See the big picture. Discover more about the overarching plan for Downtown Rock Island and how it can impact your business with our library of resources offering plans and studies about the area. Downtown Rock Island is the historic hub of commerce and culture in Rock Island, the county seat of Rock Island County in the Quad Cities. Its formation of an arts and entertainment district in the 1990s sparked a steady stream of successes, including a reemergence of residential living in historic, mixed-use buildings. Today, the resilient riverfront business district is home to many residents and a unique mix of large employers, restaurants, specialty shops and entertainment establishments. A new wave of public and private investment is paving the way for community-based revitalization efforts and future growth.