Dubuque Main Street's SWAP Grant Funding and Newly Awarded Projects Updates Copyrighted
June 15, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 11.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Main Street's SWAP Grant Funding and Newly
Awarded Projects Updates
SUMMARY: City Manager providing information on the allocation of funds
previously committed by the City Council to support Dubuque
Main Street's SWAP Grant Program to recipants: Troy
Froistad — 1838 Central Ave., Damyrah McDaniels / Nail
Vixens — 1810 Central Ave., Korrin Schriver/ ReEvolution
Farms — 2418 Central Ave., Joseph Ungs — 1527 Central
Ave., and Eric Whitfield / Bluff Street Books — 409 Bluff
Street.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Update on SWAP Grant Funding and Newly Awarded Projects
2. Staff Memo
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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: Update on SWAP Grant Funding and Newly Awarded Projects
DATE: June 8, 2026
Economic Development Director Jill Connors is sharing information on the allocation of
funds previously committed by the City Council to support Dubuque Main Street's
(DMS) SWAP Grant Program. These funds have now been deployed to assist the next
round of property revitalization projects — primarily concentrated along the Central
Avenue Corridor— continuing our shared goal of strengthening downtown
redevelopment and supporting small-scale commercial investment.
For the current round, DMS received nine applications and selected five projects for
awards based on eligibility, impact, and alignment with community revitalization
priorities. All five funded projects directly support interior renovations intended to return
vacant or underutilized commercial space to productive use.
1. Troy Froistad — 1838 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Removal and replacement of all storefront and transom windows,
including opening preparation, weatherproofing, and trim work (Andersen products).
2. Damyrah McDaniels / Nail Vixens — 1810 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Selective interior demolition; floor plan reconfiguration including an
ADA-accessible restroom; updated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC; restoration of tin
ceiling, historic tile flooring, plaster walls, and period-appropriate wood trim. Interior
work only.
3. Korrin Schriver/ ReEvolution Farms — 2418 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $7,837.50
Work Summary: Upgrading undersized AC; installation of Duct Sox air distribution;
installation of general work lighting; replacement of front plate-glass windows. Interior
only; grow systems excluded.
4. Joseph Ungs — 1527 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
Page 192 of 1594
Work Summary: Selective interior demolition; floor plan reconfiguration including ADA
restroom; updates to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems; restoration of tin ceiling,
historic tile flooring, and plaster walls with wood trim. Interior only.
5. Eric Whitfield / Bluff Street Books —409 Bluff Street
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Conversion of former kitchen to retail space, including hardwood
flooring, tin-style ceiling, and updated interior wall finishes; repair of approximately 958
sq. ft. of interior limestone basement walls with lime-based mortar. Interior only.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
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Page 193 of 1594
Dubuque Economic Development
Department
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Update on SWAP Grant Funding and Newly Awarded Projects
DATE: May 28, 2026
INTRODUCTION
I am pleased to provide an update on the allocation of funds previously committed by the
City Council to support Dubuque Main Street's (DMS) SWAP Grant Program. These funds
have now been deployed to assist the next round of property revitalization projects —
primarily concentrated along the Central Avenue Corridor— continuing our shared goal of
strengthening downtown redevelopment and supporting small-scale commercial
investment.
BACKGROUND
In keeping with the Council's commitment to downtown revitalization, the City allocated
funds through Capital Improvement Project 5559900002-305-64075 (Incremental
Development and Small Business Storefront Establishment Coaching). A portion of these
funds were made available to Dubuque Main Street to continue its SWAP Grant Program
after overwhelming demand depleted prior rounds of funding.
For the current round, DMS received nine applications and selected five projects for awards
based on eligibility, impact, and alignment with community revitalization priorities. All five
funded projects directly support interior renovations intended to return vacant or
underutilized commercial space to productive use.
DISCUSSION
A committee comprised of 8 Dubuque Main Street (DMS) board members and DMS
Executive Director, David Barba, was convened to evaluate all applications submitted for
this round of the SWAP Grant Program. The committee utilized a structured scoring rubric
Page 194 of 1594
developed specifically for this funding cycle to ensure a fair, transparent, and consistent
review process.
Applicants were required to provide a project description, an impact statement, a detailed
project budget, and photos documenting existing conditions. These materials allowed
reviewers to assess both the feasibility and community value of each proposal.
To align with the City Council's priority of reinvestment in the Central Avenue Corridor,
projects located along Central Avenue were awarded additional points during the scoring
process. This geographic prioritization ensured that limited grant funds would help
accelerate revitalization in this key commercial corridor.
Evaluator preference was also given to:
• Projects that had not previously received a DMS grant, helping to "spread the love"
and support a broader range of property owners.
• Projects that preserved or enhanced the historic fabric of the building.
• Projects that demonstrated significant small business impact, such as generating
increased foot traffic or supporting a new or expanding business.
• Applications with an appropriate, well-supported budget.
• Projects that appeared achievable within the required 12-month timeline.
This structured and equitable review process ensured that the selected projects not only
met the program's technical requirements but also advanced the shared goals of
commercial revitalization, historic preservation, and small business support — especially
within the Central Avenue priority area.
PROJECT SUMMARIES
Below is a summary of each award recipient, including the project address and the scope
of work approved through the SWAP Grant. All award information is sourced from the
official award letters issued by Dubuque Main Street.
1. Troy Froistad — 1838 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Removal and replacement of all storefront and transom windows,
including opening preparation, weatherproofing, and trim work (Andersen products).
2. Damyrah McDaniels / Nail Vixens — 1810 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
2
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Work Summary: Selective interior demolition; floor plan reconfiguration including an ADA-
accessible restroom; updated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC; restoration of tin ceiling,
historic tile flooring, plaster walls, and period-appropriate wood trim. Interior work only.
3. Korrin Schriver/ ReEvolution Farms — 2418 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $7,837.50
Work Summary: Upgrading undersized AC; installation of Duct Sox air distribution;
installation of general work lighting; replacement of front plate-glass windows. Interior only;
grow systems excluded.
4. Joseph Ungs — 1527 Central Avenue
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Selective interior demolition; floor plan reconfiguration including ADA
restroom; updates to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems; restoration of tin ceiling,
historic tile flooring, and plaster walls with wood trim. Interior only.
5. Eric Whitfield / Bluff Street Books —409 Bluff Street
Grant Award: $10,000
Work Summary: Conversion of former kitchen to retail space, including hardwood flooring,
tin-style ceiling, and updated interior wall finishes; repair of approximately 958 sq. ft. of
interior limestone basement walls with lime-based mortar. Interior only.
PROGRAM IMPACT & ALIGNMENT WITH CITY GOALS
These funded projects will significantly advance ongoing revitalization within the Central
Avenue Corridor, consistent with the City Council's 2025-2027 High Priority of continued
implementation of the Central Avenue Revitalization Plan. The selected improvements
enhance commercial readiness, preserve historic character, and support small business
g rowth.
Through strong partnership with Dubuque Main Street, these investments continue to
demonstrate high return on public investment and measurable momentum in downtown
redevelopment.
RECOMMENDATION
I am pleased to share the successful deployment of City-supported grant funds and the
positive impact these five projects will have on our community.
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