Historic Bluffs, Loras, App DRA
February 18,2002
Grant Review Committee
Dubuque Racing Association
PO Box 3190
Dubuque, IA 52004-3190
Re: Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association Application
The City of Dubuque is pleased to have this opportunity to support the Historic
Bluffs Neighborhood Association application to the Dubuque Racing Association
for historic streetscape improvements on Loras Boulevard.
In partnership with the City of Dubuque, the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood
Association has worked extremely hard to improve their neighborhood. The
neighborhood association is particularly proud of the turnaround in the
neighborhood and they are proposing a streetscape improvement projects to
encourage further investment in the historic assets of their neighborhood.
Last year, the City Council approved the Historic District Public Improvement
Program. The City Council adopted the FY02-07 Capital Improvement Program
Budget of $500,000, with $100,000 budgeted annually for five years from the
General Fund. The Historic District Public Improvement Program is intended to
provide incentives for public place and streetscape improvements in each historic
district.
If this application is funded, the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association plans to
leverage DRA grant funds with the City's Historic District Public Improvement
Program to complete the historic lighting project on Loras Boulevard. The
proposed project will encourage continued development of the neighborhood's
historic assets and will provide a significant visual improvement along this
important gateway to the neighborhood.
In 1993, the Mayor and City Council initiated a concentrated effort to revitalize
Dubuque's neighborhoods. This effort led to the creation of programs and
special projects intended to promote revitalization of Dubuque's neighborhoods.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Grant Review Committee
Page Two
February 18, 2002
The Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association has been a key partner with the
City of Dubuque in efforts to revitalize their neighborhood, and the City is very
supportive of the Neighborhood Association's initiative for streetscape
improvements along Loras Boulevard.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
February 12, 2002
Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association
Application to Dubuque Racing Association for Loras Blvd. Historic Lights
Introduction
The Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association has requested a letter of support from the
City of Dubuque for a grant application to DRA for streetscape improvements (historic
lighting) along Loras Boulevard.
Background
In partnership with the City, the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association has worked
extremely hard to improve their neighborhood, with particular emphasis on housing
conditions and safety issues. The neighborhood association is particularly proud of the
turnaround in the neighborhood and they are capitalizing on that momentum by
proposing a streetscape improvement project of installing historic lighting along Loras
Boulevard from Bluff Street to Prairie Street.
Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association is submitting an application to the Dubuque
Racing Association for a $50,000 grant to fund the "local match" portion of the
streetscape improvements project. The Neighborhood Association plans to submit an
application to the Historic Preservation Commission for the Historic District
Improvements Program to fund the balance of the project.
Discussion
The proposed project is in compliance with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and
the Historic Preservation Commission. I should point out however, that the City Council
has not yet approved a policy for allocation of the Historic District Public Improvements
Program funding. Preliminary cost estimates have been obtained from the engineering
department although a standard has not been established on the spacing of historic
Lights in primarily residential areas nor has the issue of increased maintenance and
energy costs been addressed. Since DRA applications are only accepted once per year
the neighborhood association would like to proceed with securing the local match
portion of the project costs. The neighborhood association has been pursuing this
project for a couple years, and the president the of the neighborhood association, John
Henning, has served on the steering committee which has worked on the Streetscape
and Landscape Guidelines for Historic Districts.
Action
Enclosed is letter of support to Dubuque Racing Association supporting the Historic
Bluffs Neighborhood Association application for funding for Loras Boulevard Historic
lighting.