Davenport Junior Theatre may move to NorthPark Mall
Davenport Junior Theatre may move to the Younkers area of NorthPark Mall if the Davenport City Council approves a proposal for the program’s new home.
At a City of Davenport management update and mayor/council discussion Tuesday afternoon, Chad Dyson, director of Parks and Recreation, updated the city council on a proposal to move the theater to the Younkers “box” at NorthPark Mall.
Dyson explained that the location “fits all the things we’re looking for to sustain and grow the program,” he said.
The proposal involves a five-year lease agreement.
Junior Theatre is a city program administered through the Parks and Recreation Department. The long-term goal is to find a permanent facility, and the new site could become permanent, he said.
The city’s plan is to redevelop the program’s longtime home, the city-owned Annie Wittenmyer Campus, Davenport.
A change for the Annie Wittenmyer Campus
The plan is to rezone nearly 32 acres at 2800 Eastern Ave. (DJT’s home since 1977), to create 99 units of affordable housing on the nationally recognized campus. The project would not touch the 1905 former chapel, home to the 350-seat Mary Fluhrer Nighswander Theatre, which presents DJT mainstage shows and hosts the monthly Bucktown Americana Music Show (third Fridays from September to May).
Since the city is positioning the Annie Wittenmyer Campus for private redevelopment, the S-IC Institutional Campus District is no longer appropriate.
The C-T Commercial Transitional District was identified as the most appropriate zoning classification to enable residential development while ensuring the existing social services tenants can continue to operate.
There are 99 proposed residential dwelling units for the existing cottages at Annie Wittenmyer. Additional building uses include a residential amenity center, fitness center, and social services.
The city anticipates the conversion of existing structures into residential units with the assistance of state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. This funding source has specific requirements related to the income levels of those living in the residential units. This ensures a certain number of units will be available as affordable housing.
About Davenport Junior Theatre
Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the second oldest children’s theater in America maintaining the mission of “Theatre for Kids, by Kids.” Co-founders Leone Bredbeck and Mary Fluhrer Nighswander developed the idea of theater instruction and performance for Quad-City Area youth. From these ideas, Davenport Junior Theatre was born.
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