Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District - Bluff Street Subarea Urban Renewal Plan_InitiateMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
AIFAmedca
2007
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal
Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
DATE: June 1, 2010
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar is recommending adoption of a Resolution
of Necessity that the Amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District, adding the Bluff Street Subarea, is both necessary and
appropriate and recommending that a public hearing be set on the proposed
amendment for July 19, 2010.
The amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan will expand the district to include the Bluff
Street area. This amendment will give this area access to the tools and incentives
available to urban renewal district properties, including tax increment financing and the
Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
DATE: May 25, 2010
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
Dubuque
All-America CRY
f
2007
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Introduction
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration a Resolution of Necessity
that: 1) finds that the amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District is both necessary and appropriate; and 2) sets a
public hearing on the proposed amendment for July 19, 2010.
The proposed amendment of this district would expand the district to include the Bluff
Street Subarea (See Attached Map).
Background
The Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal District was originally established in 1967. It
has been amended and restated on several occasions over the years to expand the
boundaries to include the Old Main area, the Iowa Inn property, Dubuque Museum of
Art, Historic Federal Building, Locust Street Parking Ramp, the Carnegie -Stout Public
Library, the South Main area, the Warehouse District, the South Port area, and the
Cable Car area. On April 19 2004, the Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal was
merged with the Ice Harbor Urban Renewal District. By combining the two districts,
both public and private development efforts have benefited from greater flexibility in the
use of tax increment financing in the larger district.
Before a municipality can exercise the authority conferred by Chapter 403 "Urban
Renewal" of the Iowa Code, a Resolution of Necessity must be adopted finding that the
area being considered for urban renewal district designation is either a slum, blighted or
economic development area and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment,
development, or a combination thereof, of the area is necessary in the interest of the
public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city.
The Iowa Code defines a blighted area as, "an area of a municipality within which the
local governing body of the municipality determines that the presence of a substantial
number of slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures; defective or inadequate street
layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
unsanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site or other improvements; diversity of
ownership, tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
defective or unusual conditions of title; or the existence of conditions which endanger
life or property by fire and other causes; or any combination of these factors;
substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of a municipality, retards the provision
of housing accommodations, or constitutes an economic or social liability and is a
menace to the public health, safety, or welfare in its present condition and use ". An
economic development area is defined as, "an area of a municipality designated by the
local governing body as appropriate for commercial and industrial enterprises or
housing and residential development for low and moderate income families, including
single or multifamily housing." The Bluff Street Subarea will be designated as a
blighted area.
Discussion
The amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan will expand the district to include the Bluff
Street area. This amendment will give this area access to the tools and incentives
available to urban renewal district properties, including tax increment financing and the
Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program.
The attached Resolution directs staff to prepare an Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan and to forward the Plan to the Long Range Planning Commission for
their review and comment. This is required by Chapter 403 along with a consultation
process that involves all affected taxing entities. Those taxing entities, the County,
School Board and community college, have an opportunity to comment on the
proposed Plan prior to the required public hearing on the Urban Renewal Plan, but they
cannot block adoption of the plan. This expansion will encourage continued investment
within the downtown area.
A City Council public hearing on the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan will be
scheduled for July 19. 2010. The public notice will be published four to twenty days
before the meeting to allow for the appropriate publication requirements. This will allow
time for preparation of the plan, review and comment period by the Long Range
Planning Commission and the consultation process with the taxing entities.
Recommendation
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached Resolution of Necessity that begins
the process of amending the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District to expand the district to include the Bluff Street Subarea.
The amendment will provide additional tools to encourage reinvestment and
redevelopment activities throughout the District and will support the revitalization within
the area.
Action Step
The action step for the City Council is to adopt the Resolution of Necessity attached to
this memorandum.
F: \USERS\Econ Dev \Urban Renewal \Greater Downtown UR District\2010.1 Amendment\20100505 Necessary Memo.docx
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Version 2010.1
District Subareas
AZZUCHELLI
Bluff Street Subarea
Cable Car Subarea
Q Ice Harbor Subarea A
Ice Harbor Subarea B
Ice Harbor Subarea C
RISING
Old Main Subarea
South Main Subarea
South Port Subarea
Town Clock Subarea
Upper Main Subarea
Attachment A
Warehouse Subarea
inch =
900 feet
RESOLUTION NO. 182 -10
A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FINDING THAT CERTAIN AREAS
ADJACENT TO THE GREATER DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT
MEET THE DEFINITION OF A BLIGHTED AREA UNDER THE URBAN
RENEWAL LAW, AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID AREAS IS
NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque has heretofore, by Resolution
No. 393 -09 adopted on October 5, 2009, approved the Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District (a merger of the
Downtown Dubuque and Ice Harbor Urban Renewal Districts) (the "District ") in order to
provide redevelopment opportunities which will further the purposes and objectives of
the foregoing Urban Renewal Plan; and
Whereas, the City Council has found that certain areas adjacent to the District
meet the definition of a blighted area as found in Chapter 403 "Urban Renewal" of the
Iowa Code; and
Whereas, Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code requires that before urban renewal
authority may be exercised, a City Council must adopt a resolution of necessity finding
that the area in question is a slum, blighted or economic development area, and that so
designating such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare
of the residents of the municipality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the following generally described area, which is proposed to be
added to the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, is a blighted area as defined
by Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code and is appropriate for an urban renewal project, to
wit:
1) Bluff Street Subarea
Commencing as a point of reference at the intersection of the centerlines of W.
Sixth Street and Bluff Street in the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, said point
being the point of beginning; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff Street to
a point of intersection with the northerly line of the south 62.5 ft. of the north 64 ft. of
City Lot 617 extended southeasterly; thence southwesterly along said northerly line to
the easterly line of Lot 1 of City Lot 690; thence northwesterly along the easterly line of
said Lot 1 to the northeast corner of said Lot 1; thence southwesterly along the
northerly line of said Lot 1 to the northwest corner of said Lot 1; thence southeasterly
along the westerly line of said Lot 1 to a point of intersection with northerly right of way
line of W. Fifth Street; thence southwesterly along said right of way line of W. Fifth St.
to the southeast corner of the South 73' of Lot 13 of Coriell's Dubuque; thence
northwesterly 73' along the easterly line of said South 73' of Lot 13 of Coriell's Dubuque
to the northeast corner of the South 73' of Lot 13 of Coriell's Dubuque; thence
southwesterly along the northerly line of said South 73' of Lot 13 of Coriell's Dubuque to
a point of intersection with westerly line of Lot 13 of Coriell's Dubuque; thence
northwesterly along said westerly line of Lot 13 to a point of intersection with the
southerly line of Lot 33 of Coriell's Dubuque; thence northeasterly along said southerly
line of Lot 33 to a point of intersection with the westerly line of Lot 14 of Coriell's
Dubuque' thence northwesterly along said westerly line of said Lot 14 to a point of
intersection with the southerly line of Lot 34 of Coriell's Dubuque; thence northeasterly
along said southerly line of Lot 34 to the easterly line of Coriell's Dubuque; thence
northwesterly along said easterly line Lots 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 44 of Coriell's
Dubuque to the northwest corner of the North 50' of Lot 1 of Lot 1 of City Lot 653;
thence northeasterly along the northerly line of said North 50' of Lot 1 of Lot 1 of City
Lot 653 to the southeast corner of Lot 1 of McKinlay's Subdivision; thence northwesterly
along said easterly line of said Lot 1 and extension thereof to a point of intersection with
the centerline of West Eighth Street; thence northwesterly along said centerline of West
Eighth Street to a point of intersection with the westerly line of Lot 1 of the Subd'n. of
City Lot 688 and part of City Lot 654 extended southerly; thence northwesterly along
said westerly line of Lot 1 and extension thereof northerly to a point of intersection with
the centerline of West Ninth Street; thence southwesterly along the centerline of West
Ninth Street to a point of intersection with the southerly extension of the westerly line of
Lot 2 of Lot 12 of Central Addition; thence northwesterly along said westerly right of Lot
2 of Lot 12 to the northwest corner of said Lot; thence northeasterly along the northerly
line of said Lot 2 of Lot 12 to the northeast corner of said Lot; thence southeasterly
along said easterly line of said Lot 2 of Lot 12 to the southwest corner of Lot 1 of Lot 11
of Central Addition;.thence northeasterly along the southerly line of Lot 1 of Lot 11 and
Lot 1 of Lot 10 of Central Addition to a point of intersection with the westerly line of Lot
1 of Lot 9 of Central Addition; thence northwesterly along said westerly line of Lot 1 of
Lot 9 to a point of intersection with the southerly right of way line of a public alley in
Central Addition; thence northeasterly along said southerly line to a point of intersection
with the westerly line of Lot 1 of 1 of 10 of Lorimer's Subdivision; thence northwesterly
along said westerly line of said Lot 1 of 1 of 10 to the northerly line of Lorimer's
Subdivision; thence northeasterly along the northerly line of Lorimer's Subdivision to the
southeast corner of a public alley between Corkery's Subdivision and City Lot 655;
thence northwesterly along the easterly right of way line of said alley to a point of
intersection with West Eleventh Street; thence southwesterly along centerline of West
Eleventh Street to a point of intersection with the centerline of Grove Terrace; thence
northwesterly along centerline of Grove Terrace to a point of intersection with the
northerly right of way line of Arlington Street; thence northeasterly along the northerly
right of way line of Arlington Street to the southeast corner of City Lot 769B; thence
northwesterly along the easterly line of said City Lot 769B to a point of intersection with
the southerly line of Lot 3 of Brown's Subdivision; thence southwesterly along the
southerly line of said Lot 3 to the southwest corner of said lot; thence northwesterly
along the westerly line of said Lot 3 and extension thereof to a point of intersection with
the centerline of Loras Boulevard; thence northeasterly along said centerline to a point
of intersection with the centerline of Locust Street; thence southeasterly along the
centerline of Locust Street to a point of intersection with the centerline of W. Eleventh
Street; thence southwesterly along the centerline of W. Eleventh Street to a point of
intersection with the centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline
of Bluff Street to a point of intersection with the extension of the southerly line of City
Lot 658A; thence northeasterly along the southerly line of City Lot 658A extended and
the southerly line of City Lot 658, except the southerly one foot thereof, extended to a
point of intersection with the centerline of Locust Street; thence southeasterly along the
centerline of Locust Street to a point of intersection with the centerline of West Ninth
Street; thence southwesterly along the centerline of West Ninth Street to a point of
intersection with the centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline
of Bluff Street to a point of intersection with the centerline of West Eighth Street; thence
northeasterly along the centerline of West Eighth Street to a point of intersection with
the centerline of Locust Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Locust
Street to a point of intersection with the northerly line of City Lot 624 extended
northeasterly; thence southwesterly along the northerly line of City Lot 624 extended
southeasterly to the centerline of a public alley; thence southeasterly along the
centerline of a public alley to a point of intersection with the centerline of W. Seventh
Street; thence northeasterly along the centerline of W. Seventh Street to a point of
intersection with Locust Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Locust
Street to a point of intersection with West Sixth Street; thence southwesterly along the
centerline of West Sixth Street to a point of intersection with Bluff Street said point
being the point of beginning.
Section 2. That the development of the above - described expansion area is
necessary and appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the
community in accordance with sound planning and local community objectives.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare an
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District for the purpose of including the above - described areas in the District, to forward
said amendment to the City's Long Range Planning Commission for review and
comment, and to begin the consultation process required by law with affected taxing
entities.
Section 4. That the City Clerk is directed to publish notice of a public hearing on
the adoption of the proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to be held on July 19, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in
the Historic Federal Building, 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 and that said
notice shall generally identify the areas covered by the Amended and Restated Plan,
the areas proposed to be added to the District, and the general scope of the urban
renewal activities planned for such areas, and that said notice shall be published and
available to the public not less than four days nor more than twenty days before the
date of said meeting. A copy of the notice of public hearing shall be sent by ordinary
mail to the affected taxing entities.
Section 5. That the City Clerk is further directed to send by ordinary mail a copy
of said Plan and notice of public hearing to the Dubuque Community School District, the
County Board of Supervisors and the Northeast Iowa Community College, as the
affected taxing entities.
AT - EST:
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 7 day of Jul e, 2010.
eanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
ide..j
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
F: \USERS \Econ Dev \Urban Renewal \Greater Downtown UR District\2010.1 Amendment\20100517 Necessary Resolution.doc