Future of Davenport Junior Theatre subject to affordable housing project

The future of Davenport Junior Theatre is up in the air. Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) is on the Annie Wittenmyer campus, 2800 Eastern Ave., and the City of Davenport could sell the land its located on to a developer. The developer wants to turn the existing buildings on the campus into affordable housing, but that

The future of Davenport Junior Theatre is up in the air.

Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) is on the Annie Wittenmyer campus, 2800 Eastern Ave., and the City of Davenport could sell the land it’s located on to a developer. The developer wants to turn the existing buildings on the campus into affordable housing, but that plan includes the buildings the program uses. Those involved with DJT are left wondering if they can stay on the campus or if operations will need to be taken to a new location.

The conveyance of the site was put on the discussion agenda at next week’s regular City Council meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 24. If approved, the developer has an option that allows him roughly one year to pursue funding opportunities.

The second process underway is the rezoning of the property. The current zoning does not allow housing, so to even apply for one or more of the potential funding sources, the property would need a zoning change. In the past seven days, the city held a neighborhood meeting on the rezoning request and a public hearing in front of the Plan and Zoning Commission on the rezoning. The next step for the rezoning occurs on Feb. 6, when the P&Z Commission will vote on the rezoning recommendation, Davenport community and economic development director Bruce Berger.

That recommendation would then go on to another public hearing in front of City Council on Feb. 21 and three successive votes by City Council on the zoning change. Those votes are scheduled to occur on Feb. 28, March 13, and March 27 (the last being the final vote on the rezoning).

Terms of the property sale to developer Chris Ales include:

  • Termination of the option if unable to secure the necessary funding
  • If funding is secured, transfer would occur on/by June 30, 2025
  • City would retain ownership of the aquatic center
  • Developer would retain/improve the historic structures
  • Developer would create roughly 100 housing units, senior and family, primarily affordable
  • Developer intends to work with as many existing tenants as possible to retain on campus
  • City could lease 3 cottages adjacent to the theater building for $1 for an additional 6 months
  • City could lease theater building for $1 and buy it back (for $1) during a 5-year period, if desired.

Of the Junior Theatre program, Parks and Recreation director Chad Dyson said:

“It is important to understand that Davenport Junior Theater is a flagship program, not simply a physical space. Department staff are currently evaluating options for temporary space, as well as long-term operations. The above timeline and terms are achievable in ensuring the program’s ongoing success and will provide sufficient time to gather multiple rounds of stakeholder input on future co-location opportunities for both the program and performance space.”

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