Dickinson, R oppose Demol DisDecember 3, 2003
Terry Duggan
Mayor
City of Dubuque
50 West 13t~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
GreaterDubuque
Mayor Duggan:
On behalf of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, I am writing to go on record in
opposition to the Historic Preservation District's proposed Warehouse Demolition District.
In addition to the specific concerns and potential limitations on expansion that Jeld-Wen shared
with our office (three of their four buildings are located in the proposed area), consider the
following as well:
1)
There is not an economic feasibility study for the proposed action. Regardless of one's
oosition (either in favor of or in opposition to this proposal), an economic impact analysis
should, at the very least, be conducted to determine the real dollar cost/impact.
2)
The proposed district is a form of ex post facto zoning. Companies, like Jeld Wen, have
had the appropriate zoning in place for years. As a result, investments and upgrades
have been made to facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. The proposed change
would, in effect, rezone numerous properties after the fact.
3)
The proposed district lacks financial investment and intent from the private sector to
re-develop the area. That is, the proposal has been driven by the Historic Preservation
Commission, not real dollars from the private sector.
We ask that this proposal be denied. In Jeld Wen's case, it's a matter of taking care of a loyal,
existing business that provides 89 quality jobs in our community and wants nothing more than
the flexibility to expand and update when needed.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need clarification.
Rick Dickinson
Director
CC:
Mr. Michael Van Milligen, City Manager, City of Dubuque
Mr. Chris Wand, Chair, Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission
Mr. Steve Wolf, Manager, Jeld-Wen of Dubuque
Mr. Darin Harmon, Jeld-Wen Legal Counsel, Kintzinger Law Firm
e-mail ~dd c@~,re at e r 0 u D uque.org
phone 563.557.9049
fax 563.557.1059