July 30, 2008 — Leaders at Palmer College of Chiropractic are making good on their word to invest in Davenport’s downtown.
The college will move some of its administrative offices in August to the third floor of the former Schneff’s Jeweler building. The relocation is part of Palmer’s long-term plans, which include putting a chiropractic museum in the building’s first and second floors within the next two years, Larry Patten, Palmer College chancellor, said.
“We are hoping this will stimulate some activity for our alumni to come back to the Quad-Cities to visit where it all began,” Patten said.
Gary Carter, senior vice president of community economic development of DavenportOne, said Palmer’s expansion brings a high-profile tenant and economic boost to Davenport’s downtown, while also potentially helping the city lure other businesses to the area.
“Anytime you talk about economic development, it takes a certain math to garner other interests,” Carter said. “Once you get a synergy going with development, other people tend to want to gravitate into that area.”
Vickie Palmer, who serves on the school’s board of trustees, donated the building, which has sat vacant for at least three years, to the college in 2006. Patten said the college will avoid renovation costs related to moving the offices downtown because the third floor is already designed as office space.
Those slated to move to the new building include Patten and Palmer College’s vice chancellors and executive director for marketing and public relations, all of whom currently occupy offices throughout the campus, Patten said. Relocating them will leave more room for office space that was diminished this year when the college created its Center for Business Development, which teaches students about the business end of chiropractic, Patten said.
Patten said the college is in the initial stages of planning for the museum, which will require fundraising. A committee is looking at how it would work and be integrated into the college. In the coming months, leaders will develop a plan, present it to the community and begin fundraising efforts.
Source: Quad-City Times, www.qctimes.com
