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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 SEWMD t -E 0 EP 'AR HISTORIC AREAS BARRY —a_ 3y U a _ _1.._.14N5'cN —� 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)