Jeffris Challenge Grant - Eagle Point Park Copyrighted
April 6, 2026
City of Dubuque ACTION ITEMS # 4.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Jeffris Challenge Grant - Eagle Point Park
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to inform
the Jeffris Family Foundation of the City's intent to apply for a
Capital Campaign Challenge Grant.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
2. Jeffris Challenge Grant - Staff Memo
3. Eagle Point Park Jeffris Grant - Dubuque CIP FY 2027
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Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
DATE: March 31, 2026
Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont and Parks and Recreation Director Matt
Kalcevich are recommending City Council approval to inform the Jeffris Family
Foundation of the City's intent to apply for a Capital Campaiqn Challenqe Grant. This
grant would support the restoration campaign for the Alfred Caldwell-designed buildings
at Eagle Point Park, a collaborative effort between the Parks and Recreation and
Planning Services Departments.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Matt Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
Steve Fehsal, Parks Division Director
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura BendorF, Budget Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Anderson Sainci, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Tony Breitbach, Purchasing & Risk Manager
Chris Happ Olson, Assistant Planner
Page 1340 of 2358
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director�'"-
Matt Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director�-
SUBJECT: Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
DATE: March 31, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The following memo is to request approval to inform the Jeffris Family Foundation of the
City's intent to apply for a Capital Campaign Challenqe Grant. This grant would support
the restoration campaign for the Alfred Caldwell-designed buildings at Eagle Point Park,
a collaborative effort between the Parks and Recreation and Planning Services
Departments.
BACKGROUND
As part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) the Parks and Recreation
Department received $75,000 to conduct a structural assessment of the Alfred
Caldwell—designed structures at Eagle Point Park, including the Bridge Complex,
Veranda Rooms, and the Indian Room, along with their immediate surroundings.
Because the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and
designated as a City Landmark, the Parks and Recreation Department consulted the
Planning Services Department for its expertise in historic preservation.
Planning Services determined that a comprehensive Historic Structures Report (HSR)
would exceed the available $75,000 budget. Staff subsequently identified a $50,000
matching grant opportunity through the Jeffris Family Foundation to help fund the study.
At its March 4, 2024 meeting, the City Council approved using the $75,000 as matching
funds for the Jeffris grant. As part of the application process, a detailed budget and
selection of a qualified consultant were required. Planning and Park & Recreation staff
reviewed a proposal from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), a firm with
specialized experience in preparing HSRs and particular expertise in Alfred Caldwell—
designed structures.
On April 15, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution No. 90-24, authorizing staff to
submit the grant application to the Jeffris Family Foundation for $50,000 and permitting
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Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
the City Manager to execute a grant agreement totaling $125,000 ($50,000 Grant +
$75,000 CIP).
The City of Dubuque was subsequently awarded the $50,000 grant. WJE then
proceeded with the Historic Structures Report under the guidance of both the Planning
Services and Parks and Recreation Departments. The resulting HSR included
recommendations for restoration, further investigation (structural, material and
environmental), and implementation cost estimates.
At their April 21, 2025 meeting, the City Council authorized the Planning Services
Director and Parks and Recreation Director to provide the report to the Jeffris Family
Foundation and close out the HSR grant. In addition, the City Council received and filed
the document as a requirement of the grant process. Link to Historic Structures Report.
As part of City Council approval of Budget Amendment #1, the Parks and Recreation
Department engaged WJE to take on the structural and material scope, with assistance
from Planning and Engineering, while Environmental Management Services of lowa
(EMSI) took on the environmental scope. All investigations are complete.
Jeffris has expressed interest in supporting the capital phase of restoration with a Jeffris
Family Foundation Champaign Challenge Grant. The challenge grant is a matching
grant to support the preservation of historic buildings. It requires local fundraising
commitments first, then provides additional funds once those goals are met to help
complete restoration projects. For every 2 dollars fundraised, the foundation would give
1 dollar as a match, i.e., if we raise $1 million, we can receive an additional $500,000
with their grant.
Their process is unusual in that they do not consider solicitations but instead work from
an internal pool of potential projects. Their quarterly board meeting is coming up and to
be eligible for the grant, they require a response in a notice of intent to apply by April 10.
If invited, they will require an application, and awards will be made at the board's July
meeting.
DISCUSSION
Jeffris has requested the following information as part of the notice of intent to apply:
1) Scope of Work— Identified in the Historic Structure Report Summary from WJE,
including restoration work at the Bridge, Veranda and Indian rooms along with
their immediate environs.
2) Budget Estimate Range— Included with the above work a list of probable costs
for today's economy. When taken into account that we'll implement this work
after we finish our fundraising challenge by 2029, we estimate the project to be
$1,971,492. Based on this, we are estimating a range up to $2,267,215, which is
the estimate plus a 15% contingency.
3) Partnering to assure skills and capacity to raise the necessary match -
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Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
At its January 20, 2026 meeting, City Council approved distributing a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) to engage a fundraising consultant for the Alfred Caldwell
restoration project. After reviewing three firms, staff recommends the Collective
Agency as the preferred consultant. They presented a comprehensive approach,
including forming a "friends" group to support donor outreach. The emerging
Friends of Dubuque Parks organization could provide peer donors and
volunteers, supporting the Eagle Point project and future park initiatives. Final
approval of the consultant would occur only if awarded the Challenge Grant.
BUDGET IMPACT
Jeffris has strict rules about the use of their funds, which are specifically designed to be
a challenge opportunity for the grantee. Therefore, if awarded, the City will be required
to raise at minimum two dollars for every one dollar granted. The Jeffris Family
Foundation can grant up to a million dollars toward one project, but that is rare. WJE
helped us develop an estimate of probable costs during the HSR development. For
discussion purposes, if the project is $1,971,492, we would be required to raise
$1,314,328 for the $657,164 grant. Specifications include that the City cannot use
budgeted funds as a match toward the challenge and that any match toward the
challenge would need to be secured following the foundation's grant award.
In addition to those construction costs, we anticipate we'll have a fundraising consultant
cost of approximately $140,000 that we'll need to budget for FY2027-FY2029 to support
that campaign.
Timeline Phase Title Consultant Cost Budget Source
2025 Historic Wiss Janney Elstner $125,000 $50,000 Jeffris
Structures & Julia Bachrach Family Foundation,
Report (HSR) $75,000 Parks & Rec
bud et
2025- Additional Wiss Janney Elstner; $40,000 WJE; Parks & Rec budget
2026 Investi ation EMSI, Cit Staff $1,800 EMSI
2026- Fundraising RFQ provided three $140,040 Cost to Parks & Rec CIP
2029 Consultant for 3 proposed qualifying hire this consultant (see attached CIP)
year capital firms, with Collective needs to be
campaign Agency standing out budgeted over
FY27-FY29
2029- Restoration — Contractor to be Estimated range: Grants, individual
2031 project chosen after Between and corporate
implementation campaign $1,971,492 and donors, foundations
$2,267,215
TIMELINE
Our goal is to report back to the Jeffris Foundation in the first full week of April to
confirm our capacity and interest, as their deadline is April 10. Awards are expected in
July, followed by a three-year fundraising campaign, with the restoration project
commencing thereafter.
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Jeffris Challenge Grant— Eagle Point Park
COMMITMENT TO EAGLE POINT PARK
Survey work and protection of historic properties help bolster the City's position as a
Certified Local Government. Eagle Point Park, recognized for its state-wide significance
and protected as a Dubuque Landmark Site, is an unparalleled example of Caldwell's
work. These properties require specialized restoration expertise and fundraising
capacity beyond the City staff's resources.
The City remains strongly committed to maintaining and improving Eagle Point Park,
with a combination of new initiatives and ongoing projects. Highlights of current and
planned investments include:
• New Position — Park Maintenance Technician: $82,136; offset by eliminating
temporary positions totaling $39,345, for a net annual cost of$42,791.
• Shiras Pavilion Roof Replacement: $97,000
• Renovate/Resurface Tennis Courts: $302,000
• Trim Trees / Bluff Clearing: $150,000
• Terrace Room Roof Replacement: $40,000
• Veranda Room Roof Replacement: $51,000
In addition, ongoing CIP projects and carryovers at Eagle Point Park include:
• Stone Work: $99,606
• Replace Walkways: $82,715
• Log Cabin Improvements: $71,000
These initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to preserving the park's historic
structures and enhancing recreational amenities for the community, which is important
to demonstrate as we undertake a capital campaign for restoration.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request approval to submit the notice of intent to apply for the Challenge
Grant to Jeffris Family Foundation, including the scope of work, budget range, and
proposed partnership for fundraising.
Enclosure: CIP
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Steve Fehsal, Parks Division Director
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Randy Gehl, Communications Department Director
Anderson Sainci, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Tony Breitbach, Purchasing & Risk Manager
Chris Happ Olson, Assistant Planner
T:\Grants\Parks&Rec\Active\2026 Jeffris Family Foundation-Challenge\Response to Jeffris April 10 2026\Jeffris Challenge Grant
-Eagle Point Park -MVM memo.docx
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DEPARTMENT: STATE PROGRAM: PROJECT TITLE: YEAR FIRST FY 2027
30- Parks and Recreation 4C- Culture & Recreation Eagle Point Park/Jeffris Grant SUBMITTED: TOTAL
Park Division PROJECT
PROJECT NO: COST
$ 2,060,394
2025 2026
EXPENSE BUDGET PROJECT BUDGET 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032
A. EXPENDITURE ITEMS
$ — $ — Consultant $ 51,814 $ 59,216 $ 37,010 $ — $ — $ —
$ — $ — Construction $ — $ — $ — $ 926,177 $ 926,177 $ —
Parks and Recreation Project
$ — $ — Manager $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 15,000 $ 15,000 $ —
$ — $ — TOTAL $ 61,814 $ 69,216 $ 47,010 $ 941,177 $ 941,177 $ —
B. PROJECT FINANCING
$ — $ — Sales Tax Fund (20%) $ — $ 69,216 $ 47,010 $ — $ — $ —
$ — $ — Private Participant $ — $ — $ — $ 926,177 $ 926,177 $ —
G.O. Debt (Sales Tax Fund 20%) $ 61,814 $ — $ — $ 15,000 $ 15,000 $ —
$ — $ — TOTAL $ 61,814 $ 69,216 $ 47,010 $ 941,177 $ 941,177 $ —
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/JUSTIFICATION
This project provides for match funding for an approximate $600,000 challenge grant for bricks and mortar improvements from the Jeffris Family Foundation.A
historic structures report was completed for the Bridge Complex, Indian Room and Veranda Rooms at Eagle Point Park. The challenge grant program provides
funds for restoration of these structures of up to $1 million dollars requiring locally raised matching funds at 2:1($2 Local:$1 Foundation). FY2027, FY2028, and
FY2029 provide funding for hiring a fundraising partner to raise the funds and FY2030 and FY2031 is for construction.
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROJECTS
This project is not related to other capital projects.
OUTCOME
Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks and Recreation: Experiences and Activities: Have well-built, well-maintained, upgraded and expanded parks, park amenities and
recreational/park facilities.
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS
This project may only be funded by Sales Tax 20% or DRA funding
PROJECT ADDRESS/SERVICE AREA
2601 Shiras Avenue
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