Letter of Support for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application for Property at 360 E. 16th StreetCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 13.
Copyrighted
August 17, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Letter of Support for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit
Application for Property at 360 E. 16th Street
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of a letter
of support to accompany the Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit
Application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority
being submitted by the developer for redevelopment of 360
E. 16th Street in Dubuque.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Letter of Support for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application for
Property at 360 E 16th Street
2. Staff Memo
3. Letter of Support
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application for
Property at 360 E. 16th Street
DATE: August 13, 2026
Economic Development Director Jill Connors is recommending City Council approval a
letter of support to accompany the Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application to the
Iowa Economic Development Authority being submitted by the developer for
redevelopment of 360 E. 16t" Street in Dubuque. This letter of support confirms the City's
recognition that the property is eligible for the tax credit based on the state's definition of a
grayfield site.
Since 2022, the structure at 360 E. 16t" Street has stood vacant, its interior significantly
demolished by a previous owner and its remaining infrastructure either outdated or no
longer present. All existing improvements exceed 25 years in age, and the building has
been entirely unoccupied for more than a year. To address these conditions, developers
Andrew McCready and Josh Jansen propose rehabilitating the building to include four
rental units and two off-street parking spaces, with an estimated project cost of $450,000.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Dubuque Economic Development
Department
THE CITY OF 1300 (wain street
All-AM111094 Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
UB E vxxwi Office (563) 589-4393
1 I I TTY (563) 690-6678
I® http://www.cityofdubuque.org
2007-2012*2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application for
Property at 360 E. 16th Street
DATE: August 12, 2026
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum presents for City Council review and approval a letter of support to
accompany the Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credit Application to the Iowa Economic
Development Authority being submitted by the developer for redevelopment of 360 E. 161h
Street in Dubuque.
BACKGROUND
Developers in Iowa can receive tax credits for redeveloping properties known as brownfield
and grayfield sites. Additional tax credits are available for projects that meet or exceed
sustainable design standards as defined by state law. This tax credit program is offered as
a way to promote the economic health of communities by reducing environmental potential
hazards, cleaning up eyesores, creating new jobs and boosting tax revenue.
A Grayfield site is an abandoned public building or industrial or commercial property that
meets these requirements:
1. The property's infrastructure is outdated or prevents efficient use — site is vacant,
blighted, obsolete, or otherwise underutilized.
2. Property improvements and infrastructure are at least 25 years old AND one or more
of the following conditions exists:
a. At least thirty percent of a building located on the property is available for
occupancy and has been unoccupied for at least a year.
b. The assessed value of property's improvements has decreased by at least 25
percent.
c. The property is used as a parking lot.
d. Improvements on the property no longer exist.
Tax credits of up to 12% of qualifying costs of a grayfield project and 15% if the project
meets green building requirements.
The Program is capped at $15 million per fiscal year with a maximum award of $1.5 million
per project.
DISCUSSION
Applications for this program are accepted on an annual basis, due by September 1 st. The
following project has requested a letter of support from the City to accompany its
application. This letter confirms the City's recognition that the property meets the state's
definition of a grayfield site and that its redevelopment benefits the community.
Since 2022, the structure at 360 E. 16t" Street has stood vacant, its interior significantly
demolished by a previous owner and its remaining infrastructure either outdated or no
longer present. All existing improvements exceed 25 years in age, and the building has
been entirely unoccupied for more than a year. To address these conditions, developers
Andrew McCready and Josh Jansen propose rehabilitating the building to include four
rental units and two off-street parking spaces, with an estimated project cost of $450,000.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request City Council approve the submission of the attached letter supporting
the aforementioned application for Iowa Redevelopment Tax Credits, confirming the City's
recognition that the property is eligible for the tax credit based on the state's definition of a
grayfield site.
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Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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August 12, 2026
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50315
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
Re: IEDA Redevelopment Tax Credit — Program Eligibility for 360 E. 16th Street,
Dubuque, IA 52001 (Grayfield Site)
The building located at 360 E. 16th Street, Dubuque, IA meets the criteria of a Grayfield
Site as defined in Iowa Code Section 15.291 and Administrative Code 261— 65.2(15), and
the City of Dubuque supports this project and application.
Per code definition, "Grayfield site" means an abandoned public building or an industrial
or commercial property that meets all of the following requirements: The property has
been developed and has infrastructure in place, but the property's current use is outdated
or prevents better or more efficient use of the property. Such property includes vacant,
blighted, obsolete, or otherwise underutilized property. The property's improvements and
infrastructure are at least twenty-five years old and one or more of the following conditions
exists: (1) Thirty percent or more of a building located on the property that is available for
occupancy has been vacant or unoccupied for a period of twelve months or more; (2) The
assessed value of the improvements on the property has decreased by twenty-five
percent or more; (3) The property is currently being used as a parking lot; or (4) The
improvements on the property no longer exist.
Since 2022, the structure at 360 E. 16th Street has stood vacant, its interior partially
removed by a previous owner. What remains is aging or missing infrastructure, with all
improvements dating back more than 25 years. After more than a year of complete
vacancy and the loss of certain structural components, the building is primed for
reinvestment and renewal
Redevelopment of this property would address Dubuque's need for housing and restore
a building in the Washington Neighborhood Conservation District.
Housing permits within the City of Dubuque increased significantly between 2022 and
2025; however, new construction accounts for only a small portion of the total housing in
Dubuque. Renovating and restoring existing building stock into new dwelling units is a
sustainable practice and a great way to provide workforce housing in the City of Dubuque.
This property sits at a highly visible intersection within the neighborhood, creating
consistent exposure to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. After years of vacancy and
decline, the building's condition highlights the importance of thoughtful reinvestment. The
project will require skilled renovation and adaptable, creative problem -solving —
capabilities the owner/developer team has demonstrated in prior work.
With this experience, the development team is well -positioned to transform the long -idle
structure into a meaningful housing asset. Restoring the building and adding new dwelling
units will strengthen workforce housing options and contribute to the continued vitality of
the Washington Neighborhood and the broader Dubuque community.
Sincerely,
ciaw�
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
City of Dubuque, Iowa
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