Four Mounds Interpretive Sign Project Phase IIIPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planningQcityofdubuque.o~
THE CTTY OF
DUB E
MQStel~teCe Ori t~ MiSStSSl~'11
July 21, 2008
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Phase I11 Four Mounds Interpretive Sign Project
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The Historic Preservation Commission has discussed approving Historic District Public
Improvement Project (HDPIP) funding for installation of two outdoor interpretive signs
and a concrete pad within the farm campus of Four Mounds.
Discussion
Chris Olson, Executive Director of the Four Mounds Foundation, removed herself from
the table to present the request. The Historic Preservation Commission has met and
discussed approving $3,691.60 in HDPIP funding to install two outdoor interpretive
signs and a concrete pad within the farm campus of Four Mounds. Four Mounds is a
designated City Landmark.
The project is an extension of a larger project, started with assistance from HDPIP. The
first phase of the project was to install a new wayfinding sign, small directional signs, an
introductory interpretive sign, and a new entrance sign with ground lighting. The second
phase was to install three wayside outdoor interpretive signs and a winding concrete
walk.
The current phase, Phase III, includes installing two additional interpretive signs and a
concrete pad. Each sign will be a low profile, 24" high by 36" wide fiberglass embedded
sign with protective bollards. The concrete pad will be constructed using river sand and
stone ingredients and will provide access to the interpretive sign outside the former
white house. The funding will assist with research, writing and creating sign mockups,
the cost of installing the concrete pad, bollards, and a portion of the sign production
costs.
Enclosed is a copy of the Four Mounds Foundation application, site plan and signage
mockups. Currently there is $113,100.35 of total HDPIP funds available through
Phase III Four Mounds Interpretive Sign Project
F:\Users\djohnson\Council Items\ Phase III Four Mounds Interpretive Sign ProjectlCouncil Letter
Page 2
FY2009. To date, $612,679.27 of HDPIP funding has been approved and $307,039.09
of HDPIP funds have been expended.
Recommendation
By a vote of 6 to 0 with one abstention, the Historic Preservation Commission
recommends approval of $3,691.60 of HDPIP funding for the installation of two outdoor
interpretive signs and a concrete pad within the Four Mounds farm campus.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request for HDPIP
funding for the Phase III Four Mounds Interpretive Sign Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Lundh, Vice-Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Enclosures
ADVISORY DESIGN REVIEW STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: July 17, 2008
Property Address: 4900 Peru Road
Property Owner: City of Dubuque
Applicant: Four Mounds Foundation/Chris Olson
Project: Installation of two interpretive signs and a concrete pad at the Four
Mounds farm campus.
Historic Preservation District: No Landmark: Yes Style: N/A
Funding: Historic District Public Improvement Program Date Built: N/A
Existing Zoning: R-1 Single-Family Residential
Present Land Use: Residential/Recreational
Level of Significance:
^ Not Evaluated
Level of Rehabilitation:
^ Design for Historic Features
^ Alteration/Addition
Physical Characteristics: The Four Mounds Estate Historic District encompasses the
country estate established in 1908 by George A. and Viola Burden between Peru Road
and the Mississippi River. The extant buildings include their home, the Grey house built
in 1908, a barn, corncrib, icehouse, hog house, garage, pump house, porch ramada,
root cellar, and two servants' homes (for the gardener and the chauffeur), and the White
House built in 1924 for their son, George R. Burden and his wife, Elizabeth, upon their
marriage. George R. ("Bill") and Elizabeth Burden added a garden shed, two
playhouses (only one extant), a woodworking shop, and a rock garden to the estate.
The final building added to the estate was a cabin built in 1956 for Frindy Burden
Gronen, daughter of George R. and Elizabeth. The Four Mounds Estate derived its
name from the presence of four prehistoric burial mounds that line the bluff top just
down slope from the Grey House.
Staff Analysis: The applicants are applying for funding from the Historic District Public
Improvement Program for the installation of two interpretive signs and a concrete pad.
The project is Phase III of the Four Mounds Interpretive Plan. The funding will assist
with research, writing and creating sign mockups, the cost of installing the concrete pad,
bollards, and a small portion of the sign production costs.
Signs: Each sign will be a low profile, 24" high by 36" wide fiberglass embedded
sign with protective bollards. The bollards are intended to protect from vehicular traffic.
The proposed sign locations were chosen so not to be intrusive but allow visitors to see
the building while reviewing the sign. Sign #1 will be located off of the paved circle at
Design Review Staff Report -Four Mounds Foundation HDPIP Phase III
Page 2
the Grey House and sign #2 will be located off the circle at the front of the White House.
Enclosed is a map provided by the applicant showing the sign locations.
Concrete Pad/VValkway: The applicant is proposing to install a concrete pad
outside the former white house. The pad will be constructed using river sand and stone
ingredients and is intended to provide access to the interpretive sign. The enclosed
map identifies the location of the concrete pad.
Enclosed are photographs which depict the placement of the proposed signs. Also
enclosed is the application letter which explains in more detail the cost breakdown of
the project and content of the interpretive signs. Currently there is $113,100.35 of total
HDPIP funds available through FY2009. $612,679.27 of HDPIP funding has been
approved and $307,039.09 of HDPIP funds has been expended. There are also
remaining funds from finished projects that are included in the available funds. The
current HDPIP Project Status Report is enclosed. The following is the cost breakdown
for the interpretive sign project.
Total Pro'ect Cost $7,511.60
Four Mounds Foundation Cost $3,820.00
Total Grant Re uest $3,691.60
Grant to total cost 49.15%
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 at landmark sites. 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.
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Jun 06 08 12:48p Four Mounds Foundation
Dubuque
THE Crl'Y 4E
~U~ ~~ I~~~il
M. nstcrpr`ace orr the Mississippi ~°D7r
563-557-3159 p.2
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 520{]1864
Phone: 563-589210
Fax: 563-589-4221
ALANNING APPLICATION FORM
^Variance ^Rezoning ^Sirnple Site Plan ^Annexation
^Conditional 11se Permit ^Planned District ^Minor Site Plan ^Temporary tlse Permit
^Appeal ^Prelirninary Plat ^Major Site Plan ^Certificate of Economic Non-Viat+ility
^Spedal Exception ^Minor Final Plat ^Major Final Plat ®Certificate of Appropriateness
^Lirnited Setback Waiver ^Text Amendment ^Simple Subdivision ®Otiher: ,vOP~P
Please_tt-pe or print IegiblY in ink
use Four Mounds
Property owner{s): City of Dubuque phone; 557-7292
Address: City: State: Zip:
Fax Number: Four Mounds 557-3159 Mobile/Cellular Number: 543-3557 Chris Olson
Applipnt/Agent: Four Mounds Foundation, Chris Olson Phone: 557--7292
Address: 4900 Peru Rd. ~,~y; Dbq State: IA Zip: 52001
Fax Number: Mobile/Cellular Number:
Site location/address; Four Mounds Estate 4900 Peru Rd
Existing zoning: Proposed zoning: Historic District: Landmark: site x
Legal Description (Bidwell parcel ID# or lot number/block number/subdivision):
Total property (lot) area (square feet or acres}: 60 acres
Describe proposal and reason necessary (attach a letter of explanation, if needed}:
To install intervretive sienaee and concrete cad/walkway
CERTIFICATION: IJwe, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
1. The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of myJour knowledge and upon
submittal becomes public record;
2. Fees are not refundable and payment does not guarantee approval; and
3. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached.
Property Owner(s):
Applicant/Agent: ~,
Date:
Date: d' /6 /OrP
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY -APPLICATION SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
Fee: --~- Received~~__by~~:-----i~---°- Date: of Docket:
C Site/sketch plan ^Yonceptual Development Plan ^Photo ^ Plat
^ Improvement plans ^ 4esign review pro}ect description ^ Fbor plan ^ Other: _
Jun 06 08 12:48p Four Mounds Foundation
563-557-3159 p.3
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
(use additional pages as needed)
Please describe your project, indicating the existing materials and their condition
and the reason for the proposed work:
Please see attached letter
What alternative remedies have you considered to solve your problem or meet
your needs?
No alternative remedies necessary
Please indicate the type of construction materials to be used in this project:
specialty mix concrete with river sandfgravel
Fiberglass embedded signs with metal framing
steel bollards for protection
What is your timeline for completion of the proposed project?
Dec 2009
What is the estimated project cost?
$7511.60
Will you do the work yourself, or use a contractor? Please provide name of con-
tractor. See letter
Any other information or comments?
~~
Si "ature
~~d
to
FOUR MOUNDS
F UNDATION
O
4900 Peru Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-557-7292 • www.founnounds.org
Officers June 5, 2008
John Gronen
President
Matt Lundh, Vice-Chair
Pat O'Neill City of Dubuque, Historic Preservation Commission
Vice President 50 W. 13~' Street
Brian Houtakker Dubuque, IA 52001
Treasurer
Mary Mulgrew Gronen Deaz Vice-Chair Lundh,
Secretary
We aze writing you with a request for assistance with Phase III of our
Interpretive Plan (see attached). Phase III entails the creation of two new
Trustees interpretive signs outside the historic Grey & White Houses at the historic
Four Mounds estate. Sign #1 will focus on the Grey House and its owners,
Elizabeth Adams the George A. & Viola R. Burden Family. The sign will also describe the
Jayne Banfield role of the buildings azound it and the landscape plan for Four Mounds. Sign
Fellowship Representative
#2 will focus on the White House and its owners, the George (Billy) R. and
Karla Braig Elizabeth A. Burden Family. The sign will also describe the role of the
City Appointee
buildings around it and the subsequent landscaping. See Signage
Jennifer Clemens-Conlon Mockups/outlines and the Signage placement maps & photos.
Eric Dregne
James Gronen Signage physical description & location: Each sign will be a low profile,
Doug Horstmann 24" x 36" wide fiberglass embedded sign and will have protective bollazds
Charles Huntley installed in the proximity to protect from nearby vehicles. Sign #1 will be
Ann Michalski located off the paved circle at the Grey House while sign #2 will be located
off the circle at the front of the White House. We' 11 also install a 10' x 20'
Jim Mulgrew historically appropriate (using river sand & stone ingredients) drive/walkway
Richard Weber to the Potting Shed (formerly a gazage) in order that Sign #2 be accessible.
Management Staff
Christine Happ Olson
Executive Director
Marie FitzGerald
Inn Manager/Job Coach
Ron Fritz
HEART Manager/Job Coach
Stephenie Morales
Office Manager
Jay Potter
Y.E.S. Manager/Job Coach
Ed Bauer
Summer Day Camp Director
Dave Germain
Wood Shop Manager
Location choice: We positioned these two signs outside these prominent
buildings at Four Mounds in a way that is not intrusive (photos can be taken
without the signs showing) but allow visitors to get a full view of the
building close up and see the surroundings that aze highlighted in the
signage. Our focus has been to provide visitors with an overview of Four
Mounds first, starting at the most prominent azeas so a casual visitor can
walk away from Four Mounds with a general understanding of its history
and role in our region (also in relation to the other sites in the Silos &
Smokestacks National Heritage Area.)
Contractors: Sign research: Jay Potter, Four Mounds staff. Sign writing:
Chris Olson, Four Mounds staff. Sign mockup: Amy Wickham (on
contract). Concrete: D&D Concrete, same contractor installed concrete
under our caz port (see attached photographs). Signage layout, production &
installation. Collaborator: Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area-
using their guidelines for design and production.
A Non-Profit Organization 501(c)(3) /fA'(~ PRESERVATION • EDUCATION
Signage content: Four Mounds is a gentleman's farm so the developer's/owner's focus was
more on creating a perfect atmosphere and the embodiment of the idea of a farm should be,
rather than yields or profit. Therefore, the owner's ideas and his focus on family play a big
role in the history of the site. These signs focus on the families and lifestyles that were
created azound the two major residences on site, the Grey House (for George A. Burden &
family) and the White House (for his son Bill Burden & family).
The signs will detail the use for the homes, the families who lived in them (and frankly, the
source of their wealth which made Four Mounds possible), and the thought and planning
that went into creating an idyllic farm setting. These include developing necessary facilities
(like a pump house in order to serve a lazge site), creating landscape plans to benefit the
animals people who lived there, and the recreational elements azound these homes (rock
gazden, playhouses, woodshop, wading pool and Porch Ramada). Please see: 1. attached
map with signage location; 2. attached images of the Grey House & White House
showing the signs locations; and 3. Sign #1 & #2 Mockups (highlights design outline
and possible imagesJor inclusion.)
Impact: Phase III of our enclosed interpretive plan helps visitors in the following ways:
.Phase III allows us to interpret two of the three campuses at Four Mounds (Phase III
focuses on the White House and Grey House Campuses, while Phase II focused on
our Farm Campus)
.Encourages people to get out of their cazs and look azound (we have a problem with
people thinking Four Mounds is not a public place and therefore they don't feel
welcome)
.Broadens a mix of activities at our site (in addition to staying at our Inn, you can walk
the trails, book a training session on our ropes course, or learn more about our
history through interpretive signage)
.Encourages independent discovery (until we started installing signage, the only way to
learn about our site was to track down a staff person and have them talk to you)
Funding request: We aze requesting a $3,691.60 grant from HDPII'. Funding will support
our time reseazching, writing and creating mockups, the cost of installing a concrete pad
outside the former White House gazage/potting shed in order to make the sign accessible,
bollards to protect from vehicle impact and a small portion of the sign production cost.
Cash Match HDPIP Subtotal
Consultant Design assistant $ 320.00 $ 200.00 S 520.00
Personnel Use Staff research/writing $ 1,550.08 $ 1,550.08
Contract for Service Sign production/install $ 3,500.00 $ 69.52 $ 3,569.52
Concrete pad $ 1,560.00 $ 1,560.00
Material 8c Supply Protective bollards $ 312.00 S 312.00
Total $ 3,820.00 $ 3,691.60 $ 7,511.60
Source Funds:
Arts & Culture Grant $ 320.00 Anticipated 6-08
SSNHA $ 3,500.00 Anticipated 7-08
HDPIP $ 3,691.60
$ 7,511.60
Timeline
Initial design mock-ups and content composition September 2008
Layout by McCullough Creative & review process October-December 2008
Manufacturing signage January-Apri12009
Bollazd & concrete pad installation Spring 2009
Signage Installation by June 2009
Grant reporting Summer 2009
We thank the HPC for their continued support of our work at Four Mounds. HDPIP has
allowed us to undertake a long term goal of developing an interpretive program that
highlights the history of Four Mounds for the public good. Should you have further
questions about this project, I will be happy to answer them at the upcoming July HPC
meeting.
I appreciate your cazeful consideration of our request.
Sinc~~t/
~~ ~
V/~~
Chest a Happ Olson
Executive Director
Interpretive & Wayfinding Signa eg_ Plan (areas in grey are complete)
_ f ~~ -.,
~~~ -
_~
.. _ i P ~ ., _ ... ~. ,..
Phase III: Grey & White House Campus Exterior Interpretation
• Interpretive Drafts at Art & Antique Roadshow
o Grey House
o White House
o Adams Family
o Burden Family
• Grey House overview
o Family
o Landscape & support buildings
o Building
• White House overview
o Family
o Landscape & support buildings
o Building
o (also install) Concrete drive/walkway to potting shed sign
Phase IV: Grey House & White House Interior Interpretation
• Grey House
o Inner workings of Grey House- kitchen
^ Hannah Driscoll (cook for almost 50 years)
^ Facility
o George A. & Viola Rider Burden family- hall
^ Burden & Rider family history
• White House
o Inner workings of White House- kitchen
^ Mildred Hahlen (Cook for over 50 years)
o George R. & Elizabeth Adams Burden family- foyer
^ Adams Family history
Phase V: Longer term goals/various subjects
• Cabin- exterior
• Barn- Interior
• Playhouse- Exterior
• Ski Jump- at trail head near Porch Ramada
• River history- exterior, at trails
o Lock & Dam
o Peru Bottoms
o John Deere
D
~ ~
~ ~
~# ~ _z
.% ~ ~'
~. W
Z
Si~[Grey House- exterior campus overview]
George Albert & Viola Rider Burden Family
• Raised their children Viola and George R. (Bill)
• George A. was
Grey House design
• 1908 Craftsman style home by the Chicago architect Lawrence Buck. Buck worked on
remodeling a few other homes in Dubuque including George's partners George Day.
• Modern style incorporated a carport as the most prominent feature, with a drive. Estate
focused around automobile with Chauffeur's _
house and garage. ~ ,~.~ ~'
Surroundings
Landscape
A Phelps Wyman
Outbuildings
Porch Ramada, rmada referring to a open
shelter.
Pump house- every few days, it would
pump water to fill a large (give # gallons) tank in
basement of GH that served the entire site,
replaced with modern system
Also Show:
Possible images for
use. Clockwise from
top right: Vidie &
Norm play "horsey" on
the Grey House side
all, Grey House c.
1924, Viola with
children Vidie & Bill.
A. Phelps Wyman Landscape Plan correspondence
Lawrence Buck blueprint of Grey House
Stephenie holds the frame in the approximate location of Sign #2, next to the potting shed and
outside the White House within the driving circle. The concrete pad/drive will be 10 ft wide
and 20 ft long, from the circle to the facade of the potting shed (on the left). This will allow
wheelchair access to the interpretive sign. Bollards will protect the sign from vehicles.
ric curb on right. Work
performed by D&D Concrete. Same mix will be used for concrete pad near garage/potting shed.
Sign #2: jWhite House- exterior campus overviewl
George (Bill) Rider & Elizabeth Adams Burden Family
o Bill was son of George & Viola Burden, President of Adams Realty Corporation, Board of
Directors of First National Bank, Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., Dubuque Thrift Plan, and
Caradco
o Married in 1925, Raised their three daughters Winifred (Frindy), Viola (Vidie) and Elizabeth
(Betsy)
o One of the few estates in Dubuque that continued to employ full-time staff who lived on-site,
until Elizabeth's death in 1982
White House design
o Fine example of 1920s Colonial Revival, completed in 1924
^ Architect is yet unknown (we will investigate this in 2008,
o Historically white exterior and trim, with green shutters
0 1924, 1934 addition and changes to upstairs
fenestration (east)
Surroundings
o Landscape
^ Fort Crawford/Rock Garden- (Fort Cry
of Bill Burden)
^ Wading pool
o Outbuildings
^ Potting Shed
^ Woodshop
Playhouses
Possible images for use. Clockwise
from top: Frindy at wading pool,
Denise the dog at playhouse yard, the
Burden family with Denise at the
rock garden, and the White House
river view in 1925, with the river in
background.
we have a lead)