Palmer College is taking the first steps in what it hopes will be a long-term "re-vitalization" of the campus in Davenport.
Palmer chancellor, Dennis Marchiori, says phase one focuses on the north end of the campus and the biggest part of this phase is turning the former Alumni Auditorium building into a modern fitness center for students and staff.
"About 15 years ago when we purchased Vicki Ann Palmer Hall which was the old Masonic Temple at the south end of campus, we re-tooled the Alumni Auditorium on the north end into a fitness center. But basically at the time we just moved fitness equipment into the center. We didn't do a lot of construction to accommodate the new function of a fitness center."
The building has been gutted down to the steel beams, and should be completed by next spring.
Doctor Marchiori says that'll cost 10 million dollars of the 14 million earmarked for phase one. Other parts of the project include a new entrance to the north end of the Palmer campus, and renovating the historic clinic gardens.
Palmer College has also just started a major fund-raising campaign for capital projects.
