The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of improvement of special character or historical interest or value in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people of the City of East Moline by:
(A) Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the historic and architectural characteristics of East Moline which represent elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;
(B) Promoting civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past as represented in East Moline's landmarks and historic districts;
(C) Stabilizing and improving the economic vitality and value of East Moline's landmarks and historic areas;
(D) Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the City to have buyers, visitors and shoppers and thereby supporting business, commerce, industry, and providing economic benefit to the City;
(E) Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration of structures, areas, and neighborhoods and thereby preventing future urban blight. (Ord. 99-52, 12-6-1999)