Main St Ltd Challenge Grant 759 Bluff
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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
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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
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