for 14 years with the Rock Falls Community Development Corp. Officials had said consultants would likely be called in for help when needed.

The city had solicited proposals from several economic development consultants, but opted for Retail Attractions. The council voted unanimously to approve the agreement with Retail Attractions, contingent on the city attorney's review.

The initial 1-year contract calls for a lump-sum payment of $15,000 when services begin, and $3,600 a month for 12 months, or $43,200. The city will then have the option to extend the contract for up to 2 additional years.

"It's our goal that after 2 or 3 years you won't need us anymore – you'll learn the process and the lingo," Reddock said.

Mayor Bill Wescott said he learned of the firm from officials in Rock Island. That city just finished its first year with the firm, and has re-upped its contract. Retail Attractions is also doing work in the LaSalle-Peru area.

"We have a different situation here because in Peru they are plugging in some vacancies, but ours is a blank slate," Wescott said. "Retail Attractions is the one that really stood out in our minds."

Despite those Illinois connections, some aldermen voiced concern about the bulk of the firm's work being in Oklahoma and Texas.

"Developers and retailers don't want to know a town's story, they want to know about the site, the cost, and their return on investment," Reddock said. "We work nationwide, and the dynamics are about the same in most cities."

Reddock said buildings cost about the same everywhere, but the cost of the land is the biggest variable.

The process will be accelerated in Rock Falls, so the city can take part in the International Council of Shopping Centers Convention May 19-20 in Las Vegas.

"We usually need a 90-day notice, but it's really important for you to be there," Reddock said. "This is a deal-making show, and everyone is in one building."

The firm will start working on a master plan, which includes demographics, market maps, and site inventory. Reddock said he looked at a few sites during a previous visit in October.

"The interstate property is the rock star site, but the riverfront, on both sides of the hotel, is a great site too," Reddock said.

Alderman Rod Kleckler asked what a realistic time frame would be to land a major retailer.

Reddock said the process is anywhere from 19 months to 36 months. He said it all begins with bringing in a master developer.

"Retailers want to deal with just one developer," Reddock said. "Choosing a developer is more important than a retailer because developers have a chain of retailers that tend to follow them."