Historic Designation Amendment40-42 Main Street•THE CTTY OF
DLTB E
Masterpiece ~~n the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
August 16, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Individual Historic Designation of 40 & 42 Main Street
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is recommending that the agenda item for
the Individual Historic Designation of 40 and 42 Main Street be tabled until October 1,
2007.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v/t
Michael C. Van Mi ligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
THE CITY OF
DUB E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
August 15, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager `~'~~
SUBJECT: Individual Historic Designation of 40 & 42 Main Street Council Item
Introduction
The Historic Preservation Commission and Long Range Planning and Advisory
Commission have discussed approving 40 & 42 Main Street for Individual
Historic Designation. This item is scheduled for a public hearing at the August
20, 2007 City Council meeting.
Background
In 2006, the City Council approved extending historic designation to qualifying
individual properties which are not of a landmark status or located within a
historic district. "Individually designated historic properties" have prehistoric,
historic, architectural, archeological and cultural significance. They are subject
to design review of exterior changes by the Historic Preservation Commission.
They also are eligible for historic preservation funding.
On May 17, 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the
nomination of 40 & 42 Main Street for Individual Historic Designation. By a vote
of 6 to 0, the Historic Preservation Commission determined that the nomination
of the property met the following criteria for consideration of a nomination.
On June 20, 2007, the Long Range Planning and Advisory Commission
reviewed the request with respect to the relation of the nomination to the general
development plan, zoning ordinance, proposed public improvements, and any
plans for renewal of the area involved. By a vote of 5 to 0, the Long Range
Planning Advisory Commission recommended approval of the Individual Historic
Designation of 40 & 42 Main Street since it is consistent with the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan.
Upon receipt of the recommendations from the HPC and LRPAC, the City
Council set a public hearing date for August 20, 2007. By City Code, the City
Council is to submit the proposed ordinance to the State Historical Society of
Iowa (SHSI) for review and recommendations at least forty five (45) days prior to
the date of the public hearing conducted by the City Council. At this time, the
City has not received comment from the SHSI.
fn addition, Tom Collins, attorney for the property owner has explained to Staff
that the applicant for the Individual Historic Designation of 40-42 Main Street has
not yet purchased the property from his client. He has requested the Individual
Historic Designation of 40-42 Main Street be postponed to a future meeting to
allow the applicant additional time to acquire the property.
The applicant, Chris Miller, and the attorney for the property owner have both
been contacted by Planning Staff regarding the matter and are both agreeable to
a suggested rescheduled City Council public hearing date of October 1, 2007.
Recommendation
After conferring with Legal Staff, Planning Staff recommends City Council
postpone the public hearing to the October 1, 2007 City Council meeting to allow
for review and comment from the SHSI and additional time for the real estate
transaction to take place.
Enclosures
Prepared by: Laura Carstens. Citv Planner Address: Citv Hall. 50 W. 13th St. Telephone: 589-4210
Returned to: Jeanne Schneider. Citv Clerk Address: Citv Hall. 50 W. 13th St. Telephone: 589-4120
ORDINANCE NO. _-07
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25 (HISTORIC PRESERVATION) OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SECTION 25-6.14(2)
ESTABLISHING AN INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNATED HISTTRIC PROPERTY.
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission, at the request of the property
owner, has recommended an amendment to Chapter 25 (Historic Preservation) of the City
of Dubuque Code of Ordinances to establish an Individually Designated Historic Property;
and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque may establish individually designated historic
properties to allow for historic preservation funding and design review for exterior
alterations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 25-6.14, Individually Designated Historic Properties; of the City of
Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection:
(2) The buildings, structures, objects, sites and property situated on Lots 16 and
17 of the West 1/2 of Block 1 of Dubuque Harbor Company Addition to the City of
Dubuque, Iowa, also known as 40 & 42 Main Street.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as
provided by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of ,2007.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planningQcityofdubuque. org
THE CITY OF
Dui E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
June 21, 2007
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Individual Historic Designation of 40 & 42 Main Street
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Introduction
The Historic Preservation Commission and Long Range Planning and Advisory
Commission have discussed approving 40 & 42 Main Street for Individual Historic
Designation. Enclosed is a copy of the proposed ordinance, application, staff report and
photographs for consideration.
Background
In 2006, the City Council approved extending historic designation to qualifying individual
properties which are not of a landmark status or located within a historic district.
"Individually designated historic properties" have prehistoric, historic, architectural,
archeological and cultural significance. They are subject to design review of exterior
changes by the Historic Preservation Commission. They also are eligible for historic
preservation funding.
On May 17, 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the nomination of 40
& 42 Main Street for Individual Historic Designation. By a vote of 6 to 0, the Historic
Preservation Commission determined that the nomination of the property met the
following criteria for consideration of a nomination:
1. The nominated property, structure, object, site or area
• Is of "architectural significance", as determined by the Historic
Preservation Ordinance; and
• Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of the history of the City of Dubuque; and
2. The structure, property, object, site or area has sufficient integrity of location,
design, materials and workmanship to make it worthy of preservation and
restoration; and
3. The structure, property, object, site or area is at least fifty (50) years old.
Individual Historic Designation - 40 & 42 Main Street
June 21, 2007
Page 2
On June 20, 2007, the Long Range Planning and Advisory Commission reviewed the
request with respect to the relation of the nomination to the general development plan,
zoning ordinance, proposed public improvements, and any plans for renewal of the area
involved. By a vote of 5 to 0, the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
recommended approval of the Individual Historic Designation of 40 & 42 Main Street
since it is consistent with the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan.
The City of Dubuque prides itself in comprehensive planning, and historic preservation
is included in the planning process. Long-range goals for the planning and development
of Dubuque's historic resources are set forth in the City's 2002 Comprehensive Plan.
Recommendation
By City Code, the City Council is to submit the proposed ordinance to the State
Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) for review and recommendations at least forty five (45)
days prior to the date of the public hearing conducted by the City Council. The
recommended public hearing date is August 20, 2007.
After having received a recommendation from the SHSI or if the forty five (45) day
waiting period has lapsed, the City Council then is to conduct the public hearing on the
ordinance establishing the proposed Individually Designated Historic Property. After the
public hearing, the City Council shall approve or disapprove the ordinance, or refer the
nomination back to the Historic Preservation Commission for modification. City Council
approval shall constitute Individual Historic Designation of the property.
Respectfully submitted,
~~
Dr. Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Enclosures
r~ar,ror
i'+~t.
PLANNING APPLICATION FORM
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Phone: 563-589-4210
Fax: 563-589-4221
^ Variance ^ Rezoning ^ SNnple Site Plan ^ Annexation
^Conditional Use Permit ^ Planned District ^ Minor Site Plan ^Temporary Use Pem~t
^Appeal ^PreNminary Plat ^ Major Site Plan ^Certificate of F_corbmk Non-VlablNty
D Spedal Exception ^ Minor Final Plat ^ Major Flnal Plat ^ Certificate of Appropri mess
^ Umited Setback Waiver ^Text Amendment ^ Simple Subdivision ~lOther:
Please tvoe or print I
~iJ
y in ink ~~iowc •~e~~ J~sAC•v~7ta~
,
Properly owner(s): ~ AU-`I ~ R o w N Phone: ~'~ - 5 8a- 5 5 55
Address: (`4~y C~E7 k1 ~u~-t City: 1J~ll~ll. QV~E Stater Zip: 5'~~a~
Fax Number: //11 ~~ 1~1n Mobile/Cellular Number: 5(03- 5$O - O~~
Applicant/Agent: l~l^i•i2~S ' v t ~r,.t~1~ Phone: Y„
Address: ~~~ ~• C~-bw,~2 ~6,~_tr ~ City: ~siu u~ State: ~~ Zip: ~a0O3
Fax Number: Mobile/Cellular Number: 5(cz3 - 5$0 - `«oCQ
Site location/address: i"f O- ~} 2. If~/l«az.n, ~'t ~eEE-t
Existing zoning: ~_ Proposed zoning: C._`~ Historic Distnct: Landmark:
Legal Description (Bidwell parcel ID# or lot number/block number/subdivision): ExE+-t~z-r ~ A"
Total property (lot) area (square feet or acres):. P127 ~AQ4 S~-r e; = I~ ~11~ SF Ru-~ ~p~(a= a$ i~(Q(Q~
Describe proposal and reason necessary (attach a letter of explanation, if needed): EkKY,6~-t ° ~`~
CERTIFICATION: I/we, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
1. The information submitted herein is true and wrrect to the best of my/our knowledge and upon
submittal becomes public record;
2. Fees are not refundable and payment does not guarantee approval; and
3. All additional regwred written and graphic materials are attached.
r
Property OwneKs)~ ~ ~~~~~ Date: ~3p O
Applicant/Agent: Date: y 27- D 7
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY -APPLICATION SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
Fee: ~ Received bv: ~ ~- Date• _~ Docket•
^ Site/sketch plan ^ Conceptual Development Plan ^ Photo ^ Plat
^Improvement plans ^Design review project description ^Floor plan ^Other:
EXHIBIT "A"
Lots 16 and 17 in the Subdivision of the West one-half of Block 1
in Dubuque Harbor Company's Addition in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof.
EXHIBIT "B"
I am applying to the Historic Preservation Commission for the consideration of the
following items:
1.) Individual historic designation
2.) Certificate of Appropriateness
3.) Approval for the revolving loan fund
The property is located at 40-42 Main Street in downtown Dubuque. The building is
currently vacant and deteriorating. I plan to rehabilitate the building and place it on the
National Register of Historic Places. This will be a mixed-use project with commercial
space on the first floor and residential on the second and third floors.
If approved, I will be applying for the revolving loan fund and using the funds to replace
the windows at the subject property.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
(use additional pages as needed)
Please describe your project, indicating the existing materials and their condition
and the reason for the proposed work:
We are planning an adaptive re-use of the existing structure. The project will encompass the n3habilitation of the exterior of
the building and build-out of residential and commercial uses on the interior. As you can see from the provided pictures,
the exterior of the building is in desperate need of major repairs. All existing materials will be restored to there original
state where possible or replaced otherwise.
Have you considered any other alternative remedies to solve your problem or
meet your needs?
Other than replacing the windows in this building, another option would be to repair the exisiting windows. After our
preNminary Mvesdgation we have determined that it Is not ecorromk;aiy feasible to repair the existing windows, as many
are deteriorated beyond repair.
Please indicate the type of construction materials to be used in this project:
AN renovations made to thk building ahaN meet the 3erxetary of the Interiors standards. The windows are made by
Lincoln Windows. They are primed wood exterior units with 7/8 simulated divide lites to mimic the original building's
windows.
What is your timeline for completion of the proposed project?
The entire project is scheduled to finish approximately one year from the start of construction. The tenative finish date is
September 1, 2008.
Will you do the work yourself. or use a contractor? Please provide name of con-
tractor.
I plan on rmirrg stave oeaterberger of Defy Construction ae the general contractor for this project
Contact information: Steve Oesterberger
655 Heller Drive
East Dubuque, IL 61025
815-747-6766
Any other information or comments?
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40-42 Main Street
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INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: May 17, 2007
Property Address: 40-42 Main Street;
Legal Description: LOT 16 W 1/2 BLK 1 DUB HARBOR CO ADD LOT 17 W 1/2 BLK 1
DUB HARBOR CO ADD
Property Owner: Wallace Brown
Applicant: Chris Miller
Project: Requesting 40-42 Main Street be designated as an Individually
Historic Property
Style: Romanesque Warehouse Date Built: 1894
Land Use: Vacant Existing Zoning: L-I Light Industrial District
Level of Significance: Level of Rehabilitation:
O Contributing -Jacobsen (2004) ^ AfteratioNAddition
Physical Charactieristics:
This massive three-story brick Romanesque style warehouse block is one of a few
surviving examples of many such buildings which once stood south of the downtown. This
three-story brick trapezoidal plan has a limestone foundation, wood columns and beams
and aload-bearing perimeter brick wall. These walls are 16 inches thick on the ground
floor.
Windows are grouped in triple sets, with semi-circular Romanesque brick window arches.
The arches are capped with a molded brick rounded cornice. Each arch is supported by
spring stones that are set atop cast iron columns within the window sets. The upper
windows have transoms above the double hung windows. The second floor windows have
flat metal cast iron lintels. There is a simple metal cornice. The storefront portion of the
facade is raised and is of cast iron with closely spaced columns and a single brick pilaster
on the west front. The main entrance is at the angled southwest comer. A garage door
has been cut into the front of the plan on the north end.
Fenestration is more limited on the secondary fronts. Twin loading dock doors on the
southeast angled front have been rebuilt, theirsemi-circular arches having been infilled.
There is a raised rusticated stone foundation and water table.
This was an unusual warehouse plan given that refrigeration played a major role in the
operations of the original tenant firm. Refrigeration was employed in the north half of the
plan on the lower two floors. A freight elevator was and remains at the rear center of the
plan. Original painted signage for the Walker Company remains on the rear east face of
the building.
Statement of Significance: The M. M. Walker Wholesale Fruit Company Building is one
of three surviving large warehouses in what once was Dubuque's primary wholesale
district. The company was a major firm in the local wholesale trade and as of 1886 was
the largest such firm operating in Iowa, with annual sales of $1 million. This block is
recommended as being individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places on
the basis of Criterion C, architecture.
The original building dates to 1895 when Shields and Bradley built a 100x100 four-story
block, with identical facades to house both the M. M. Walker Company and the Schroeder-
Klein Grocery Company. Cornelious Ryan had the excavation contract for the twin
buildings and work was underway as of late December 1895. The buildings were
supposedly destroyed by fire in March 1898 but the 1895 woodcut (see below) is clearly
the same as the present one so it can be dated to 1894. Walker's frrm was again "badly
damaged" by fire in mid-October 1904 (Herald, January 1, December 29, 1895; March 11,
1898; October 15, 1904).
1895 view of building, view to the northeast (Herald, January 1, 1895)
Marshall M. Walker (1832-1904) founded his company in 1860, being a local pioneer in the
oil, grain, and produce and fruit business. It became M. M. Walker Company in 1869.
Walker took on a partner, D. T. Smith, in 1878 when the firm was titled M. M. Walker &
Company. It was incorporated as M. M. Walker Company in 1888. As of 1895 officers
were M. M. Walker as president, and D. T. Smith as secretary/treasurer.
The company moved into their present commodious quarters last August.
Their business premises, at the comer of Jones and Main streets, embraces
a handsome new brick building, containing four floors each, 100x 100 feet in
dimensions. The building is especially adapted for the company's large
business in perishable products, having a cold storage capacity of fourteen
car bads. The building was erected by Messrs. Bradley 8 Shields, from
specialty prepared plans furnished by Mr. Walker, and is complete and
perfect in every detail. The shipping and receiving facilities of this house are
unsurpassed. The Chicago, Mihvaukee & St. Paul tracks and switch run
close to the rear of the building, enabling the company to load and unload
direct from the cars. There are several large doors, so that the work of
shipping and n3ceiving goods is done at the same time. The company also
has its own platform scales adjoining the building, as well as spacious
platforms, substantial awnings over the receiving and shipping doors, etc.
The enfire building is lit by electric light... (Herald, January 1, 1895).
As of 1895 the company's market area included Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern
Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota and branch offices or houses were located in
Chicago and Fort Dodge. Walker was also an important promoter of local railroad projects
and owned a portion of the Times newspaper. He was also a city alderman and held other
public and trade group posts. Walker died in 1904 and was succeeded by J. W. Hay, who
in turn was succeeded by W. Schroeder. The Schroeder-Kleine Grocery Company
expanded from 44 Main to the north and ocxupied both buildings in 1921. That company
went out of business in 1941 and the Dubuque Wholesale Grocers occupied the building
until 1959. Higley Chemical Company has been the building tenant since that date.
Staff Analysis: The applicant is currently seeking Individual Historic Designation of 42
Main Street. The role of the Commission is to consider the criteria for nomination for
Individual Historic Designation and make a determination as to the following:
1. The nominated property, structure, object, site or area
• Is of "architectural significance°, as determined by the Historic Preservation
Ordinance; or
• Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of the history of the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, the
State of Iowa or the nation; or
• Is associated with the fives of persons significant in the past of the city of
Dubuque, Dubuque County, the State of Iowa or the nation; or
• Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history; and
2. The structure, property, object, site or area has sufficient integrity of location,
design, materials and workmanship to make it worthy of preservation and
restoration; and
3. The structure, property, object, site or area is at least fifty (50) years old, unless the
Commission determines that it has achieved sign~cance within the past fifty (50)
years and is of exceptional importance.
Within thirty (30) days following the close of the public hearing, the commission shall make
a determination upon the evidence as to whether the nominated individually designated
historic property does or does not meet the criteria for designation. Such determination
shall be made in an open meeting by resolution of the commission, shall be reduced to
writing in the form of a recommendation and shall be supported by a written report in
support of the nomination.
Prepared b3;._--= Reviewed: ~~~ Date: ~ 08 ~