Davenport planners okayed concept for elevator, favor gym conversion for storm shelter at historic Johnson School

The Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Davenport on March 11 reviewed conceptual designs for alterations to the locally listed Johnson School at 1730 Wilkes Avenue, where New Plan Learning proposes to install an elevator and a storm shelter as part of a conversion to a K–6 charter school.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that building-code requirements make both an elevator and a storm shelter necessary for the building to operate as a school. City staff told the commission, “building code requirements, require that there be an elevator shaft installed as well as a storm shelter for the building to operate as a school building.”

Why it matters: The Johnson School is a locally listed historic landmark constructed in 1910; commissioners said the exterior will remain the commission’s focus and that proposed additions must preserve the building’s size, massing, scale, color, material and character under the city’s historic-preservation standards.

Key points from the meeting

- Project scope and uses: Staff described the school as occupying an entire city block west of Five Points on Locust — bounded by Howell Street, Wilkes Avenue and 17th Street — and said current use is private tenants in former classrooms. Applicant representatives confirmed the school would occupy the full building and would enroll “about 250…