Chestnut St Reconstruct AwardMEMORANDUM
October 14, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox) Reconstruction Project
Sealed bids were received for the Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox) Reconstruction
Project. Public Works Director Mike Koch recommends award of the contract to the Iow
bidder, WC Stewart Construction Co., in the amount of $471,823.09, which is 2.24%
under the engineer's estimate.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mi~;hael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
MEMORANDUM
October 14, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director ;/~.:;i~A//'~/~,
Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox) Reconstruction Project
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed resolution provides for the award of the Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox)
Reconstruction Project.
DISCUSSION
The Chestnut Street project will involve the complete reconstruction of the existing base
and pavement surface that is 29 foot in width, from back-of-curb to back-of-curb from
Highland to Walnut and 20 foot in width from Walnut to Cox. The pavement will be
concrete, with new curb and gutter and sidewalks on both sides from Highland to
Walnut. The City Council, however, at the public hearing on the project removed the
sidewalk on the southeast corner of Chestnut and Highland. The area from Walnut to
Cox will have sidewalks only on the north side due to the minimal width of the ~'ight-of-
way.
The project will include: storm sewer improvements; sanitary manhole replacement;
sanitary sewer main repairs; water valve improvements; replacement of 15 lead water
services; and 21 sanitary sewer lateral replacements.
Sealed bids were received on the project on October 9, 2003. WC Stewart Construction
Co. of Dubuque, Iowa, submitted the Iow bid in the amount of $471,823.09. This
amount is 2.24% under the engineer's estimate. A summary of the bids received is as
follows:
WC Stewart Construction Co.
Tschiggfde Excavating Co.
Portzen Construction, Inc.
Horsfleld Construction. Inc.
Connolly Construction, Inc.
$471,823.09
$530,662.45
$569,992.43
$595,79O.9O
$632,434.90
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the contract be awarded to WC Stewart Construction Co. in the
amount of $471,823.09.
BUDGET IMPACT
The summary of the project costs is as follows:
Construction Contract
Contingency
Engineering
Total Project Estimate
The project will be funded as follows:
Street Construction Fund
Local Option Sales Tax Fund
Special Assessment to Private Properties
Special Assessment to Water Services
Special Assessment for Sewer Laterals
Special Assessment for Sidewalk
City Paid Deficiency
Watermain Depreciation Fund
Sanitary Sewer Construction Fund
Total Project Funding
Estimate Bid Award
9482,611.70
48,261.17
79,630.93
9610,503.80
9471,823.09
48,261.17
79,630.93
9599,715.19
Estimate Bid Award
$ 91,559.84 $108,166.42
231,907.78 231,383.35
77,302.59 77,127.79
16,343.80 14,440.80
45,820.83 38,534.33
2,201.10 0
0 0
88,128.51 90,887.15
57,239.35 39,175.35
$610,503.80
$599,715.19
The project will be funded through the Fiscal Year 2004 ClP appropriation of City funds
in the amount of $600,000. The project, as outlined, will require City funds in the
amount of $339,549.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to adopt the attached resolution awarding the contract for
the Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox) Reconstruction Project to WC Stewart
Construction Co.
Prepared by Michael Felderman
cc: Bob Green, Water Plant Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Michael Felderman, PE
RESOLUTION NO.
AWARDING CONTRACT
Whereas, sealed proposals have been submitted by contractors for the
Chestnut Street (Highland to Cox) Reconstruction Project pursuant to Resolution
No. __ and notice to bidders published in a newspaper published in the City
of Dubuque, Iowa on the 19th day of September, 2003.
Whereas, said sealed proposals were opened and read on the 9th day of
October, 2003, and it has been determined that the bid of WC Stewart
Construction Co. of Dubuque, Iowa, in the amount of $471,823.09 was the lowest
bid for the furnishings of all labor and materials and performing the work as
provided for in the plans and specifications.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the contract for the above improvement be awarded to WC Stewart
Construction Co. and the Manager be and is hereby directed to execute a
contract on behalf of the City of Dubuque for the complete performance of the
work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That upon the signing of said contract and the approval of the contractor's
bond, the City Treasurer is authorized and instructed to return the bid deposits of
the unsuccessful bidders.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of
.,2003.
Attest:
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk
Chestnut Street Reconstruction
IIBidder$471,823.09 D
WC Steward Coast. I
Total Bid = $F F
ITEM
UNIT QUANTITY UNIT COST TOTAL COST
1 Clearing & Grabbing 9" ta 12' E~h
2 Clearing & Grabbing 18" to 24' Each
3 Clearing & Gmbbblg 30" to 36' Each
4 Excavation, Ul~classified CY
5 Excavation, Rock CY
6 Backfill Limestone Toll
7 Backfill Topsoil SY
8 Graded StaneBase Ton
9 Gtatmlar Subbase Ton
10 3" Crashed Stone Base Ton
11 Removal of Eavemenl SY
12 ACC Surface Course (Headers) Ton
13 PC Concrete Pavement, (7") w/Integral Curb, Class "C" SY
14 Adjustment o f Fixtam in Conereta Pavemen Each
15 Remove and Replaeelnent of PC Concrete Curb & Gutter LF
16 PCC Handicapped Ramp, 6" SF
17 PCC Driveway, 6", Ramove and Construe[ SY
18 PCC Sidewalk, 4", Ramove and Constrain SF
19 Sanitary Sewer Pipe, 8" ?VC SDR 26 w/Bedding LF
20 Sanitary Sewer Mmfi~ole Complete Each
21 Sanitary Sewer, Wye 8" x 4" Each
22 Smfitary Sower, 4" PVC SRD 26 LF
23 RCP Storm Sewer 15" LF
24 Stann Sewer, Intake 101-B Each
25 Starm Water Curb Opening Neenah R-3262-3 Ese0
26 Watennain6"DIP, PushonJolntw/Polywarp, ClassS; LF
2
3731
100
9238
800
2210
2040
4950
4977
90
4817
125
270
8950
747
6
542
26
2
5
1545
$250.00 $250.00
$450.00 $900.00
UNIT COST TOTAL COST
$250.00 $250.00
$680.00 $1,300.00
$878.00 $878.00 $1,300.00 $1,300.00
$5.00 $18,655.00 $3.65 $13,618.15
$50,00 $5,000.00 $7.00 $700.00
$5.90 $54,504,20 $4,73 $43,695.74
$3.00 $2,400.00 $9.00 $7,200.00
$9.00 $19~890,00 $8.50 $18~785.00
$9.00 $18,360.00 $9.23 $18~829,20
$8,50 $42~075,00 $8.50 $42,075,00
$2.00' $9,954.00 $2.50 $12,442.50
$90,00 $8,100,00 $86.90 $7~821.00
$24.00 $115,608.00 $25.50 $122~833.50
$125,00 $2~125.00 $175.00 $2~975.00
$15.00 $3~165.00 $13.00 $2,743.00
$8.00 $1,000.00 $6.45 $806.25
$27.00 $7,290.00 $32.50 $8,775,00
$3.00 $26,850.00 $3.50 $31,325.00
$25,50 $19,048.50 $23.50 $17,554.50
$1~800.00 $10,800.00 $1,250.00 $7,500,00
$250.00 $5,250.00 $75.00 $1fl75.00
$18.50 $10,027.00 $19,50 $10,569,00
$32.00 $832.00
$1,300.00 $2,600.00
$80.00 $400.00
$25.00 $38,625.00
$29.50 $707.00
$1,200.00 $2,400.00
$78.80 $394.00
$26.97 $41,668.65
$132.00 $132.00
$115.50 $693.00
$71.50 $286.00
$60.50 $60.50
$22.00 $22.00
$22.00 $154.00
$416.90 $4,585.90
27 Fitting 6x6 MJ Cross Each 1
28 Fitting 6x6x6 AnehorTee Each 6
29 Bend 6" (45 dog) MJ Each 4
30 Reducer 6"x4" MJ PE Each 1
31 Phlg 6" MJ Each l
32 Mnga Lng 6" E~eh 7
33 Valve, Gate (6") RS "O" Ring MJ E~h 11
34 Water Valve Box Adjustmeta, Repair and Clear Each 12
35 Ilydrants MJ Each 3
36 Raconneet Existing Water Service Each 12
37 Sleeve 4" Each 1
38 Sleeve 6" Each 7
39 Water Service Line, 3/4' Copper pipe LF 346
40 Water Service Lines stop Box, 3/4"Tap Instafiatlor Each 15
41 Ramoval Itaakes and Manhole~ Each 6
42 Sodding SY 800
43 Subdrain, Perforated Plastic Pipe 6" die LF 2140
44 Eaweut Conereta LF 60
45 Asphalt Saweul LF 240
46 'rr~ Control LS 1
Construction ContraO
$250.00 $250.00
$175.00 $1,050.00
$150.00 $600.00
$180.00 $180.00
$175.00 $175.00
$70.00 $490.00
$550.00 $6,050.00
$110.00 $1,320.00
$110.00 $1,320.00
$800.00 $2!400.00 $1,210.00 $3,630.00
$130.00 $1,560,00 $175,00 $21100.00
$70.00 $70.00
$90.00 $630.00
$20.00 $6,920.00
$97.90 $97.90
$108.90 $762.30
$14.50 $5,017.00
$400.00 $6,000.00
$500.00 $3,000.00
$3.50 $2,800.00
$425.00 $6,375.00
$150.00 $900.00
$5,00 $4~000.00
$8.00 $17,120.00
$3.00 $180.00
$2.00. $480.00
$7,000.00 $7,000.00
$0.00
$7.50 $16,050.00
$3.25 $195.00
$1.75 $420.00
$5,120.00 $5,120.00
Total Estimate $471,823.09
% Over / Under -2.24%
0.00%
44.44%
48.06%
-27.00%
-86.00%
-19.83%
200.00%
-5.56%
2.56%
0.00%
25.00%
-3.44%
6.25%
40.00%
-19.38%
20.37%
16.67%
-7.84%
-30.56%
-70.00%
5.41%
-7.81%
-7.69%
-1.50%
7.88%
-47.20%
-34.00%
-52.33%
-66.39%
-87.43%
-68.57%
-24.20%
0.00%
51.25%
34.62%
39.86%
21.00%
-27.50%
6.25%
-70.00%
42.86%
-6,25%
8.33%
-26.86%
Tsehiggftie Excavating Co Portzen Conslr
$530,662.4 Total Bid = $ $569,992.43
UNIT COST TOTAL COST
UNIT COST TOTAL COST
$26.I0 $125,723,70
$260.00 $4,420.00
$I8.20 $3,840.20
$6.80 $850.00
$31.25 $8,437.50
$3.05 $27,297.50
$26.45 $19,758.15
$205.00 $205.00 $300.00 $300.00
$595.00 $1,190.00 $550.00 $1,100.00
$881.00 $881.00 $750.00 $750.00
$4,35 $16,229,85 $5.00 $18,655.00
$52.00 $5,200.00 $50.00 $5,000.00
$5A0 $49,885.20 $6.41 $59~215.58
$4.35 $3,480.00 $4.00 $3,200.00
$9,70 $21,437.00 $9.85 $21,768.50
$10.50 $21,420.00 $10.70 $21,828.00
$9.85 $48,757.80 $9.75 $48,262.50
$2.35 $11,695.95 $3.50 $17,419.50
$79.00 $7,110.00 $90.00 $8~100.00
$25.80 $124,278.60
$125.00 $2,125.00
$20.00 $4,220.00
$8,00 $I,000.00
$33.75 $9,112.50
$4.00 $35,800.00
$39.25 $29,319.75
$1,854.00 $11,124.00
$186.00 $3,906.00
$23.85 $12,926.70
$27.85 $724.10
$1,791.00 $3,582.00
$135.00 $675.00
$32.70 $50,521.50
$262.00 $262.00
$246.00 $1,476.00
$175.00 $700.00
$164.00 $164.00
$99.00 $99.00
$99.00 $693.00
$603.00 $6,633.00
$134.00 $1~608.00
$1,765.00 $5,295.00
$336.00 $4,032.00
$183.00 $183.00
$193.00 $1,351.00
$19.10 $6~608,60
$520.00 $7,800.00
$414.00 $2,484.00
$8.00 $6,400,00
$8.30 $17,762.00
$2.70 $162.00
$2.30 $552.00
$5,120.00 $5,120.00
$530,662.45
9.96%
$3,380.00 $20,280.00
$175.00 $3,675.00
$28.00 $15,176.00
$27.00 $702.00
$1,575.00 $3,150.00
$95.00 $475.00
$26.50 $40,942.50
$310.00 $310.00
$187.00 $1,12Z00
$245,00 $980.00
$260.00 $260.00
$300.00 $300.00
$60.00 $420.00
$550.00 $6,050,00
$100,00 $1,200.00
$1,730.00 $5,190.00
$475.00 $5,700.00
$145.00 $145.00
$155,00 $1,085,00
$20.00 $6,920.00
$475.00 $7fl25.00
$350.00 $2,100.00
$10,50 $8,400.00
$7.50 $16,050.00
$3.00 $180.00
$2.00 $480.00
$10,120.00 $10,120.00
$569,992.43
18.11%
UNIT COST TOTAL COST UNIT COST TOTAL COST
$650.00 $650.00 $1,400.00 $1,400.00
$750,00 $1,500.00 $1,900.00 $3,800.00
$1,250,00 $1,250.00 $2,300.00 $2,300.00
$7.75 $28,915.25 $7.00 $26,117.00
$60,00 $6~000.00
$5,90 $54r504.20
$8.00 $6,400.00
$11.65 $25,746.50
$99.10 $9,910.00
$7.00 $64,666.00
$2.65 $2,120.00
$11,90 $26,299.00
$12.50 $25~500.00 $12.45 $25,398.00
$11.00 $54~450.00 $12.00 $59,400.00
$2.40 $11,944,80 $1.60 $7,963.20
$87.00 $7,830.00 $92.00 $8,280.00
$27.20 $131,022.40 $26.10 $125,723.70
$215.00 $3,655.00 $127,00 $2,159.00
$25.00 $5,275.00 $22,00 $4~642.00
$5.00 $625.00 $9.20 $1,150.00
$35.00 $9~450.00 $49.00 $13,230,00
$3.50 $31,325.00 $5.60 $50,120.00
$23,25 $17,367.75 $34.00 $25,398,00
$2,292,00 $13,752.00 $I~640.00 $9,840.00
$463.00 $9,723.00 $110.00 $2,310.00
$20.00 $10,840.00 $18.20 $9,864.40
$47.00 $1,222.00 $43.00 $1,118.00
$1,475.00 $2,950.00 $1,740.00 $3,480.00
$100.00 $500.00 $210.00 $1,050,00
$26.60 $41,097.00 $36.00 $55,620.00
$229.00 $229.00 $195.00 $195.00
$213.00 $1,278.00 $198.00 $11188.00
$120.00 $480.00 $130.00 $520.00
$160.00 $160.00 $130.00 $130.00
$50.00 $50.00 $80.00 $80,00
$72.00 $504.00 $80.00 $560.00
$628.00 $6,908.00 $730.00 $8,030.00
$157.00 $1,884,00 $230.00 $2,760.00
$1,770.00 $5,310.00 $2,090.00 $6~270,00
$647.00 $7,764.00 $300.00 $3,600.00
$393.00 $393.00 $95.00 $95.00
$405.00 $2,835.00 $170.00 $1,190.00
$22.00 $7,612.00 $14.60 $5~051.60
$415.00 $6,225.00 $505.00 $7,575.00
$250.00 $1,500.00 $420.00 $2,520.00
$9,50 $7,600.00 $11.95 $9,560.00
$9.60 $20,544.00 $11.40 $24,396.00
$5,00 $300.00 $4.10 $246.00
$3.00 $720.00 $3.00 $720.00
$20,000.00 $20,000.00 $14,390.00 $14,390.00
$595,790.90 $632,434.90
23.45% 31.04%
MEMORANDUM
October 17, 2003
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Chestnut Street
I received the attached letter from the Historic Preservation Commission at 4:30 p.m. on
Friday, October 17, 2003.
I am providing this for your information, as Chestnut Street bid award is Item No. 13 on
the consent agenda.
The Historic Preservation letter refers to the City researching the possibility of including
a brick street in the Port of Dubuque area. That refers to the small stretch of 4th Street
that goes under the railroad tracks. It is mainly a pedestrian access to the area north of
the railroad tracks as part of the Riverwalk.
The City is generally not able to afford putting in bdck streets, as they can be up to six
times the cost of a concrete street. Past policy has been that the cost difference would
need to be fully assessable to the abutting property owners.
'Michael C. V~n Milligen, City Manager
MVM/mkr
Attachments
CC'
Chris Wand, Historic Preservation Commission Chairperson
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Jeanne Schneider, City Council
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
City Hall
(563) 5894210 office
(563) 5894221 fax
(563) 690~6678 TDD
plmming~citffof dubuque.org
October 17, 2003
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall-50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Introduction
The City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission is requesting the City Council
reconsider the design of the proposed Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project. One of
the duties of the Historic Preservation Commission as stated in the City's Historic
Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 25 of the City Code) is: "To serve as an advisory
design review body to the City Council for review of public works projects which have
historic preservation implications in historic districts, or for alteration of landmarks,
landmark sites or structures, that would result in a material change in appearance or be
visible from the public right-of-way."
The Historic Preservation Commission's role is to review the proposed plans for the
Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project and provide a recommendation to the City
Council. However, the Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project was submitted to the
City Council prior to review and comment by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Discussion
The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the Chestnut Street Reconstruction
Project at their Thursday October 16, 2003 meeting.
Mike Felderman, Engineering Department, presented the project, indicating that city
street standards were followed during project design without consulting the adopted
Streetscape and Landscape Design Guidelines for the Historic Districts. He explained
that the 5 trees to be removed had been identified by the City Forester, Steve Pregler,
as requiring removal. He noted he had reviewed the plans with the neighborhood
previously, and there was no interest in anything but a standard concrete city street. He
added that City Engineering is researching the possibility of including a brick street in
the Port of Dubuque area.
The Commission opened the meeting to public comment at the request of several
citizens in attendance.
Service People Integrity Respoosibility Ir~ova~on Teamwork
The Honorable Mayorand Ci~ Council Members
O~ober17,2003
Page 2
Dave Stuart, 1470 Locust Street, spoke about the use of brick pavers for the street and
the maintenance of the existing limestone curbs. He noted that brick pavers may cost
more to install but hold up and last longer than a concrete street. He indicated that the
street next to his property is over 125 years old and is still in good shape.
Bethany Golombeski, 1295 Prairie Street, referred to a letter she submitted to the
Commission (see attached). She voiced concerns over the loss of street trees, and
limestone curbs. She supported installation of a bdck street. She indicated a
willingness to share in the extra cost to maintain the existing materials on her block.
Bob Breitbach, 1209 Prairie Street, voiced concerns over the loss of the limestone curbs
and street trees. He noted that the limestone curbs should be maintained or replaced
with limestone. He indicated that the historic features of the historic districts should be
maintained, including any landscaping.
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens presented the staff report, referring to the
Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines in regard to the recommended, not recommend
and acceptable treatments for curbs, street paving, sidewalks and street trees (see
attached).
The Commission discussed that thers was time to develop revised plans for Chestnut
Street that take into account the adopted design guidelines and prepare cost
comparisons for use of historic versus substitute materials. They discussed having the
City Engineering Department investigate brick streets that have been constructed in
other communities.
Recommendation
By a vote of 6 to 0, the Histodc Preservation Commission recommends that the City
Council reject all bids and send the project back to the City Engineering Department for
redesign based on the adopted Streetscape and Landscape Design Guidelines.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to reject the bids and refer the
project back to City Engineering for redesign.
Respectfully submitted,
~"r~Wan ,~C~h airperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Attachments
October 15, 2003
Christine Happ Olson
Historic Preservation Commission
1090 Grove Terrace
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
I am writing to you concerning the Chestnut Street Recouslruction Project that has been proposed and is coming
before the Historic Preservation Commission at your meeting tomorrow afternoon. Forgive me, as I am not sure
of the protocol, but would like to make some points about the project from a resident's perspective for your
collective consideration.
My husband, Bob Johnson, my daughter, and I have lived at 1295 Prairie Street since August 3, 2002. We moved
to the area to be closer to the project we have undertaken, the Captain Merry Guest House in East Dubuque. We
chose to live in Dubuque and the West l 1 ~ Street Preservation District because of the historic neighborhoods and
the beantiful period architecture. As someone who is trained as an aretdtect and has a career focused on the
preservation/adaptive reuse of historic buildings, I have great appreciation of Dubuque's historic nature.
Some context: our property is bordered by Prairie to the east, Chestnut to the south, and Walnut to the west.
(Please see attached diagram.) Although our address is Prairie Street, through various additions since lg80, the
house has become oriented toward Chestnut Street instenck Our driveway begins at our garage on Walnut Street
and extends along the south side of the house to exit onto Chestnut Street at the lower southeast comer of our
property near the comer with Prairie Street_ The proposed recoustraction of Chestnut Street will replace the
existing limestone curb, wtfieh currently hms the length of Chestnut from the sidewalk cut at Walnut Street to the
western edge of our driveway cut, with the standard cement curb. As we have great plans to add Victorian
flowering gardens, a wrought iron fence and a Purington brick pathway along this section of our property in the
next five years, we do not want to see the historic look of the limestone el'mainated from our curb.
Some background: at a public meeting held October 1, 2003 by the City of Dubuque Engineering Department, I
spoke with the two engineers present, one of which was Mike Felderman. Many neighbors were present to
discuss various concerns with the proposed plan including widening the road to 31 '-0' (which is currently +/- 29'-
6" at its narrowest) and the removal of mamm trees in the easement, such as what happened on Arlington Street
just one block north a few years ago. I expressed my family's desire to retain the limestone and inquired as to the
possibility of it being reset after the new sltect was complete. We also mentioned that we would be willing to
incur the extra costs, if any, to retain the historic lock of our primary fagade. At that time I also asked whether
there was brick under the street as well and if there had been any consideration given to restoring the look of
Chestnut in this way. The gentlemen were what I call "breezily dismissiveo" not even entertaining the possibility
of doing something that was not a part of their standardized specifications. I tried to explain the importance of the
context of a street within a historic district, but was again told that is was not part of the ~standard.' When I
inquired as to what would happen to the materials taken flora the curb and the street, I was told that the bricks and
limestone would be stockpiled and used on other city projects. To me that is a circular argument: if concrete is
the standard, then the bricks and limestone will never get reused elsewhere- so why not just keep them in place.
If cost is a factor, we have already expressed our willingness to cover those costs. If it is because it is not a
"standard," then I apply to you to press upon the engineers that "standards" should not ap~ply in the historic
districts I uote from the Streetqea.ne and Landscape Guidelines section for the West 11 ~ Dis~ict published for
. q
the City of Dubuque in 2002 -
"RECOMMENDED- Identify, retain and preserve landscape features that are important in defining the historic
character of the setting, such as roads and streets...Retain historic relationsh~a between buildings, between
buildings and streets, and between buildings and landscape features. Evaluate condition and integrity of existing
landscape and streetscape features. Devise plans for repair, maintenance, argt long-term protection of these
features."
~l ~.~ To~ ~-
STREETSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES
City of Dubuq,-,e, Iowa 2002
SETTING AND SITE
SETTING -The building setting Js the area or
environment in which an historic property is found'
It may be art u~ban or suburban neighborhood or a
natural landscape in which a building has been
constructed. The e~ements of setting, such as the
relationship of buitdlngs, to one another, property
setbacks, fence patterns, views, driveways
walkweys, together with street trees' and other
landscaping features create the specific character of
neighborhood or distrIGt.
Historic photograph of the 11m Street Elevator
showing the setting of the 11th Street Historic
District. The ohemoter of this area is largely defined
'by the natural geography of the bluffs, In
combination with the large building lots, massive
limestone retaining wall, the elevator, and the variety
of mature bees on both public and private
properties.
West Eleventh
RECOMMENDED WE-
· identify, retain and preserve landscape features that are Important in
defining the historic character of the setting, such as roads and streets,
furnishings and fixtures, natural or topographic features, and keyViews
or vistas.
· Retain historic relationship betwsen buildings, between buildings and
streets, and between buildings and landscape features.
· Evaluate condition end integrity of existing landscape and streetscape
features. Devise plans for.repeir, maintenance, and long-term protection
of these features.
· Removal and replacement of existing historic features with substitute
materials that simulate the original in appearance, when replacement In-
kind is not economically feasible.*
· Removal and replacement of eXisting historic features with new or
common materials, when it is not economically viable to save and repair
originals or to use substitute materials that simulate the original in
appearance.*
NOT RECOMMENDED
· Removal, relocation, or radical alteration of any streetscape or
landscape element that contributes to the historic character of the
district.
· Falling to maintain the historic relationship of buildings and setting
features through Inappropriate new construction of streets, parking lots,
or building inflll.
· Permitting damage or deterioration of existing features through
Insdequate protection or maintenance.
· Removal and replacement of existing historic features with new
materials, when it is economically feasible to save and repair originals.
· Review with PSD and HPC
STREETSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES
City of DUbuque, Iowa 2002
SETTING
RECOMMENDED
This historic photo of Loras Boulevard in
the 1880s shows the continuity of the
amhitectural row as it steps down the ihili.
Even though the structures are of
different styles, the uniformity of setback,
the presence of limestone retaining
walls, Iow fences, and mature street
trees at the limestone curbs ties the
amhitectural elements together.
West Eleventh
WE.2
NOT RECOMMENDED
Every effort should be
made to bury power lines
and to preserve mature
bees, historic sidewalks,
and retaining walls.
Compare the historic
photo at right, and the
photo from J987 at left.
The widening of the street
combined with the loss of
wide sidewalk.and street
trees plus the insertion of
overhead power lines has
radically altered the
character of the view.*
S TREETSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES
City of Dubuque, Iowa 2002
SIDEWALKS, WALKWAYS, AND CURBS
RECOMMENDED ~'~
West Eleventh
WE-9
Umestone curbs in historic photo (above), These survive
rather sporadically due to the City's replacement policy.
They should be maintained whenever possible. An example
of the surviving two-tone hexagonal pavers on 3'd Street Is
shown at left, The color, texture, size, and overall scale of
these sidewalks should be replicated in new construction in
the district, if possible.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATES
Three types and patterns of brick sidewalk paving
and limestone aggregate concrete (foreground)
Concrete pavers Stamped concrete
' a
· mellow brick road; Across the country, brick streets are making
· oil.ow the. L ,_ +hz+ we should be arateful:[Chicago Final Edition]
:on-d'overslal comeback ,'.'
IlairKamin, Tribune architecture critic. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IlL: Aug 22, 2003. pg- 1
~.bstract (Article Summary)
rodey, the intereec'don of 6th and Linden is completely covered in brick, with the brick extending westward for more than half a
. - · road. The village is drawing on its supply of
3lock. There's sand between the bncks to ensure that water drains to the rode of the the bricks that couldn't be salvaged. It's
3Id bricks, taken Eom previous projects in which brick streets were removed, to replace
also using some bricks from a supplier in Iowa.
Full Text (2207 words)
Copyright 2003 by the Chicago Tribune)
The drabness of asphalt streets is easy to accept as unchangeable, as lithe Great Contractor in the Sky, having created
heaven, Earth, and the need to get from Point A to Point B, went on to proclaim: "Let there be streets and roads. And let all of
them be dark and ugly."
But there's another way - the brick street - and if you want to see how and why It is making a controvereial comeback here and
around the country, then come to north suburban Wilmette, where a radical experiment in the aA and science of road buildirig is
under way.
Along Linden Avenue, a few blocks west of the Bahai Temple, you'll see a sight guaranteed to raise a traffic engineer's blood
pressure: One brick at a §me, workers are relestalling a brick street that was built in 1905, then paved over in 1960 and,
presumably, forgotten.
In a sense, Wilmette never gave up on brick streets. It still has 14 miles of them, more than 20 percent of its overall total of
streets, owing to residents' belief that brick streetS are as essential to the village's character as its elegant, historic streetlights.
Yet the Linden Avenue project marks the first time the North Shore suburb is bringing back one of its paved-o~er brick streets. It
also is certain to mark the latest chapter in the hot, albeit arcane, debate between those who assert that brick streets are a
costly, unsafe tflmwback and those who believe that they save money, enhance safety and are ravishingly beautiful besides.
Unfortunately, the debate is casting more heat than light on the issue.
The point is choice, not whether brick or asphalt streets are better.
Of course there are places where speed must be paramount and asphalt and concrete are the only way to go. But there also are
spotS, from suburban neighborhoods to small-scale business districts, where the relationship between speed and style needn't
be so one-sided. There, it is perfectly appropriate to extend the splendor of private brick driveways and patios into the public
realm.
The idea is simple: The streets we travel on, play in and look at don'[ have to be sthctly utilitarian. They can enhance the look
and livability of neighborhoods and maybe even save towns a little money: at least in the leng mn. Sure, there are problems, lik*
the clattering sound snowplows make when they go over brick streets in the middle of the night- But more and more
municipalities are signing on.
The bring-back-the-brick movement is making itsalf felt in such diverse lasales as Odando; Huntington, W.Va.; Montpelier, Ind.;
and Champaign, which is one of dozens of cities that outlaw pavtng over existing brick streets ~,qth other matermis
"Twenty years ago, you couldn~ get an engineer to give you the time of day to talk about restoring a brick street. He'd laugh in
your face," says Royce Baler, who heads a company called Brick Street Restorers in Paxton, II1., about 100 miles south of
Chicago. 0
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"hese days, he adds, "More cities are doing this. A lot of the older engineers are retiring. ~he new ones] are intrigued by these
rick streetS."
)ther advocates claim bdck streetS slow traffic, making neighborhoods safer for kids. Their bumpy surface creates a Iow rumble
~s cam pass over them, warning children -- and potS who nap in the street. And while brick streets cost more in the short term,
heir backers say, they're a good long-term investment because they last for decades and don't need to be repaved every 15 or
!0 years, as asphalt streets do.
~Iot everyone in favor
~lot surprisingly, this view invites heated disagreement from the pro-asphalt side of the street.
of most communities, pa~cularly those that are cash-
3dltcs say the high initial cost of brick streets puts there beyond the reach rain and icy winter weather. Brick streets pose a
strapped· Brick streets, they add, are hard to plow and often become s~ick in
canstant maintenance problem because of the dips and bumps caused by the settling of their foundations, the critics say. They
an annoying intrusion on the peacefulness of suburben life. And
lind the Iow, rumbling noise of cars ffaveling over brick streep~ople say - you'll be heading back te that nice, ltat concrete
just try riding a bike or a skateboard on bdck streets, these
sidewalk in no time.
"Typically, the cost of it and the upkeep of it make it cost prohibiltve for major thoroughfares- It's not ideal for vehicles traveling at
speeds higher than 30 miles per hour," says Steve Nolan, a spokesman for the AAA-Chicago Motor Club.
In Illinois, brick streets had a 40-year heyday that began in 1877 when Bloomington built them in ils downtown: The brick .s~reets
replaced dusty, dirt roads that turned into mud begs when it reined, trapping home-drawn wagons and miring women weanng
and hearty impervious to water, they were sources of
long skirts in waist~leep mud. Made of fired clay that was as hard as stone Avenue were made by the puriagton
civic pdde and symbols of scienltfic advancement. Wilmette's 98-year old bricks on Linden
paving Brick Co., a Galesburg-area concern that was the largest bdckmaker in the world.
"Wilmette did these new streets.., right at the time when [brick streets] were incredibly popular," said Mike Jackson, chief
architect of the Illinois State Preservation Agency.
Onslaught of asphalt
But after the 1910s, concrete and asphalt - seemingly more durable and easier to maintain - took over. Only in the 198Os, when
towns in Downstate Illioois began reacang against the ugly patching of brick streets with asphalt and concrete, did the brick
street preservation movement begin in earnest, Jackson said·
Laws were paSSed mandating that bdcks streetS be put back in place when utility lines were cut into streets. Alerted to the
· . - - - restoring them. Gradually the effort
aesthetic and tourist-attrectiag value of their brick streets, towns began maintaining and
spread to taking the asphalt off of brick streets that had been paved over in the 1 g$0s and 196OS.
That's where architect Phillip Uederbach, 43, enters the story. He has lived in a gray stucco house at 624 Linden in Wilmeffe
since t 996. One day in 1999, he noticed a work crew digging up the asphalt surface of the street as they replaced a manhole
cover. There was bdck underneath.
*1 regretted that we cauldn~ ltnd a house in Wilmette that was on a brick street," Liederbach says. "lt was apparent that we were
living on one. It was just covered with asphalL"
Along with his neighbere, including architect John Clark and anesthesiologist Patrick Birmingham, Liederbach lobbied for
restoring the brick on Linden, which was slated to get a new coat of asphalt. The village staff did the math and discovered that
bdck streetS, which are paid for by village-issued bonds, were unlikely to cause a tax revolt.
Restedng brick to the two-block stretch of Linden, along with new curbs and driveway apmes, is costing about $330,000, or 20
percent more than if the same job had been done with an asphalt surface, according to Wilmette englnesnng assistant BiIJ
Dzialo. He figures that Wilmstte will recover the extra cost over the next 80 or so years because the road won't have to
repaved every 15 to 20 yea[s, as asphalt would.
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· ¥~h numbers like that in hand, the village drew up a three- year, three-phase plan to restore the brick streets to the stretch of
Jndea between 5th Street and Popular Drive, just east of the Matre tracks, a distance of a little more than half a mile.
here would be no special assessment levied on homes along the project, as there has been in some other brick restoration
)rejects nationwide. For this restoration effort (or any other in Wilmette) to move forward, at least 60 percent of the homes along
he project would have to give their approval, says the village's director of engineering, Brigi~e Mayerhofer.
I'he vote turned out to be 91 percent in favor, according to D7iale.
~ few weeks ago, a backhoe ripped up two blocks of asphalt in the first phase of the project - the stretch of Linden between 5th
and 7th S~eets. Undemeeth was buded ITeasure -- roughly 90,000 bricks, all but 10 percent of them salVageable.
n need of tender loving care
The bricks were dirty and they needed tender loving care, which you would, too, if you'd been consigned to the netherworid for
~,3 years. A backhoe scooped them up and put them in a truck lilled with a cushion of sand. They were hauled to the Wilmette
~,ard of the general corrbactor, Lenny Hoffman Excavating, and cleaned. Now a subcontractor, American Brick Paving of Des
Plaines, is puffing the bricks back.
Today, the intersection of 6th and Unden is completely covered in brick, with the brick extending westward for mere than half a
block. There's sand between the bdcks to ensure that water drains to the side of the road. The village is drawing on its supply of
old bdcks, taken from previous projects in which brick streets were removed, to replace the bricks that couldnht be salvaged. It's
also using some bricks from a supplier in Iowa.
The bdck looks beautiful. It's being laid with jeweMike precision and is particularly striking when it's arranged in a circular pattern,
wrapping around a manhole cover. It's even smooth enough to bike over.
There are broader beneltts. The earth-toned color of the brick blends perfectly with the green of the grass, the leaves along the
streets and Wilmette's historic streetlights. Green and red, as Liederbach points out, are compiementaiy colors. The brick also
has a terdltc sense of texture, which helps it blend with the highly textured bark of trees.
Forming a naturalistic environment
What the brick street does, then, is repel the alien, machinelike presence of asphalt and make the urbane, natumltstic
environment of this suburban street whole once again.
BUt let's face it: The future of this renovated brick street may not be an entirely smooth ride.
Even if the bricks last forever, the foundations beneath them can crumble, causing roads to sag and leading to puddles of
standing water - a phenomenon known as "pending."
In addition, as Wilmatte public works officials acknowledge the bumpy surface of the brick streets is hard to plow. It takes an
operator 25 to 50 percent longer to clear a brick street, they say.
"Alter a few houm of doing brick streets, it's hard to hold a steady cup of coffee," says Bdan Barnes, the village's assistant
director of public works.
Such troubles aside, brick streets have an enormous appeal, not only because they help transform space, but also because they
sh~ our sense of time.
In this computer age, when the pace of rr[e seems to be getting faster and faster, the brick streets take us out of fifth gear and
invite us to slow down, watch the passing scene, and maybe even step, get out of our cars and talk to our neighbors, presuming,
at least, that we like them.
The broader issue that Wilmette's experiment puts in play is that, when it comes to paving streets, asphalt and concrete arenl
the only way to go.
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'or some cities and suburbs, brick streets provide a sensuous, richly designed alternative to standard paving. If these towns can
' ear the higher short-term costs and their residents are willing to put up with the occasional hassle that brick streets create,
leto's no reason they shouldn't be allowed to say: "Let there be brick."
short history of brick streets
7 B.C.-A.D. 284: During the Roman Empire, the Romans are thought to have experimented with paving bricks. But they opt
lstead for stone surfaces because narrow cartwheels grind the bricks to dust.
700s: Seeking an altemafive to costly stone, the Dutch try reads made of fired clay. MOst authorities credit them with
~treducing modem brick paving.
870: Charleston, W.Va., installs the first modem brick pavement in the U.S.
877: Bloomington, IlL, officials order a block-square section of streets in the downtown to be paved in brick.
880s: Bdckmakers and engineers improve the quality of paving brick, limiting their material to clay free of impurity and settling
~n stonelike "shale" clay as their key ingredient. This technique makes the bricks tougher and less likely to absorb water.
890s: The Puringten Paving Brick Co. is founded in the Galesburg, II1., area and becomes the world's largest producer of shale
brick pavers.
~est-191 Os: Brick streets fall out of favor as new streets are built in concrete and asphalt.
93Os: As part of a Depression-era "make work" project, the Works Progress Administration has jobless men turn worn brick
~Teet pavers upside down, turning their smooth bottoms into the road surface.
[980 to 2003: As Americans seek an alternative to cookie-cotter suburbs and cities, bdck streets retum to popularity.
~ource: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Illustration]
~HOTOS 2; Caption: PHOTO: Workers re-install a Wilmette brick street that was built in 1905, then paved over in 1960. Below,
aised letters identify the bricks' maker. PHOTO: Wilmette residents believe that brick streets are es essential to the village's
:haracter as its elegant, historic stTeetlights. Tribune photos by Chares Osgoed.
[epfoduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
;ubjects:
~icle types: Feature
;ection: Tempo
5SN/ISBN: 10856706
'ext Word Count 2207
~ttp://pqasb~pqarc~v~r~c~m/chicag~tribune/d~c/387~8962~htm~?MAC=2665e556~7~47ed97e8b2f653~ 10/15/2003
ADVISORY DESIGN REVIEW STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: October 16, 2003
Property Address:
Property Owner:
Applicant:
Project:
Public right-of-way from Highland Place to Cox Street along
Chestnut Street
City of Dubuque
City of Dubuque
To reconstruct Chestnut Street.
Historic Preservation District: West 11th Street Landmark: No Style: N/A
Funding: Capital Improvement Program Date Built: N/A
Present Land Use: Public Right-of-Way/Street
Existing Zoning: R-2 Two-Famiiy Residential/R-2A Alternate Two-Family Residential
Level of Siqnificance: Level of Rehabilitation:
[] Not evaluated [] Design for Historic Features
[] Alteration/Addition
Physical Characteristics: Chestnut Street is a residential street that extends from
Highland Place to Cox Street. The current street has a width of 29 % feet and is brick
covered with asphalt. There is limestone curbs in the block between Praide Street and
Walnut Street on both sides of Chestnut Street.
Staff Analysis: The City of Dubuque is proposing to reconstruct Chestnut Street. One of
the duties of the Historic Preservation Commission as stated in the City's Historic
Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 25 of the City Code) is: "To serve as an advisory
design review body to the City Council for review of public works projects which have
histodc preservation implications in historic districts, or for alteration of landmarks,
landmark sites or structures, that would result in a material change in appearance or be
visible from the public fight-of-way.~
The Histodc Preservation Commission's role is to review the proposed plans for the
Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project and provide a recommendation to the City
Council. However, the Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project was forwarded onto the
City Council prior to Historic Preservation Commission review.
The plans indicate that the new street would be widened to 31 feet wide from back of
curb to back of curb, and would be composed of Portland Concrete. The existing
limestone curbs would be removed and replaced with Portland Concrete curbs. Four
foot wide sidewalks will be installed on both sides of the street.
At the October 6, 2003 City Council meeting, several property owners addressed the
City Council about the plans. They had concerns with the width of the street, loss of
street trees, installation of sidewalks and the removal of limestone curbs.
The City Council revised the plans by maintaining the current 29 ~ width of the street
and deleting the proposed sidewalk on the south end of the street between Dell Street
and Highland Place to save some of the street trees because there is no sidewalk there
now.
Compliance with Guidelines:
CURBS
The plans indicate the replacement of historic limestone curbing with Portland Concrete
curbs, which is not recommended in the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines. The
Guidelines indicate the following (see pages WE-8 and WE-9):
Recommended
· Identification and preservation of original historic paving and limestone curbing
materials where they survive, particularly in areas where the curbing has
substantial visual impact on the view from the street.
· Replacement of deteriorated limestone curbs with new limestone.
Acceptable
· Substitute materials that simulate the odginal limestone curbing in color, texture,
and shape, such as straight curbs of tinted concrete poured with a textured from
liner.
As a last resort, new or common materials, such as standard concrete, when it is
not economically viable to save and repair originals or to use substitute materials
which simulate the original in appearance.
Not Recommended .
· Removal of historic curbs and gutters without an appropriate replacement.
STREET PAVING
The plans indicated the street will be constructed of Portland Concrete, which is not
recommended in the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines. The Guidelines indicate
the following (see pages WE-8 and WE-9):
Recommended
· Identification and preservation of original historic paving and limestone curbing
materials where they survive, particularly in areas where the curbing has
substantial visual impact on the view from the street.
Acceptable
· Substitute materials that simulate the odginal paving, such as color concrete
pavers and stamped and/or stained concrete.
As a last resort, new or common materials, such as standard concrete, when it is
not economically viable to save and repair originals or to use substitute materials
which simulate the original in appearance.
SIDEWALKS
The plans indicate the installation of 4 foot wide Portland Concrete sidewalks. The
Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines indicate the following (see pages WE-8 and
WE-9):
Recommended
· Materials for new sidewalks and crosswalks that are consistent with the historic
materials, such as brick pavers and crushed-limestone aggregate concrete.
· New sidewalks that restore the historic width of the walkways, where
contemporary usages and City codes allow.
Acceptable
· Substitute materials that simulate the odginal paving, such as color concrete
pavers and stamped and/or stained concrete.
As a last resort, new or common materials, such as standard concrete, when it is
not economically viable to save and repair originals or to use substitute materials
which simulate the odginal in appearance.
Not Recommended
· Use of pebble-surface concrete sidewalks
· Use of asphalt for a paving material on sidewalks
STREET TREES
The plans indicate the removal of 4-5 trees as determined by the City Forester based on
the condition of the trees. Replacement trees are not shown on the plans, which is not
recommended by the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines. The Guidelines indicate
the following (see pages WE-1 Setting and Landscaping WE-26):
The elements of setting, such as the relationship of buildings to one another, property
setbacks, fence patterns, views, driveways and walkways, together with street trees and
other landscaping features create the specific character of a neighborhood or district.
Recommended
,, Retain historic relationship between buildings and secondary structures, between
buildings and streets, and between buildings and landscape features.
· Evaluate condition and integrity of existing buildings and landscape features.
Devise plans for repair, maintenance, and long-term protection of these features.
Not Recommended
· Failing to maintain the histodc relationship of buildings and landscape features
through inappropriate new construction of streets, pathways, parking lots,
secondary buildings, or building infill.
· Removal and replacement of existing historic features with new materials, when
originals can be saved and repaired.
Recommended
· Preserve and maintain mature trees, replacing them when they become diseased
or die.
MEMORANDUM
October 8, 2003
TO: Mike Koch, Public Works Director
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager'-~
SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Review of Public Works Projects and Improvements
INTRODUCTION
This memo is in reference to historic preservation review of public works projects and
improvements in historic districts and at historic landmarks.
BACKGROUND
One of the duties of the Historic Preservation Commission as stated in the City's
Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 25 of the City Code) is to serve as an
advisory design review body to the City Council for public works projects in historic
districts and at historic landmarks. Planning Services staff may sign off on some
projects if they are not a significant change and are in compliance with adopted
standards and guidelines. '
The City Council assigned this responsibility to the Historic Preservation Commission in
2001. Please refer to the attached copies of my memos dated September 27, 2001 and
October 11, 2002 which list the histodc landmarks and include a map of the historic
districts.
DISCUSSION
In addition to providing these memos to you, we have provided the City Engineering
Department with:
Information on the locations of historic landmarks and historic districts.
The Streetscape/Landscape Design Guidelines for Historic Districts adopted by the
City Council on March 20, 2002.
The opportunity to participate in the development of these design guidelines.
The opportunity for design review training.
Despite these efforts, City Engineering is continuing to design public works projects in
historic districts without the required review of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Memo to Mike Koch
October 8, 2003
Page 2
My October 11, 2002 memo was prompted by the street light project in the Old Main
Historic District that was approved by the City Council without HPC review.
This memo is prompted by the Chestnut Street reconstruction project in the West 11th
Street Historic District that also was approved by the City Council without HPC review.
The Historic Preservation Commission would like to avoid these situations, and provide
their review during the design Phase. The Planning Services Department would like to
assist both the City Engineering Department and the Historic Preservation Commission
with this review process.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that you take the following steps in the design process for public works
projects:
Remind City Engineering staff of the City Code requirement that the Historic
Preservation Commission is to serve as an advisory design review body to the
City Council for public works projects in historic districts and at historic
landmarks.
2. Add "Historic Preservation" to your Department's design process checklist.
Provide City Engineering staff with the location of historic landmarks and a map
of the historic districts, the adopted Streetscape/Landscape Design Guidelines
for Historic Districts, and the opportunity for design review training.
Planning Services staff can provide your Department with the following information at
your request:
· copies of the historic district maps,
· a hard copy and/or an electronic copy of the Streetscape/Landscape Design
Guidelines, and
· the design review training video.
Please contact Assistant Planner Wally Wernimont for this information. If you would like
to arrange a meeting with Wally and me for your staff to review this information, we
would be happy to attend. Thank you for your cooperation.
Enclosures
CC:
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Chris Wand, Chairperson, Historic Preservation Commission
Watly Wemimont, Assistant Planner
LC/mkr
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
October 11, 2002
TO:
Mike Koch, Public Works Director
FROM: Laura CarStens, Planning Services Manager~__~
SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Review of Public Works Projects and
Improvements in the Public Right-of-Way in Historic Districts
This memo is in reference to histodc preservation review of public works projects
and improvements in the public right-of-way in histodc districts.
One of the duties of the Historic Preservation Commission as stated in the City's
Historic Preservation Ordinance is to serve as an advisory design review body to
the City Council for review of public works projects which have histodc
preservation implications in historic districts, or for alteration of landmarks,
landmark sites or structures, that would result in a material change in
appearance or be visible from the public way.
The City Council assigned this responsibility to the Historic Preservation
Commission last year. Please refer to the attached copy of my memo dated
September 27, 2001. A map of the historic districts is attached.
The Histodc Preservation Commission is required to review public works projects
in histodc districts prior to them being sent out for bid. Planning Services staff
may sign off on some projects if they are not a significant change and are in
compliance with adopted standards and guidelines. Preferably, this review
would occur dudng the design phase of the project.
Please notify Engineering staff of this requirement. If they have any questions,
please have them contact Assistant Planner Wally WemimonL
Thank you for your assistance.
Attachments
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
September 27, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Department and Division Managers
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Historic Preservation Review of Public Improvements
The City Council has designated the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to serve
as an advisory design review body to the City Council for the review of public
improvements in the City's five historic districts or at one of the City's seven landmark
sites.
A map of the five historic districts is attached. The seven landmarks are: William M.
Black steamboat, City Hall, County Court House, Old Jail, Julien Dubuque Monument,
Mathias Ham House and Shot Tower.
This rule applies to extedor alterations or improvements that are visible from the public
way. The "public way' includes public grounds, skeets, parking lots, sidewalks, alleys,
bridges, ramps, squares, or any other public places. Interior remodeling projects are
not subject to HPC review.
The HPC is to review projects in the public way regardless of who is initiating the
project- the City, a private business, or a non-profit organization.
if a public improvement is not visible from the public way, or does not result in a
material change in appearance, then HPC review is not required. Planning Services
staff can make this determination of no material effect.
The HPC meets monthly for design reviews. Planning Services staff are available to
assist you with an initial project review, and to facilitate HPC review of your project.
We also have a preservation resource guide (see attachment) available for reference.
For more information, please contact Assistant Planner Wally Wemimont or me at 4210
or at plannincl~,cityofdubuclue.om.
LC/mkr
Attachment
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
I - Jackson Park
2 - West 11th
3 - Langworthy
4 - Cathedral
5 Old Main
.; - 2
800 1600 Feet