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Resolution of Support for an Application to Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant Program for Project at 980 Main StreetCity of Dubuque City Council Meeting ITEM TITLE: SUMMARY: SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description MVM Memo Staff Memo Application Resolution of Support Copyrighted September 3, 2024 Consent Items # 012. Resolution of Support for an Application to Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant Program for a Project at 980 Main Street City Manager recommending City Council approval of a resolution supporting an application to be submitted by Dubuque Main Street to the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant program on behalf of a redevelopment project at 980 Main Street. RESOLUTION In support of Main Street Challenge Grant Application submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by Dubuque Main Street for the rehabilitation project at 980 Main Street Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s) Type City Manager Memo Staff Memo Supporting Documentation Resolutions Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque AIFberka city 2007.2012.2013 2017*2019 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for an Application to Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant Program for a Project at 980 Main Street DATE: August 29, 2024 Economic Development Director Jill Connors is recommending City Council approval of a resolution supporting an application to be submitted by Dubuque Main Street to the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant program on behalf of a redevelopment project at 980 Main Street. Dubuque Main Street is able to put forward only one application and has done so nearly every year. A committee of local volunteers has reviewed written applications submitted to Dubuque Main Street from eligible projects in order to determine which project will be submitted to the IEDA. From among the written submissions, the committee interviewed 3 finalists to select a finalist. This year's project submitted by Rauen Properties is a proposed redevelopment of 980 Main Street. The application is attached. This project promises to be a transformational upgrade to the look and feel of the 900 Block of Main Street as well as to enhance the sort of amenities expected by our growing young workforce. There is no impact on the City's budget in order to express support for the project. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Jill Connors, Economic Development Director Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All-Aeenn %,IX rm:usxxa= 2007.2012.2013 2017*2019 Economic Development Department 1300 Main Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763 Office (563) 589-4393 TTY (563) 690-6678 http://www.cityofdubuque.org TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for an Application to Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant Program for a Project at 980 Main Street DATE: August 28, 2024 INTRODUCTION This memorandum presents for City Council review and approval a resolution supporting an application to be submitted by Dubuque Main Street to the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant program on behalf of a redevelopment project at 980 Main Street. BACKGROUND The Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant is a grant program provided by Main Street Iowa (MSI) and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for brick -and -mortar building projects in designated Main Street districts. Highly competitive applications include: • Impactful building rehabilitation projects that provide increased business, housing or job opportunities. • Projects that incorporate quality design and preservation -based strategies. • Projects that support local revitalization efforts and stimulate additional district investment. • Projects that are well planned and achievable within the two-year contract period. Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses of up to $100,000 to be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. DISCUSSION Dubuque Main Street is able to put forward only one application and has done so nearly every year. A committee of local volunteers has reviewed written applications submitted to Dubuque Main Street from eligible projects in order to determine which project will be submitted to the IEDA. From among the written submissions, the committee interviewed 3 finalists to select a finalist. This year's project submitted by Rauen Properties is a proposed redevelopment of 980 Main Street. The application is attached. This project promises to be a transformational upgrade to the look and feel of the 900 Block of Main Street as well as to enhance the sort of amenities expected by our growing young workforce. BUDGET IMPACT There is no impact on the City's budget in order to express support for the project. RECOMMENDATION I respectfully request City Council approve the attached Resolutions of Support for Dubuque Main Street's application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Challenge Grant program on behalf of a redevelopment project at 980 Main Street. 2 SiANTED X CLIMBING Tom Rauen 1563-590-9856 I tom©rauencapital.com Annie Sharp 1206-316-7164 I annie@slantedclimbing.com RAVEN PROPER TIES I recently purchased the property at 962 / 980 Main Street in Dubuque, Iowa. As the new owner, my mission is to focus on properties in high traffic areas that I'm able to improve and maintain to sustain long term tenants. In the early 1900's, this property housed the Iowa Furnishings Co. until 1929. From 1939 until 1962 it was home to the State Theatre as the anchor tenant. Around this time this property along with the rest of the 900 block of Main Street sustained a fire in the 1960's which caused a complete Toss of the upper floors. At the time, strip malls were becoming popular and it was decided the most appealing solution moving forward would be to convert the entire block into a single story building with more of a strip mall feel and look. Today,the building sits between beautiful historically renovated buildings to the north and south of us on Main Street while our building looks out of place with a green metal facade that blends multiple storefronts together like a strip mall instead of individual storefronts. The interior and structure of the building is in great shape, the building is also equipped with a solar array added in 2014. 980 Main Street sits on the corner and had a long term tenant for 35 years that moved out in 2022 and has been vacant since. 962 Main has been vacant on and off for the past several years due to the curb appeal of the building. The floor to ceiling glass windows and metal facade doesn't provide a distinctive storefront or fit with the surrounding properties. The intention is to divide the building into multiple storefronts to make the facade more compatible in the context of the downtown and surrounding buildings while breathing some new life into the building with a new business that will attract additional commerce surrounding it. Part of this project will be creating a space for a new business specifically for this space. A bouldering climbing gym: Slanted Dubuque. Currently, if you live in the city of Dubuque and want to try the sport of climbing, you would have to drive 75 miles outside your community to do so. If you are already familiar with, and practice the sport of climbing and reside within Dubuque, there is no year-round outlet to practice the sport indoors, in a safe and controlled environment within 75 miles of the city. By establishing a bouldering gym downtown, both those new to the sport and seasoned climbers alike, would have an outlet to introduce themselves to the sport, and further develop their skills within the sport. SiANTED X CLIMBING RAVEN PROPER TIES This idea was conceived as part of a small group focused on indoor recreation in the downtown area with the Dubuque Forward committee. We recognized this need and searched for a collaborative way to find a solution. Open an indoor bouldering facility to give individuals the opportunity locally to be safely introduced to the sport, or to further develop skills for individuals already familiar with the sport. The facility will offer fitness classes, weight equipment, a space for parties and events, and a small retail area for climbing -related equipment as well (which is not currently sold anywhere in Dubuque). Additionally, the facility will provide year-round recreation as well as a location for those under 21 to patronize. Ways we could serve the community and increase the quality of life as well as provide a destination for a unique experience for tourists was a key motivator. We've been working with community organizations on collaborating on programming including the boys and girls club, Dubuque Y, local high schools, local colleges, and local gyms and fitness centers. Slanted Climbing gym will create jobs, a place for indoor recreation, a community gathering space, and increase health and wellness of the community. The rehab of this building will include a complete renovation of the interior and exterior as well as building system improvements. We will be ensuring that the building is ADA accessible, installing all new mechanicals including HVAC and lighting, and full facade renovation. Renovating a building like this will take a significant capital contribution that will be difficult to complete without the assistance of outside funding. We have gone through the preliminary steps to get the building gutted and build ready and have engaged with a local architecture firm and construction firm familiar with these types of projects. We are excited about this project and re -investing in this property to make Dubuque thrive for generations to come. SLANTED X CLIMBING CURRENT FACADE DESIGN RENDERING RAVEN PROPERTIES SiANTED X CLIMBING RAVEN PROPER TIES 411111:0111. Air RAVEN PROPER TIES SiANTED X CLIMBING SiANTED X CLIMBING RAVEN INTERIOR DECONSTRUCTION SiANTED X CLIMBING • vo- le BOULDERING GYM RAVEN PROPER TIES IFaiP:2 4.1141'%'11. ,.:41.4";;11.1.116;:eft".46(111t11111:?•• "°°:;11. or qt. •.Q�r • • • Y • •.• .�.�.♦ •••' ••• 1 • •tr„," • Prepared by Jill Connors Economic Development Director 1300 Main Street Dubuque IA 52001 (563) 589-4213 Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13`h St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100 RESOLUTION NO. 272-24 IN SUPPORT OF MAIN STREET CHALLENGE GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BY DUBUQUE MAIN STREET FOR THE REHABILITATION PROJECT AT 980 MAIN STREET WHEREAS, Dubuque Main Street has requested City of Dubuque support for its 2024 Challenge Grant application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority ("IEDA") for the rehabilitation of property located at 980 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa (the "Project"); and WHEREAS, the Project supports local revitalization efforts and stimulates additional district investment through the rehabilitation of a vacant building; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dubuque believes the Project is appropriately planned and achievable within the two-year contract period; and WHEREAS, the successful completion of the Project requires funding from a number of sources, including the Main Street Challenge Grant; and WHEREAS, the Main Street Challenge Grant application is a competitive application that gives points for various aspects, including local government support of the Project in the jurisdiction of which it is located; and WHEREAS, City support will help the Project to score higher on its application and increase the likelihood that the Main Street Challenge Grant application results in an award of Main Street Challenge Grant funding for the Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA THAT: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Dubuque does hereby express its support for the Project and for Dubuque Main Street to submit its Main Street Challenge Grant application to the IEDA seeking an award of Main Street Challenge Grant funding for the Project. Section 2. The City's Office of Economic Development is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to Dubuque Main Street. Passed, approved, and adopted this 3rd day of September, 2024. Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor Attest: Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk