May 31, 2017
Community News from Hilltop Campus Village – A Main Street Iowa District
The Main Street Iowa program works with a select group of communities committed to exceptionally high standards for economic development. In August of 2009 Main Street Iowa named the Hilltop Campus Village as one of its Main Street Communities. The Main Street Iowa annual meeting was held in April in Des Moines. Kelly Wallace, owner of Estate Sale Shop, is also an energetic volunteer – a cheerleader for growth and development in the area. She was awarded the Leadership Award of Volunteer for the Hilltop Campus Village.
The Hilltop Campus Village held its annual meeting in May. Community accomplishments as well as future projects and priorities were outlined.
Noteworthy News:
Central High School held its ribbon cutting ceremony of the new pool and performing arts center. The pool and performing arts center addition total an additional 62,409 square feet for the historic former Davenport High School.
The new auditorium offers seating for 900 people and includes state-of-the-art lighting and audio technology. The lobby of the auditorium offers a two-story glass front looking out to Downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River. The 8-lane competition pool offers spectator seating for 300 people and will allow the Davenport Community Schools to host larger swim meets.
A representative from St. Ambrose told about its new addition. The new Wellness and Recreation Center and renovated Physical Education Center will be exciting additions to the St. Ambrose campus beginning Fall of 2017.
The building know as J B Young has new life. J.B. Young closed as a school at the end of the 2015-2016 school year, however the Davenport Community School District believed in the importance of devoting a portion of the first floor to an Opportunity Center. The Opportunity Center will exist to provide services and opportunities for the neighborhood and community. The plan is to have the Opportunity Center functioning by the Summer of 2017. The school district will have offices on the upper floors. Some hardscaping and landscaping will be done to enhance the area with inviting green space.
Palmer College of Chiropractic has both short term and long term plans for its campus. It plans on a new “gateway” to the campus on the north west corner, across the street and not far away from the enhancements at Central High. Palmer also plans on revitalizing the historic Clinic Garden. This will provide serenity and green space on Brady. Future plans are to incorporate more green space into the campus and on Brady.
Other plans of the Hilltop Campus Village include:
Continue the installation of ornamental but functional streetlights to enhance the appearance and safety of the district. Thanks to the RDA and SCRA for their support.
Comprehensive parking strategies will be pursued.
Increase the use of the Hilltop Plaza, a landscaped greenspace owned by the Hilltop Business Association.
Pursue stronger partnerships with the universities, collages, public schools, churches, neighborhood association, and the local merchants to produce economic development.
