Request for City Council Approval to Provide Letters of Support to DeveloperCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 3.
Copyrighted
March 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Request for City Council Approval to Provide Letters of
Support to Developer
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to provide
two Letters of Support to the developer for inclusion in Spring
2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B applications. These
letters pertain to the rehabilitation of the Rouse & Dean
Company Foundry Building (990 Washington Street) and
First Congregational United Church of Christ (255 W. 10th
Street), two historic properties within priority redevelopment
areas.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Request for City Council Approval to Provide Letters of Support to
Developer
2. Staff Memo
3. Letter of Support - Rouse & Dean
4. Letter of Support - First Congregational Church
Page 133 of 811
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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2017202019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request for City Council Approval to Provide Letters of Support to
Developer
DATE: March 10, 2026
Economic Development Director Jill Connors is recommending City Council approval to
provide two Letters of Support to the developer for inclusion in Spring 2026 Iowa
Historic Tax Credit Part 2B applications. These letters pertain to the rehabilitation of the
Rouse & Dean Company Foundry Building (990 Washington Street) and First
Congregational United Church of Christ (255 W. loth Street), two historic properties
within priority redevelopment areas.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Page 134 of 811
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
AII-Anerig90
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
1 I
Office (563) 589-4393
I III®
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Request for City Council Approval to Provide Letters of Support to
Developer
DATE: March 10, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval to provide two Letters
of Support to the developer for inclusion in Spring 2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B
applications. These letters pertain to the rehabilitation of the Rouse & Dean Company
Foundry Building (990 Washington Street) and First Congregational United Church of
Christ (255 W. 10th Street), two historic properties within priority redevelopment areas.
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The City of Dubuque has long recognized historic preservation as a critical component of
economic development, neighborhood stabilization, and downtown revitalization. Both
projects seeking Letters of Support align with these goals.
The Rouse & Dean Company Foundry Building, constructed between 1872-1884, is the
oldest surviving structure in the Historic Millwork District and represents a key opportunity
site for continued redevelopment momentum.
The First Congregational United Church of Christ, constructed in 1858 and located in the
Jackson Park Historic District, is one of Dubuque's most historic structures and provides
essential community services. Significant structural deficiencies discovered in 2021 created
urgent preservation needs addressed through the proposed rehabilitation.
DISCUSSION
Both letters articulate strong justification for state credit support:
Page 135 of 811
The Rouse & Dean project addresses more than fifty years of vacancy and underutilization.
Rehabilitation will stabilize the historic structure, restore significant architectural features,
and create a market -ready commercial space capable of generating jobs, attracting
investment, and increasing the tax base. The project is catalytic to the long-term success
of the Millwork District.
The First Congregational Church project will repair critical structural issues, restore historic
materials —including stained glass and masonry —and improve overall safety, accessibility,
and functionality. The building supports essential outreach services such as food
assistance, education initiatives, medical support, and shelter programming. Preservation
advances both historic character and community well-being.
In both cases, the Iowa Historic Tax Credit program is a necessary component of the project
financing structure and plays a vital role in making the rehabilitations feasible. The City's
Letters of Support strengthen the applications and communicate the alignment of these
projects with adopted economic development and preservation goals.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully recommend that the City Council approve the issuance of the Letters of
Support for the Spring 2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B applications. Approval will
allow these letters to be transmitted to the developer for inclusion in the applications.
011
Page 136 of 811
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
March 10, 2026
State Historic Preservation Office
Iowa Economic Development Authority
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
Dubuque
Economic Development
Department
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1300 Main Street
All-ANIICO
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
,11R�A, rnV:11-A au
1 I
Office (563) 589-4393
I I�
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
2007.2012-2013
2017*2019
RE: Letter of Support — Spring 2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B Application
Rouse & Dean Company Foundry Building — Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Review Committee Members:
On behalf of the City of Dubuque's Economic Development Department, I am pleased to
provide this letter of strong support for Rouse & Dean Foundry Building, LLC's Spring
2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B application for the rehabilitation of the Rouse &
Dean Company Foundry Building.
Constructed between 1872 and 1884, the Rouse & Dean Company Foundry Building is
the oldest surviving structure in Dubuque's Historic Millwork District. Historically home to
Iowa Iron Works during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the building
represents a foundational piece of Dubuque's industrial economy and manufacturing
legacy. Its central location places it squarely within one of the City's highest -priority
redevelopment areas.
The Historic Millwork District is a keystone to the region's aggressive and coordinated
economic development strategy. Over the past decade, the City and its partners have
supported multiple successful building rehabilitations within the District, catalyzing private
investment, new housing, creative office space, and destination retail and restaurant
uses. However, several key structures remain underutilized, and completion of the
broader redevelopment vision depends on reinvestment in these remaining historic
assets. The Rouse & Dean Company Foundry Building is among the most prominent of
these opportunity sites.
Page 137 of 811
For more than fifty years, the building has been vacant and/or significantly underutilized.
Prior to recent stabilization work, it was in a state of considerable disrepair, limiting its
ability to contribute to the surrounding neighborhood. The completion of core and shell
improvements represents a critical inflection point. By stabilizing and modernizing the
structure —while restoring key historic elements such as the monitor roof form —the
project establishes a safe, functional, and market -ready space capable of attracting a
high -quality end user.
From an economic development perspective, this project delivers both immediate and
long-term benefits:
• Job Creation and Business Attraction: Rehabilitation positions the building to
support new commercial uses, including a potential restaurant or hospitality
concept that would generate permanent jobs and draw consistent foot traffic to
the District.
• Catalytic Investment: Visible progress in rehabilitating one of the District's most
historically significant buildings sends a strong signal to private investors and
lenders, reducing perceived risk and encouraging additional redevelopment.
• Increased Tax Base: Productive reuse of a long -vacant structure increases
assessed value and strengthens the local property tax base over time.
• Enhanced Walkability and District Identity: Activation of this highly visible site
will strengthen the pedestrian environment and reinforce the Millworking
Historic District as a vibrant, year-round destination.
The building's history —including the devastating May 9, 1902 fire that destroyed the
foundry and resulted in the only direct fire -related fatalities in the history of the Dubuque
Fire Department —adds cultural depth and historical significance that further enhances its
redevelopment value. Preserving and reactivating this structure honors that legacy while
aligning with contemporary economic objectives.
The Iowa Historic Tax Credit program is an essential tool in making complex historic
rehabilitation projects financially feasible. In this case, the credit plays a pivotal role in
bridging financing gaps, reducing redevelopment risk, and allowing private capital to be
deployed in a manner consistent with community redevelopment goals.
The City of Dubuque strongly supports Rouse & Dean Foundry Building, LLC's Spring
2026 Part 2B application. This project represents the type of strategic, catalytic
investment that advances both historic preservation and sustainable economic growth.
We respectfully urge favorable consideration of this important application.
K
Page 138 of 811
Sincerely,
Jill Connors
Economic Development Director
City of Dubuque
Page 139 of 811
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
March 10, 2026
State Historic Preservation Office
Iowa Economic Development Authority
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
Dubuque
AII•Amerin City
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
RE: Letter of Support — Spring 2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B Application
First Congregational United Church of Christ — Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Review Committee Members:
On behalf of the City of Dubuque, I am pleased to offer this letter of strong support for the
Spring 2026 Iowa Historic Tax Credit Part 2B application submitted by First
Congregational United Church of Christ for the rehabilitation of its historic church building
located in Dubuque.
Constructed in 1858, First Congregational Church is one of the oldest and most
historically significant buildings in our community. Situated within the Jackson Park
Historic District, the church has long served as both an architectural landmark and a
center of civic and spiritual life in downtown Dubuque. The 1973 construction of an
educational and administrative wing expanded the congregation's capacity to serve the
community while maintaining the integrity of the historic sanctuary.
In 2021, major structural deficiencies were discovered in the north wall and roof trusses,
creating urgent preservation needs. The proposed rehabilitation project will address these
critical structural issues to restore the building's stability and ensure its long-term viability.
In addition, the project includes comprehensive masonry repairs and repointing, stained
glass window restoration, interior and exterior repainting, installation of new flooring, and
replacement of the primary entrance doors along 10th Street. These improvements are
essential to preserving the historic character of the building while enhancing safety,
functionality, and accessibility.
Beyond its architectural importance, First Congregational Church plays a vital role in
serving the residents of downtown Dubuque. In addition to providing religious ministry to
its members, the congregation maintains robust outreach and partnership programs
addressing critical social needs, including food assistance, education initiatives, medical
Page 140 of 811
support, and shelter assistance. The rehabilitation of this historic structure will directly
benefit these community -centered programs by ensuring that the facility remains safe,
welcoming, and operational for years to come.
The City of Dubuque recognizes historic preservation as a key component of economic
development and neighborhood stabilization. Investment in the preservation of this
landmark property reinforces the vitality of the Jackson Park Historic District and supports
continued reinvestment in the surrounding downtown area. The Iowa Historic Tax Credit
program is an essential tool in making projects of this scope financially feasible, and its
support will help ensure the successful completion of this important rehabilitation effort.
The City fully supports First Congregational United Church of Christ in its application and
respectfully encourages favorable consideration of its Spring 2026 Part 2B request.
Thank you for your thoughtful review of this application and for your continued
commitment to preserving Iowa's historic resources.
Sincerely,
Jill Connors
Economic Development Director
City of Dubuque
2
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