Letter of Support for Lumber Shed ProjectTHE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Mr. John Gronen
President
Gronen Development
900 Jackson St Ste. LL -2
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mr. Gronen,
Dubuque
biltd
All -America City
1,'
2007 • 2012 • 2013
June 18, 2018
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4805
Office (563) 589-4110
Fax (563) 589-4149
TTY (563) 690-6678
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
Redeveloping historic properties in downtown areas can be an expensive venture.
Building new at the outskirts of town can be a less expensive option, but the City of
Dubuque believes there are many benefits to revitalizing the downtown area. The
Lumber Shed, originally part of the Farley and Loetscher Manufacturing Company, was
once the largest millwork company in the world. This project will spur economic
development in our lowest -income census tract, encourage additional revitalization,
utilize existing resources to prohibit the destruction of the environment, and create a
historical destination where citizens and visitors can live, work, and play.
The Lumber Shed is one of Dubuque's signature buildings in our Historic Millwork District
which has a very strong visual presence in the community. The project will create over
50 new jobs for the City and be available to our most distressed census tract, the
Washington neighborhood, also known as "True North". A significant gap exists for
funding this project and New Market Tax Credits will make this significant project move
forward. The current property owner sees the potential to redevelop the properties and
to create a connection for citizens, workers, and visitors between the two areas. This
will help spur additional revitalization in the district.
The Historic Millwork District offers authenticity, character, and valuable lessons about
the importance of sustainable urban design strategies. At the start of the 20th century,
the District was the innovative and entrepreneurial center of the region and was the
backbone of the regional economy. The revitalization of the Historic Millwork District will
renew the area with a strategy that connects people, planet, and profit in a mixed-use
neighborhood.
The City of Dubuque is committed to revitalizing the downtown and this project is a
catalyst project to continue the long-term process of transforming the area. The City has
been a partner in discovering
Service
People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Mr. John Gronen
June 18, 2018
Page 2
financing mechanisms for these projects and is excited for the possibility of making
downtown Dubuque a greater place to live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
Cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director
Copyrighted
June 18, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 42.
ITEM TITLE: Letter of Support for Lumber Shed Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of a Letter of
Support to Gronen Properties in support of their
development of the Lumber Shed project in the Historic
Millwork District.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Support for Lumber Shed Project Supporting Documentation
i
Dubuque Cit}�Manager's Office
THE CtTY OF � Cit}�Hall
50 West 13th Street
D�L E All'AmericaCity Dubuque,Iowa 52001-4805
1 I I / Office(563)589-4110
Fax(563)589-4149
MCtSfC'Y�71L'CL' QYI �'jTL M1SSlSS1��11 � TTY(563)690-6678
zoo�•zo12•20�3 ctti�mgr@cityofdubuque.org
��ww.cityofdubuque.org
June 18, 2018
Mr. John Gronen
President
Gronen Development
900 Jackson St Ste. LL-2
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mr. Gronen,
Redeveloping historic properties in downtown areas can be an expensive venture.
Building new at the outskirts of town can be a less expensive option, but the City of
Dubuque believes there are many benefits to revitalizing the downtown area. The
Lumber Shed, originally part of the Farley and Loetscher Manufacturing Company, was
once the largest millwork company in the world. This project will spur economic
development in our lowest-income census tract, encourage additional revitalization,
utilize existing resources to prohibit the destruction of the environment, and create a
historical destination where citizens and visitors can live, work, and play.
The Lumber Shed is one of Dubuque's signature buildings in our Historic Miliwork District
which has a very strong visual presence in the community. The project will create over
50 new jobs for the City and be available to our most distressed census tract, the
Washington neighborhood, also known as "True North". A significant gap exists for
funding this project and New Market Tax Credits will make this significant project move
forward. The current property owner sees the potential to redevelop the properties and
to create a connection for citizens, workers, and visitors between the two areas. This
will help spur additional revitalization in the district.
The Historic Millwork District offers authenticity, character, and valuable lessons about
the importance of sustainable urban design strategies. At the start of the 20th century,
the District was the innovative and entrepreneurial center of the region and was the
backbone of the regional economy. The revitalization of the Historic Millwork District will
renew the area with a strategy that connects people, planet, and profit in a mixed-use
neighborhood.
The City of Dubuque is committed to revitalizing the downtown and this project is a
catalyst project to continue the long-term process of transforming the area. The City has
been a partner in discovering
Service People Integrit}� Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Mr. John Gronen
June 18, 2018
Page 2
financing mechanisms for these projects and is excited for the possibility of making
downtown Dubuque a greater place to live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
Cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director