Historic Preservation Commission_Proposed School ClosuresPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864
(563) 5894210 phone
(563) 589 -4221 fax
(563) 589 -6678 TDD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W.13 Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Dubuque Community School District School Closures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
September 18, 2009
Introduction
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has discussed the proposed closures of
neighborhood schools being considered by the Dubuque Community School District
(DCSD) Board of Directors.
Background
Article 10 -5 of the Unified Development Code lists the general duties and powers of the
Commission. One of these duties is to conduct an ongoing survey to identify historically,
architecturally significant properties that exemplify the cultural, social, economic,
political, archeological or architectural history of the nation, state, or city. Another duty is
to serve as an advisory review body to the City Council for the review of public planning,
design, construction and maintenance needs in conservation planning areas upon
request of the City Council.
The City of Dubuque has surveyed and evaluated the historical and architectural
significance of 4,728 structures in the historic and conservation districts in five phases.
The last phased historic /architectural survey, Phase V Survey, was completed in 2005.
Iowa Site Inventory Forms documenting the historic and /or architectural significance of
Fulton Elementary School (c. 1939), Jefferson Middle School (c. 1922) and Marshall
Elementary School (c. 1939) were produced during the City's Phase I and Phase II
Historic /Architectural Surveys of the North End and Point Neighborhoods in 2000 -2002.
Planning Services staff considers these schools to be eligible for the National Register
of Historic Places. All three schools are in a conservation planning area. Conservation
planning areas have defined geographic boundaries, contain areas within an
historic /architectural survey, and have good overall maintenance and high architectural
interest. A map showing the conservation planning areas is enclosed,.,
DCSD School Closures
Page 2
Bryant Elementary School (c. 1940), Washington Middle School (c. 1920) and Lincoln
Elementary School (c. 1940) were identified as having neighborhood significance in the
1978 -1979 Architectural Survey of Dubuque. Based on the Phase I and Phase 11
Surveys, Bryant, Lincoln, and Marshall Elementary Schools and Washington Middle
School will be determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places based on
historic and /or architectural significance.
In 2009, the DCSD undertook a Facility Study on options for closing, renovating, and
building public schools. On September 20, 2010, the DCSD Board of Directors held a
work session on the Facility Study. At the work session the eight options under
consideration were short- listed to three options. The Board has scheduled a community
engagement session for October 30, 2010, and a community and non - profit leaders'
session was held on October 13, 2010.
The DCSD Board has narrowed the school facility options to Options 2, 3 and 4, as
shown on the enclosed chart. All three involve neighborhood school closures, primarily
located in the Downtown and surrounding areas. All three options lead to the closure of
Fulton Elementary School and Jefferson Middle School. Other impacted historic
neighborhood schools include Bryant, Lincoln, and Marshall Elementary Schools and
Washington Middle School.
Discussion
The Commission has concerns that the neighborhood schools are important historically
and to their neighborhoods. The Commission is concerned that the Dubuque
Community School District has no plans for the reuse or renovation of those existing
schools. Closing neighborhood schools contradicts the sustainability measures of the
community. The Commission feels the feasibility approach by the DCSD did not
adequately address costs for renovation or additions. The Commission believes
investments should be made in teachers and students, not unnecessarily on new
buildings.
The Commission believes the best investment would be to invest in existing
neighborhood schools. The Commission preferred Option 1 because it preserves more
neighborhood facilities and it is the most sustainable option.
Requested Action
The Historic Preservation Commission respectfully requests that the City Council
request the DCSD reconsider Option 1 and renovate existing schools because these
buildings have historical importance to the community and renovating the existing
facilities is consistent with the greater mission of the community to become a
sustainable community.
Enclosures
DCSD School Closures
Page 3
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Knight, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
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HISTORIC AREAS
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Legend
Historic Preservation Districts
Conservation Districts
Conservation Planning Areas
National Register Eligible Districts
Option
1
2*
3*
4*
5
6
7
8
Cost
$201 million
$197 million
$186 million
$186 million
$204 million
$203 million
$200 million
$198 million
Total schools
18
17
15
16
15
14
14
13
Schools closed
(in addition to
Central
Alternative
High School
and Jones
Hand -in- Hand
Preschool)
Key:
Elementary
None
Fulton
Jefferson
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Marshall
Jefferson
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Jefferson
Washington
Audubon
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Sageville
Jefferson
Washington
Audubon
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Marshall
Sageville
Jefferson
Washington
Audubon
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Sageville
lfferson
_'ashington
Audubon
Bryant
Fulton
Hoover
Lincoln
Marshall
Sageville
Jefferson
Washington
Schools
renovated
Bryant
Carver
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Lincoln
Jefferson
Washington
Bryant
Carver
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Lincoln
Carver
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Jefferson
(converted
into an
elementary
school)
Carver
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Jefferson
Washington
(both
converted
into
elementary
schools)
None
None
•
None
None
New
construction
None
1 middle
3 elementary
1 middle
3 elementary
2 middle
3 elementary
2 middle
3 elementary
2 middle
3 elementary
1 middle
3 elementary
1 middle
DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
*Options selected by DCSD Board at September 20, 2010 work session.
(Source: Telegraph Herald, DCSD)