Census Tract 1 Blighted Area DefinitionTHE crrY o>~
I~~B E
Masterpiece on ti'ie Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
All-America City
.~
~ _ R
2007
SUBJECT: Resolution Finding Census Tract 1 in the City of Dubuque Meets the
Definition of a Blighted Area
DATE: December 13, 2007
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar is recommending approval of a resolution
that finds Census Tract 1 in the City of Dubuque meets the definition of a blighted area
according to the Iowa Code.
In an effort to assist the Step by Step housing project located at 759 Bluff Street, the
project must be located in a blighted area as determined by the local governing body.
Most of the downtown area has already been determined by the City Council as blighted
as it is one of the determinations for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District.
The Step by Step Project is not in the Urban Renewal District, but it is within the
Enterprise Zone Area and Census Tract 1. This resolution extends the blight
determination to all of Census Tract 1, including the Kerper Boulevard area, Schmitt
Island the Dove Harbor area.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~~~,
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
THE CITY OF /~
DUB E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece tin the Mississippi
December 11, 2007
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Directo~
SUBJECT: Resolution finding Census Tract 1 in the City of Dubuque meets the
definition of a blighted area
Introduction
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration a Resolution that finds
Census Tract 1 in the City of Dubuque meets the definition of a blighted area according
to Section 403.17 of the Iowa Code.
Background
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".
The City Council approved agreement No. 07-HEZ-001 with the Iowa Department of
Economic Development on July 17, 2006 to provide Enterprise Zone benefits to Step by
Step, Inc. Step by Step plans to renovate 759 Bluff Street to accommodate 7 one
bedroom apartments for women with physical disabilities.
Discussion
In an effort to assist the Step by Step housing project located at 759 Bluff Street, the
project must be located in a blighted area as determined by the local governing body.
Most of the downtown area has already been determined by the City Council as
blighted as it is one of the determinations for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District. The Step By Step project is not in~ the Urban Renewal District, but it is within the
Enterprise Zone Area and Census Tract 1. This Resolution extends the blight
determination to all of Census Tract 1, which is within the boundaries of Enterprise
Zone 1 in the City of Dubuque (a map is attached to show the Census Tract 1
boundaries).
Recommendation
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached Resolution which will provide
additional tools to encourage reinvestment and redevelopment activities throughout the
District and will support the revitalization within the area.
Action Step
The action step for the City Council is to adopt the resolution attached to this
memorandum.
Attachments
F:\USERSWdejong\Enterprise Zone\20071211 CT1 Blight memo.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 601-07
A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE AREA WITHIN CENSUS TRACT 1 OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE MEETS THE DEFINITION OF A BLIGHTED AREA
UNDER THE URBAN RENEWAL LAW, AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID
AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Whereas, Census Tract 1 has the lowest income level of any Census Tract in the
City; and
Whereas, Chapter 403.17 of 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; and
Whereas, the City Council has found that the area within Census Tract 1 in the
City of Dubuque meets the definition of a blighted area as found in Chapter 403.17
"Urban Renewal Definitions" of the Iowa Code; and
Whereas, designating Census Tract 1 as a blighted 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 Census Tract 1 within the City of Dubuque, Iowa meets the
definition of a blighted area according to Section 403.17 of the Iowa Code.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17th day of December
Roy D. Boul, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Census Tract 1 in the
City of Dubuque, Iowa
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