Kelley, Katherine Ltr re: WallMike Koch
50 E. 13th St.
Dubuque, 1 52001
Katherine Kelly
526 W. 5th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
August 22,2002
Dear Mr. Koch,
I am writing in regard to the maintenance of the wall on the south side of Hamilton St.
The nearest property to this wall belonged to my father ( who died in Feb.., this year). I am now
handling his estate.
The house on this property was built in the late 1890's..It stood without benefit of a wall
over 30 years. During the depression years, the WPA installed this wall for the city, this was told
to me by my father who worked for the WPA. Years later, in 1947, my father purchased this
house, he lived in it 55 years. When we first bought the house it only had a basement under one
room, my father hired a contractor to enlarged the basement..The contractor found the earth
under the house to be solid sand. I know this to be a fact because I was there. I truly believe the
wall was installed to protect the street from the sand, when they widen it to accommodate the
modern cars. The city department of eqgineers have examined this wall and have found it to be
on city street right of way.
Our property is twenty - five feet wide, the house is twenty- two feet wide, the property
line is more than four feet to the wall. Our claim is that we should not have to maintain .the wall,
since it was installed for the city on city property.
We are asking the city to clarify this matter so we may sell the property. Our potential
buyer cannot wait much longer for an answer, their financing is being held up subject to the
clearance of this issue .They have been waiting since mid - July for a definite answer on this
matter.
We will stand to lose a potential buyer over something we feel is not our responsibility.
It was installed for the city on city property, it should not be our responsibility any more than any
other owner of property sitting on this sand hill.
Your attention to this matter as so as possible wou/d be appreciated..
Sincerely, ·
Katherine Kelley
cc: Michael Van Milligan
Terry Duggan
Gus Psihoyos
Barry Lindlhal
'Daniel Nicholson
Ann Michalsk~
John Markham
Roy D Buol
Joyee Conners
Patricia Cline