Residents, councilors press for changes to proposed lease for Annie Whitmire theatre; item moved to discussion

Davenport City Council Committee of the Whole members heard more than an hour of public comment on Wednesday about a proposed lease for the former Chapel Theater building on the Annie Whitmire campus, with residents and leaders of Junior Theatre Inc. saying they were not properly notified and raising alarms about lease terms that would shift maintenance and utility costs to the city.

The concerns focused on a draft lease that, as quoted by residents, would require the city to pay for major repairs and utilities for the theater and related buildings, and to seek the landlord's permission for certain uses. "I believe this is malfeasance and misuse of taxpayer money," said Judith Lee, a Second Ward resident, who told council members Junior Theatre Inc. had not been consulted about the plat and lease that affect the theater.

Nicole Sabotsky, a Junior Theatre Inc. board member, told…