Washington Neigh. Park Purchase properties
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MEMORANDUM
February 28, 2006
-,
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Purchase of Property for Washington Neighborhood Park
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris recommends
City Council approval to purchase three properties in the Washington Neighborhood, for
the purpose of developing a neighborhood park at the intersection of 18t11 and
Washington Streets.
The three acquired properties will provide a 100 x 100 foot parcel, sufficient to include a
play structure and open area with bench seating. The park will be fenced on all sides
and provide an opportunity for supervised play for younger children.
The three properties proposed to be acquired are at the northwest corner of the
intersection. These include the vacant lot owned by GRAMP partnership/Gerardy
Construction; a single-family home owned by Joseph and Joyanne Thurston, located at
1837 Washington Street, and a single-family home owned by William and Joyce
Glasson, located at 1839 Washington. The total acquisition price for the three
properties is $164,000 and these funds are available in the Community Development
Block Grant budget.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
(l1:v! C::\/JZ ~
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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MEMORANDUM
24 February 06
To: Michael \{~r Milligen, City Manager
From: David ~s, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Purchase of Property for Washington Neighborhood Park
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's authorization to
purchase three properties in the Washington Neighborhood, for the purpose of
developing a neighborhood park at the intersection of 18'" and Washington Streets.
Background
A key element of the "Washington: Revitalize!" strategy is developing a 'tot lot' park in
the interior of the neighborhood. The neighborhood association has expressed this as a
primary need, for the recreational opportunity for young children and for the safety of
these kids who often otherwise play in the streets.
The association reviewed a number of sites analyzed by City staff in meetings held last
summer. The criteria for a desirable location included proximity to the Casket
CompanyJWashington Court Apartments, being 'interior' to the boundaries of the
neighborhood and on a street with lower traffic volume. The selected site was the
unanimous first choice of the group.
Discussion
Three properties are proposed to be acquired, at the northwest corner of the
intersection. These include the vacant lot owned by GRAMP partnership/ Gerardy
Construction; a single-family home owned by Joseph and Joyanne Thurston, located at
1837 Washington Street; and a single-family rental owned by William and Joyce
Glasson, located at 1839 Washington.
The lot was appraised at $35 000; the owner has requested $50 000. Steve Lampe
relates that, as he uses this lot for parking his construction trailers and trucks for the
business, the loss of this parking will reduce the value of his office/storage building
located across Washington Street and require him to move to another location.
The Thurston and Glasson homes appraised at $55 000 and $59 000, respectively.
Both owners have accepted purchase offers in these amounts.
The three acquired properties will provide a 100 x 100 foot parcel, sufficient to include a
play structure and open area with bench seating. The park will be fenced on all sides
and provide an opportunity for supervised play for younger children.
The total acquisition price for the three properties is $164 000. These funds are
available in the CDBG budget, allocated for the park in the total amount of $320 000.
Additional costs will be incurred for required relocation expenses for the property
owners and removal of the structures. We are working to find sites within the
neighborhood and hope to move one or both houses to new locations.
Required publishing of notice of environmental impact has taken place and we have
received authorization for release of the federal funds by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD.)
Action Step
The requested action of the City Council is to approve the attached resolution,
authorizing the purchase of the three properties for development of a park for the
Washington Neighborhood.
.
RESOLUTION NO.
74-06
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF THREE
PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE, LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF 18TH AND WASHINGTON
STREETS, AT 1837 WASHINGTON STREET AND AT 1839
WASHINGTON STREET, IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque supports the efforts of the Washington
Neighborhood Association in activities to improve the quality of life in this area; and
WHEREAS, the Association has expressed a priority for development of a
neighborhood park to be located within the boundaries of the Washington Neighborhood
for the purpose of a play area for younger children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the City of Dubuque hereby approves the acquisition of the
following legally-described property:
Lot 92 in East Dubuque Addition in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, according
to the recorded plat thereof.
At the cost of Fifty thousand dollars ($50000).
Section 2. That the City of Dubuque hereby approves the acquisition of the
following legally-described property:
South one-half (112) of Lot 93 in East Dubuque Addition in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof.
At the cost of Fifty-five thousand dollars ($55 000).
Section 3. That the City of Dubuque hereby approves the acquisition of the
following legally-described property:
North one-half (112) of Lot 93 in East Dubuque Addition in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof.
At the cost of Fifty-nine thousand dollars ($59000).
Section 4. That the City of Dubuque be and is hereby authorized to accept a
Quit Clam Deed from the owners, conveying the owners' interest to the City of
Dubuque, Iowa for the herein-described real estate.
.
Section 5. That the City Clerk be and she is hereby authorized and directed
to cause said Quit Claim Deed to be recorded in the office of the Dubuque County
Recorder, together with certified copy of the Resolution.
Section 6. That the City Clerk be and she is hereby directed to forward a
copy of this Resolution to the Dubuque County Assessor and the Dubuque County
Auditor.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of March, 2006.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk