On Wednesday, September 10th, Christopher Waugh, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Engagement, attended the Davenport City Council meeting to discuss the current 10-year Campus Master Plan. According to the “Application & Campus Master Plan” document, the purpose of the master plan is “To ensure St. Ambrose University is providing the best facilities to meet the current and future needs of its student population…
“The major amendments include an improved entrance to the campus at West Rogalski Drive, outdoor recreation facilities between McCarthy Hall and the Wellness Center, a new academic building north of McMullen Hall, expanded parking in the properties between Brown and Gaines Street, and expanded greenspaces throughout the interior of the campus.”
According to Waugh, “The 10-year plan is an opportunity for the university to publicly put out some of the ideas that we’re thinking about.
“Academic space is a big one…also campus beautification.”
The master plan has been in the works since 2023. Kyle Gripp, Alderman At-Large for the City of Davenport, states, “Our city staff has worked hand in hand with the staff from St. Ambrose…
“We’re making sure that it adheres to our zoning code and is in a good position to bring to the city council…
“We see St. Ambrose as an anchor institution in the City of Davenport, and we want them to be successful.”
St Ambrose’s location in Davenport has caused issues. According to Gripp, “One of the constraints of being located adjacent to neighborhoods is the parking…
“The high amount of surface parking they want to do along Gaines Street is a lot…
“We want to know what it’s gonna look like.”
During the city council meeting, future plans for campus expansion were discussed. Gripp said, “…St. Ambrose owns many properties south of Locust…
“There’s going to be a push toward St. Ambrose that if you’re not going to include those parcels in your master plan, then you need to work with the city to try to get them into somebody else’s hands.”
Mayor Pro Tem Marion Meginnis, 3rd Ward, has requested that Waugh come back with another representative from St. Ambrose to commit to no future property purchases.
Waugh states that, for St. Ambrose, “Our enrollment is up, there’s our partnership with Mount Mercy, there’s a lot of energy and momentum…”
As for the master plan, Waugh believes “It’s very much in keeping with the staff and faculty support needs…and the needs of our neighbors.
“Neighbors are absolutely an important part of that planning process.”
Gripp knows “St. Ambrose is a good partner…they work well with the City of Davenport…
“They understand the importance and significance of being good neighbors and good stewards…
“…this master plan’s going to move St. Ambrose forward for the next decade…”
The ordinance for the master plan has moved to second consideration. The discussion is expected to continue at Wednesday, September 17th’s city council meeting.To watch city council meetings live and view previous recordings, go to https://www.davenportiowa.com/get_involved/watch_videos/city_council_meeting_videos
