Downtown Neighborhood Council Streetscape_Benches
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563)589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planning@cityof dubuc~ue. o rg
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
December 21, 2007
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Downtown Neighborhood Council -- HDPIP Streetscape Project
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has reviewed the above-
cited request. The original application, staff report, and related materials are attached
for your review.
Discussion
Earlier this year, the HPC reviewed and recommended approval for the Downtown
Neighborhood Council's request for $8,520 in Historic District Public Improvement
Program (HDPIP) funding to install two "black strap" benches in Jackson Park and
approximately 45 planters in planting lawns throughout the Jackson Park Historic
Preservation District.
Planning Staff reported that subsequently, there were neighborhood and City staff
discussions that require a modification of the project approval.
Planter Style
After the initial HPC review, the Downtown Neighborhood Council modified their HDPIP
streetscape project to use one type of planter throughout the neighborhood rather than
different styles as originally submitted. The consensus of the group was to use one type
of planter throughout the neighborhood to help tie the neighborhood together, creating a
sense of place.
Planter Ownership
The original submittal was that the Downtown Neighborhood Council would need
approval from the City Engineering Department for the planter and bench locations.
Then, the Downtown Neighborhood Council would transfer ownership of the planters to
the City Leisure Services Department.
• ,
Downtown Neighborhood Council-HIDPIP
Page 2
The application also indicated that before the planters are placed, property owners
would be required to sign an agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood Council
promising to maintain the planters and allowing the Council to relocate the planters for
any reason.
The application indicated the Downtown Neighborhood Council agrees to relocate
planters if the Leisure Services Department determines that a location is unsuitable for
any reason or that the abutting property owner is not maintaining the planter.
The City Attorney's Office has advised that if the City places our own objects in the
public right-of-way (ROW), the City is liable and the City's insurance covers that object.
If the City allows others to place objects in the ROW, the City also can be liable along
with the person who places the objects there. In this situation, the City will need
insurance and indemnification from that person.
Staff recommended that the HPC modify its previous recommendation for approval of
the Downtown Neighborhood Council HDPIP streetscape project, to use one type of
planter throughout the neighborhood and to have the Leisure Services Department own
and place the planters in the ROW.
Recommendation
By a vote of 5 to 0, the Historic Preservation Commission recommends approval of
$8,520 in HDPIP funding to install two black "strap benches" in Jackson Park and
approximately 45 planters in planting lawns throughout the Jackson Park Historic
Preservation District, to use one type of planter throughout the neighborhood, and to
have the Leisure Services Department own and place the planters in the ROW.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
r
~,~ .~
Christine Olson, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Enclosures
cc Gil Spence, Leisure Services Department
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
Jane Smith, Engineering Assistant II
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City or Dubuque
Planning Servkss Department
Dubuque, IA 52001-4884
Phone: 583-589-4210
Fax : 563-589-4221
HISTORIC DISTRICT PUOLIC IMPROVEMlNT PR06RAM
APPLICATION FORM
PRODECT COMPONENT6 (Chet ~ tln-t apply)
^ Historic Street Uphts ^ Street Tn~s,/Cxa6es ^ Brldc Skkwala: ^ Colored ConcreEe Sklewaks/Curbs
~ Bertdt~ ^ tarldgc'~~ ^ Bridt aossrral~s ^ Colored Conuu~ebe OosswaA~s
^ Ti'a~h ~ ^ Deoorathie FertoyltaN ^ Brldc Streets ^ Colored Catadbe Street Pavitg
® planners ^ DeooraHve BoMerds ^ lirresborre area ^ tJtltd•:
^ Waysides/Prazas ^ IdeMHication signs ^ R~,ing Wags ^ Ofher:
Please tuna or nrlnt leaibltr ~n hlc
Type d Applicant: ~ Neighborhood Association Name: DownboMm Ndphbafiood Coundl
Repe9entatlMe' Dave Stuart Phone: 563 557-1002
Address: X470 Locust Street City: Dutruaue State:-.,,~,_-_ Zip: 52 -4714
Fa~c Number: Mobile/Cellular Number:
Project Description: IrtabN planters h `plarrtlrtg lawn' (area between sklewak and street)1n nel~tborllood and
add several park berxites >o ]acJ®on Park
Project location/area: Jackson Park and city property in Jaclsort Park Historic District
Total pr+ojec~ cost: X11,360 Amount of Grant Request: ;8,520.00
CERTIFICATION: I/wG, the undersigned, do hereby oErtiry that:
i. The information subntifltied herein is true and correct bo the best of my/our krwwledge and upon
submittal beoorrtes pubik record;
2. The undetspned represerttativesere authorised bo sign this appikatlon on behalf of the
ttelghborltood associatlort or group; and
3. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached.
Representative: ~ ! ~.,!~~~ D~• 2 3 A~~t ~ Zook
Date:
FOR OFFICE IISE ONLY-APPLICATION SUEMI7TAL pIK~ST
Received by: Submifxal Dabe• HPC Meeting Dabe•
^ Sibe/slaebch plan(s) ^ Petition/Signatures in Support ^ Phobos ^ Catabg e~campNs
^ Project desuiptton ^ i3udget Documerrtation ^ Map(s) ^Otfier:
t _ _____ - _ __ _ _._
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Historic District Public Improvement Program
Project Description
List of Attachments:
A) Project Budget Description
B) Downtown Neighborhood Council Memorandum of Support
C) Photograph showing Victor Stanley Classic Series CR 196 bench in Jackson Park
D) Fow photographs showing planters installed in the neighborhood
A. Project Sammary. Discuss the project and the key project work elements of the
proposed ~reetscape improvements.
Project will add additional "black strap" benches in Jackson Park.. Planters will be added in the
"planting lawn" (the grass area between sidewalk and curb) at selected locations in the Jackson
Park Historic District.
Previously, the Downtown Neighborhood Council, through a hIDPIP grant, installed a number of
"black strap" benches IA Jackson Park. The design was chosen to be common to the
improvemects going on elsewhere in the Historic Districts and Downtown. The Victor Stanley
"Classic Series CR-196 bench, six feet in length, in black was selected to tie in with the trash
receptacles. Not all the benches in Jackson Park were replaced and this project will replace
approximately two more. The Leisure Services Department will purchase and install the benches
Jackson Park.
Planters next to the street will beautify and improve the streetscape in the neighborhood.
Funding constraints limited the member of plants purchased in a previous grant, and that will
coctinue to limit the number that can be purchased in this round of improvemeffis. Individual
property owne<~s will select planter designs based on a ~wmber of factors inchiding their building
style, agricultural features, size, and the width of the plaming lawn. Owner-occupied properties,
rental properties and businesses that have been attractively maintained with emphasis on
landscaping will receive a higher priority, but others may be selected also. selected sites must be
in the Historic District and have a planting laam available. Volunteer Downtown Neighborhood
Council members will drill, install and level the precast bases and anchor the planters to the
bases to help minimize vandalism. Property owners will be required to maintain the plasters
with a common flower/plant color scheme to help tie the neighborhood together. The Downtown
Neighborhood Council will transfer ownership of the planters to the city, under the cognizance
of the Leisure Services Departmerrt (which has control of landscaping on the public-right-of-
way). Before the planters are Placed, property owners will be required to sign an agreement with
the Downtown Neighborhood Council promising to maintain the plactexs and allowing the
Downtown Neighborhood Council to relocate the ghmte~rs for a~ reason The Downtown
Neighborhood Council agrees to relocate planters if the Leisure Services Department determines
that a location is unsuitable for any reason or that the abutting property owner is not maintaining
the planter.
~~
B. Neighborhood Impact and support. Describe the current conditions and how the project
will improve the neighborhood and/or project area. Discuss the level of neighborhood and
Pr~Y owner support.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association wishes to co~we to `upgrade" our neighborhood
park, especially since it is used for a number of gatherings such as our Music in the Park series,
as well as a staging point for parades. Additional benches will help with this.
Plamers in the planting lawn area next to the street are a much desired enhanceme~rt to the
streetscape. That area has in numerous cases been neglected or is too small for effective use. A
number of the property owners have committed to modifications (narrowing sidewalks)
necessary to increase this green area and effectively benefit from the installation of planters in
that area.
~ ~ -
Project Budget Description
Major Cosb:
Benches: (2) Victor Santry 6' CR 196or equivalent:
Planters, Zimmerman Lawn Orssmenb:
Design to be selected by abutting property owners.
Average cost of planter is approximately $200.00.
Minor hardware items:
Precast bases: 43 ~ S4.00
Threaded rod, nub and washers: 45 ®54.00
Concrete to set selected bsses: 10 (a3 $20
Taal Cosh {not including volantcer hoan or in-land donations)
Voluntcer hours:
_ _
p ~~~ttm~,~r A
$2,000
$8,440
180
180
S~
$11,360
Install planters SO
Site sun-eys/plans 40
Z'oal 120
Value ~ 8c7.00 per hour 5840
Total cosb including vWuntcer hour: $8,840
Sources of Funding:
Matching funds:
Community Development Block Grant: S2 000.00
Volaateer hours: ~QaQQ
Taal $2,840.00
Total cosb: S11,360.00
Matching funds: 2,840.00
HDPIP grant request amount: $8,520.00
Matching percenage: 2S'/o
g~~-crfiin~M 8
22 March 2007
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
The Downtown Neighborhood Council met at a regular meeting on Wednesday, 21
March 200'7. The members present at the meeting voted unanimously that the Council
support and endorse a Neighborhood Large Grant Program Application for additional
benches for Jackson Park aad planters for plaming lawn areas of city property.
lis~-
Dave Stuart, President, Downtown Neighborhood Council
DESIGN REVIEW STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: May 17, 2007
Property Address: Jackson Park
Property Owner: City of Dubuque
Applicant: Downtown Neighbofiood Council
Project: Requesting $8,250 in Historic District Public Improvement Program
funding for the installation of two benches and approximately 45
planters in the Jackson Park Historic District
Historic Preservation District: Jackson Park
Landmark: NIA
Style: N/A
Funding: Historic District Public Improvement Program
Date Built: N/A
Existing Zoning: NIA
Present Land Use: Public/Recreational
Level of Sian~cance:
^ Not Evaluated
Level of Rehabilitation:
^ Design for Historic Features
Physical Characteristics: The redevelopment of Jackson Park from the town cemetery
into a large public park during the 1870s spurred the spread housing into this area. Jackson
Park historic district is distinctive for the number of large, high-style homes demonstrating a
remarkable level of craftsmanship and unusual local variants on national styles designed by
local architects. From the 1860s through the 1890s prominent citizens and wealthy
industrialists either built their showcase homes conspicuously "on the hill" overlooking the
town and River below, or in the desirable "upper teens" between 10th and 17th Streets.
Public institutions serving the nouveau-riches bcated in this area as well, including a
considerable number of religious institutions catering to multiple denominations.
Characteristics of this area included high density residential development centered around
large, prominent homes, institutional buildings and greenspaces; wide brick paved streets
with limestone curbs and low retaining walls; secondary structures located at the rear of the
property and accessed by alleys; elaborate iron fencing; street trees in the right of way; and
park-like landscaping on the larger lots.
Staff Analysis: With the aid of a previous HDPIP grant, the Downtown Neighborhood
Council installed a number of "black strap" benches in Jackson Park. The design was
chosen to be consistent with improvements throughout the downtown and historic districts.
The current HDPIP application will cover the costs of the two benches in Jackson Park that
were not replaced under the previous application.
The Downtown Neighborhood Council is also requesting HDPIP funding for the installation
of approximately 45 planters to be installed in planting lawns adjacent to selected historic
properties in the Jackson Park Historic District. The application explains those properties
that have been attractively maintained with an emphasis on landscaping will receive the
highest priority. The Downtown Neighborhood Council will eventually transfer ownership of
the planters to the City of Dubuque Leisure Services Department. Property owners will
Design Review Staff Report -Downtown Neighbofiood Association Benches •and Planters
Page 2
enter into agreements that will allow the Downtown Neighborhood Council to relocate
planters at the discretion of the Leisure Services Department.
Page JP-16 of the Jackson Park Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines states the City has
recently installed new strap iron benches in public spaces in the downtown area and at
Cable Car Square, and they encourage the use of this style throughout the historic districts.
This style is suitable for public areas in residential and commercial areas of the districts. In
the more residential areas of the district it is advisable to consider planters in residential
areas for public benefit. The Streetscape and landscape Guidelines recommend the
following:
• Identification and preservation of existing historic features, such as hitching posts,
benches or other seating, trash receptacles, etc. that were provided for public use.
Damage or flaws may prevent the retention or continued use of these items, but they
should be documented and preserved in storage to serve as a guide for new
features.
• New features based upon historical precedents. These can be executed in
contemporary materials and finishes to increase durability. Note that amenities such
as benches and signs that are constructed largely or entirely of wood will be more
easily damaged and will require regular maintenance.
• New features that reference the style of historic features, to establish a unified
appearance and general historic character among the public amenities in the historic
districts.
• One group or party should be designated for the maintenance of plantings in
planters.
Below are the costs associated with the project. Enclosed is a more in depth project
budget description provided by the applicant. Matching funds for the project are being
provided by a $2,000 Community Development Block Grant and 840 volunteer hours.
Total Pro'ect Cost $11,360.00
Downtown Nei hborhood Council $2,840.00
Total Grant Re uest $8,520.00
Grant to total cost 75.00%
The role of the Historic Preservation Commission in reviewing this project is to serve as an
advisory design review body to the City Council for review of public works projects which
have historic preservation implications in historic districts. The Commission is also
responsible for providing a recommendation to the City Council about funding projects from
the Historic District Public Improvement Program. The Commission's recommendation will
go on to the City Council with the application materials for their review and approval of the
project.
Compliance with Design Guidelines: In 2002, the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines
were created to help provide recommendations for public improvements on public property.
Prepared by;.. ~~ ~ ~ - - -wed: Date: O S-O4-07