Letter of Support for Steeple Square Copyrighted
July 2, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 7.
IT EM T IT LE: Letter of Support for Steeple Sq uare
SUMMARY: City Manager requesting approval to submit a Letter of
Support for the Steeple Square project.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Support for Steeple Square Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece an the Mississippi
Mr. John Gronen
President
Gronen Development
900 Jackson St Ste. LL -2
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque
trall
All -America City
i'
2007 • 2012 • 2013
Dear Mr. Gronen and Mr. McCullough,
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4805
Office (563) 589-4110
Fax (563) 589-4149
TTY (563) 690-6678
ctyrngr@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
June 25, 2018
Mr. Jack McCullough
Board President
Steeple Square
PO Box 3188
Dubuque, IA 52004-3188
Redeveloping historic properties in downtown areas can be an expensive venture.
Building new at the outskirts of town can be a less expensive option, but the City of
Dubuque believes there are many benefits to revitalizing the downtown area. The
Steeple Square project, the former St. Mary's Church is one of the most prominent
buildings in downtown Dubuque. This project will spur economic development in our
lowest -income census tract, encourage additional revitalization, utilize existing
resources to prohibit the destruction of the environment, and create a historical
destination where citizens and visitors can live, work, and play.
Steeple Square is one of Dubuque's signature buildings in our True North neighborhood
and has a very strong visual presence in the community. The project will transform our
most distressed census tract, the Washington neighborhood, also known as "True
North", into downtown Dubuque's center for social life and community support. It's
unique historic fabric and features will connect to the past while inspiring the future. A
significant gap exists for funding this project and New Market Tax Credits will make this
significant project move forward. The current property owner sees the potential to
redevelop the properties and to create a connection for citizens, workers, and visitors
between the two areas. This will help spur additional revitalization in the area.
Steeple Square mission to serve as a collaborative, multi -tenant, inclusive center,
providing an attractive hub for social life and community support. The repurposed
campus will be an agent for positive change and catalyst for restoring lives, citizen
engagement, and neighborhood empowerment and community vibrancy in the heart of
our most vulnerable neighborhood.
Service
People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Mr. John Gronen
Mr. Jack McCullough
June 25, 2018
Page 2
The City of Dubuque is committed to revitalizing the downtown area and this project is a
catalyst project to continue the long-term process of transforming the area. The City has
been a partner in discovering financing mechanisms for these projects and is excited for
the possibility of making downtown Dubuque a greater place to live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh