Historic Preservation Initiatives
Planning Services Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
Phone (319) 589-4210
Fax (319) 589-4221
DUB~E
~~~
August 18, 2000
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Historic Preservation Incentives
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
During the April 17, 2000 work session with the City Council on the review and update of
the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Commission discussed our
recommendations for a number of historic preservation incentives. At the work session,
City Council members noted that these incentives were only proposals for which funding
had not been allocated.
Subsequently, the Commission created a Preservation Task Force to solicit public input
on our recommendations for the review and update ofthe Historic Preservation Ordinance.
To date, the Task Force has received public support for these incentives at an initial public
forum. The Task Force is continuing to seek public input on historic preservation. A formal
report from the Task Force and the Commission will be forthcoming at the end of the year,
which is after the City budget process is well underway.
At this time, the Commission respectfully requests that the City Council consider the
following historic preservation incentives in the upcoming budget. The Commission asks
that the City Council to refer these incentives to the City Manager for review and evaluation
as part of the upcoming budget. The recommended incentives are:
1) Approve a low interest (3%) Historic Preservation revolving loan fund with:
a) $200,000 available at conception;
b) $20,000 added each year for the next five years; and
c) that the City make a commitment to raise $100,000 through private
contributions (see attachment).
2) Approve a neighborhood support grant in which the City provides incentives to do
streetscape elements such as landscaping and lighting.
3) Approve a revised Historic Preservation Grant that would increase the g rant amount
from $2,000 up to $5,000 (see attachment).
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
Historic Preservation Incentives
page 2
4) Approve an expansion of the Urban Revitalization Program to include all historic
districts in this program. Presently, only the West 11th Street and Jackson Park
Historic Districts are part of the Urban Revitalization Program.
5) Approve the allocation offunds for creating a full-time Historic Preservation Planner
in the Planning Services Department.
The Commission believes that by altering the existing historic preservation incentives and
adopting new programs, as we have recommended, the City Council will make historic
preservation an economic development tool for downtown and neighborhood revitalization.
The Commission appreciates the City Council's support in our review and update of the
Historic Preservation Ordinance, and hopes that you will give every consideration to our
recommendations.
Sincerely,
l~ rnOLQv\&--~
Terry Mozena, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Attachments
cc Michael Van MiIIigen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
James Burke, Community and Economic Development Director
...
PROPOSED
HISTORIC PRESERV A TION REVOLVING LOAN FUND
Purpose: Preservation loans are available on a competitive basis to property owners in the 4
primarily residential historic districts for exterior rehabilitation projects that meet the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. This loan fund provides positive incentives to
property owners in these districts to maintain and improve the community's architectural
heritage.
Applicant Eligibility
Any property owner.
Eligible Property
Must be located in Jackson Park, Cathedral, W. 11 th Street
or Langworthy Historic Districts and be at least 50 years
old.
Loan Amount
Up to $25,000.00
Terms
3%
10 years
Monthly principal and interest payments begin after project
completion.
Limit of one loan per building.
""""
Security
At least a 2nd mortgage position and promissory note.
Eligible Improvements
Exterior work that results in property improvements that
meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for
Rehabilitation.
Priority will be given to projects that result in saving,
restoring or reconstructing original building elements, using
original materials, that reflect the architectural character or
significance of the property.
A loan review committee will rank eligible applications.
The Historic Preservation Commission must approve all
work to be completed.
Program Budget
$400,000 total: $200,000 from City; $100,000 from private
fund raising; $20,000 added each year for five years from
City. Possible funding sources: DRA, UDAG, Sales Tax,
General Fund (not CDBG).
......
F:\USERS\Pmyhre\ WPDOCS\HPC\revolvloan. wpd
.:
,....
PROPOSED
HISTORIC PRESERVATION HOMEOWNER GRANT PROGRAM
Purpose: Preservation grants (in the form of a forgivable loan) are available on a competitive
basis to income-qualifying owner-occupants in any local historic district for specific
rehabilitation projects that preserve the original building materials and character-defining
features of the home. These grants provide financial incentives to homeowners to maintain and
improve their own neighborhood's historic building inventory.
Existin~ Proposed
Applicant Eligibility Owner-occupant of SF, duplex Same
or 3-unit property
HUD income-eligible Same
(80% of median family income)
Eligible Property Located in HP District Same
At least 50 years old Same
"........ Amount I : I match to $2000 grant Up to $5000 forgivable loan;
fully forgiven after 5 years
Security At least a 2nd mortgage
position and promissory note.
Eligible Improvements Exterior doors, walls, windows, Repair/restoration of:
roofs, stairs, porches, railings, porches, wood windows
retaining walls, painting. & doors, wood siding,
character-defining features,
including painting.
Repair/restoration of
chimneys.
Historic colors paint projects.
Meets Sec. of the Interior's Stds Same
HPC approval of work Review committee ranking
and HPC approval of work.
Program Budget $20,000 $35,000
_.
F:\USERS\Pmyhrc\ WPDOCS\HPC\hpgrant wpd