Nomination of Eagle Point Park for National Register of Historic PlacesTHE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
band
AI -America City
r
2007 • 2012 • 2013
SUBJECT: Nomination of Eagle Point Park for National Register of Historic Places,
CLG Grant Application for Eagle Point Park - NRHP Nomination and
Phase 1 Archeological Survey
DATE: August 28, 2014
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is recommending City Council support the
nomination of Eagle Point Park to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP),
acceptance of the generous offer of Dr. Julie Schlarman to list Eagle Point Park on the
National Register as an in-kind donation and submittal of a Certified Local Government
Grant Application for the nomination and Phase I Archeological Survey.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
bat44 .,
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
THE CITY OF
Dub
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Dubuque
kaild
All -America City
1111
2007 • 2012 • 2013
SUBJECT: Nomination of Eagle Point Park for National Register of Historic Places
and CLG Grant Application for Eagle Point Park — NRHP Nomination and
Phase 1 Archeological Survey
DATE: August 28, 2014
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits for City Council review and approval, an application to the State
Historic Preservation Office for a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to prepare a
nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and conduct a Phase 1
Archeological Survey for Eagle Point Park. The resolution and supporting documents are
enclosed.
BACKGROUND
Eagle Point Park is 164 acres that overlook the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam #11,
providing a spectacular tri-state view. In 1908, 100 acres were deed to the City to create the
park on Shiras Avenue. Streetcar traffic began to serve the park in 1912. Additional land,
buildings, and features were added over time.
The park took on a new look in the 1930s when the City received a $200,000 Works
Progress Administration (WPA) grant and hired landscape architect Alfred Caldwell as Park
Superintendent. Caldwell's exceptional use of native construction materials, craftsmanship
and unique designs in the prairie style buildings and gardens make Eagle Point Park one of
the most outstanding parks in the Midwest.
In 1973, the National Park Service determined that Eagle Point Park was eligible for the
NRHP based on its significant architecture and gardens.
In addition, Eagle Point Park has the potential to yield prehistoric and historic archeological
resources that may make if eligible for the NRHP. A large Native American burial mound
group was documented in the late 19th Century in the park, but its condition and location are
unknown.
CLG Grant Application for Eagle Point Park
The National Register is the official list of the country's cultural resources worthy of
preservation. It is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private
effort to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.
Listing in the NRHP, however, does not interfere with a private property owner's right to
alter, manage or dispose of property. Local design or demolition review by the City's
Historic Preservation Commission is not triggered by NRHP listing.
Listing in the NRHP helps assist in preserving historic properties through:
• Recognition that a property is significant to the U.S., the State or the community.
• Consideration in the planning for Federal or federally assisted projects.
• Eligibility for Federal tax benefits.
• Consideration in the decision to issue a surface coal mining permit.
• Qualification for Federal funds for historic preservation, when available.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires that Federal agencies
allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment on all
projects affecting historic properties either listed in or determined eligible for listing in the
NRHP. The Section 106 process is triggered by Federal funds, license, permit, or action.
DISCUSSION
With its determination of eligibility, Eagle Point Park is subject to the Section 106 process,
but the park does not enjoy the benefits that come from listing in the NRHP. Planning
Services staff believe the local, state, and national significance of Eagle Point Park's
buildings and cultural landscape will support a nomination for NRHP listing of the park.
A member of the Historic Preservation Commission, Dr. Julie Schlarman has offered to list
Eagle Point Park on the National Register as an in-kind donation of professional services
valued at $12,000. Her proposal is enclosed.
Listing of Eagle Point Park in the NRHP will provide the City with access to funding
available only to National Register properties. The nomination will also give the Leisure
Services Department additional information about the history of the park's architecture and
gardens that can direct planning for their maintenance and upkeep.
In October 2013, the City hired the Office of the State Archeologist (OSA) to conduct a
Phase 1A Archeological Survey of the park through written records and LiDAR imagery
mapping, a remote sensing technology for depicting burial mounds. The OSA report
determined the need for a Phase 1 Archeological Survey to locate any prehistoric or historic
cultural resources in the park landscape.
The Leisure Services Department also needs to know the location and extent of any
remnant burial mounds when planning park improvements and introducing sustainable best
practices for managing storm water, soil erosion, and invasive species. The Phase 1
Archeological Survey will provide valuable guidance for planning these efforts.
BUDGET IMPACT
The estimated budget for a Phase 1 Archeological Survey for Eagle Point Park is $25,000
based on the enclosed FY2015 estimate provided by the OSA.
2
CLG Grant Application for Eagle Point Park
The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a local, state, and federal partnership
that promotes historic preservation at the grassroots level and provides grants for historic,
architectural, and archeological surveys, evaluations, and planning.
As a CLG in good standing, the City of Dubuque is eligible for these matching funds. CLG
grants have a 60:40 match ratio and generally are $15,000 or less.
A $15,000 CLG grant requires a $10,000 local match to meet the 40% minimum. Leisure
Services Manager Marie Ware has identified a $10,000 cash match from savings in two
projects at Eagle Point Park:
$9,902 102 2189 73210 Eagle Point Park Bridge/Veranda/Indian Room exterior painting
$ 98 350 2376 73210 Eagle Point Park Bridge Support
Budget Director Jenny Larson has confirmed that these Leisure Services carryovers are in
the proposed budget amendment to be considered by City Council on September 2, 2014.
The City can utilize Dr. Schlarman's $12,000 in-kind donation to prepare the NRHP
nomination for Eagle Point Park as additional in-kind match as to make the CLG grant
request more competitive.
CLG grant applications are due on September 5. Awards are announced in December.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council support nomination of Eagle Point Park to the
NRHP, and to accept the generous offer of Dr. Julie Schlarman to list Eagle Point Park on
the National Register as an in-kind donation of professional services valued at $12,000.
Staff further recommends that the City Council undertake a Phase 1 Archeological Survey
of Eagle Point Park to identify any remnant burial mounds, identify cultural resources, and
aid in planning park improvements.
Staff also recommends that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing submittal of
the CLG grant application to prepare a nomination to the National Register of Historic
Places and to conduct a Phase 1 Archeological Survey for Eagle Point Park to the State
Historic Preservation Office.
Thank you.
Enclosures
cc: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
PVUSERSVLCARSTEN\WPAHPCAEagle Point Park NRHPAMemo MVM CLG grant app EPP Archeo NRHP 2 doc
3
DR JULIE SCHLARMAN
HISTORIAN, AUTHOR AND PRESERVATIONIST
1331 JACRSON STREET, DUBUQUE, IA 52001
563.845.1163
iischlarman@gmail.com
Proposal to List Eagle Point Park on the National Register of Historic Places
In the Spring of 2013, I volunteered my services and expertise as a member of Dubuque's Historic
Preservation Commission to write the nomination for Eagle Point Park. I intend to donate these services
and this document may be used as a manner of acquiring match -up funds for volunteered work. In May
2014 I retired from teaching which will allow me to pursue this project and hopefully others in historic
preservation.
Project Schedule [approximate dates]
May 2013 Field work and archival work began.
October 2014 Meet in person with SHPO and State Office of Archaeology
Archival work at Iowa State University
Archival work at the University of Illinois
February 2015 Submit Survey and Evaluation of Site as per the request of the SHPO for
feedback
April 2015 Revision of the Survey and Evaluation as a National Register nomination
Submission of the National Register Nomination to SHPO
Consideration of the nomination at City of Dubuque's HPC meeting
May 2015 Consideration of the nomination at City of Dubuque's City Council Meeting
June 2015 Consideration of the nomination by SNRC
August 2015 Revisions of nomination as per the request of SNRC and submission of complete
nomination to SHPO to send to the National Trust
Project Budget
Travel [two trips, housing and per diem] $1500
Research time $7500
Document writing and revision $2500
Photographic materials $800
Local meetings and field work $700
Total value of DONATED tune and materials $12,000
h
THE
UNIVERSITY
OF IOWA
Dave Johnson, Assistant Planner
City of Dubuque
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
djohnson@cityofdubuque.org
cityofdubuque.org
25 August 2014
Re: FY15P031 Dubuque Eagle Point Phase I mound survey (previously FY14P084)
OFFICE OF THE
STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST
General Contracts Program
100 Clinton Street Building
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
319.384-0724 Fax 319.38441768
John.tloorshuk@ulowa.edu
www.ulowa.edul-osa
Dear Mr. Johnson:
As requested, here is the Office of the State Archaeologist's proposal for a full archaeological evaluation
of Eagle Point Park. As you know, there is a large mound group, the Eagle Point Group, 13DB1, recorded in
the park, but its condition and the exact locations of individual mounds are not known. Recent research
identified portions of the park with the highest potential for mound remnants, and also revealed that there is
an early historic component in the park as well (Whittaker 2013).
The next two recommended stages in evaluation are, first, to determine if there are mound rermiants left in
the park, and second, conduct a Phase I survey to determine the extents and significance of the prehistoric and
early historic sites. Because these are separate activities, two separate cost proposals are included. Although
the City of Dubuque is understandably most interested in the mounds and potential for intact human burial
deposits, it would be cost advantageous to include a complete Phase I survey of the park as well, depending
on your long-term plans. Archaeological Phase I survey is required if federal funding is used in a project, or if
a federal permit is required.
The Mound Remnant Survey includes three activities.
1. Evaluation of the Richard Herrmann archaeological collections from 13DB1, currently owned by
the Dubuque County Historical Society and stored at the Ham House and the National Mississippi
River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque. This will include going through all boxes and storage
areas that could contain Herrmann collections, identifying artifacts that could relate to 13DBI, and
making an inventory of these artifacts. Hopefully, this collection will allow us to understand the
age of the site occupations. It is estimated that it will take two days to analyze the collections, and
two days for write-up.
2. Ground -penetrating radar (GPR) survey of Areas A (ca. 40-x-60 m), B (ca. 50-x-60 m), E and F
(ca. 80-x-30 in) identified in the Phase IA survey as having the highest potential for intact mound
remnants (Whittaker 2013). These areas will be surveyed at 50 -em interval transects by a 400
MHz antenna, and all data collected will be analyzed by RADAN. It is estimated that this will take
three field days for two people, and five days to analyze and write up the data.
3. Soil coring of any anomalies found during GPR survey that may correspond to archaeological
features, and additional coring of the site area as a whole. Soils will be probed with a 3/4 inch
Oakfield core and all soils described. It is estimated that this will take five field days for one
person with five days of write-up.
The Phase I Archaeological Survey will include auger or shovel testing the bluff top at 10-15 m intervals,
and other ridges in the park at 15-m intervals, avoiding any sensitive areas identified by the GPR and soil
coring. The goal of Phase I survey is to create an inventory of all cultural properties within the area of
concern, both previously documented and undocumented, and to provide recornnendations regarding the
potential eligibility of cultural properties for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. All soils will
be screened through 1/4 inch mesh, and all soils described. Approximately 120 shallow auger tests or shovel
tests will be required; it is estimated it will take two technicians three days plus an additional three days to
write up.
The final product of this survey will be a report in the OSA Research Report series. This report will detail
the review of archaeological information, and, if possible, create a map of the locations of mound remnants
and other archaeological site locations. If the City choses to perform the Phase 1 archaeological survey, in the
future the report may be suitable for partial fulfillment of any fiihure Section 106 archaeological survey
requirements depending on proposed project impacts. The proposed archaeological work will meet
Association of Iowa Archaeologists requirements for a Phase I archaeological investigation. The final report
will include recommendations as to whether further archaeological work is needed, and, if so, describe this
suggested work. This report will be completed within 90 days after the contract is approved, weather
permitting. OSA will not proceed with work beyond the present scope without authorization from the City of
Dubuque.
The cost estimate for the Mound Remnant Survey is $18,484.00. If the Phase I archaeological survey is
also desired, the additional cost is $5,995.00. These rates are valid through the end of Fiscal Year 2015, which
ends June 30, 2015.
These fixed price, not -to -exceed costs include all labor, fringe, overhead, travel, and reporting costs
associated with completing the necessary fieldwork and report; any artifact curation costs will be billed later,
if a collection is made.
If the above scope fits your needs, please contact me at 319-384-0726 or via e-mail at melody -
pope a uiowa.edu and we can set up a contract for services.
Sincerely,
kdwidiate--
Melody Pope, Ph.D., William E. Whittaker, Ph.D.
Office of the State Archaeologist
University of lowa
700 CLSB
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-384-0726
melody-pope{tduiowa. edu
Report Cited:
Whittaker, William E.
2013 Archival and Archaeological Investigation of Eagle Point Park, Including Sites 13DBJ and
13DB363, City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 2054. Office of the State
Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St, Dubuque, IA 52001 Telephone: 589-4210
Return to: Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St, Dubuque, IA 52001 Telephone: 589-4121
RESOLUTION NO. 266-14
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLG GRANT APPLICATION TO STATE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION OFFICE FOR EAGLE POINT PARK NRHP NOMINATION AND PHASE
1 ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROJECT
Whereas, the State Historic Preservation Office has allocated grant funds in the
CLG (Certified Local Government) Program for the identification, survey, and evaluation
of historic properties; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque has adopted the 2012 Comprehensive Plan that
includes goals for interpretation and preservation of historic properties and cultural
resources; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque has adopted the Unified Development Code to
support identification and nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRNP) of
such resources.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The Mayor hereby is
Manager is hereby authorized to submit
Office for CLG funds for the Eagle
Archeological Survey Project.
authorized to sign and the Planning Services
an application to the State Historic Preservation
Point Park NRHP Nomination and Phase 1
Section 2. That in the event said application is approved, the City Council hereby
provides its written assurance that the completed project will be adequately maintained for its
intended use in accordance with state requirements.
Passed, approved and adopted this 2nd day of September, 2014.
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, ssistant City Clerk
Roy D. Buol, Mayor