Former East Moline School Building to Become Housing Development

MetroRock Housing Connection partners with school district to acquire historic property.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:18pm

An abstract, impressionistic scene of a blurred, historic school building surrounded by a warm, hazy glow of soft light and color, conveying a sense of nostalgia and the potential for new life.The redevelopment of a former school building in East Moline aims to preserve its historic character while bringing new life to the community.East Moline Today

MetroRock Housing Connection, a local housing organization, is working with the East Moline School District to acquire the former Hoffman school building and redevelop it into a new housing project. The acquisition is in the early pre-development stages, and MetroRock is evaluating options to preserve the historic character of the building while making it financially viable and beneficial for the community.

Why it matters

The repurposing of this former school building represents an opportunity to breathe new life into an important community asset in East Moline. By exploring adaptive reuse options, MetroRock aims to balance historic preservation with the need for more affordable housing options in the area.

The details

MetroRock Housing Connection is in the early stages of acquiring the former Hoffman school building from the East Moline School District. The organization is evaluating eligibility for federal and state historic tax credits, as well as other potential funding sources, to support the redevelopment project. MetroRock's goal is to preserve the historic character of the building while bringing it back into productive use for the community.

  • MetroRock Housing Connection began working with the East Moline School District in early 2026 to acquire the former Hoffman school building.

The players

MetroRock Housing Connection

A local housing organization working to acquire and redevelop the former Hoffman school building in East Moline.

East Moline School District

The current owner of the former Hoffman school building, working with MetroRock Housing Connection on the acquisition and redevelopment plan.

Amy Clark

The president and CEO of MetroRock Housing Connection, overseeing the project.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to explore an adaptive reuse of the building that preserves its historic character while bringing it back into productive use for the community.”

— Amy Clark, President and CEO, MetroRock Housing Connection

What’s next

MetroRock Housing Connection will continue to work with the East Moline School District and evaluate funding options to finalize the acquisition and redevelopment plans for the former Hoffman school building.

The takeaway

This project represents a creative approach to preserving historic community assets while addressing the need for more affordable housing options in East Moline. The adaptive reuse of the former school building could serve as a model for similar efforts in other communities.