Ruth Nash Adoption of Historic Preservation Task Force
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422 Loras Blvd.
Dubuque IA 52001
August 7, 2000
Honorable Mayor and City Council members:
The Preservation Task Force has studied the needs of property owners seeking to
improve their historic properties. Their proposals are excellent. showing careful
research and offering practical solutions to the problems faced by owners seeking
to uphold historic standards. They have provided positive incentives rather than
punitive measures.
Dubuque has three important assets: our historic buildings, the Mississippi River and
our cultural resources including colleges and seminaries and many viable arts
organizations in the downtown Cultural Corridor.
Our historic buildings cannot be replaced.
To bring these structures up to codes and make improvements that do not violate
the historic character of the buildings is often very expensive. The Preservation Task
Force has addressed this problem by studying all possible souces of financial
assistance for home owners. It also has suggested hiring a full time Historic
Preservation Planner to work with owners, neighborhoods and city departments.
Hiring such a planner will show that the city recognizes one of its important
assets. The planner can help owners avoid deterioration of property through
neglect or oversight by making early repairs. The planner can help owners apply
for financial assistance.
The Historic Preservation Task Force has offered a new approach- positive, not
punitive; practicaL not pie-in-the-sky.
My husband and I restored four historic buildings in Dubuque-- 596 West II th Street.
471-473 West 4th Street. 651-653 Caledonia and 422-434 Loras Blvd. We would
have welcomed support and information that could have been provided by
restoration specialists. We received no financial assistance or advice from the city.
I strongly urge adoption of the proposal of the Preservation Task Force. All of the
suggestions are interrelated. I urge adoption of all items. Adoption of this proposal
will demonstrate our pledge to preserve and enhance one of Dubuque's most
important-- and irreplaceable-assets, our beautiful historic buildings.
This new, positive approach will encourage citizens to buy and restore historic
bulldings--treasures that cannot be replaced.
Ruth Nash
Sincerely,
Cc. Mike Van Milligen, Terry Mozena, Laura Carstens
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