Spalding University to Renovate Former Car Dealership

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/12/21

Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., recently announced that it will undertake $7 million in renovations to a former V.V. Cooke Chevrolet dealership to create a home for its new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2021, and the renovations mark one of the largest capital projects in the university’s history.

The university acquired the 21,500-square-foot facility, located on Third Street in the downtown area. “The transformed building on Third Street will be a beautiful addition to the south end of campus, a tremendous resource to our students and the latest example of our unwavering commitment to a thriving downtown Louisville,” said Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure. The renovations will expand the university’s health science presence along that street, joining the Republic Bank Academic Center and the Kosair Charities College of Health and Natural Sciences.

Spalding University Doctor of Physical Therapy program

Once renovations are complete, the two-story building will include three skills labs for in-person instruction, an anatomy education center, and an anatomy wet lab with an accompanying dry lab featuring models and technology for instruction. A naturally lit atrium will provide lounging and collaboration space for students. The project’s general contractor is Schaefer Construction, and the architecture partner is Schmidt Associates.

“This learning space will foster interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration among students and faculty across our health science and health professions programs and will be a site of innovation and inspiration,” said Spalding Dean of Graduate Education Dr. Kurt Jefferson. “Consistent with the Spalding mission, we will instill in our students a commitment to diversity, justice and equity and the need to care for underserved populations.”

The new, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program will follow a hybrid, low-residency model of online lectures and in-person laboratory sessions to be held one week per month. In addition to entry-level students, it will also provide a means for practicing PTs to further their education and earn a doctorate.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • K–12 Safety Trends Report Reveals Reliance on Training, Technology

    Wearable safety technology provider CENTEGIX recently released its 2025 School Safety Trends Report, according to a news release. The report is based on more than 265,000 incidents during the 2024–25 school year as reported through the CENTEGIX Safety Platform, used by more than 800 school districts across the U.S.

  • Kraus-Anderson Continues Work in Minnesota School District

    Maple River Schools in Mapleton, Minn., recently began construction on another project included in a district long-range facilities plan. Construction management firm Kraus-Anderson recently began work on two new classrooms and an outdoor track and field facility, according to a news release.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • KI Wall Demonstrates New Solutions at NeoCon 2025

    KI Wall attended NeoCon 2025 in Chicago, Ill., last month to showcase its new architectural wall systems and collaborations, according to a news release. Its customizable, design-forward wall solutions are intended to support creativity in work, education, and healthcare environments.

Digital Edition