Loading...
Main St Ltd Challenge Grant 759 Bluff D~~~E ~<k~ MEMORANDUM October 31, 2005 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Dubuque Main Street, Ltd. Challenge Grant Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is recommending submittal of a letter of support to Dubuque Main Street, Ltd. for Challenge Grant funding for Step By Step to locate housing accessible to persons with disabilities at 759 Bluff Street. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. //71u1 ~",~L Michael C. Van Milligen" MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director , .\ r '- ,'~) 14 October 05 Dan LoBianco, Executive Director Main Street Ltd 909 Main Dubuque 52001 Re: Challenge Grant Dan: Thanks for the opportunity to apply for the Challenge Grant funding. I'm proud to do so, in behalf of Step By Step. Step By Step is an organization of individuals committed to providing housing opportunities to persons with disabilities. It is consumer-driven, values-based and presently a 100% volunteer effort. Our first project is to develop an eight-unit residential facility which will sustain and affirm the abilities of tenants with mobility disabilities. It will be fully accessible and provide communal cooking and dining facilities, promoting the concept of 'community' in a mutually-supportive living environment. In locating the desired facility, primary to our thinking was to be near the main downtown bus transfer point. A circle nine blocks in diameter was centered on 9th and Main Streets; this was determined to be a traveling distance within the capability of persons in wheelchairs, and which affords access to a number of significant downtown services and amenities. An historic, four-unit apartment building at 759 Bluff Street has been chosen, as it has the additional merit of location next to Washington Park and offers a tranquil and private rear yard space, shaded by a massive oak tree. Another value associated with this facility is for residents to be as connected to the natural physical environment as possible. For the past several months, we have conducted a feasibility analysis of this property. AI Lundh has prepared detailed schematic drawings, showing eight apartments on three floors. Each resident will live independently, with a small kitchenette in each unit. A fully-equipped communal kitchen-dining area serves as a community center for all building residents, and is located on the second floor with a building-width deck for 'outdoor room' use. The building will house a central elevator. We are working with the University of Iowa Clinical law Program's Director, Len Sandler, whose students are providing technical review as part of their "Universal Design" project, to assure full accessibility. Also envisioned is a combination craft space-retail store-office space, to be located in the spacious basement. The office will serve as the base for the "center for independent living (Cll)" to be established. A non-profit corporation will be formed to serve as the Dubuque Center for Independent Living, the newest in a state-wide network of seven Clls currently in operation in Iowa. Centers for independent living serve to coordinate resources for persons with disabilities, to educate the general public and to advocate for consumer issues. A series of 'town hall' meetings held in Dubuque in August affirmed the base of support - from both consumers and service providers - needed to establish a local organization. Leo McCarthy has prepared the documents for incorporation. The owner of this building has been approached and a preliminary purchase price has been suggested. Tom Kane, from Kane Appraisals, is donating his services to conduct a market value analysis, now establishing market value. Terry Maiers has agreed to assist with setting up corporate accounting and to advise on other financial matters. A preliminary cost to acquire and convert the building is estimated at $550 000. We intend to submit funding applications to the Iowa Department of Economic Development's HOME Program; and to the Des Moines Federal Home loan Bank. These will be submitted in December and April, respectively. Assistance with these applications will be provided by Jane Steele, Helen Huewe OSF and Sarah Davidson. Additional funding will be sought through private donations and applications to foundations. Mark Henning, from E-Community Dubuque, is helping with energy cost projections; as well, a 'miniaturized' heat pump system is being evaluated. Critical to the design of this project is sustainability through emphasis on energy conservation. Thanks for your consideration of our project. I could suggest you contact Sarah Davidson for further information, at 583-8513; or myself, at your convenience. ~~ . David Harris, Irector Housing and Community Development Department City of Dubuque Step by Step Housing Project 1. Creating a Iife-giving, cooperative environment that empowers physically disabled, low income women by: 1. Stabilizing "home" for an extremely vulnerable segment of the population as prices are going up, services are being cut, and incomes are low ancllor fixed. Stability, or the lack of it, effects both physical and psychological well being. 2. Providing tenants the opportunity to manage the building. Rent is paid to Step by Step and tenants have a voice in how that income is saved or used to enhance the building and services. Under current circumstances the rent would go to the developer, very often someone out of town. 3. Asking for input from the disabled community early in development and beginning the, not so easy, task of building community. Presentation of the Step by Step project will take place at Town Hall Meetings: Empowering People with Disabilities, September 1 st. 2. Developing rental housing that is truly accessible, eliminates wasted resources, and increases quality of life. 1. The vast majority of the work is inaccessible to someone with disabilities. To the extent possible, home needs to be barrier free. 2. The "bottom line" currently produces inaccessible living space. This project would simplify the design and spend the money where benefits to the community are greatest: a. Providing a kitchen that makes use of the most recent design and technology, a kitchen that would never be available to low-income individuals. b. Providing an accessible bathroom in each unit with a 5x5 roll in shower. c. Providing a home-like atmosphere with green space. d. Providing privacy along with the support of the community. e. Using renewable energy to the maximum extent possible (protection against the increasing cost of heating and cooling). f. Being accessible to public transportation (essential to independence). g. Providing variety of living space. Step by Step Sustainable Projects by andfor People with Disabilities 'c ,-- ' ~~;~ -- ~~'St ...~ .. l ,. ,1 \. ,-~' "~.~ , u----A.,,- -&'..,", . ''-',~':""""",,,:;;;''?'V "'''':'~~'-.':~ "Ii ~ _.1 '----~;.,-<r-"-.