Chris Dowell
Founder & President, Taylor Ridge Paving
Quad Cities Asphalt Paving Expert Since 1996
Chris Dowell has dedicated nearly 30 years to the asphalt paving industry, beginning as a union laborer and rising to become the youngest paving foreman in the Quad Cities by age 27. After 12 years leading operations at General Asphalt, he founded Taylor Ridge Paving and Construction in 2011 on a core belief: property owners deserve contractors who deliver durable results the first time—no shortcuts, no callbacks.
Today, Taylor Ridge operates with seven dedicated crews, five pavers, seven rollers, and its own Superior Asphalt Plant (acquired in 2025), allowing full vertical integration for superior mix design, material quality, and cost control. The company serves a 50-mile radius around the Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, and beyond in Iowa and Illinois).
Chris and his team have completed over 5,000 projects, earning trust from high-demand clients including:
- Major retailers like Walmart and Steak ‘n Shake (high-traffic commercial lots)
- Industrial heavyweights like SSAB Steel Mill (extreme-load road rebuilds)
- Critical infrastructure such as the I-80 Truck Stop (daily heavy semi traffic)
- Healthcare (MercyOne Genesis), education (Davenport Community Schools), and municipal governments (bonded up to $2 million for public contracts)
Specializing in commercial asphalt paving, parking lot construction and repair, milling/resurfacing, sealcoating, crack filling, ADA-compliant striping, drainage solutions, and oil & chip paving, Chris emphasizes accountability, honest free property evaluations, and long-lasting pavement that withstands Midwest weather and heavy use.
If you’re a property manager, business owner, or municipality tired of subpar paving, Chris offers no-pressure, straight-talk assessments. Contact him today for a free walkthrough—see what “doing it right” really means for your asphalt surfaces.
Areas of Expertise
Commercial Asphalt Paving & Parking Lots
Expert in large-scale paving, resurfacing, and full rebuilds for high-traffic retail, industrial, and municipal lots in the Quad Cities—ensuring durability under heavy loads and minimal business disruption.
Asphalt Plant Ownership & Mix Design
Controls quality from raw materials to final product via in-house Superior Asphalt Plant, delivering custom mixes optimized for Iowa/Illinois climate, traffic, and longevity (extends pavement life significantly).
Heavy Industrial & Infrastructure Paving
Proven track record rebuilding roads and surfaces for steel mills, truck stops, and high-bond public contracts—handling extreme weights, frequent use, and strict compliance requirements.
Sealcoating, Maintenance & Repair
Specializes in protective sealants, crack/pothole repair, and oil spot treatments that can extend asphalt life by up to 300%, reducing long-term costs for property managers and schools.
Oil & Chip Paving Solutions
Cost-effective, high-traction alternative for rural roads, driveways, farm lanes, and private access—ideal for low-maintenance needs in Quad Cities outskirts.
ADA Compliance & Site Improvements
Ensures parking lots meet ADA standards with proper striping, drainage, and accessibility features for healthcare, education, and commercial clients.
Published Articles
- articles published
Here’s the answer you’ll get from most paving contractors: “15 to 20 years.” Here’s the more complete answer: It depends on five things — and most contractors only control two of them. A commercial asphalt parking lot in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, or Rock Island should absolutely last 20 to 25 years with proper installation and […]
You sent your commercial parking lot project out for bids. Three contractors came back. One quoted $95,000. One quoted $72,000. And the third? $48,500. Same lot. Same square footage. Same project description. How is that possible? This is one of the most frustrating — and dangerous — situations that property managers, facility directors, and shopping […]
If you manage a commercial property in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, or Rock Island, you’ve probably stood in your parking lot at some point and wondered: Is this just normal wear and tear — or is this lot trying to tell me something? It’s one of the most common questions property managers, facility directors, and shopping […]