Downtown Urban Renew Dis expansion
5~~~E
~~~
MEMORANDUM
July 11, 2006
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal
Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Economic Development Director David Heiar is recommending adoption of a Resolution
of Necessity that finds that the Amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District is both necessary and appropriate, and sets a public
hearing on the proposed amendment for August 21, 2006.
The proposed expansion of this district would extend the boundaries of the district to
include the former Adams Company, the Carnegie-Stout Public Library, the Locust
Street Parking Ramp, and the former U.S. Federal Building. The proposed expansion
of the urban renewal district would allow for the use of redevelopment tools to assist the
proposed rehabilitation of the former U.S. Federal Building, Locust Street Parking
Ramp, and the Carnegie-Stout Public Library by the City and the proposed rehabilitation
of the former Adams Company by the Dubuque Historical Society.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
te llvl [(~jJZ~
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
July 10, 2006
TO:
FROM:
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director ~,
Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
SUBJECT:
Introduction
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration a Resolution of Necessity
that 1) finds that the amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District is both necessary and appropriate; and 2) sets a
public hearing on the proposed amendment for August 21, 2006.
The proposed expansion of this district would extend the boundaries of the district to
include the Former Adams Company, the Carnegie-Stout Public Library, the Locust
Street Parking Ramp, and the Former U.S. Federal Building. The proposed expansion
of the urban renewal district would allow for the use of redevelopment tools to assist the
proposed rehabilitation of the former U.S. Federal Building, Locust Street Parking
Ramp, and the Carnegie-Stout Public Library by the City and the proposed
rehabilitation of the former Adams Company by the Dubuque Historical Society.
Background
The Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal District was originally established in 1967. It
has been amended and restated on several occasions over the years to expand the
boundaries to include the Old Main area, the Iowa Inn property and the Dubuque
Museum of Art. On April 19th, 2004, the Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal was
merged with the Ice Harbor Urban Renewal District. By combining the two districts,
both public and private development efforts have benefited from greater flexibility in the
use of tax increment financing in the larger district.
Before a municipality can exercise the authority conferred by Chapter 403 "Urban
Renewal" of the Iowa Code, a Resolution of Necessity must be adopted finding that the
area being considered for urban renewal district designation is either a slum, blighted or
economic development area and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment,
development, or a combination thereof, of the area is necessary in the interest of the
public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city.
The Iowa Code defines a blighted area as, "an area of a municipality within which the
local governing body of the municipality determines that the presence of a substantial
number of slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures; defective or inadequate street
layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
unsanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site or other improvements; diversity of
ownership, tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
defective or unusual conditions of title; or the existence of conditions which endanger
life or property by fire and other causes; or any combination of these factors;
substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of a municipality, retards the provision
of housing accommodations, or constitutes an economic or social liability and is a
menace to the public health, safety, or welfare in its present condition and use". An
economic development area is defined as, "an area of a municipality designated by the
local governing body as appropriate for commercial and industrial enterprises or
housing and residential development for low and moderate income families, including
single or multifamily housing." The expansion areas will be designated as economic
development areas. See attached map.
Discussion
The expansion of the District is proposed, in part, to assist the rehabilitation of the
former U.S. Federal Building. The proposed amendment would extend the boundaries
to include these properties. Inclusion in the District will allow the U.S. Federal Building,
Public Library, Locust Street Parking Ramp and Adams Company rehabilitation projects
to access the tools and incentives available to urban renewal district properties,
including tax increment financing and the Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program.
The attached Resolution directs staff to prepare an amended and restated Urban
Renewal Plan and to forward the amendment to the Long Range Planning Commission
for their review and comment. This is required by Chapter 403 along with a
consultation process that involves all affected taxing entities. Those taxing entities, the
County, School Board and community college, have an opportunity to comment on the
proposed amendment prior to the required public hearing on the urban renewal plan,
but they cannot block adoption of the plan.
City Council public hearing on the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan will be
scheduled for August 21, 2006. This will allow time for preparation of the plan, review
and comment period by the Long Range Planning Commission and the consultation
process with the taxing entities.
Recommendation
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached Resolution of Necessity that begins
the process of amending the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District to expand the boundaries of the District. The amendment will provide
additional tools to encourage reinvestment and redevelopment activities throughout the
District and will support, specifically, the proposed former U.S. Federal Building,
Carnegie-Stout Public Library, Locust Street Parking Ramp, and the former Adams
Company rehabilitation projects.
Action Step
The action step for the City Council is to adopt the Resolution of Necessity attached to
this memorandum.
Attachments
Prepared by: Aaron M. Dejong
Assistant Economic Development Director
F:\USERS'Adejong\Urban Renewal\2006 Amendments\Necessary Memo 070506.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 322-06
A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED
EXPANSION AREAS OF THE GREATER DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL
DISTRICT ARE AREAS MEETING THE DEFINITIONS OF AN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AREA AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID AREAS IS
NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque has determined that the further
expansion of the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District will provide redevelopment
opportunities which will further the purposes and objectives of the Downtown Dubuque
Urban Renewal Plan; and
Whereas, the City Council has found that the proposed expansion areas meet
the definition of an economic development area as found in Chapter 403 "Urban
Renewal" of the Iowa Code; and
Whereas, Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code requires that before urban renewal
authority may be exercised, a City Council must adopt a resolution of necessity finding
that the area in question is a slum, blighted or economic development area, and that so
designating such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare
of the residents of the municipality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the following described areas, which are proposed to be added
to the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, are economic development areas as
defined by Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code and are appropriate for an urban renewal
project, to wit:
1) Lot 1 in Adams Company's 2nd Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
according to the recorded Plat thereof, containing 5 acres more or less, located
within Sections 25 and 30, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, Dubuque County,
Iowa and including any adjoining public right-of-way (hereinafter, the "Former
Adams Property"), and
2) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 6th Street with the existing eastern boundary of
the current Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, said point being the point
of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 6th Street to the ." ".
centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to an extension of the southeast parcel line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot
138 in the City of Dubuque, Iowa; thence northeasterly along the extended and
actual southeast parcel line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot 138 and continuing along
the southeasterly line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot 103 in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa and extending to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the
existing Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all
located within Section 25, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, Dubuque County,
Iowa (hereinafter, the "Former U.S. Federal Building").
3) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 9th Street with Locust Street, said point being the
point of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 9th Street to the
centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to the centerline of 8th Street; thence northeasterly along the centerline of
8th Street to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the existing
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all located
within Sections 24 and 25, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, 5th P.M., Dubuque
County, Iowa (hereinafter, the "Locust Street Parking Ramp").
4) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 11 th Street with Locust Street, said point being
the point of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 11th Street
to the centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to an extension of the southeast parcel line of City Lot 658A and City Lot
658 in the City of Dubuque, Iowa; thence northeasterly along the extended and
actual southeast parcel line of City Lot 658A and City Lot 658 in the City of
Dubuque, Iowa to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the existing
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all located
within Section 24, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, 5th P.M., Dubuque County,
Iowa (hereinafter, the "Carnegie-Stout Public Library").
Section 2. That the development of the expansion areas is necessary and
appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in
accordance with sound planning and local community objectives.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare an
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District, to forward said Plan to the City's Long Range Planning Commission for review
and comment and to begin the consultation process required by law with affected taxing
entities.
Section 4. That the City Clerk is directed to publish notice of a public hearing on
the adoption of an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District to be held on August 215\ 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Carnegie-Stout Public Library Auditorium, 11th and Bluff Streets, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
and that said notice shall generally identify the areas covered by the Amended and
Restated Plan and the general scope of the Amended and Restated Plan and the
activities planned for such areas.
Section 5. That the City Clerk is further directed to send by ordinary mail a copy
of said notice of public hearing to the Dubuque Community School District, the County
Board of Supervisors and the Northeast Iowa Community College, as the affected
taxing entities.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17th day of July 2006.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a public hearing on
August 15, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., in the Public Library Auditorium, 360 West 11th Street, to
consider adopting an amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District. The proposed amendment, which identifies certain areas to be
added to the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, is as follows:
The following described areas, which are proposed to be added to the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District, are economic development areas as defined by
Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code and are appropriate for an urban renewal project, to wit:
1) Lot 1 in Adams Company's 2nd Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
according to the recorded Plat thereof, containing 5 acres more or less, located
within Sections 25 and 30, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, Dubuque County,
Iowa and including any adjoining public right-of-way (hereinafter, the "Former
Adams Property"), and
2) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 6th Street with the existing eastern boundary of
the current Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, said point being the point
of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 6th Street to the
centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to an extension of the southeast parcel line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot
138 in the City of Dubuque, Iowa; thence northeasterly along the extended and
actual southeast parcel line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot 138 and continuing along
the southeasterly line of parcel N54.6' of City Lot 103 in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa and extending to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the
existing Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all
located within Section 25, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, Dubuque County,
Iowa (hereinafter, the "Former U.S. Federal Building").
3) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 9th Street with Locust Street, said point being the
point of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 9th Street to the
centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to the centerline of 8th Street; thence northeasterly along the centerline of
8th Street to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the existing
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all located
within Sections 24 and 25, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, 5th P.M., Dubuque
County, Iowa (hereinafter, the "Locust Street Parking Ramp").
4) A rectangular shaped area commencing as a point of reference at the
intersection of the centerline of 11 th Street with Locust Street, said point being
the point of beginning: thence southwesterly along the centerline of 11th Street
to the centerline of Bluff Street; thence southeasterly along the centerline of Bluff
Street to an extension of the southeast parcel line of City Lot 658A and City Lot
658 in the City of Dubuque, Iowa; thence northeasterly along the extended and
actual southeast parcel line of City Lot 658A and City Lot 658 in the City of
Dubuque, Iowa to the eastern boundary of the existing Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District; thence northwesterly along the eastern boundary of the existing
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to the point of beginning, all located
within Section 24, Township 89 North, Range 2 East, 5th P.M., Dubuque County,
Iowa (hereinafter, the "Carnegie-Stout Public Library").
The City of Dubuque reserves the right to modify the boundaries of the District at some
future date. Any amendments to the Plan will be completed in accordance with Chapter
403 of the Iowa Code, Urban Renewal Law.
(Copy of the Amended Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District Plan is on file in the
City Clerk's Office and may be viewed during normal working hours.)
Written comments regarding the above amendment may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office on or before said time of public hearing.
At said time and place of public hearing all interested citizens and parties will be given
an opportunity to be heard for or against said amendment.
Any visual or hearing impaired persons needing special assistance or persons with
special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4120 or
TOO (563) 590-6678 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 1 ih day of July, 2006.
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
Proposed Expansion to
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
JO ES
w
U)
U)
co
JON
C T
'"
w
"
3=
Created By: Aaron M. DeJong
Economic Development Department
Date: July 10, 2006
Current Urban Renewal District
Proposed Additions