City Support of Woodward Communication's Application for Historic Preservation Tax CreditsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 16.
Copyrighted
May 17, 2021
ITEM TITLE: City Support of Woodward Communication's Application for Historic
Preservation Tax Credits
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of a resolution supporting an
application for Historic Preservation Tax Credits by Woodward
Communications, Inc. to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Park Service for
redevelopment of the property at 801 Bluff Street.
RESOLUTION Supporting the filing of an application by Woodward
Communications, Inc. with the Iowa Economic Development Authority,
the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Park Service for
Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the redevelopment of 810 Bluff
Street in the City of Dubuque, Iowa
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Woodward Communications Resolution of Support- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution of Support Resolutions
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Support of Woodward Communication's Application for Historic
Preservation Tax Credits
DATE: May 13, 2021
Economic Development Director Jill Connors recommends City Council approval of a
resolution supporting an application for Historic Preservation Tax Credits by Woodward
Communications, Inc. to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa
Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Park Service for redevelopment of the
property at 801 Bluff Street.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Micl4ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
Economic Development
Department
50 West 131h Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
SUBJECT: City Support of Woodward Communication's Application for Historic
Preservation Tax Credits
DATE: May 12, 2021
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum presents for City Council review and approval a resolution supporting
an application for Historic Preservation Tax Credits by Woodward Communications, Inc.
to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs,
and the National Park Service.
BACKGROUND
Historic Preservation Tax Credits have been instrumental to the redevelopment of
Dubuque's downtown. Between 2001 and 2019, there were 43 Historic Tax Credit
projects in Dubuque. Those projects have invested over $216 million in total project costs.
DISCUSSION
Subject to an award of State and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits, Woodward
Communications is proposing to redevelop the property at 801 Bluff Street.
This project would be nearly an entire remodel of the professional space of the building.
When completed, the project would service the entire Telegraph Herald Media staff's
needs as well as the majority of Woodward Communications, Inc.'s corporate staff's
needs all to be located on the 1 st floor. This would allow Woodward Communications to
lease the 2nd and 3rd floors, expanding available downtown commercial space. The
estimated remodel cost is around $4.5 million, in addition to furniture, fixtures, and
equipment.
Historically the City has provided proof of its support of historic preservation tax credit
projects in the form of the execution of a development agreement. As the City does not
have a development agreement with Woodward Communications, Inc. for its
redevelopment project, the attached resolution will serve as evidence of the City's support
of seeing this project move forward.
RECOMMENDATION/ ACTION STEP
I recommend that the City Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the
Woodward Communications, Inc.'s application to Iowa Economic Development Authority,
the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Park Service for the proposed
investment of approximately $4.5 Million for the redevelopment of its property at 801 Bluff
Street in Dubuque. The proposed project would promote a robust local economy by
creating additional quality commercial space in Dubuque's downtown.
2
Prepared by: Jill Connors, Economic Development, 1300 Main Street, Dubuque IA 52001, 563 589-4393
Return to: Jill Connors, Economic Development, 13000 Main Street, Dubuque IA 52001, 563 589-4393
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, recognizes the
importance of redevelopment of the historic structure located at 801 Bluff Street in
Dubuque, Iowa, known as the Telegraph Herald Building (the Property); and
WHEREAS, Woodward Communications, Inc. wishes to redevelop the Property
for use as commercial space; and
WHEREAS, Woodward Communications, Inc. has proposed making a Four Million
Five Hundred Thousand Dollar ($4,500,000.00) investment in the redevelopment of the
Property; and
WHEREAS, Woodward Communications, Inc. plans to apply to the Iowa Economic
Development Authority, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Park
Service for Historic Preservation Tax Credits; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa believes that it is in the
best interests of the City to support the filing of the Application with the Iowa Economic
Development Authority, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and National Park Service
for Historic Preservation Tax Credits on behalf of Woodward Communications, Inc.
NOW, THEREFORE,E IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE I
OF ,I A:
Section 1. The City Council hereby supports the filing of an Application by
Woodward Communications, Inc. for Historic Preservation Tax Credits with the Iowa
Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the
National Park Service.
Section 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute this
Resolution on behalf of the City of Dubuque and the City Clerk is authorized and directed
to attest to his signature.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized to take such action as is necessary
05122021bal
to comply with the terms of the Resolution as herein approved.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 17th day of May, 2021.
Attest:
Trish . Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
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P, I, /
Roy D. 13� `61, Mayor