Purchase of 301 Main Lot (Former Army Surplus Building)
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
November 10, 1999
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Purchase of 301 Main Lot (Former Army Surplus Building)
Community and Economic Development Director Jim Burke is recommending that
the City purchase the vacant lot at 301 Main Street (former Army Surplus Building)
from Dubuque Initiatives for the price of $107, 133. This is the amount of
expenses Dubuque Initiatives had with acquisition and demolition. The City will use
the vacant lot to create an eleven car surface parking lot to assist with the
redevelopment of the Historic Old Main District, especially the former Merchants
Hotel site.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/j
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
Jim Burke, Community and Economic Development Director
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
TO:
November 1, 1999
FROM: es Burke, Community and Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Purchase of301 Main lot (former Army Surplus Building)
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum requests City Council approval of the purchase of the property at 301 Main,
the location ofthe former Army Surplus Building. Dubuque Initiatives, the current owner, has
offered to sell the property to the City of Dubuque.
DISCUSSION
The Army Surplus building was purchased by the Dubuque Initiatives in May, 1997, as a site for
a business relocation. Dubuque Initiatives removed a small amount of asbestos from the building
and retained a structural engineer to explore the potential for rehabilitation. After a thorough
assessment of the building, the Board found that restoration was not economically feasible and
applied to the Historic Preservation Commission for permission to demolish the building. In
March, 1999, the Commission granted a certificate of economic hardship. The building was
demolished by Fondell Excavating in October. The property is currently vacant.
Dubuque Initiatives has now offered to sell the property to the City of Dubuque to assist the
redevelopment ofthe Old Main area. They will sell the lot for the amount of funds they currently
have into the property. These costs include: the purchase of the site ($74,000), asbestos
abatement ($3,245), structural evaluation ($2,441), and demolition costs ($27,000) for a total of
$107,133.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City of Dubuque purchase the former Army Surplus Building from
Dubuque Initiatives for the price of $107, 133.
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