Historic funds, offset sidewalk assess - Old Main area
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
DI~~~E
~<k~
February 24, 2005
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50W.13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Application of Dubuque Main Street Ltd. for funding from the Historic District Public
Improvement Program for sidewalk assessments in the Old Main Historic District.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
INTRODUCTION
The Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed the application of Dubuque Main
Street Ltd. for funding from the Historic District Public Improvement Program (HDPIP)
for sidewalk assessments in the Old Main Historic District. The application and staff
report are attached for your information.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Chris Wand indicated that he would abstain from the vote as President of
Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
Dan LoBianco, Executive Director of Dubuque Main Street Ltd., presented the
application to the Commission. He reviewed the City's Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) project to replace the sidewalks along Main Street from the Locust Street
Connector to Fifth Street with decorative concrete sidewalks that meet the City's
downtown sidewalk standards fro Main Street. He explained that the requested
$100,000 in HDPIP funds would help to offset the sidewalk assessments to the property
owners in the Old Main Historic District, which is from 1st to 4th Streets.
Mr. LoBianco discussed the City's interrelated CIP projects for Main Street from the
Locust Street Connector to Fifth Street. He said that the City has budgeted for asphalt
resurfacing of Main Street as well as replacement of the existing street lights with new
street lights that match the ones in Cable Car Square and at the south end of Main
Street. He noted that this is an ideal time to replace the sidewalks because of the
amount of sidewalk that would be removed for the installation of new street lights. He
explained that there is an assessment to the property owners for the replacement of the
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
hmovation
Teamwork
Historic District Public Improvement Program
Page 2
sidewalks. Mr. LoBianco added that the street lights will be spaced properly to make
the sidewalks more functional for sidewalk cafes and maneuverability.
Staff Member Carstens explained that the standard concrete sidewalks will be replaced
along Main Street from 5th Street to the cul-de-sac at the Locust Street Connector, and
that adjoining property owners will be assessed in accordance with City policy. She
noted that the HDPIP funding can be used only to reduce the sidewalk assessments for
the property owners located in the Old Main Historic District, from 1st to 4th Streets.
The Commission discussed the application and related CIP projects. The Commission
asked whether there were any other funding sources available to the property owners
along Main Street for streetscape improvements. Mr. LoBianco explained that Dubuque
Main Street Ltd. has no funding available for streetscape projects. He noted that their
funding is primarily for facades and buildings.
RECOMMENDATION
By a vote of 8 to 0 with one abstention by Commissioner Wand, the Historic
Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council approve the sidewalk and
streetlight project with the stipulation that the City's final streetscape design and layout
be presented to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Bya vote of 7 to 0 with one abstention by Commissioner Wand, the Historic
Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council approve $100,000 from the
Historic District Public District Improvement Program to offset property owners' sidewalk
assessments in the Old Main Historic District.
Sincerely,
~ ~~/~
Dave Stuart, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Attachments
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Dan LoBianco, Executive Director, Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
D'G'i3~E
~<k~
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Departm ent
Oubuque.IA 52001-4864
Phone: 563-589-4210
Fax: 563-589-4221
HISTORIC DISTRICT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PROJECT COMPONENTS (Check all that apply)
X Historic Street Lights
o Benches
o Trash Receptacles
o Planters
o Waysides/Plazas
o Street Trees/Grates
o Landscaping/Plantings
o Decorative Fence/Rail
o Decorative Bollards
o Identification Signs
o Brick Sidewalks
o Brick Crosswalks
o Brick Streets
o Limestone Curbs
o Retaining Walls
X Coiored Concrete Sidewalks/Curbs
X Colored Concrete Crosswalks
X Coiored Concrete Street Paving
o ather:
o other:
Please tvDe or Drint leaiblv in ink
Type of Applicant: 0 Neighborhood Group X Neighborhood Association (Name: Dubuque Main Street on
behalf of the Old Main Neighborhood)
Representative: Dan LoBianco Phone:563-588-4400
Address: 909 Main Street; Suite 22LL City: Dubuque
State:IA Zlp:52001
Fax Number: 563-588 - 0 (. 'IS"
Mobile/Cellular Number: 563-580-5755 (personal phone)
Project Description: (See attached) This project is to assist with the "wall-to-wall" streetscape
improvement, including colored pavement (sidewalk & street) historic lights and other amenities from 1st
to 4th Street on Main.
Project location/area: As stated above on Main Street in the national & local district, Historic Old Main
Total project cost: (Yet to be determined, but around $500,000) Amount of Grant Request: $100,000
CERTIFICA nON: I/we, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
1. The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and upon
submittal becomes public record;
The undersigned representatives are authorized to sign this application on behalf of the
neighborhood association or group; and
All additio~.al.qUired written an. d graphic materials are attached.
/" . - ---.J k
Representative: o4~/ c/o. 0,--, -) . - Date: 1/14/05
Representative: Date:
2.
3.
Received by:
o Site/sketch plan(s)
o Project description
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY - APPLICATION SUBMnTAL CHECKLIST
Submittal Date: HPC Meeting Date:
o Petition/Signatures in Support 0 Photos 0 Catalog examples
o Budget Documentation 0 Map(s} Oather:
Historic Old Main
The "nuts & bolts" of this project are still to be formalized with the neighborhood's and
Preservation Commission input; however, we can describe the project with the enclosed CIP and
add that this project is to assist with the "wall-to-wall" streetscape improvement of Old Main
from I" to 4th Street including the following: a stylized colored pavement street treatment with a
majority of the overlay and/or partial reconstruction to include traditional street colored main
drive areas, but colored crosswalks/intersections to help with pedestrian comfort and traffic
calming. The basic concept used in the opening of Main at the former Plaza will be the model.
The project will also include sidewalk treatments as indicated in the City's new downtown
sidewalk standards policy, as reviewed by the neighborhoods and the preservation commission.
This will improve accessibility improvements.
Historic replica lights, patterned after the design began with the preservation commission's input
in Cathedral/Cable Car Square and include "up & down" electricity receptacles will replace the
inefficient and inappropriate lights and spacing that now exists.
While the budget is sure to be tight, other amenities in the streetscape of Old Main will be
considered in consensus-building meetings hosted by the City & Dubuque Main Street. There is a
desire in the neighborhood for some street trees and other greening, but opinions differ and this
must not include any loss of parking. Thus, money and discussion leave this topic TBD.
We submit this application for the HDPIP to help ensure that momentum does not stop for Old
Main. Creative architectural and design work help us preserve this "oldest district" in our City.
Just last year, or so, we experienced the following "you gotta come experience these new
places/spaces" in Old Main: Andaluz smoke-free bar; Flowers on Main; the chic-in-so-many-
ways, but don't miss a play on the flat screen TVs, Lot One; the in-migrated River City Gift that
Main Street recognized as the prototype for the "find a unique gift downtown theory" (located in
the Platinum building along with Sheppard Inc., Epic Construction, & Platinum Services);
Cathy's Treasures (antiques & more); the youth-oriented Frag Time; the Eagle Design Center; the
expanded HJ Fashions; Hardin-Phelps Men's Clothing; the new headquarters for
Dubuque365.Com, Vue 365 Magazine; and Union Custom Leathers.
Other important considerations on momentum here include that while not the end-all be-all,
Dubuque Main Street has secured a gap-closing grant of $43,000 from the Main Street Iowa
program, secured by Senator Harkin for the state out of HUD funds. The building owners and
developers expect to reopen the Silver Dollar in the Old German Bank building within a year. We
all also look forward to a quicker reopening of "Flowers on Main," (another tragic fire and more
story) in the 300 block of Main.
Dubuque Main Street Ltd. continues to help fuel the momentum and partnerships downtown.
Thanks for considering this new opportunity. Staff and directors welcome comments, suggestions
and questions at (563) 588-4400, 909 Main Street, Suite 22LL. The Main Street e-mail address is
dbqmainst@mwci.net.
::j,)::HkbkHJ
I
';blb6;w
""""""!I'I'@'
II
1_11'111
M!l9:IF
1!:~llilli
",:.:.,.:.:.,
1I1~
ill";.
I~;,;,
~i.g;
*iil@l
a:...
00
ir>
0.....
:ri!::~ e
'"
o
~
0.
S
'"
'"
~
!
o
'"
'"
~
..
s
'"
'" '"
..
9
'"
g
'"
'" '"
0 0 0 8r
0 0 0
'" 0 0 0 000
9 ,..: .,; N .....-..... N-
.. co f8 !;t '" f8
:!l ...
2
'" '" '" "'''' '"
~ Ul Cl
Lll :E'" z .l!l",
Cl W"E 1.j
c c: c:
::l ~ '" ' z '" ::I
;;;~3: E...
ID c( ~ t11
~ a: '0. 0 Z
U :::I c: . c: ii: ill.....
Lll ~ we:::.o ~
"> coO"'tl u < :ll
Ii! zci~ ...J Lll 0;:::> ...J
W .~"'O i < "> .~ i <
0.. 0.. c:C: ..... 0 .....
><CDmo~ 0 a: c.O 0
UJO...J() ..... 0.. Ulll:: .....
et ai
'"
'"
'"
'"
'"
~ c: ~
.g "m 5 ~
:::iE=ll) 0
'" c(ij..... 0
c: O-o~Ol
c:
0 "'0 CI) CI) c:
() Q) E c 'E
" !i-~o
.. 0 ~ ..
" ,~~ ~ ~ 'c:
ell ..
,,- e:
1ii l>ii c. ..
c: 0 ~ "
::I Q)"C~= >
0 ... c: 0.< 'i/i
0
...J :; as I) c:
o ~ = ciJ "
E J:
0 ~ (,) g>:s ~
./= ~~ili;g. c.
II E
'" " - 0
'0' "00= II) CD ()
Q: '" '~ ~ l: "
'" :6'C~C1J =
c: 0" c: .l!l
'"' _.c"'O._ c:
... (I) CI) as
J: CD "c "'0 ~ . "
'" E
:::; =", e: ~
'~E.2~" "
" a.
ChOt) a. ,~
~ CD 0..0 C 2
Iii ..oii-oG)o. II
e: "'0 -"'5:6 Ol
:;"'OO_c: "E'
'Iii O!:r:o;3
:::;; ~ 0 ~ c :;) c.
'" ..:M:O :8..0 .~ ....:
" 1ii (,).~ m m J: '
.. ~'S K~:6 .....'"
0 .'"
c.
0 ~.clD~1ii lllii
Q. ID 4)-.c .- c: 'O'v
Q) "0..... CI)'-
" J:'~ ... = l!l. ~N
= ..... _ CD 0 (IJ ",J!!
€ .0 CD - "'0 c: ..
Gi.et;5C1lCll ,- 0
~ " ::I ill ilj<!l
e: ,b-Ei"C "-...
- "
0 cnQ)c>>"C:a
'"' c: " '" c:
g .m..o.e-em .. '"
J: E
::I :::;;31=il" ~"
'C' ::I .. .0
0 o l() .- "C <ill
0 g>~c:'C_ " c:
,50 i3~~~S =,2>
:>< .5..!~~ - ..
0 "
0; .. ~ " '" .. to
~ ~:!:! ~.0 ~ .. e:
" c...
'" ('IJflJlD ~
'jjj ~!~.;~ ..-e
$ ..:::>
tV b: c.o il",
~ ~ c: .5 l! .t: o c:
0 c:8a:lob ~ ..
e: tV :t _._
0 .- G) U ::I "
0 -lil~a~" .. UJ
" ,,:::>
> ~1-"t:JUEi ~'"
'"' m 0 G) Q) I- " c:
l! c.~E~~ .o~
8 1i"E~5 '"
- '"
" il=
'" -"lD,,-
o "~'_ 0 ~'"
~ _ (I) a:l G) ,.,C:
" i 8.._ c..0' .. ..
c: E~~~Q. ~'"
'0 mQ.I-"'C1; ~~g
e: ~~~:;Ei
0 u ~
tl ~.... ~ ~ lJ Lll"'"
~ 1-. ~ c: -'Eiffi
III Q) Q) CI III 00-
e: =~Ei~i f.!2.lri
0
0 .ECIJ,g-gIG a::~.!!
Z '" CD Ei I- aJ..o u.l 0. ~
0= ~C>>~"tij.o %::!!:C)
..... ..
F.e .>-g.~8~ O~.f..l
0.. Sl ~ m en. c: ,g 0:2 liS
ir", ~Ei ~:glJ ~"E
u .- z o Ill.iii c: Q. .~ .!!
Ul E; 0 :.w C G) ::J G) ~=w
WI-..... F .~~"Cii;~
C c." t1> 0 "
~o" c( Q..!;t:c> z-~
o.~c7J ()~G)=8~ oeil
o 0
wo;!! u:: 0...0 C ~ c.. F<!.E:
">Q. J=iQ).~m.~ :5'0..
o .- '" ..
a::~11. ~Ql:>="C Lll"'./=
.r:. aJ _ C
a.......s ..,.... en c.. 0 to ll:: c: e:
co
'"
'"
'"
'"
II , .
Q
Z ...
0 ~
1::;
*1 ID
litil" ,.".,.,.
Ii........,"
. ..... "," ,..."
"':': .:;:..:...:....
" """4',; ',:!!l! '" '"
, ,
...
~
8
'"
'" '"
, ,
I~" l!
\"' J~~~.l;t~ ~
III'" '"
!' . .::f~ltJit1} '" '"
, ,
..
~
8
'"
'" '"
, ,
!
0
2
11~ll!li
Jd '" ..
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
'" 0 0 0 0 0
~ oO g- oO oO oO
- ~ CD ~
II!I,I." N N
2
i!II~11 '" '" '" '" '"
~ UI Cl
Lll :E '" Z
Cl ~ C 1,'j
C 'C
::l " ~ Z
" c(
ID Lll C
~ a: '0. 0 Z III
u ~ C n: C ii: I-
L1l 0
Lll '"' ~ III
"> is 00 '" 0 u
Ii! Z C ~ -' Lll => -'
I'll"" C ..
Lll '" ~ < "> '" ;!
rJII~l}l1 0.. 0.. 'jjj '" C " ~ 0 ..
C ~
>< '" .. 0 0 a: 0 0
Lll 0 -' () I- 0.. a: I-
1~lllil;III:! et ai
c , ,
Lll
I ~ ...
c( 0
::IE ~
!;;
Lll '" '"
. ,
a: ...
0 0
ir ~
11!'II"!l 0..
0.. 0
t:l ~
liiilnWe '" '"
",
:s
'"
a
0;
",
~
~
'"
1:
"
l:
a
"
.6
"
&l
a.
~
'"
:;
o
~
'"
C
'"'
J:
~
",
:;:
I-
;i
l:
CI)
~
.s
..
"
clS
1ii
~
E
,g
-
"
l:
CI)
C
'ill
:::;;
C
o
'"
C
'"'
;g.
"
"
-Ii!
o
'C
~
:;:
'0
c:
o
i;j
~
.50
"
Z.6
o ~
1=J2
0.. Xl
ii!",
u .-
Ul 1;
Lll ~
ce.
~'g
u.-
we...:
-, c...g
o en'-
a: .- l:
a..~8
.s
&"
.5.6
", ~
:: m .
.Q: c:: IIJ
'ifjti~
J:"e.
.2.loCl) :l:
J: '"
:=: c--
"0'- -
" .. '"
-:::;;"
.. ~ c
m m G)
o"g=
c: ::I c:
II) .e 0
Co1ii"i
li.6 &l
ES15..
.!ICi!
m:=
-SEJ3
-'ilIJ!l
~0lG.l
=ci~
Q;ij,o
:::= 5
",,,-
:~~~
:::,lii =
0'0"
" 'C
~.s.s
"'",,,,
(U.- c:
G).s::. 'C
.0 :E "i
,j;'~'"
C .$ fa
"J:
6- .2' l!
",- ::I
-=c"
", " C
E t: 8
~a-g
"'''::1
",.6 0
'" ~
C !'l 2'
aj!.g
J: e. c
o ! ='
c: '" '"
.._~
,,::I""
J: 0 "
I- ~ 0
."0 -a
8.!!!. lD
c 0 ~
.. ~ 0
c e. ",
.s .le a;
cJ:",
'(Ii I-- :;
E Ii 0
J:=~
,2> ~ll
~.t::.~
! -0 ~
.- C Q.
::I .. ..
0' ~ ._
!o..c
~_I-
o Q) .
'" ,.,-
"E C> ~
8.5 ~
", E
:s il ,~
O)~:E
c .. ~
o ", "
lii CP ~
zJ!l-8..Q
ofi,a-g
l==lDaI
c(1:.6~
OlD"Q)
ii: l: c: ~
~a~;
Cl)Q),SU
:;:).s::.c:O
..,I-lDU
lii
o
(!)
...
c
'"
E
"
ill
"
",
=>
'"
c
..
-'
'"
c
..
'"
c:i
-
'"
Iii
...
.,:
.l!!
..
o
(!)
~
"
E
"
ill
"
~
!
.E
on
N
'"
c
..
"!
..
0;
o
(!)
N
o
'"
E
"
E
"
ill
c
o
:;
t
o
e.
",
c
..
,=
",
-c
..
e:
"
l!! .~
U"
LllJ:
... "
06.
a: E
0.. 0
a:()
Lll "
:t:.6
bl!1
I:! ~
o..~
_ e.
:t: E
~~
o .!!.
1= e
c(e.
..... .
w'- 'O:t
a::~....;
DESIGN REVIEW STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 17, 2005
Property Address:
Property Owner:
Applicant:
Project:
Public right-of-way from 1st to 4th Street along Main Street
City of Dubuque
Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
To install historic street lights and sidewalk treatments
Historic Preservation District: Old Main Landmark: No
Funding: Historic District Public Improvement Program
Existing Zoning: C-4 Downtown Commercial
Present Land Use: Mixed commercial, office and residential uses
Style: None
Date Built: N/A
Level of Sianificance:
Level of Rehabilitation:
o Design for Historic Features
o Alteration/Addition
o Not Evaluated
Physical Characteristics: The Old Main Historic District is comprised of all of the
properties adjacent Main Street between 1st and 4th Street and the Five Flags Theater.
The district represents the largest concentration of significant nineteenth century
commercial architecture in Dubuque. Most of the district's buildings are constructed of
red brick and are three to four stories in height, and they possess a high degree of
craftsmanship. The buildings located throughout the Old Main Historic District are
primarily mixed use residential, commercial and office.
Staff Analysis: The applicant is applying for funding from the Historic District Public
Improvement Program on behalf of property owners in the Old Main Historic District,
The HDPIP funds would be used to offset special assessments these owners would
incur for planned sidewalk improvements in the public right-of-way, The City Manager
has proposed in the FY06 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to replace all standard
gray pedestrian walkways abutting Main Street with new decorative concrete. The
project extends beyond the Old Main Historic District, from the Locust Street to 51h
Street. The CIP project description is enclosed.
In addition, the City also budgeted in the FY05 CIP to replace the existing street lights
along Main Street from 1 st Street to 5th Street with historic lights. This work would be
done in conjunction with the sidewalk improvements for the same area. The CIP project
description is enclosed,
Sidewalks
The proposed decorative concrete sidewalk would be 11 foot wide, buff colored, broom
finished with saw cut and charcoal medallion paver insert design, similar to the
standards implemented on Main Street from 5th to 9th Street in the Downtown Sidewalk
Pattern approved by the HPC and City Council. The project would be funded by
assessing the property owners 75% of the reconstruction cost and 25% would be paid
by the City to replace sidewalk disturbed due to the installation of the new Main Street
historic lighting.
Design Review Staff Report - Dubuque Main Street Ltd
Page 2
Total Project Cost $562,000.00
Special Assessment $471,000.00
Road Use Tax Fund $91,000.00
Total Grant Reauest $100,000.00
Grant to total cost 17.79%
Street Liahtina
The street lights will match the existing street lights that are located along 1st Street and
the cul-de-sac located at the end of the Main Street north of the Locust Street
Connector. The current lights along Main Street from 1st to 4th Street require high
maintenance. The anchoring systems frequently break requiring welding, the lamps are
not sealed which allows bugs to enter and the globes are fragile and turning yellow.
The role of the Historic Preservation Commission in reviewing this project 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. The Commission is
also responsible for providing a recommendation to the City Council about funding
projects from the Historic District Public Improvement Program. The Commission's
recommendation will go on to the City Council with the application materials for their
review and approval of the project.
Compliance with Design Guidelines: In 2002, the Streetscape and Landscape
Guidelines were created to help provide recommendations for public improvements in
the public right-of-way. Historic street lights and sidewalk treatments were taken into
consideration with the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines.
Prepared by:
eViewed:~~S1.~ Date: 2--lo-os-