Shot Tower Rehab HDPIP FundingPlanning 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@cityofdubuque. o rg
THE CITY OF
DuB E
MQStC~l1000 Ori tj1C M1SS1SS1~"I~'71
December 21, 2007
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Reallocation of HDPIP Funding to Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has reviewed the above-
cited request. The application, staff report and related materials are attached for your
review.
Background
In June, 2007, the HPC recommended a commitment of FY2009 Historic District Public
Improvement Program (HDPIP) funds of up to $100,000 for a future public improvement
project to occur throughout the Four Mounds Campus. The Four Mounds Foundation
sought HDPIP funding up to $100,000 to assist with the re-construction of the Four
Mounds road, culverts and parking areas throughout the Four Mounds Estate Historic
District. The commitment of HDPIP funding was to strengthen a Watershed
Improvement Resource Board (WIRB) grant application that would help create, design
and implement a project to minimize run-off to the Mississippi River from the Four
Mounds Estate. Planning Staff reported that they subsequently learned that Four
Mounds is unlikely to receive a WIRB grant.
Discussion
Planning Staff reported that the City has received federal and state grants to conduct an
archeological survey, address structural problems, and provide for interpretation of the
historic Dubuque Shot Tower. Staff noted that the City has committed $200,000 for the
Shot Tower as part of the Vision Iowa grant match for the America's River project at the
Port of Dubuque.
Planning Staff reported that due to requirements of the National Park Service and the
State Historical Society of Iowa for rehabilitation of the Shot Tower, the original project
cost estimate of $600,000 has increased to at least $700,000. Staff recommended the
reallocation of $100,000 in HDPIP funds to help fill this gap. Staff also noted that since
Reallocation of HDPIP Funding to Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project
Page 2
the Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project is underway, it will be able to use HDPIP funds in
a timely manner.
Planning Staff added that the Four Mounds Foundation can continue to seek alternate
funds for improvements at the Four Mounds Estate where a commitment of future
HDPIP funding can provide a match and/or demonstrate City commitment.
The HPC discussed the reallocation. Chairperson Christine Olson noted that the Four
Mounds Estate still needs the $100,000 HDPIP commitment for planned improvements
in 2008 - 2009. Commissioners discussed that since the HDPIP is a five-year CIP with
an annual budget of $100,000 the Four Mounds Foundation would be able to draw on
HDPIP funds that have not been allocated in the current budget and future fiscal years.
Recommendation
By a vote of 4 to 0 with one abstention by Chairperson Christine Olson, the Historic
Preservation Commission recommends reallocation of $100,000 in HDPIP funds from
the Four Mounds Estate to the Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Lundh, Vice Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Enclosures
'THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E -~-}
Masterpiece on the Mississippi '~ ~' s,
~-
2007
TO: Historic Preservation Commission ~~
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager (~~~ "
SUBJECT: Reallocation of HDPIP Funding to Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project
DATE: December 12, 2007
Introduction
Staff is requesting reallocation of $100,000 in Historic District Public Improvement Program
(HDPIP) funding from the Four Mounds Estate to the Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project.
Background
In June, 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended a commitment of FY2009
HDPIP funds of up to $100,000 for a future public improvement project to occur throughout the
Four Mounds Campus. The Four Mounds Foundation sought HDPIP funding up to $100,000 to
assist with the re-construction of the Four Mounds road, culverts and parking areas throughout
the Four Mounds Estate Historic District. The commitment of HDPIP funding was to strengthen
a Watershed Improvement Resource Board (WIRB) grant application that would help create,
design and implement a project to minimize run-off to the Mississippi River from the Four
Mounds Estate. We have since learned that Four Mounds is unlikely to receive a WIRB grant.
Discussion
The City has received federal and state grants to conduct an archeological survey, address
structural problems, and provide for interpretation of the historic Dubuque Shot Tower. The City
has committed $200,000 for the Shot Tower as part of the Vision Iowa grant match for the
America's River project at the Port of Dubuque. A HDPIP application and a project description
are enclosed.
Due to requirements of the National Park Service and the State Historical Society of Iowa for
rehabilitation of the Shot Tower, the original project cost estimate of $600,000 has increased to
at least $700,000. The reallocation of $100,000 in HDPIP funds will help fill this gap. Since the
Shot Tower Project is underway, it will be able to use HDPIP funds in a timely manner.
The Four Mounds Foundation can continue to seek alternate funds for improvements at the
Four Mounds Estate Historic District where a commitment of future HDPIP funding can provide
a match and/or demonstrate City commitment.
Recommendation
I recommend that the HPC recommend reallocation of $100,000 in FY2009 HDPIP funds from
the Four Mounds Estate to the Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project.
Enclosures
THE CTIY OF
DUB E
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Phone: 563-589-4210
Fax: 563-589-4221
HISTORIC DISTRICT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PROJECT COMPONENTS (Check all that apply)
^ Historic Street Lights ^ Street Trees/Grates ^ Brick Sidewalks ^ Colored Concrete Sidewalks/Curbs
^ Benches ^ Landscaping/Plantings ^ Brick Crosswalks ^ Colored Concrete Crosswalks
^ Trash Receptacles ^ Decorative Fence/Rail ^ Brick Streets ^ Colored Concrete Street Paving
^ Planters ^ Decorative Bollards ^ Limestone Curbs X Other: Landmark rehab
^ Waysides/Plazas ^ Identification Signs ^ Retaining Walls ^ Other:
Please tune or print legibly in ink
Type of Applicant: ^ Neighborhood Group ^ Neighborhood Association (Name: )
Representative: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager, City of Dubuque Phone: 589-4210
Address: 50 W. 13th Street City: Dubuque State: IA Zip: 52001
Fax Number: 589-4221 Mobile/Cellular Number: 564-5036
Project Description: Stabilization of the tower structure through tuckpointinq of masonry, repair and
replacement of windows and doors, and installation of a new roof to prevent further deterioration.
Project location/area: At the east terminus of Commercial Street, as shown on enclosed drawing. Project
involves refurbishment of the area around the Shot Tower within the iron railing and limestone walls.
Total project cost: $700,000 Amount of Grant Request: $100,000
CERTIFICATION: I/we, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and upon
submittal becomes public record;
The undersigned representatives are authorized to sign this application on behalf of the
neighborhood association or group; and
3. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached.
Representative: ;Z~,(~ Date: L 2- - ~ I `
Representative:
Date:
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY -APPLICATION SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
Received by: Submittal Date: HPC Meeting Date:
^Site/sketch plan(s) ^ Petition/Signatures in Support ^ Photos ^ Catalog examples
^ Project description ^ Budget Documentation ^ Map(s) ^Other:
HISTORIC DISTRICT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Grant Application for Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project
Proiect Description: Constructed in 1856 to manufacture lead shot ammunition, the Dubuque
Shot Tower is one of only a few remaining shot towers in the United States, and the only one
west of the Mississippi River. The 117-foot Shot Tower produced lead shot from 1856-58, and
then was closed. It was briefly refurbished for use during the first year of the Civil War. The
Standard Lumber Company used the tower as a fire watchtower from the late 1880s until the
company was destroyed in the 1911 lumberyard fire. The tower stood deserted in its post-fire
ruin from 1911 to 1959. The 1911 fire destroyed the original wooden stairway, leaving no ready
means to access the tower interior for maintenance and repairs. In 1960-1961, the tower was
repaired using methods that are now known to promote deterioration.
In 2001, a structural assessment of the Shot Tower noted several areas of damage and
deterioration. The City developed a rehabilitation plan, and began applying for state and federal
grants in 2002.
The City of Dubuque has a $295,000 Save America's Treasures grant from the National Park
Service to address structural problems and provide for interpretation. The State Historical
Society of Iowa has awarded the City a $100,000 Historic Sites Preservation grant for
stabilization of the Shot Tower and a $15,500 Historic Resource Development Program grant for
an archeological survey of the Shot Tower. The City has committed $200,000 for rehabilitation
and interpretation of the Shot Tower as part of the Vision Iowa grant match for the America's
River project at the Port of Dubuque.
The Shot Tower Rehabilitation Project includes stabilization of the tower structure, an
archeological survey in and around the tower, construction of anon-combustible interior
stairway leading to the top of the tower for improved maintenance access and increased
stability, a new roof to prevent further deterioration, and installation of protective barriers to
safeguard the Shot Tower from vehicular damage from rail cars and semi-tractor trailers that
serve the adjacent industrial use. The project also involves refurbishment of the area around the
Shot Tower within the iron railing and limestone walls. This project will provide an opportunity to
interpret the Shot Tower, the Mississippi River, and the country's industrial expansion westward.
Installing a stairway leading to an observation platform at the top will enhance the Shot Tower's
educational and interpretive value by providing access to this unique and nationally significant
historic structure.
Proiect Costs: Due to requirements of the National Park Service and the State Historical Society
of Iowa for rehabilitation of the Shot Tower, the original project cost estimate of $600,000 has
increased to at least $700,000. The reallocation of $100,000 in HDPIP funds will help fill this
gap.
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