HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Agenda packet 5.14.2020
Thursday
May 14, 2020
5:30 p.m.
Electronic
Zoom Meeting Platform
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Electronic Meeting – 5:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Platform
Agenda
A) Call to Order
B) Roll Call
C) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda
D) Public Hearings – Discussions for landmark designations of the following properties:
1. 109 East College Street (Dooley Block, west bay)
2. 111-113 East College Street (Sears, Roebuck & Company)
3. 115 East College Street (Dooley Block, east bay)
4. 117-123 East College Street (Crescent Block)
E) Certificate of Appropriateness
1. 708 Dearborn Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (screened porch rear addition)
2. 510 North Van Buren Street – Northside Historic District (porch reconstruction)
3. 221 East Washington Street, Englert Theater – Local Historic Landmark (signage repair and
revision)
4. 1331 Muscatine – Longfellow Historic District (signage installation)
F) Final Presentation on the Iowa City Historic Preservation Initiative Project by the students of
the Graduate School of Urban and Regional Planning
G) Sanxay-Gilmore House Agreement
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible or
impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members,
staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda item by joining
the Zoom meeting via the internet by going to
https://zoom.us/j/98247038603?pwd=K3JKOFFCRHZTK1RJdEVZT0toTm10dz09 .
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you
can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID 982
4703 8603 when prompted. Providing comment in person is not an option.
H) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff
Certificate of No Material Effect –Chair and Staff review
1022 East College Street – East College Street Historic District (rear addition membrane roof
replacement, deteriorated siding and trim repair and replacement)
Minor Review –Staff review
737 Grant Street – Longfellow Historic District (modern window replacement)
I) Consideration of Minutes for April 9, 2020
J) Commission Information and Discussion
1. Montgomery-Butler House
2. Preserve Iowa Summit, Dubuque, June 4-6, 2020 (Virtual presentation)
3. Annual Historic Preservation Awards Update (live Virtual presentation 5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
May 28, 2020)
K) Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact Jessica
Bristow, Urban Planning, at 319-356-5243 or at jessica-bristow@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged
to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
1
Memorandum
Date: May 7, 2020
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: Dooley Block (west bay), 109 East College Street
Sears Roebuck & Co. Building, 111-113 East College Street
Dooley Block (east bay), 115 East College Street
Crescent Block, 117-123 East College Street
Applicant Brandon Smith of Tailwind College St. IC, LLC, has requested that the properties at 109 East
College Street, 111-113 East College Street, 115 East College Street, and 117-123 East College Street
be designated as Iowa City Historic Landmarks as part of an overall development project. Designation
of the property as an Iowa City Historic Landmark will require Commission approval of any significant
changes to the exterior of the building and new development proposed on the landmark properties.
Landmark status will also make the property eligible for special exceptions that would allow the Board
of Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements as well as State and Federal Tax Credit
funding of rehabilitation work.
As part of the 2017 update of the 2001 Survey and Evaluation of the Iowa City Central Business
District, completed by AKAY consulting and partially funded by a grant from the National Trust, this
group of buildings was evaluated for their contribution to a potential Downtown Historic District. The
National Register Nomination of this Downtown Historic District is currently in process and includes
these buildings as contributing structures within the district boundary. The site inventory forms updated
for the study are included as documentation of each building’s significance. Each building will be
reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission for its eligibility for local landmark designation in
individual public hearings at the May 14, 2020 Commission meeting.
For local landmark designation, the Commission should determine if each property meets criterion a.
and b. and at least one of the criteria c., d., e., or f. for local designation listed below:
a. Significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and culture;
b. Possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship;
c. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history;
d. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;
e. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; or
represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
f. Has yielded or may likely yield information important in prehistory or history.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
2
Dooley Block (west bay), 109 East College Street
The Dooley Block was a 4-bay, 2-story brick building built beginning in ca. 1874 with this bay. In 1929,
the middle two bays were razed for the construction of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building. The west
bay at 109 College is one of the outer bays of the original building that remains and extends the full
depth of the lot. This bay has functioned as an autonomous building since 1929. The building façade
includes a mixture of Late Victorian Romanesque and Italianate details. For instance, the paneled
cornice and brackets are elements of an Italianate style and the semi-circular wood arches with their
keystone detail are evident of the Romanesque. At the lower level, the transom was remodeled with the
addition of prism glass prior to 1940, the sign band was removed or altered and the store front has
been more recently updated. Since 1879 the building has housed numerous uses including stores,
billiards, and saloons.
While this building remains as only a portion of the original 4-bay Dooley block, it has functioned
individually since 1929 and with the exception of the storefront, has been relatively unaltered since
1940. In the 2017 downtown survey update the building was considered a key contributing resource in
the potential downtown historic district eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for
its distinctive architectural character and for its contribution to the history of commerce in Iowa City.
Based on the information provided in the Site Inventory Form, staff finds that the property meets criteria
a, b, c and e and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of the Dooley Block (west bay), 109 East College Street, as an Iowa
City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, c and e.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
3
Sears, Roebuck, & Co. Building, 111-113 East College Street
The Sears, Roebuck, & Company Building was built in 1929, from central two bays of the flanking
Dooley Block. This building style is commonly known as the Commercial Brick Front and is a 3-bay 2-
story building filling the entire lot. The upper level includes a Chicago style window in each bay with a
continuous terra cotta sill. Terra cotta detailing is also found in the coping on the stepped parapet, as
stylized pilasters between the windows and as decorative accents in the brickwork above. The
storefront originally had an entrance in the central bay with display windows above and a prism-glass
transom and sign band above. The storefront today has been remodeled with entrances in the outer
bays flanking the central display window and detailed in stone with a Classical Revival influence that is
considered sympathetic to the original building.
This building is considered a well-preserved example of the 20th century Commercial Brick Front and
while the storefront has been altered, the changes are considered historically sympathetic. In the 2017
downtown survey update the building was considered a key contributing resource in the potential
downtown historic district eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for its
architectural character and for its contribution to the history of commerce in Iowa City.
Based on the information provided in the Site Inventory Form, staff finds that the property meets criteria
a, b, c and e and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of the Sears, Roebuck, & Company Building, 111-113 East College
Street, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a,
b, c and e.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
4
Dooley Block (east bay), 115 East College Street
The Dooley Block was a 4-bay, 2-story brick building built beginning in ca. 1874 and concluding with
the construction of this bay between 1892 and 1899. In 1929, the middle two bays were razed for the
construction of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building. The east bay at 115 College is one of the outer bays
of the original building that remains and extends for much of the depth of the lot. This bay has also
functioned as an autonomous building since 1929. Like the west bay, the building façade includes a
mixture of Late Victorian Romanesque and Italianate details. For instance, the paneled cornice and
brackets are elements of an Italianate style and the semi-circular wood arches with their keystone detail
are evident of the Romanesque. At the lower level, the storefront had been remodeled prior to 2001 to
include a series of moldings separating the storefront from the upper story and an entrance to the east
side of a modified shop window. Since 2001 the storefront has again been altered, replacing the shop
window with four full-glass doors which fold back to open the entire front of the lower level. Since 1895
the building has housed numerous shops.
While this building remains as only a portion of the original 4-bay Dooley block, it has functioned
individually since 1929 and with the exception of the storefront and sign band, has been relatively
unaltered. In the 2017 downtown survey update the building was considered a key contributing
resource in the potential downtown historic district eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic
Places for its distinctive architectural character and for its contribution to the history of commerce in
Iowa City.
Based on the information provided in the Site Inventory Form, staff finds that the property meets criteria
a, b, c and e and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of the Dooley Block (east bay), 115 East College Street, as an Iowa
City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, c and e.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
5
Crescent Block, 117-123 East College Street
The Crescent Block was built in 1894 as a 4-bay 3-story Commercial Brick Front building. Originally
three larger bays housed storefronts and the smaller bay at 119 served as the entrance to the upper
floors. This entry bay was remodeled in the 1930s with Carrara glass in an Art Deco styling to include a
small storefront and the stairs to the upper level. The design includes a curved glass display window
and the original wood and glass entrance door and tile floor. The west bay retains the original storefront
treatment. The east half of the building was remodeled into a single modern storefront with new brick
and an exposed aggregate facing above the individual windows and curved awnings. The first floor
projects forward and includes a shallow standing seam roof that separates the storefront-level from the
upper levels. At the third floor, the windows are tall, paired double-hung windows centered over each
bay. Each pair has a thick stone lintel and two thinner sills. At the second floor, the east-most windows
were replaced with large Chicago-style windows and the west include alternating pairs and individual
windows of two different sizes. A tall, pressed metal cornice includes a rhythm of large and small
brackets. In 1929, the building was occupied by Montgomery Ward who built a farm and home store
addition at the back of the lot.
This building is considered a moderately well-preserved example of a turn-of-the-century Commercial
Brick Front building. The building is also associated with C. F. Lovelace who built the adjacent College
Block building as well as other buildings in the downtown and is considered a locally significant
individual in the commercial and financial history of downtown. In the 2017 downtown survey update
the building was considered a key contributing resource in the potential downtown historic district
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and potentially individually eligible for listing
in the National Register of Historic places. Its unusual style reflects the influence of Chicago-style
architecture in Iowa City. The building is also significant for its relationship to local fraternal groups that
utilized the third floor. Despite significant modification of the two east storefront bays, the retention of
the west storefront and the 1930s Art Deco storefront add to the building’s significance. Overall, the
building is significant for its architectural character, for its contribution to the history of commerce in
Iowa City, and locally, for its association with C. F. Lovelace.
Based on the information provided in the Site Inventory Form, staff finds that the property meets criteria
a, b, c and e and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of the Crescent Block, 117-123 East College Street, as an Iowa City
Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, c, d and e.
Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-0409
New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Dooley Block (west bay)
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 109 E. College Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 82 Lot(s) see full legal
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store 02G COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
05B LATE VICTORIAN/Italianate foundation 04 STONE
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 109 E. College Street Site Number
52-0409
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
02 ARCHITECTURE 1874 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE 1929
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
N/A unknown Builder
unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 11/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Dooley Block (west bay) is a one-bay, 2-story, 19- by 150-ft., brick building that was constructed in ca.1874.
The building is a remnant of the original, which filled the full width of Lot 3 and part of Lot 4. From 1929, at
which time the middle two bays of the Dooley Block were razed and replaced by the Sears Roebuck & Co.
building, the west bay (109) has beeen – both functionally and visually - an autonomous property. The east bay of
the Dooley Block (115) also remains, providing a bookend to the Sears building.
As noted in the 2001 survey, this building is located along the 1977 downtown pedestrian mall that extends for
several blocks along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street. As originally platted, College Street had a 100-ft.
width with four 80-ft. wide lots laid out perpendicular to the street. Twenty-foot wide, east-west alleys bisected
the blocks and were presumed to extend along the rear of the buildings. College Street extended from the
“Promenade” along the Iowa River east through the downtown, over Ralston Creek, and eventually along the
south side of College Green park before it reached the city limits. Today, the “ped mall” is an intimate gathering
place, its character resting on the historic buildings that line much of the street, brick landscaping, vegetative
canopy, and vibrant retail base.
The stylistic character of the Dooley Block reflects the Late Victorian era during which it was constructed. As
noted by Svendsen in 2001, the building façade presents a mixture of the Late Victorian Romanesque and
Italianate styles. The paneled wood cornice has returning ends and four large brackets with small dentil-like
brackets in between. The upper facade is clad in red brick with elaborate carved wood semi-circular or
Romanesque arches over the single and paired 1/1 double-hung windows. Svendsen noted that the storefront had
been remodeled “in recent years” with a side entrance and three fixed glass windows for a modified shop window.
A series of moldings separates the storefront from the upper story. The 2001 survey also noted that the storefront
has a prism-glass transom spanning the full width of the storefront with “new plate glass windows extending to
grade.” The transom treatment, though not original, predates 1940.
No significant alterations of the façade have been undertaken since the completion of the 2001 survey. The
storefront is currently occupied by El Patron, a restaurant/bar.
The upper elevation of the Dooley Block (west bay) remains unaltered from 2001, with character-defining
features retained including the red brick cladding, ornate Italianate cornice, Roman arched window heads, prism
glass transom, and storefront cornice details. As a result, the building retains a generally good level of historic
integrity specific to 1929, which marks the year the building was disjoined from the larger Dooley Block and
became an autonomous resource.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 01. View of the façade, looking south across E. College Street (the Ped Mall)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade, looking SW across E. College Street (the Ped Mall)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
8. Statement of Significance
As noted, the Dooley Block is a one-bay remnant of the original block building, which filled the full width of Lot
3 and part of Lot 4. The block building was constructed in phases, the westernmost bay (109) dates to ca.1874, the
bay at 111 was in use by 1879, and the east two bays (113 and 115) were constructed in ca.1895. From 1929,
when the middle two bays of the Dooley Block were razed and replaced by the Sears Roebuck & Co. building, the
remaining west bay has been – both functionally and visually - an autonomous property. The east bay of the
Dooley Block (115) also remains, providing a bookend to the Sears building.
The building is a moderately well-preserved example of a Late Victorian Italianate style commercial building.
Because the building has been disjoined from the original block building for well more than 50-years, the
resource is significant in its post-1929 form as a single, autonomous building. Given this, the Dooley Block is
eligible for the National Register under Criterion C. The building is also significant under Criterion A,
contributing as it does to our understanding of the history of commerce in Iowa City. As a result, this building is
eligible for the National Register as a contributing resource in a potential historic district. It should be noted that
additional evaluation of interior integrity may support a case for individual eligibility as an increasingly rare
representation of an early commercial building in the Iowa City downtown.
Historical Background
As noted by Svendsen, Frank Dooley acquired all of Lot 3 in Block 82 in 1867. It is likely that Dooley
constructed the westernmost bay of the building in ca.1874 since the fire insurance map for that year lists the
building as vacant. As late as 1918, city directories refer to the building as the “Dooley Block” confirming
Dooley’s long-standing connection to the building. Property Transfer Records do not show the property changing
hands again until 1928 when a referee deed saw the lot sold to W.H. Wagner. The parcel was then divided and
this building was transferred to Mary Connell and F.E. Hunzinger a short time later. The property continued to be
held by Hunzinger until the 1960s.
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1874
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1879
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883)
Figure 03. Fire Insurance Map – 1883
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 04. Fire Insurance Map – 1899
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1899)
Figure 05. Fire Insurance Map – 1933
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1933)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Fire insurance maps show the building with a variety of uses through the years: hardware store (1879, 1883, 1888,
and 1892); saloon (1899, 1906); pool hall (1912, 1920); store (1926, 1933, and 1970). City directories confirm the
presence of the Hazard & Pratt Hardware Store at this location in 1878-79 and the Opera House Exchange, a
saloon run by T.J. Kenny, here in 1904. By 1911, Thomas H. Kelley had a saloon here. When prohibition arrived,
the business changed to a pool hall or billiards parlor with Henry Musack the proprietor from before World War I
through the late 1920s. City directories show the building housed a series of grocers during the 1930s including
the Piggly Wiggly Grocers in 1930 and the Self-Serve Grocery from the mid-1930s through World War II.
Herbert Holmes and George Rebel also operated meat shops during this time period. After World War II, The
Men’s Shop clothing store was located here and continued operations until the mid-1960s (Svendsen, 2001).
Image 03. Historic Image – North side of E. College Street, looking SW - ca.1925
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view of E. College Street, we see the Dooley Block prior to the demolition of its center bays.
Though difficult to read in this view, the building name is set on-center just above the upper story windows.
The upper façade at 109 remains much as seen in this view as does that at 115 (see “Dooley Block,” 52-01088.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 04. Historic Image – North side of E. College Street, looking SW - 1929
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view of E. College Street, we see the east (115) and west (109) bays of the Dooley Block flanking
the 1929 infill of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. building. Note that, by this date, the prism glass storefront transom
was part of the façade at 109 (right). Also, Piggly Wiggly occupied the building.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 9
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Dooley’s Block” 52-04093.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Timeline: 109 E. College Street
1874 Fire insurance map shows a building with a similar footprint on this site (address then being 13); the
occupant is noted as “vacant.” Lot to the east is vacant, though a staircase is located on the east elevation.
1879 Fire insurance map shows a 2-section addition to the rear of the building (now addressed at 39), so that
the building stretches south to the alley. The occupant is noted as “Hardware” with a warehouse in the
rear sections. The adjoining bay (then numbered 40) is in place – the bay embracing the former exterior
staircase. The length of the new bay matches the original of the first bay.
The sites of the east bays (113 and 115) of the Dooley Block are occupied by small scale buildings.
1883 Fire Insurance Map: No change to 109 (then 110); the space remains occupied by a hardware store with
warehouse at rear. A small addition has been made to the rear of 111 (then 112); the building is occupied
by a dealer of agricultural implements.
The sites of the east bays (113 and 115) of the Dooley Block are occupied by small scale buildings.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 10
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
1888 Fire Insurance Map: The west bay (now numbered 109) remains occupied by a hardware store with
warehouse at rear.
1892 Fire Insurance Map: The west bay remains occupied by a hardware store with warehouse at rear.
1899 Fire Insurance Map: The 4-bay Dooley Block is in place.
1901 City Directory:
“Dooley’s Block” at 113-115 E. College Street
1915 City Directory:
“Dooley’s Block” at 109-115 E. College Street
1925 Historic image documents the original, four-bay configuration of the Dooley Block.
1929 Historic image documents the Sears, Roebuck and Co. building with the Dooley Block bays at 109 and
115 retained.
1933 Fire insurance map confirms the bay at 109 as an autonomous structure due to the removal of the middle
two bays.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-0409
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 11
Dooley Block (west bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Full Legal Description: Original Town Plat, Block 82, West 19.3’ of Lot 3.
Assessor: PIN 1010380009
Lat/Long: 41.658860/-91.534107
Parcel Map - 2017
(SOURCE: http://iowacity.iowaassessors.com/parcel)
Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-04091 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building
other names/site number The Field House
2. Location
street & number 111-113 East College Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 82 Lot(s) see full legal
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02F COMMERCE/TRADE/department store 70 VACANT/NOT IN USE
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
09F05 COMMERCIAL/Brick Front foundation 04 STONE
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other 07 TERRA COTTA Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 111-113 East College Street Site Number 52-04091
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
01 ARCHITECTURE 1929 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
N/A unknown Builder
unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 11/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Sears, Roebuck & Co. building is situated on a portion of Lot 3 in Block 82. Located on the south side of E.
College Street, the building’s façade faces north. As noted in the 2001 evaluation, the building is located along the
1977 downtown pedestrian mall that extends for several blocks along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street. As
originally platted, College Street had a 100-ft. width with four 80-ft. wide lots laid out perpendicular to the street.
Twenty-foot wide east-west alleys bisected the blocks and were presumed to extend along the rear of the
buildings. College Street extended from the “Promenade” along the Iowa River east through the downtown, over
Ralston Creek, and eventually along the south side of College Green park before it reached the city limits.
Today, the “ped mall” is an intimate gathering place, its character resting on the historic buildings that line much
of the street, brick landscaping, vegetative canopy, and vibrant retail base. The building footprint fully occupies
the site which, according to the Iowa City assessor, measures 38- by 150-feet.
Built in 1929, the building is a two-story, brick construction in the 20th century form commonly described as a
Commercial Brick Front. The building façade is clad in pressed brick laid in a Flemish bond with a taupe colored
mortar. Typical of commercial properties, the façade is arranged in a storefront with the transition to the upper
façade marked by a storefront cornice (Image 01).
The upper story is organized into three bays, each bay dominated by a Chicago-style window. Each window
configuration (one large, fixed pane window flanked by narrower, double-hung windows) features a header of
soldier bricks and a running sill of glazed terra cotta. Terra cotta is also used in the coping of the stepped parapet,
stylized pilasters that frame the bays, and bas relief tiles that provide decorative accents to the brickwork. The
brickwork itself is visually interesting and well executed – a large area laid in a basketweave pattern is found over
each of the 2nd floor windows (Image 02). Terra cotta tiles are also used in the outer piers of the storefront.
Like the upper level, the storefront is divided into three bays. Whereas the original storefront had a center
entrance with plate-glass display windows to either side and a multi-part transom with prism glass spanning the
front, the storefront today has a central, multi-light display window flanked by recessed openings, each with solid
metal double-doors with a single sidelight and transoms above. Although the historic outer storefront piers of
brick with terra cotta details are retained, the remainder of the storefront structure is clad in cast stone panels.
Constructed to house Sears Roebuck & Co., a national franchise department store, the storefront originally had
signage installed in the space immediately beneath the second floor windows as well as a vertical neon blade sign
that extended from the beltcourse to parapet level (Image 03).
In 2017, the exterior of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building retains a very good level of historic integrity, despite
the alteration of the storefront. This is due in large part to the retention of the historic upper story façade, which
provides the basis of the building’s visual character: Chicago-style windows, decorative brickwork, stepped
parapet, and terracotta details (some deterioration noted) are all character-defining features which are retained.
Further, the existing storefront (the construction date of which is undetermined) incorporates Classical Revival
influenced details which are sympathetic to the historic character.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 01. View of the façade (north elevation), looking SE
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Image 02. Detail view of upper façade details
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
8. Statement of Significance
As a well-preserved example of a 20th century Commercial Brick Front building form frequently adopted by
national franchise stores prior to World War II, the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building is significant under Criterion
C. Though the storefront has sustained significant alterations, those alterations are historically sympathetic.
Further, the upper elevation, with its historic character-defining features intact, is well preserved. The building is
also significant under Criterion A, contributing as it does to our understanding of the history of commerce in Iowa
City, specifically in association with its original occupant, the Sears & Roebuck Co. As a result, this building is
eligible for the National Register as a contributing resource in a potential historic district.
Historical Background
Prior to its construction, the site upon which the Sears Roebuck & Co. building is situated was occupied by the
middle two bays of the Dooley Block (ca.1879 and ca.1895). Property transfer records show that Frank Dooley
acquired all of Lot 3 in Block 82 in 1867 (Svendsen, “Dooley Block,” 2001). In ca.1874 Dooley constructed the
westernmost bay (109) of the Dooley Block, with a second bay completed by 1879. In ca.1895 the remaining bays
(now 113 and 115) were added on the east, resulting in a 2-story, 4-bay commercial block building in the Late
Victorian Italianate style. The east bay (115) and west bay (109) remain today.
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1899
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Maps, 1899.)
The Dooley Block was constructed in phases.
The completed block building (highlighted) first appears on fire insurance maps in 1899.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image – North side of E. College Street, looking SW - ca.1925
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view of E. College Street, we see the Dooley Block prior to the demolition of its middle bays and subsequent
construction of the Sears Roebuck building at their place. Though difficult to read in this view, the building name is set on-
center just above the upper story windows (indicated). The upper façades at 115 and 109 remain much as seen in this view
(see Dooley Block site forms: 52-01088 and 52-04093).
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1926
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Maps, 1926.)
The footprint of the Dooley Block remains relatively unchanged in the years just prior the construction of Sears Roebuck.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
Property transfer records show the property changed hands in 1928 when a referee deed records a sale to W.H.
Wagner. The parcel was then divided, with the Sears Roebuck & Co. building constructed on the west portion of
the Lot 3 (111-113) and the east bay of the Dooley Block (115) transferred to the Koser Brothers. Lee and George
Koser were realtors with Koser Brothers Real Estate (Svendsen, 2001). The west section of the Dooley Block
(109, which is located in Block 4), was likewise sold.
Sooner thereafter, the two center bays of the Dooley Block were razed and, in 1929, the present building was
constructed to house the Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store. At the time Sears Roebuck appeared on E.
College Street in Iowa City, the downtown was rich with department stores; the 100 block of E. College Street
alone had (in addition to Sears Roebuck), Montgomery Ward & Co. (121-123) and White’s Consolidated Stores
(114-116). Yetter’s was located one block to the north (115-117 E. Washington) and the Strub Co. was situated
around the corner (118-122 S. Clinton Street).
Figure 03. Fire Insurance Map – 1933
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Maps, 1933.)
The 1933 fire insurance map documents the Sears Roebuck building (highlighted), noting it as a two-story,
double-wide building, which stretched from E. College on the north to the alley at mid-block on the south.
The map also notes that the building structure utilized iron columns.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image: View looking SE along S. Clinton Street – 1929
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
The remnants of the Dooley Block (115) remain at left and (109) at right, with the 20th century Sears Roebuck
building complete with Chicago-style windows, providing an interesting visual foil to the Late Victorian architecture
that remains intact on the bays of the original block.
Figure 04. Advertisement – 1943
(SOURCE: City Directory, 1943)
Sears Roebuck remained in the building until the 1960s, at which time it relocated to Sycamore Mall in southeast
Iowa City. The building was vacant for several years before the Goodwill Budget Store located here in the early
1970s. By 1978 through 2001, it housed The Field House, a restaurant and disco. (Svendsen, 2001). At the time
of the present evaluation (October 2017) the building is vacant.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
McDowell, Alexa. “Dooley Block (109): 52-04093.” Iowa Site Form, 2017.
McDowell, Alexa. “Dooley Block (115): 52-01088.” Iowa Site Form, 2017.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building: 52-04091.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
McDowell, Alexa. “Dooley Block (109): 52-04093.” Iowa Site Form, 2017.
Timeline: Sears Roebuck & Co.
1926 City Directory (reverse listings)
111 Edward J. Watkins
111-1/2 Edward L. Murphy
113 No occupant noted
1928 City Directory (reverse listings)
111 Edward J. Watkins
111-1/2 Radio Doctors
113 Randalls Hardware
1930 City Directory
Sears Roebuck & Co. 111-113 E. College Street
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04091
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-113 East College Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Full Legal Description: Original Town Plat, Block 82, East 38.75’ of West 58.05’ of Lot 3.
Assessor: PIN 1010380008
Lat/Long: 41.658660/-91.534022
Parcel Map - 2017
(SOURCE: http://iowacity.iowaassessors.com/parcel.php?gid=344414)
Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-01088 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Dooley Block (east bay)
other names/site number Gringo's Mexican Bar & Grill
2. Location
street & number 115 E. College Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 82 Lot(s) E 22' of 3
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store 02G COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
05B LATE VICTORIAN/Italianate foundation 04 STONE
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 115 E. College Street Site Number 52-01088
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
02 ARCHITECTURE 1895 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE 1929
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
unknown Builder
unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 10/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Dooley Block (east bay) is a one-bay, 2-story, 22- by 150-ft., brick building that was constructed sometime
between 1892 and 1899. The building is a remnant of the original, which filled the full width of Lot 3 and part of
Lot 4. From 1929, at which time the middle two bays of the Dooley Block were razed and replaced by the Sears
Roebuck & Co. building, the east bay (115) has beeen – both functionally and visually - an autonomous property.
The west bay of the Dooley Block (109) also remains, providing a bookend to the Sears building.
As noted in the 2001 survey, this building is located along the 1977 downtown pedestrian mall that extends for
several blocks along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street. As originally platted, College Street had a 100-ft.
width with four 80-ft. wide lots laid out perpendicular to the street. Twenty-foot wide, east-west alleys bisected
the blocks and were presumed to extend along the rear of the buildings. College Street extended from the
“Promenade” along the Iowa River east through the downtown, over Ralston Creek, and eventually along the
south side of College Green park before it reached the city limits. Today, the “ped mall” is an intimate gathering
place, its character resting on the historic buildings that line much of the street, brick landscaping, vegetative
canopy, and vibrant retail base.
The stylistic character of the Dooley Block reflects the Late Victorian era during which it was constructed. As
noted by Svendsen in 2001, the building façade presents a mixture of the Late Victorian Romanesque and
Italianate styles. The paneled wood cornice has returning ends and four large brackets with small dentil-like
brackets in between. The upper is clad in red brick with elaborate carved wood semi-circular or Romanesque
arches over the single and paired 1/1 double-hung windows. Svendsen noted that the storefront had been
remodeled “in recent years” with a side entrance and three fixed glass windows for a modified shop window. A
series of moldings separates the storefront from the upper story. The storefront has a plastered cladding with the
door recessed beneath a fixed curved awning.
At an undetermined time since the 2001 survey, the storefront of the Dooley Block has been altered. The main
entrance still remains on the left of the building, the fixed-glass windows have been replaced with four doors that
fold back to open the entire front of the store. There is also a side entrance on the right side of the storefront
labled as “13.5 College Ave.” that leads to the second story. The first story is currently occupied by Graze: Food
Guru Dining, and the occupant of the second story is unknown.
The upper elevation of the Dooley Block remains unaltered from 2001, with character-defining features retained
including the red brick cladding, ornate Italianate cornice, Roman arched window heads, and storefront cornice
details. As a result, the building retains a generally good level of historic integrity specific to 1929, which marks
the year the building was disjoined from the larger Dooley Block and became an autonomous resource.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 01. View of the façade, looking south across E. College Street (the Ped Mall)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade, looking SW across E. College Street (the Ped Mall)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
8. Statement of Significance
As noted, the Dooley Block is a one-bay remnant of the original block building, which filled the full width of Lot
3 and part of Lot 4. The block building was constructed in phases, the west two bays likely pre-date 1874 with the
east two bays constructed in ca.1895. From 1929, when the middle two bays of the Dooley Block were razed and
replaced by the Sears Roebuck & Co. building, the remaining east bay has been – both functionally and visually -
an autonomous property. The west bay of the Dooley Block (109) also remains, providing a bookend to the Sears
building.
The building is a moderately well-preserved example of a Late Victorian Italianate style commercial building.
Because the building has been disjoined from the original block building for well more than 50-years, the
resource is significant in its post-1929 form as a single, autonomous building. Given this, the Dooley Block is
significant under Criterion C. The building is also significant under Criterion A, contributing as it does to our
understanding of the history of commerce in Iowa City. As a result, this building is eligible for the National
Register as a contributing resource in a potential historic district. It should be noted that additional evaluation of
interior integrity may support a case for individual eligibility as an increasingly rare representation of an early
commercial building in the Iowa City downtown.
Historical Background
Prior to its construction, the site upon which this bay of the Dooley Block is situated was occupied by a small,
one-story “marble shop” with a shed at the rear. Property transfer records show that Frank Dooley acquired all of
Lot 3 in Block 82 in 1867 (Svendsen, 2001). Dooley proceeded to construct the west two-bays of the block
building (109 and 111), which the 1883 fire insurance map records along with a small, 1-story “marble shop” with
a shed at the rear in on the site of what would become the block’s easternmost bay (115). The same footprint
appears on subsequent fire insurance maps through 1892; the map in 1899 marks the first time a 2-story building
appears on the site. At that time, a grocer is noted as the occupant.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1883
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883)
The 1883 fire insurance map notes the presence of the west 2-bays of the Dooley Block (now 109 and 111) with 113 and 115
still occupied by small-scale buildings. The location of 115 is highlighted in blue with the remaining bays of what would, by
ca.1895 form the entire Dooley Block, highlighted in light blue.
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1892
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1892)
In 1892 the site upon which the easternmost bay of the Dooley Block (dark blue) was later constructed was occupied by a 1-
story building that was set back from the street. The lighter shading shows the location of the full extent of the site that
would, by ca.1895 be fully occupied by the Dooley Block.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 03. Fire Insurance Map – 1899
(SOURCE: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1899)
By 1899, the remaining bays of the Dooley Block had been completed. The east bay (115) is highlighted in blue
with the remaining bays also indicated.
Image 03. Historic Image – North side of E. College Street, looking SW - ca.1925
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view of E. College Street, we see the Dooley Block prior to the demolition of its center bays.
Though difficult to read in this view, the building name is set on-center just above the upper story windows.
The upper façade at 115 remains much as seen in this view as does that at 109 (see “Dooley Block,” 52-04093.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 04. Historic Image – North side of E. College Street, looking SW - 1929
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view of E. College Street, we see the east (115) and west (109) bays of the Dooley Block flanking
the 1929 infill of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. building.
Property transfer records do not show the property changing hands again until 1928 when a referee deed saw the
lot sold to W.H. Wagner. The parcel was then divided, with the Sears Roebuck & Co. building constructed on the
west portion of the lot (111-113) and this building (115) transferred to the Koser Brothers. Lee and George Koser
were realtors with Koser Brothers Real Estate (Svendsen, 2001).
City directories indicate that the Barth Brothers, grocers occupied the building in 1901. By 1911, Samuel Kelberg
operated a shoemaking business from this address. He and his wife Dora lived on the second floor. In 1918 the
business space was vacant and by 1926 Dr. John Mullen had offices here. City directories show the storefront
changed frequently beginning in the 1930s: Smith & Hiatt Hardware Store (1930); Oakland Bakery (1934, 1940);
Western Auto (1946-1962); Thrift Plan of Iowa City (1967); and Sherwin-Williams Co. Paints (1972). By the
late 1970s, Gringo’s Mexican Restaurant located here (Svendsen, 2001). At the time of the present evaluation the
building was occupied by Graze, a restaurant (2017).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “115 E. College Street,” 52-01088.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Timeline: 115 E. College Street
1883 Fire insurance map shows small, 1-story with deep setback and rear shed occupied by a “marble shop”
and the west two bays of the Dooley Block (2-story, interconnected structures with an interior staircase).
1888 Fire insurance map shows small, 1-story with deep setback and rear shed occupied by a “marble shop”
1892 Fire insurance map shows small, 1-story with deep setback and 2 rear sheds, occupied by a “marble shop”
1899 Fire insurance map shows a 2-story, contiguous building sited flush with the neighboring buildings (4-bay
Dooley Block intact) and extending to the south approximately 50-ft. Occupant: Grocer
1901 City Directory:
“Dooley’s Block” at 113-115 E. College Street
Barth Brothers, grocers
1915 City Directory:
“Dooley’s Block” at 109-115 E. College Street
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01088
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 9
Dooley Block (east bay) Johnson
Name of Property County
115 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
1920 Fire insurance maps notes no changes to the footprint, but the addition of an interior staircase at the front
of the building, along the west wall. Occupant: millinery.
1925 Historic image documents the original, four-bay configuration of the Dooley Block.
1926 Fire insurance maps notes no changes to the footprint, and the interior staircase is retained at the front of
the building, along the west wall. A 1-story, freestanding auto garage is situated south of the building.
Occupant: not specified.
11. Additional Documentation
Full Legal Description: Original Town Plat, Block 82, Lot 3 east 22-ft.
Assessor: PIN 1010380007
Lat/Long: 41.658883/-91.533901
Parcel Map - 2017
N
(SOURCE: http://iowacity.iowaassessors.com/parcel.php?gid=344413)
Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-04090 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Crescent Block
other names/site number Lovelace-Moon Block
2. Location
street & number 117-123 E. College Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 82 Lot(s) Lot 2
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store 02G COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant
02B COMMERCE/TRADE/professional offices 02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store
03A04 SOCIAL/fraternal hall
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
09F05 COMMERCIAL/Brick Front foundation
02B COMMERCE/TRADE/professional offices walls 03 BRICK
roof
other 07 TERRA COTTA Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 117-123 E. College Street Site Number 52-04090
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
02 ARCHITECTURE 1894 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Builder
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Architectural Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 10/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Crescent Block is a three-story brick building constructed in 1894. The building is an example of a late 19th
century Commercial Brick Front building form. Its four bays originally contained three shop spaces with an
entrance to the upper floors in the narrow bay (119) to the right of center. This bay now also contains a narrow
shop space in addition to the stairs access. The building is clad in a dark brown brick set with reddish tinted
mortar. A twin band of corbeled brick extends across the front between the second and third levels. The original
pressed metal cornice has widely spaced brackets with smaller brackets evenly spaced in between.
The original storefront treatment is retained in the west bay (117). This bay has a recessed entrance set between
plate glass display windows and a multi-part transom above. The first floor projects forward from the front façade
and has a shallow, standing-seam metal shed roof separating the first and second floors. An embossed metal
cornice spans the transoms connecting to the hipped roof entrance hood above the entrance to the upper levels
(119). This space was remodeled in the 1930s with carrara glass elements with Art Deco styling. The design is
well-suited for the small size of this bay. The design includes a curved glass display window on the right with
bands of black and white glass in the bulkhead and signboard areas. The original wood and glass entrance door
and tile floor in the entrance are retained in this space. The east half of the building is now part of a single
storefront. The modern design incorporated new brick with a gray exposed aggregate in the section separating the
windows from the second floor. The windows have single fixed glass lights and are topped by separate curved,
fixed awnings. The entrance is at the far east end.
The upper levels of the building have an unusual arrangement of window openings. The third floor windows
appear in pairs, are tall and narrow with stone sills, and have a single flat stone lintel above each pair. A pair of
windows is centered in each of the original four bays. The windows consist of 1/1 double-hung sash with a
transom of equal size above. Windows on the west half of the second level are shorter with a pair of 1/1 sash
above the hipped roof entrance bay. The west bay has a pair of 1/1 sash plus transom centered in the bay with
shorter 1/1 sash plus transoms on both sides. Fenestration of the east half of the second floor originally mirrored
that on the west (Image 05), but in 1929 (likely with Montgomery Ward’s move into the building) two large
Chicago-style windows were introduced in place of those in the east half of the building (2017). The Chicago-
style windows have since been replaced with new sash (the opening is retained). The building is approximately
80-ft. wide and has an irregular depth. The third floor originally contained a hall space (Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017, the building appears as previously described. The building is largely vacant, with only the storefronts at
117 and 119 occupied by Revival, a vintage clothing store.
8. Statement of Significance
This building is a moderately well-preserved example of a turn-of-the-century Commercial Brick Front building.
Constructed in 1894 under the auspices of C.F. Lovelace, that connection provides an additional avenue for
considering significance; Lovelace being associated with the adjacent College Block as well as the construction of
other downtown buildings. He also has deep and significant ties to commercial and financial institutions in the
city. Although it is unlikely that a case under Criterion B in association with Lovelace should be made for the
Crescent Block, certainly that association elevates the general significance of the building. Further, the building is
an unusual example of commercial design, with stylistic influences reflecting the influence of Chicago
architecture on Iowa City design - an association worth additional consideration. Lovelace’s role in the design
should also be examined. Finally, as a mixed-use building the Crescent Block has long associations with the
history of commerce in downtown Iowa City (including as a professional office space), and to the history of local
fraternal groups that utilized the third floor hall. Though portions of the storefront have sustained significant
alterations, the retention of a 1930s era Art Deco Style storefront (119) as well as one of the original storefronts
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
(117) gives the Crescent Block added importance. As a result, this building is considered individually eligible for
the National Register under Criterion C and likely under Criterion A as well. Retention of a good level of historic
integrity on the interior would be important to a successful nomination. The building is counted as a contributing
structure in a potential historic district.
Image 01. View of the façade (north) elevation, looking SW across the Ped Mall (E. College Street)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade (north) elevation, looking SE across the Ped Mall (E. College Street)
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Image 03. View of the 1930s Art Deco storefront faced in black Carrara glass
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Historical Background
As noted, the Crescent Block is located on the urban renewal era pedestrian mall that extends for several blocks
along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street. As originally platted, College Street had a 100-ft. width with four
80-ft. wide lots laid out perpendicular to the street. 20-ft. wide east-west alleys bisected the blocks and were
presumed to extend along the rear of the buildings. College Street extended from the “Promenade” along the Iowa
River east through the downtown, over Ralston Creek, and eventually along the south side of College Green park
before it reached the city limits (Svendsen, 2001).
Property transfer records show this property changing hands in 1890 and 1895 when Manley Moon and Milton
Moon each acquired half of Lot 2 in Block 82 from Robert Finkbine and Chancy Lovelace, architects in the
partnership of Finkbine and Lovelace (Svendsen, 2001). Lovelace and Moon are responsible for the building’s
construction in 1894 (2017). When the pending construction was announced in April of that year, the news
account noted that work would commence in early May. The 80- by 80-ft., three-story building would have three
“three fine store rooms with modern fronts” on the first floor; offices on the second floor; and the third floor
would be fitted for a large hall. Demolition of a brick building on the site was underway the first week in May
(2017).
At the time the building was under construction, news accounts referred to the property as the Lovelace and Moon
Block, but in late December the property owners announced the building would thereafter be known as the
Crescent Block; no explanation for the name was given. Lovelace and Moon held the property until 1923 when
M.G. Koser, a local real estate agent, acquired the building (2017).
City directories and fire insurance maps show the building with a number of retail tenants through the years. In
1899 fire insurance maps show the building with a pharmacy, china and notions store, and hardware store. The
1904 city directory shows the Crescent Pharmacy run by W.W. Morrison (117) and Bruce Moore’s hardware
store (123). By 1906 a clothing store was in place at 121 joining the drug store and hardware stores already in
place. The Elks Club occupied the third floor meeting hall. Five years later, the Crescent Pharmacy continued but
A.A. Pickering’s Store replaced the clothing store selling “china, glass, queensware, fancy goods and toys” and
the Knights of Columbus rented the third floor hall space after the Elks moved to their newly completed building
on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Washington streets. The second floor had 10 office suites occupied by
lawyers, insurance agents, and abstractors. After World War I and during the 1920s, William Smith and Richard
Hiatt operated a hardware store from(121 and a grocery store opened in 123. The pharmacy continued from 117
but with a new name, Morrison’s Pharmacy (Svendsen, 2001).
In 1929 a major shift came when the Montgomery Ward and Co. department store located in 121-123.
Montgomery Ward had their farm store and implement sales in a building located directly to the south fronting
onto Burlington Street. They remained the anchor retail tenant in the building until the late 1960s when Goodwill
Industries occupied 121-123. By 1940, the Koser Brothers Real Estate Office was located at 119. M.G. Koser
owned the building at the time. The drug store space was taken over about the same time by Western Auto and
continued through the early 1960s. By the late 1970s the first of several restaurants and/or bars opened in the
building - Maxwell’s Cocktail Lounge occupied 121-123. In 2000, the Union Bar occupied 121-123 and the Soap
Opera specialty soap shop was in 119.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 04. Historic Image – ca.1910
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa)
In this view of the south side of E. College Street, looking east from Clinton we see the Crescent Block at left. At that time,
the Dooley Block remained fully intact at center, and the Coldren Opera House/Iowa City State Bank was located on the
corner (now the Savings and Loan Building).
Image 05. Historic Image – ca.1925
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 06. Historic Image – ca.1965
(Source: Iowa City Public Library)
By this time, the 2nd floor windows of the east two bays had been altered. This likely occurred concurrent with Montgomery
Ward’s move into the building in 1929.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Crescent Block: 52-04090.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Herald. “Iowa City Improves.” April 18, 1894.
Iowa City Herald. “Local News.” May 02, 1894.
Iowa City Herald. “Iowa City Alive and Moving.” May 02, 1894.
Iowa City Herald. “Local News.” September 22, 1894.
Iowa City Herald. “Over the City.” November 24, 1894.
Iowa City Herald. “The Crescent Block.” December 21, 1894.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04090
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Crescent Block Johnson
Name of Property County
117-123 E. College Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town Plat, Block 82, Lot 2
Assessor: PIN 002+1010380005-006 (2 parcels, currently one property owner)
Lat/Long: 41.658824/-91.533763
Parcel Map - 2017
COLLEGE
CLINTONDUBUQUEBURLINGTON109 117-123229212
102
228103
120115220127111
224
±
Staff Report May 5, 2020
Historic Review for 708 Dearborn Street
District: Dearborn Street Conservation District
Classification: Non-contributing
The applicant, Mary Neumann, is requesting approval for a proposed addition project at 708 Dearborn Street,
a non-contributing property in the Dearborn Street Conservation District. The project consists of the
addition of a screened porch and entry stoop and stairs.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.3 Doors
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
4.10 Porches
4.11 Siding
4.13 Windows
4.14 Wood
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
Staff Comments
This Minimal Traditional, side-gabled house was likely built ca. 1936. It has six-over-one individual and paired
double-hung windows. The front entry was enclosed in the 1960s or early 1970s. In 1981, aluminum siding
was installed. The house is likely non-contributing to the Conservation District because of these two changes.
The applicant is proposing to add a 12-foot by 12-foot, gabled, screened porch addition to the back of the
house. The window in this area will be replaced with a sliding glass door to provide access to the porch. The
screened porch will have true 6-inch by 6-inch posts in the outside corners and screening attached to 4x4
posts with an overlay of wood or composite material. The trim and soffit will match the existing house.
Because the house has aluminum siding, the siding in the new gable will either match the existing house by
using material removed inside the porch, or it will match the original material exposed during the project. To
match the original material either smooth cement board or smooth LP Smartside will be used. Framed
skirting will be installed between the supporting porch piers. The porch, landing, and stairs will all have a
square-spindled balustrade and post. Treated lumber will be used for all structural framing. All exposed
interior framings will be cedar posts.
Section 5.1 of the guidelines, Expansion of the Building Footprint, recommends that the design of an
addition does not diminish the character of the historic structure, is distinguishable from the original structure
at the point they connect, and is placed at the rear of the building. In addition, a palette of materials similar to
the original structure should be used and the design should match key horizontal “lines” such as eave height,
both in order to provide continuity between the two portions of the building. New porches more than 18
inches above grade should be constructed using traditional porch construction with wood joists and wood
flooring and skirting should sill the area between piers if it is 24 inches or greater.
Section 4.1, Balustrades and Handrails, provides a simple design with square posts and spindles for use on
most properties. This section also states that typical deck railing design is inappropriate on any property in a
regulated district or on a landmark. Section 4.3, Doors, includes an exception that applies to conservation
districts that allows the Commission to approve sliding patio doors on the rear of a primary building provided
that the openings are trimmed to match the existing doors and windows.
In Staff’s opinion, this project will follow the guidelines and the exception to allow a sliding door on this
property is appropriate because the house is non-contributing to the Conservation District and the new door
is on the back of the building. Staff finds it appropriate to approve that the siding in the new gable matches
either the aluminum siding or the original siding because the ability to use the aluminum will depend upon the
condition of siding removed for the project. The applicant would like to use a synthetic material like Azek,
with a smooth finish, for the frieze board, fascia, and covering over the 4x4 posts where the screen is
attached. Because this house already has synthetic siding and is non-contributing to the Conservation District,
staff finds this material acceptable in these locations.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 708 Dearborn Street as presented in the
application with the following condition:
Door product information is submitted and approved by staff.
Staff Report May 5, 2020
Historic Review for 510 North Van Buren Street
District: Northside Historic District
Classification: Non-contributing
The applicant, Thomas Agran, is requesting approval for a proposed addition project at 510 North Van
Buren Street, a Non-contributing property in the Northside Historic District. The project consists of the
reconstruction of a front porch.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
44.0 I ow a Ci ty H i s tori c P re s e rva ti on Gu i d e l i n e s for Al te ra ti on s
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.5 Foundations
4.6 Gutters and Downspouts
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
4.8 Masonry
4.10 Porches
4.14 Wood
5.0 Gu i d e l i n e s for Ad d i ti on s
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
S ta ff C om m e n ts
The small group of houses on North Van Buren Street, including 510, 512 and 511 and 515 across the street
were all built between 1912 and 1920, the date of the first Sanborn Fire insurance map on which they are
found. The group of houses appear to be catalogue homes that were popular at the time from Sears and
Gordon Van Tine amongst others. While the others are contributing to the Historic District, 510 North Van
Buren is non-contributing because of its missing porch.
This house has a front-facing main gable roof like and large crossing gables like its neighbor at 512 North
Van Buren. It has one-over-one individual and paired double-hung windows. While it appears the aluminum
siding was added in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the porch was removed prior to 1973.
The applicant is proposing to reconstruct the missing front porch with much of it similar to the porch at the
neighboring house at 512 North Van Buren. The porch will be a traditional 8 feet wide with a low-sloped hip
roof, round columns, block piers a simple balustrade, and traditional porch skirting.
In Section 5.1, Expansion of the Building Footprint, the guidelines recommend constructing new porches
that are consistent with the historic building or similar to porches of the same architectural style.
Foundations, piers in this case, should match the existing as should trim and other details. New balustrades
should follow the guidelines in section 4.1, which states that missing balustrades should be replaced in a style
that is consistent with both the building and the neighborhood. Porch flooring should consist of vertical
grained Douglas Fir. An exception exists for non-contributing properties in Historic Districts to allow for
pre-treated porch decking or dimensional lumber for the flooring.
An effort was made to find evidence of the original configuration of this porch through photographic
evidence or published catalogue plans. While many similar homes were illustrated in some of the resources,
this particular house plan was not located. During this era many of the porches were similar. Some had round
columns and other had square or battered columns. Some porches had gable roofs and some had hip roofs.
Piers either stopped at the porch deck or were balustrade height. When looking at the houses in this group, it
did appear that the houses across the street shared similarities such as the square porch columns, lack of
crossing gables, and a group of three ganged windows in the second floor. The houses on this side have the
crossing gables, paired windows in the second floor, and in the case of 512 North Van Buren, round porch
columns. While all of these houses are slightly different from each other, it does appear that there are
similarities between the houses on the same side of the street. In Staff’s opinion, constructing a porch at 510
North Van Buren that is similar to the porch at 512 North Van Buren is appropriate. This project could make
this property a contributing property in the Northside Historic District. For this reason, staff recommends
that the porch has a tongue-and-groove porch flooring in wood or an appropriate substitute, piers that match
the rock-faced block in the foundation, round columns of an appropriate diameter that are either wood or an
appropriate substitute. The Commission could approve an alternate for square columns like those across the
street, which would then be constructed of wood.
RR e c om m e n d e d M oti on
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 510 North Van Buren as presented in the
application with the following conditions:
Final materials are wood or appropriate wood substitutes approve by staff.
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510 Van Buren
512 Van Buren
511 Van Buren
515 Van Buren
Staff Report May 6, 2020
Historic Review for 221 East Washington Street, Englert Theatre
District: Central Business District
The applicant, the Englert Theatre, is requesting approval for a proposed sign repair project at 221 East
Washington Street, The Englert Theatre, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is also a
key contributing property in the National Register Nomination for the Downtown Historic District which is
currently in process. The property is not a local landmark designated through the rezoning process.
The existing marquee is a non-conforming sign and most follow City Code, Section 14-4E-8C. The intent of
this code is that non-conforming signs are eliminated over time. The code specifies that signs that become
nonconforming due to a change in zoning or a change in the development regulations are permitted to
remain as nonconforming signs. If, however, work beyond periodic maintenance occurs on the sign, it must
be brought into compliance with the sign regulations except for non-conforming signs that are deemed
historic or are signs for a historic structure. These signs, which would include the Englert sign, may qualify
for a special exception from the Board of Adjustment to allow changes to the non-conforming sign instead of
bringing it into compliance. Since the property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is
significant to the community and the architecture and history of the building, the changes to the sign must
also be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission in order to be granted a special exception from
the Board of Adjustment.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
10 .0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
Staff Comments
The Englert Theatre was constructed in 1912 in a Second Renaissance Revival style with classical detailing.
The front of the three-story building is divided into three bays. On the upper floors the bays are divided into
three large windows. An arched roofline crowns the top of the center bay. The doorways at the ground floor
of the center bay are covered by the existing marquee. This marquee was likely added ca. 1950-58 and is at
least the third marquee installed at the theatre. While the marquee is not original, it has achieved historic
significance and is a contributing element of the theatre and then the potential historic district. A fire
destroyed much of the interior of the theatre in 1926 which and it was rebuilt in a Tudor Revival theme. In
the 1980s the theater was divided with a wall down the center into two small-screen movie houses. In the
early 2000’s the theatre was restored. Currently the theatre is undergoing a new rehabilitation project that
includes the marquee project under review.
The applicant is proposing to remove and restore the neon lighting, replace the electrical infrastructure,
update the incandescent bulbs to LED, clean and repaint the metal elements, replace the roof membrane, and
improve the roof slope and drainage. The metal facade of the marquee is composed of panels or "cabinets."
Those cabinets will be removed and a restoration expert will remove the lead paints and then repaint them to
match the historic colors. The changes incurred during the project include the repair and replacement of
missing and damaged lighting elements, so the sign is fully functional. Incandescent bulbs will be replaced
with looking-a-like LED bulbs. All neon will be repaired in place to match existing/original, with exception
of horizontal line of neon below the message board. This line, which is currently missing, is highly
susceptible to vandalism/damage due to its height from the ground. For safety and security purposes, this
line will be replaced by a non-electric metal tube. During the day it will appear white like the rest of the neon
tubes, but will not light up at night.
The guidelines are limited in recommendations applicable to this project. In order to review projects that are
not covered in individual sections, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are included in
Section 10. Number Two of the standards states the historic character of a property shall be retained and
preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property
shall be avoided. Number Four states that most properties change over time; those changes that have
acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved. Number Six states that
deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration
requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and
other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.
In Staff’s opinion, much of this project involves the appropriate repair of elements of the sign. Neon will be
repaired and replaced with neon if necessary. Metal elements will be cleaned and recoated. The replacement
of the roof membrane in the top of the marquee is appropriate and any changes to the slope and drainage in
this area is necessary and will not be visible. Similarly, changes to the electrical system will not be apparent.
The replacement of incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs will increase the longevity and efficiency of that
portion of the lighting system and since all bulbs will be replaced at once with LED that mimic the
appearance of incandescent, any visual impact of this change should be minimal. The new clip system for the
letters in the marquee will hopefully make the process of changing the sign easier for the operator. Staff also
finds it acceptable to replace the red neon tube along the bottom of the sign as described in the project
drawings with a metal tube that will be in place and appear similar to the others during the day but not
illuminated at night.
Staff finds that the proposed project retains the historic character of the existing marquee while also repairing
it and improving its functionality. Staff finds that the Commission should recommend to the Board of
Adjustment to approve the special exception to allow these minimal changes to this historic marquee that has
achieved such significance it is often found in photographs illustrating the character of historic downtown
Iowa City. The loss of this marquee would be a significant loss for the historic character of the Englert
Theatre.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 221 East Washington Street as presented
in the application with the following condition:
Approval of the special exception is granted by the Board Of Adjustment
Application for Historic Review
Property Owner/ Applicant information
(Please check primary contact person)
Historic Designation
(Maps are located at the following link: www.icgov.org/historicpreservationresources)
Proposed Project Information
Application for alterations to the historic landmarks or
properties located in a historic district or conservation district
pursuant to Iowa City Code Section 14-3B. Guidelines for
the Historic Review process, explanation of the process and
regulations can be found in the Iowa City Historic
Preservation Handbook, which is available in the
1HLJKERUKRRGDQG'HYHORSPHQW6HUYLFHVRIÀFHDW&LW\+DOO
or online at: www.icgov.org/historicpreservationresources
The HPC does not review applications for compliance with building and zoning codes. Work must
comply with all appropriate codes and be reviewed by the building division prior to the issuance of
a building permit.
Meeting Schedule: The HPC meets the second Thursday of each month. Applications are due in the
RIÀFHRI1HLJKERUKRRGDQG'HYHORSPHQW6HUYLFHVE\QRRQRQ:HGQHVGD\WKUHHZHHNVSULRUWRWKH
meeting. See last page of this application for deadlines and meeting dates.
For Staff Use:
Date submitted:
&HUWLÀFDWHRI1RPDWHULDO(IIHFW
&HUWLÀFDWHRI$SSURSULDWHQHVV
Major Review
Intermediate Review
Minor Review
Property Owner Name:
(PDLO
Address:
Phone Number:
City: State: Zip Code:
This Property is a local historic landmark.
This Property is within a historic or conservation district (choose location):
Contractor/Consultant Name:
(PDLO
Address:
Phone Number:
City: State: Zip Code:
Address:
Use of Property: Date Constructed (if known):
OR
Brown St. Historic District
College Green Historic District
(DVW&ROOHJH6W+LVWRULF'LVWULFW
Longfellow Historic District
Northside Historic District
Summit St. Historic District
Woodlawn Historic District
Clark St. Conservation
District
College Hill Conservation District
Dearborn St. Conservation District
Goosetown/ Horace Mann
Conservation District
Governor-Lucas St. Conservation
District
:LWKLQWKHGLVWULFWWKLV3URSHUW\LV&ODVVLÀHGDV
Contributing Noncontributing Nonhistoric
Jefferson St. Historic District
4/21/2020
The Englert Theatre
andre@englert.com
221 E. Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Estes Construction
Kendall@estesconstruction.com 563-723-9387
P.O. Box 3608
Davenport IA 52240
221 E. Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240
theater 1912
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
Addition
%XLOGLQJ(OHYDWLRQV
(Typically projects entailing an addition to the building footprint such as a room, porch, deck, etc.)
Choose appropriate project type. In order to ensure application can be processed, please include all
listed materials. Applications without necessary materials may be rejected.
Product Information
Floor Plans
Site Plans
Photographs
Alteration
%XLOGLQJ(OHYDWLRQV
(Typically projects entailing work such as siding and window replacement, skylights, window opening
alterations, deck or porch replacement/construction, baluster repair, or similar. If the project is a minor
DOWHUDWLRQSKRWRJUDSKVDQGGUDZLQJVWRGHVFULEHWKHVFRSHRIWKHSURMHFWDUHVXIÀFLHQW
Product Information Photographs
Construction
%XLOGLQJ(OHYDWLRQV
of a new building
Product Information
Floor Plans
Site Plans
Photographs
Demolition
Photographs
(Projects entailing the demolition of a primary structure or outbuilding, or any portion of a building, such
as porch, chimney, decorative trim, baluster, etc.)
(YLGHQFHRIGHWHULRUDWLRQ Proposal of Future Plans
Repair or Restoration of an existing structure that will not change its appearance.
Other
Please contact the Preservation Specialist at 356-5243 for materials which need to be included with applications
Project Description:
Materials to be Used:
Exterior Appearance Changes:
Photographs Product Information
To Submit Application:Download form, Fill it out and email it to jessica-bristow@iowa-city.org or mail to Historic
3UHVHUYDWLRQ&LW\RI,RZD&LW\(:DVKLQJWRQ6WUHHW,RZD&LW\,$
Marquee work includes removing and restoring the neon lighting, replacing the electrical infrastructure, updating the incandescent
bulbs to LED, cleaning and repainting the metal elements, replacing the roof membrane, improving the roof slope and drainage.
The metal facade of the marquee is composed of panels or "cabinets." Those cabinets will be removed and shipped to restoration
expert who can remove lead paints within a lead-safe environment following EPA guidelines.
Sheet metal, paint / high performance coatings, neon lighting, "incandescent-like" LED light bulbs, Acrylic Panel, EPDM roofing
membrane (not visible from street).
No substantial aesthetic changes to facade or marquee, but the repair and restoration will make a dramatic difference compared to
current state of certain elements. On the marquee, missing and damaged lighting elements will be repaired/replaced so the sign is
fully-functional. Incandescent bulbs will be replaced with looking-a-like LED bulbs. All neon will be repaired in place to match
existing / original, with exception of horizontal line of neon below the message board. This line - which is currently missing - is
highly susceptible to vandalism/damage due to it's height from the ground. For safety / security purposes, this line will be replaced
by a non-electric metal tube. During the day it will appear white like the rest of the neon tubes, but will not light up at night.
1(217233(5
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Staff Report May 7, 2020
Historic Review for 1331 Muscatine Avenue
District: Longfellow Historic District
Classification: Contributing
The applicant, Aaron Thoma, is requesting approval for a proposed alteration project at 1331 Muscatine
Avenue, a Contributing property in the Longfellow Historic District. The project consists of the installation
of a Commercial sign in the original sign band on the front facade.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
Staff Comments
This two-story brick commercial building was built ca. 1920. The building facade is symmetrical with the
upper story façade consisting of two large five-over-one double-hung windows and a large sign band at the
top of the wall. The first floor has a raised entry door flanked on each side by a display window and covered
by a retractable canvas awning. Double concrete stairs with an iron railing lead to the front parking area. A
shed-roof addition sits on the south side. The building roof slopes gradually to the rear. The building has
historically housed a market with the proprietor living above. The last grocery occupying the space closed in
1996 after 40 years in operation.
The applicant is proposing to open the building again as a meat market and install a commercial sign in the
original sign band. The sign will be printed on vinyl adhered to aluminum and mounted to the wall. Several
options were designed to fit within the existing frame. The applicant has chosen the final sign as shown in the
packet.
Located in the residential zoning district, the code would require the sign installed within the first floor and
limited to a couple square feet in overall dimension. In order to install a sign in the original location, the
applicant must also acquire a special exception from the Board of Adjustment.
The guidelines are limited in recommendations applicable to this project. In order to review projects that are
not covered in individual sections, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are included in
Section 10. Number Nine of the standards states that exterior alterations shall not destroy historic materials
that characterize the property and the new work shall be differentiated from the old and compatible with the
massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its
environment.
For more guidance, the National Park Service has published Preservation Brief 25 which includes a section
on new signs on the last page (included in the packet). This Brief states that signs should work with the
building rather than against it. Often features or details of the building will suggest a motif for new signs.
Signs should not obscure significant features of the historic building. Sign materials should be compatible
with those of the historic building. Materials characteristic of the building’s period and style, used in
contemporary designs, can form effective new signs.
In Staff’s opinion, the architecture of this building does not include an appropriate location for the
installation of a wall sign that would meet code without a special exception. While it is possible to install a
wall sign between the first and second floors if the decorative animal head was removed, that could lead to
additional damage to the wall for the installation. In addition, given the fact that the building has a dedicated
sign band that was used originally, the most appropriate location for a new sign is in this sign band. The
historical inclusion of neighborhood markets in residential neighborhoods provided a readily accessible
source of groceries with the need for increased transportation. Returning this building to its original use will
encourage the continued preservation and viability of the building while also providing a resource to the
neighborhood. Allowing the sign to occupy its originally intended location will enhance the historic character
of the building while also preventing further damage to the masonry. For these reasons, staff recommends
approval of the application.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 1331 Muscatine Avenue as presented in
the application with the following condition:
Approval of the special exception is granted by the Board Of Adjustment
With halting steps I paced the streets, and passed the
sign of "The Crossed Harpoons" -but it looked too
expensive and jolly there. . . . Moving on , I at last
came to a dim sort of light not far from the docks, and
heard a forlorn creaking in the air; and looking up, saw
a swinging sign over the door with a white painting
upon it, faintly representing a tall straight jet of misty
spray, and these words underneath-"The Spouter-
Inn:-Peter Coffin. "
The creaking wooden sign in Moby Dick identifies
public lodging. But it also does a great deal more
than that. It projects an image. It sets a mood and
defines a place. The ability to convey commercial
and symbolic messages is a property of all signs,
not just those in novels .
Every sign hanging outside a door, standing on a
roof, extending over a storefront, or marching
across a wall transmits messages from the sign
maker to the sign reader. Mixed in with names,
addresses, business hours and products are im-
ages, personalities, values and beliefs .
Selected Reading List
DiLamme, Philip. American Streamline : A Handbook of Neon Adverti sing
Design. Cincinnati : ST Publications, 1988.
Evans, Bill and Andrew Lawson . Shopfronts. New York : Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co ., 1981.
The Gilder 's Manual . Washington, D.C.: The Society of Gilders, 1991 .
(Reprint of The Gilder 's Manual; A Practical Guide to Gilding in All its
Branches . New York : Excelsior Publishing House, 1876 .)
Liebs, Chester. Main Street to Miracl e Mile : American Road side Architec-
ture. Boston : Little, Brown and Company! New York Graphics Soci-
ety, 1985 .
National Main Street Center. Main Street Guideline s: Sign s for Main
Stre et. Washington, D .C.: National Trust for Historic Preservation,
1987.
Phillips, Peter H . "Sign Controls for Historic Signs;' PAS Memo.
Chicago: American Planning Association, November 1988 .
Smith, Kent. Gold Leaf Techniques . Cincinnati: ST Publications, 1989 .
Stage, William. Ghost Si gns: Brick Wall Signs in America. Cincinnati: ST
Publications, 1989 .
Stern, Rudi. Let There Be Neon. New York: Harry N . Abrams, Inc.,
1979 . (Rev. 1988).
Cover photograph: Terra cotta wheel with Studebaker banner, 1926, Lake-
wood, Ohio. Photo: Frank Wrenick.
NOTES
I Bill Evans and Andrew Lawson, Shopfronts. New York : Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co., 1981, p . 109, 114 .
2 Charles L.H. Wagner, The Story of Signs: An Outline History of the Sign Arts
from Earliest Recorded Times to the Present "Atomic Age". Boston: Arthur MacGib-
bon, 1954, p. 37.
12
3 Rudi Stem, Let There Be Neon. New York : Harry N . Abrams, Inc. 1979, p. 19 .
, See Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour, Learning from
Las Vegas. Rev. ed. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1977.
, George H . Kramer, "Preserving Historic Signs in the Commercial Landscape:
The Impact of Regulation ." (Unpublished Masters Thesis: University of Ore-
gon, 1989), p. 15. This section on sign regulation is heavily indebted to this
work. See especially Chapter 2, History of Sign Regulation and Chapter 3,
Mechanics of Sign Regulation, pp. 7-60.
• Berman v. Parker involved the condemnation of an older building for an urban
renewal project . The decision "ironically would prove to be a major spur to a
new wave of local preservation laws .... " Christopher J. Duerksen, ed. A
Handbook on Historic Preservation Law. Washington, D.C.: The Conservation
Foundation and The National Center for Preservation Law, 1983, p. 7.
7 A balanced approach to sign controls is offered by Peter H. Phillips, "Sign
Controls for Historic Signs;' PAS Memo, November 1988. (Published by Ameri-
can Planning Association, Washington, D.C.).
8 See John Tymoski, "Porcelain Enamel: The Sign Industry's Most Durable
Material;' Signs of the Times, December 1990, pp. 66-71. For goldleaf, see Octo-
ber 1984 and November 1990 special issues of Signs of the Times . An excellent
short "course" in neon evaluation is offered in "Neon: The Good, the Bad, and
the Ugly," by Paul R. Davis, Identity, Spring 1991, pp. 56-59.
Acknowledgements
The author gratefully acknowledges the invaluable assistance of Beth
Savage, National Register of Historic Places . The author is also in-
debted to Rebecca Shiffer of The Society for Commercial Archeology,
and to other colleagues in the cultural resources programs of the
National Park Service, sign artists in private practice, and profeSSion-
als and preservationists in a number of organizations. These include
s taff of the Technical Preservation Services Branch, directed by H .
Ward Jandl, especially Kay Weeks, Anne Grimmer, Sharon C. Park,
and Thomas C. Jester; staff of the National Park Service Regional
Offices, especially Michael Crowe, Thomas Keohan, Catherine Colby
and Christopher Jones; deTeel Patterson Tiller and Stephen Morris,
Interagency Resources Division; Caroline Bedinger, Historic Ameri-
can Engineering Record; Catherine Lavoie and Sara Leach, Historic
American Buildings Survey, and Stan Fowler of Glen Echo Park .
Significant contributions were also made by Peter Phillips, Yuma
County Planning Department; Pratt Cassity of the National Alliance
of Preservation Commissions; Betsy Jackson, Doug Loescher and
Kennedy Smith of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Ri ch -
ard Longstreth , George Washington University; Richard Wagner,
David H . Gleason Associates, Inc .; Michael Jackson, Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency; Vance Kelley, Kansas State Historical Society;
William Pencek, Maryland Historical Trust; Chere Jiusto, Montana
Historical Society, and Gerron Hite and Stan Graves, Texas State
Historical Commission (the latter on behalf of the National Confer-
ence of State Historic Preservation Officers). The following artists
and professionals active in the sign industry offered publications,
photographs, technical material, and advice : Lynn Baxter and Tod
Swormstedt, ST Publications; Kent Smith, Kent Smith Signs; Craig
Kraft , Kraft Studios; Larry Kanter, Neon Projects; Len Davidson,
Davidson Neon Design; Thomas Ellis, The Enamelist Society; Tuno-
thy Pugh, the Porcelain Enamel Institute; William Adair, Goldleaf
Studios .
This publication has been prepared pursuant to the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which directs the Secretary of
the Interior to develop and make available information concerning
historic properties . Preservation Brief 25 was developed under the
editorship of H. Ward Jandl, Chief, Technical Preservation Services.
Comments on the usefulness of this publication may be directed to
Chief, Technical Preservation Services Branch, Preservation Assist-
ance Division, National Park Service, P.O . Box 37127, Washington,
D .C. 20013-7127.
October 1991
Date: May 14, 2020
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Anne Russett, Senior Planner
Re: 109 E. Market Street, Sanxay-Gilmore House
Background Information The Sanxay-Gilmore House, located at 109 E. Market Street, is currently owned by the University of Iowa. The University purchased the property in 2018 from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. After the change in ownership, there were many concerns regarding the future of the building. Due to the importance of this building and concerns regarding demolition, staff analyzed potential sites for relocation. Attachments 1 and 2 of this memo provide more background on the analysis completed and the sites reviewed. Ultimately, staff identified the vacant City-owned parking lot across the street from the Sanxay-Gilmore House as the most appropriate site for relocation. In addition to the staff analysis, the City pursued and was awarded an Emergency Historical Resources Development Program grant through the State Historical Society. The purpose of this grant was to assess the structural condition of the Sanxay-Gilmore House and determine whether or not it could be relocated and rehabilitated. The City contracted with Doug Steinmetz for the project and his final report concluded that the building could be moved and rehabilitated. Since the completion of the report, staff has been coordinating with the University to identify possible solutions to preserve the building and has reached an agreement with the University to move the building to the City-owned lot across the street.
Proposed Agreement The draft transfer agreement [Attachment 3] outlines the obligations of both the City and the University in preserving the Sanxay-Gilmore House. In summary, the agreement requires the following: - The University will be responsible for relocating the Sanxay-Gilmore House to the City-owned parking lot across the street from the home (the vacant surface parking lot between E. 114 and 122 E. Market Street). The University will be responsible for the cost of the move, as well as hiring the required engineers and consultants. - The University will remodel the house keeping the Secretary of Interior Standards in mind. - The University will be required to maintain and preserve the home with sensitivity to the age, architecture, and historic nature for a minimum of 40 years. If the University no longer has a use for the home within the 40-year period, the home will revert to City ownership. After the 40-year period, the University will either preserve the home on-site or on another suitable property.
May 5, 2020
Page 2
Recommendation Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend that the City Council authorize execution of this agreement.
Next Steps After the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft agreement at an upcoming meeting. Attachments: 1. Memo to the City Manager; July 2, 2018 2. Memo to the City Manager; January 2, 2019 3. Draft Real Estate Transfer Agreement
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 2, 2018
To: City Manager, Geoff Fruin
From: Ginalie Swaim, out-going Chair, Historic Preservation Commission, and Jessica Bristow,
Historic Preservation Planner
Re: Potential relocation sites for the Sanxay-Gilmore House
Introduction: Following the February 21 letter from the Gloria Dei Church that they will no
longer pursue moving the Sanxay-Gilmore House from 109 Market to the Jefferson Street
Historic District, staff, Ginalie Swaim, and the City Manager met to discuss alternative sites for
the relocation of the house, working from a list of potentially available sites assembled by staff.
At the direction of the City Manager, Ginalie Swaim and staff then evaluated the potential sites
for the relocation.
History/Background: The most appropriate site for any historic building eligible for listing on
the National Register of Historic Places is the original site. The original site maintains the
historic relationship to other historic buildings and the environment. With this house, some of the
neighboring historic buildings are non-extant. The current site maintains a relationship with the
Old Capitol, which is one of the only existing buildings from the same period (1840s), and Old
Brick, which was built in 1856 and is associated with the Sanxay family. As is evident from the
1883 through the 1933 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, the house has always been in a
neighborhood that includes both residential and institutional buildings.
To evaluate the potential sites, we looked at proximity, orientation and size of the site, and
residential and/or institutional character of the site. We photographed the sites and discussed
them, taking notes for further reference. The minimum lot size necessary with 5-foot side
setbacks, 10-foot front setback and 20-foot rear setback is a 50-foot wide lot that is 80
feet deep. This would require the rear kitchen addition, built prior to 1883, to be removed.
A deeper site may be able to keep the house intact.
Another main consideration for the move is the route. While we did not look in detail at the
feasibility of moving the house to each site, we did make note of readily apparent elements that
could impact the move. Power lines, fiber optic cables, and tree canopies all impact either the
ability or the cost of using a particular route. The house is about 36 feet wide at grade and has
an additional 5-foot entry canopy on one side and a chimney that may mean additional width on
the other side. Roof overhangs also add to the 36-foot width and this will impact the route at the
height of the tree canopy. Clinton Street is 50 feet wide and has a relatively minimal tree
canopy. Other streets possibly involved, including Davenport, Dodge, and Bloomington, are 31
feet wide and usually have an extensive tree canopy. Dodge also has power poles that sit near
the curb and would likely need to be temporarily removed.
Potential locations removed from consideration: At the initial meeting, all under-developed
or undeveloped lots north of Iowa Avenue were considered for their viability. Privately owned
parking lots in the Northside Marketplace were removed from consideration because of their
development potential. The City-owned parking lot in the 300 block of Market Street and the
Mercy-owned parking lot at the corner of Dodge and Bloomington were removed from
consideration because of their continual and active use. Several other lots were removed from
active consideration because of current development projects or distance from the site. The
remaining lots are evaluated below beginning with the closest relationship to the original site
and presented in order of preference.
Possible new sites for relocation:
1) City-owned parking lot on the north side of the 100-block of Market Street
This site is the closest in proximity and preserves the house’s relationship to the Old Capitol and
Old Brick. It is also city-owned, has the shortest move route and some of the parking could
remain at the alley after the move. The house would be rotated 180 degrees from its original
position, but the deep lot, 59 feet by 150 feet, might allow the kitchen to be retained. Within the
same block as the original, this site would be the best choice for maintaining National Register
eligibility and mitigating moving costs. A light pole in front of the site may need to be temporarily
removed. As an underutilized lot without a structure, this lot will also necessitate less cost for
preparation.
2) 530 N. Clinton Street: University-owned open lot at the corner of Church and Clinton
This site has been cleared of its historic house and now includes a diagonal sidewalk to allow
pedestrians to cut across the lot. It is in a well-maintained neighborhood with a mixture of 19th-
and early 20th-century residential and institutional buildings. The lot is 94 feet east-west and 75
feet north-south and while it may be possible for the house to face north as it currently does,
facing west would maintain a better south setback and possibly retain the kitchen addition.
Mature pine trees to the east and street trees to the north would provide a handsome park-like
setting for the house. While the site is quite a distance from the original site, Clinton Street is 50
feet wide and is the best street to travel on all of the potential routes. One stop light arm will
need to be removed, a fiber optic cable would need to be lowered in the first block, and some
street trees may need to be trimmed but not removed. This site was viewed favorably because
of context, neighborhood quality, potential ease of relocation, and the fact that it is also an
undeveloped lot with no structure.
3) 318 E. Bloomington: Privately-owned lot with modern building
This lot only came to our attention during the site visit. It is a 70 foot by 150 foot lot with a single-
story concrete-block c. 1975 building serving as a daycare center with parking to the rear. The
size of the lot would allow the house to be moved intact and retain parking at the rear. The route
for this location would likely take the house up Clinton Street to Bloomington (31 feet wide) and
may involve the removal of the 3 ash trees in the 300 block of Bloomington Street. It would also
require a fiber optic cable and a stop light arm to be lowered on Clinton Street. At the corner of
Linn and Bloomington extensive power line work would be required and would be the case for
any location east of Linn Street. This setting would place the Sanxay-Gilmore house next to and
across from other significant historic brick structures such as the Pagliai’s building and 319
Bloomington. However, its availability is unknown.
4) 305 N. Gilbert Street: Russ’s Auto Repair
This lot was considered based on rumors that the owner may be considering vacating. We have
not confirmed this. The corner lot is 80 feet east-west and 75 feet north-south. The house would
fit best on the lot facing east. Along Gilbert Street, this is a residential neighborhood. The yellow
brick house across the street at 310 N. Gilbert is a c. 1875 house. The balance of the
neighborhood is post-1910s and later infill. A potential complication with this site is the
possibility that it has underground gas tanks and the costly remediation this would require. Also,
while the site is tight and would require that the kitchen addition be removed, it is not currently
occupied by a historic structure and is closer than other locations on and past Dodge Street,
therefore requiring less cost for relocation.
5) 629 E. Market and 127 N. Dodge: two parking lots owned by Mercy Hospital
For this location to be feasible, both lots must be combined. The combined lot would be 50 feet
wide by 100 feet deep. This location would require a circuitous route for the move because of
the skywalk across Market Street. The most likely route will take the house up Clinton Street (50
feet wide) one block and down Davenport Street (31 feet wide) because of the sparser tree
canopy and power lines. It would then travel down Dodge Street (31 feet wide), impacting one
or two stop light arms. While any move that includes Dodge Street will increase the cost of the
move due to the extensive power lines, fiber optic cable and tree canopy, this area has less tree
canopy than that north of Davenport. Even so, along Dodge Street, because of its width, all
power poles at the curb would need to be temporarily removed. While this is one of the only
locations that allows the house to maintain its north-facing orientation, it is less than ideal
because the historic house would be surrounded by open parking lots, multiplexes and a one-
story parking structure. The c. 1852 Branch-Linder house is nearby at 120 N. Dodge.
6) 225 N. Gilbert Street: Owned by Mercy Hospital
This lot is 55 feet by 80 feet with a slight extension in the southwest corner. It is already
occupied by a historic house. The Sanxay-Gilmore House would narrowly fit but only if the
kitchen addition were removed. This house was built by Christian and Clara Hohenschuh five
years after they built their own house next door and likely served as rental property. The house
originally had a shallow front porch on the left side that was removed in the early 1940s.
Otherwise, it maintains many of its original details and is still significant under National Register
eligibility criteria though not individually eligible. Because of the existence of a historic house on
the lot, the Commission may not consider this lot an appropriate location if undeveloped and
under-developed lots are available. The route to this location would be similar to the route to
305 N. Gilbert but would also likely include the need to impact the emergency parking lot and
landscaping at the hospital to back onto the site.
7) 719 Church Street: Parking lot owned by Ace Hardware
This large, sloped lot is 120 feet wide and 150 feet long and could be subdivided. It is located
across from Ace Hardware and surrounded by an apartment building, a historic house, a
business, an alley and garages. In this location the house could maintain its north-facing
orientation and the lot is large enough that some parking could remain. The slope would
potentially create a walk-out basement or retaining wall situation. The house would be near a
school and a mix of commercial and residential structures. The route would include the same
complications as the route to the Mercy parking lots to the south but would be even more
difficult and expensive because of the travel distance on Dodge. To travel on Dodge in this area,
significant tree canopy would be removed, and power lines/poles and fiber optic cable
temporarily moved. A stop light arm would also be moved at Church Street.
8) 229 N. Gilbert Street: Owned by Mercy Hospital
This is the corner lot and the larger of the two houses owned by Mercy. At 50 feet by 80 feet,
this lot is the minimum needed for the Sanxay-Gilmore House. It is currently occupied by the
well-preserved 1898 Queen Anne originally owned by Christian and Clara Hohenschuh.
Christian Hohenschuh was a downtown merchant. It was built by one of Iowa City’s most
successful contractors and featured in a magazine published in Chicago the year of its
construction. With the exception of the siding and the boxed-in chimney, both which could be
rehabilitated, the house has many details intact and is eligible for listing in the National Register
for its architecture. The move would face the same complications as the previously discussed
locations on Bloomington Street and the house next door but may not impact the Mercy
emergency parking lot because of street access to back onto the site. This house is more
historically significant that the house next door (6), and the Commission may still not find it
appropriate to demolish a historic house if undeveloped and under-developed lots are available.
9) 520 and 522 N. Dodge: privately owned for sale
Each lot is 37 ½ feet by 80 feet so they would need to be combined. 522 N. Dodge is a historic
house with much original detail but is in poor condition. The house at 520 N. Dodge was built in
the 1860s but is in poor condition. It is the twin of the house to the south across the alley which
is in better condition, with better historic integrity, and possibly National Register eligible. These
lots are not ideal, partly because they would require the demolition of historic houses, even
ones in bad repair, but also because of the cost to move along Dodge Street north of
Davenport. Backing onto the lot may impact the trees at Horace Mann School across the street.
10) 724 Ronalds Street: City-owned property
This large original-sized lot currently has a historic house that was recently determined to be
non-contributing to the Brown Street Historic District by the Commission. While this lot would
provide a residential context, with several brick structures nearby, and the protection of the
historic district, it is not ideal for several reasons. The lot slopes down severely from the
sidewalk, forming a basin which would require significant fill and/or a walk-out basement
situation to create the appropriate relationship between the house and grade. In addition, the
relocation process would likely travel up Clinton Street to Davenport and along Dodge to
Ronalds. As discussed above, the removal of street trees, power lines, fiber optic cables and
stop lights would be required along the route. Ronalds Street has a significant tree canopy that
may require tree removal for 1 ½ blocks. The increased distance on Dodge Street would also
close the Highway 1 for a longer period of time. This is also the most distant property from the
original location, increasing the potential risk for an unsuccessful move and divorcing the house
from any relationship to its original context.
Conclusion:
Moving a historic house to prevent demolition is always a last resort. If the Sanxay-Gilmore
House may not remain on its original site, the City-owned parking lot across the street is the
best location because it maintains the relationship between extant historic structures and would
likely be the least complicated move. The University lot at Clinton and Church Streets provides
an ideal setting worthy of the importance of the house and would likely allow an uncomplicated
move. Any move beyond Clinton Street would require the loss of street trees. While the Mercy-
owned lots on Gilbert may be available and acceptable, the Commission would be reluctant to
promote the demolition of a National Register- eligible house for the move. The privately-owned
lots on Bloomington may be better options but their availability is unknown. The remaining lots
reviewed would incur larger costs for relocation.
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Potential Locations
Sanxay-Gilmore House
Potential Locations for the Sanxay-Gilmore HouseJuly 2, 2018
^_
Document Path--S:/PCD/Historic Preservation/14_Property Informtion/Landmark Property Potential/109 E Market/City Move Information/GIS Map
Date: January 2, 2019
To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: 109 Market, Sanxay-Gilmore House, relocation project
Introduction:
The Sanxay-Gilmore House at 109 Market Street, an important piece of Iowa City history, is
located on its original site and was recently purchased by the University of Iowa from Gloria Dei
Lutheran Church for future campus needs. Gloria Dei originally proposed relocating the house
at their expense to a nearby courtyard in the Jefferson Street Historic District. The church
backed off that plan after receiving negative feedback from the City. In a February 21, 2018
letter to the Mayor and Historic Preservation Chair, the church expressed a desire to gift the
house to an entity wishing to preserve the structure and further committed to donating $50,000
for that purpose. If the house is not moved, the University has indicated that it will demolish the
structure in the summer of 2019.
The City Council previously asked staff to investigate options for moving the house. This memo
provides the Council with such options as well as associated cost estimates that were
developed by an architect and structural engineer with expertise in historic structures.
History/Background:
Built by 1843, the Sanxay (pronounced Sanksay) Gilmore House is the oldest-known residence
remaining in Iowa City. Along with the Old Capitol, the Park House Hotel (130 East Jefferson
Street) and Old Brick (20 East Market Street) it is among the most historic buildings in Iowa City.
It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places primarily for its historic association with
the Sanxay and Gilmore families in addition to its architecture. The Sanxays were one of the
founding families of Iowa City, emigrating to Iowa from Cincinnati to sell merchandise in the
newly founded territorial capital city. Additional information on the history of the house can be
found in the attached article, “Saving Iowa City’s Oldest House.”
The historic importance of the Sanxay-Gilmore House has long been recognized in the
community. Margaret Keyes, the University of Iowa Professor who coordinated the restoration of
Old Capitol, featured the house at 109 Market Street in her 1967 book, Nineteenth-Century
Home Architecture of Iowa City. Historian Irving Weber wrote of the house multiple times in his
column for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Recent research revealed that the construction of the
house occurred at the same time that the Capitol building was being built, affirming the fact that
it is one of the oldest structures in Iowa City.
After the loss of the historic cottages in the 600 block of South Dubuque Street, City Council
directed the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to be proactive in their local
landmark process. So, in 2015, the HPC identified the Sanxay-Gilmore House as the number
one priority for historic landmark designation. That year the Planning and Zoning Commission
and City Council also recognized it in the Central District Comprehensive Plan update as a
historic building worthy of preservation.
The HPC was planning to commence the process of communicating with property owners of
eligible properties about landmark designation when news broke August 2017 indicating the
Church was planning to sell the building to the University of Iowa. While the process for this
building was paused, several other brick structures continued through the landmark process and
were designated Iowa City Historic Landmarks in early 2018.
January 2, 2019
Page 2
The original intent of the joint plan between the University of Iowa and Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church was to relocate the house at 109 Market Street to the historic open space located next
to 130 Jefferson Street and included in the Jefferson Street Historic District. This relocation
would undermine the historic integrity of both the house and the Historic District. The State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provided a formal opinion on the impact of the relocation on
the house and Historic District and the HPC and Staff worked to find alternative locations for the
house. On February 12, 2018, Preservation Iowa included the house in the 2018 list of Iowa’s
most endangered properties. On February 21, 2018, Gloria Dei wrote a letter to the Chair of the
Historic Preservation Commission that they will no longer pursue moving the house from 109
Market Street to the historic courtyard. They would also no longer take responsibility for
relocating the house but would gift the structure to entity interested in preservation and
contribute $50,000 toward that effort.
Potential Relocation Sites:
Staff assembled a list of potentially available sites, expanded from the original, adjacent,
alternate sites and evaluated them with the Chair of the HPC at the direction of the City
Manager. Potential sites included any open, non-historic, and/or underdeveloped sites north of
Iowa Avenue and west of Governor street. To evaluate the potential sites, several factors were
reviewed: proximity, orientation, and size of the site, and residential and/or institutional
character of the site. A list of potential locations was communicated to the City Manager in a
July 2, 2018 memo (attached).
The most appropriate site for any historic building eligible for listing on the National Register of
Historic Places is the original site. The original site maintains the historic relationship to other
historic buildings and the environment. With this house, some of the neighboring historic
buildings are non-extant. The current site maintains a relationship with the Old Capitol, which is
one of the only existing buildings from the same period (1840s), and Old Brick, which was built
in 1856 and is associated with the Sanxay family. As is evident from the 1883 through the 1933
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, the house has always been in a neighborhood that includes both
residential and institutional buildings. Because the University intends to demolish the structure,
alternative sites must be considered.
During an executive session with Council on July 17, 2018, to discuss purchase of potential
relocation sites, the sites identified in the July 2nd memo were discussed including several in the
North Marketplace Neighborhood and several that were for sale or already owned by the City. In
the time since the Executive Session, staff has identified the following as potential relocation
sites (see attached map):
• City-owned parking lot on the north side of the 100-block of Market Street
• City-owned home at 225 N. Gilbert Street
• City owned home at 229 N. Gilbert Street
• City owned home at 724 Ronalds Street
Financial Impact:
Staff and the HPC applied for an Emergency Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP)
grant from the state to hire a consultant to evaluate and assess the structural requirements for
relocating the house and the scope of work for the relocation and mothballing of the house.
Historic architect, Doug Steinmetz, and his structural engineer, Todd Birkel, were hired to
complete the assessment. Coordination between the structural engineer and the movers,
Goodwin Housemoving, is ongoing and should be complete in January.
The Consultant has provided draft estimates for structural stabilization during and after the
move, mothballing the house after the move, abandoning the old site, and full rehabilitation and
adaptive reuse. Staff has estimated the relocation costs. These costs may change depending
on the final site chosen and the route.
January 2, 2019
Page 3
Breakdown of included costs:
Building relocation cost estimates:
Mover’s costs (narrow or distant sites will have additional costs)
Power line work (Mid American Energy)
Fiber-optic cable (Century Link)
Tree trimming and removal on route (scope unknown until site determined)
Management/coordination of move (about 200 hours additional HP staff time)
Structural Stabilization, landscaping, mothballing and new foundation:
New full 8-foot basement with above grade appropriate detailing
New beams and columns
New below-grade utilities
Concrete floor
Basement windows matching historic windows and locations
New porch foundations and slabs or piers
Landscape backfill, paving, and seeding at new site
Mothballing
Brick repair from move
Spot roof repair and downspout installation
Reattachment of kitchen
Porch repair/reconstruction
New porch roofs and internal gutters
Exterior wood painting
New HVAC, electrical and plumbing attached to existing systems
Additional Structural needs- unknown for now but may be covered in cost
Old Site Abandonment:
Repair sidewalk
Remove foundation, utility
Backfill and seed
City costs not included at this time:
Street sign removal and reinstallation (City- not included at this time)
Signal arm removal and reinstallation (City- not included at this time)
Parking meter removal and reinstallation (City- not included at this time)
Cost Tables:
Building Relocation
Goodwin Housemovers $100,000
Mid-American Energy $70,000
Centurylink $12,000
Tree estimate $12,000
Contingency 20% $38,800
Additional staff time for PM $9,000
Total $241,800
Foundation, Landscaping, and Mothballing at new site
Cost Estimate for work $225,600
Contingency 20% $45,120
Professional Fees 15% $40,608
Total $311,328
January 2, 2019
Page 4
Old Site Abandonment
Cost Estimate for work $20,000
Total $20,000
Other:
Hazardous materials removal at either site is not addressed. The building relocation costs are
likely to vary a great deal depending on the final site chosen. The estimates are based on a
move to the neighborhood of the Gilbert Street locations. The site across Market Street should
allow for a much greater reduction in move costs, especially through Mid-American Energy. The
site in the 700 block of Ronalds Street would have much higher costs for the relocation and for
the Foundation, Landscaping and Mothballing portion of the project because of unique site
conditions. This location would also lead to a substantial impact on the tree canopy along the
route.
The original discussion with the consultant about the professional fees included an additional
$24,000 for the coordination during the move. It was discussed that Historic Preservation Staff
may be better positioned to perform this task with greater efficiency and reduced cost so an
estimate of the cost for additional staff time (over the existing 20 hours per week) was included
in the table. If an outside consultant provided this coordination, the cost would be an estimated
$24,000 instead of the $9,000 included in the table.
Additionally, with the exception of the design of the new basement and structural systems, HP
Staff could act as project manager and general contractor for the Foundation, Landscaping and
Mothballing portions and reduce the costs for professional fees. Coordination of subcontractors
for this work is something with which staff has considerable experience. It would likely take an
additional 200 hours of staff time (over staff’s existing 20 hours per week). This is in addition to
the potential 200 hours Project Management for the move and is estimated based on a past
move project. If the City were to proceed in this direction, the $40,600 Professional Fee would
be reduced to the cost required for the design of the basement and structural systems plus an
amount estimated to be roughly $9,000 for additional HP staff time to perform this service.
It may be possible for the site abandonment costs to be reduced through coordination with the
University when they plan to demolish adjacent remaining houses on Clinton Street next
summer.
Finally, the consultant has a preliminary estimate for a complete rehabilitation and adaptive
commercial reuse of the building following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation and includes steps such as re-opening the main staircase, repairing and
refinishing interior materials, and replacing all interior MEP systems. This portion of the project
does not need to be completed or planned for immediately. The mothballing portion of the
project listed above would be sufficient to allow the house to sit in stasis on a new site without
further deterioration. Ultimately a rehabilitation project would need to be completed prior to
reuse by the City or another entity/owner. It is possible that the City could find cost savings once
a final use is determined. These potential costs in a rough estimate are as follows:
Full Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse
Cost Estimate for work $480,000
Contingency 20% $96,000
Professional Fees 15% $86,400
Total $662,400
January 2, 2019
Page 5
City Council Direction Requested:
Staff is requesting City Council direction on the next steps for this project. The proposed FY20
budget includes $330,000 for the relocation of the house. This cost estimate was a placeholder
while we were waiting on the official estimates from the consultant. These dollars combined with
$50,000 brings the total available funding to $380k, which is short of the $573,128 estimate for
moving and mothballing. If the Council wishes to pursue the move further, it will need to amend
staff’s recommended budget by adding $193,128 or by $855,528 if full rehabilitation is desired.
These expenses include some contingency dollars but do not include ongoing maintenance of
the building.
The four sites under consideration are all city-owned, thus land acquisition is not required.
However, it should be pointed out that the City-owned parking lot on Market Street likely has a
value near $1 million and that the two homes on N. Gilbert were recently bought for $185,000
(225 Gilbert) and $250,000 (229 Gilbert). The two homes on Gilbert Street were purchased with
loan funds from our UniverCity lenders. If either of the homes on Gilbert Street are chosen as
the new site, City funds must be used to repay the loan. The City will also need to include
demolition costs. The home on Ronalds Street was purchased a few years ago through a
condemnation and the City has previously discussed using it for a missing middle housing
demonstration site. This site would also need to include demolition costs as well as additional
route and landscaping costs.
Prior to proceeding with any further plans, staff is requesting City Council direction on whether
the City still wishes to proceed with relocation given the costs and available sites. If so, it will be
important to amend the proposed budget and select a location so that the move can take place
this summer.
Attachments:
Map of remaining relocation sites
November 29, 2017 article “Saving Iowa City’s Oldest House” by Alicia Trimble and Ginalie
Swaim
February 15, 2018 letter from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
February 21, 2018 letter from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
March 5, 2018 letter from Mayor Throgmorton to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
July 2, 2018 memo from City staff and the HPC Chair to the City Manager
Remaining relocation sites for the Sanxay-Gilmore House, 109 Market Street
Fall 2014 1
ACTING UPON RECOMMENDATIONS from the Iowa
City Historic Preservation Commission and the Plan-
ning and Zoning Commission, the City Council in 2015
amended the comprehensive plan to include identifica-
tion of the house at 109 East Market Street as a historic
property worthy of preservation. The Sanxay-Gilmore
House was long believed to date as far back as the late
1850s.
Compelling new evidence tells us that the house was
built much earlier, and therefore is even more significant.
We now know that it is likely the oldest remaining house
within the original city limits. It stands with Old Capitol as
the town’s oldest structures.
This new research in tax records and newspapers re-
veals that the Sanxay-Gilmore House was built by 1843.
That discovery makes its protection imperative. We be-
lieve that every effort must be made to keep the house
where it is, where its history unfolded. A building’s his-
toric significance lies in its architectural integrity and in
its association with the people and events from the past.
The Sanxay-Gilmore House is rich in both. The physical
house and the story of the people who lived in it tell us
much about Iowa City’s past.
Helping a Town Grow and Flourish
THE SANXAY FAMILY, for whom the house is named, is
interwoven in Iowa City’s history almost from the begin-
ning. The year before the Sanxays arrived, the town had
been platted, Robert Lucas as territorial governor had
made his first visit, and Chauncey Swan had contracted
with an architect for a new capitol.
Saving Iowa City’s Oldest House
Built by March 1843, the house at 109 East Market was home to the Sanxay family (pronounced Sank-say), who played important
roles in early Iowa City, and to Eugene Gilmore, retired University of Iowa president, in the 1940s.
by Alicia Trimble (executive director, Friends of Historic Preservation)
and Ginalie Swaim (chairperson, Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission)PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF IOWA CITY
2 Iowa Heritage Illustrated
In February 1840, Frederic Sanxay and his twenty-
one-year-old son, Theodore, arrived with a stock of goods
to sell to the emigrants pouring into this “embryo city,”
as one town founder called it. The first sawmill couldn’t
keep up with carpenters’ demands. Fortunately that
April Sylvanus Johnson began making bricks, such that
on July 4, the Sanxays and business partner Malcolm
Murray dedicated their store, the town’s first two-story
brick structure. The same day the cornerstone of the capi-
tol was set in place.
By 1841, young Theodore Sanxay had purchased
Lot 3 at Clinton and Market streets, envisioning a family
home there. He married Hettie Perry in 1842. The two-
story house built for the couple (probably of Sylvanus
Johnson’s bricks) was finished in time for the birth of their
first son, Theodore Frederic Sanxay, in March 1843. Sec-
ond son James Perry Sanxay was also born in the house,
in 1846. Another son died before age three.
The house was built in the popular and elegant Greek
Revival style, as was the nearby capitol. As the family’s
economic standing grew, so did their home. The adjoining
Lot 4 was purchased. An addition with Italianate details
was added to the west. Two more additions followed.
Every morning, from his fine brick home at 109 East
Market, Theodore Sanxay strode out into the busy world
of Iowa City civic life and commerce. He was quickly be-
coming a mover and shaker. By 1844, he was a trustee and
founding member of First Presbyterian Church. (Twelve
years later, the stately building we now call Old Brick
would be built diagonally across Market Street from his
home.) Starting in the 1850s he helped push local man-
ufacturing, plan a high school, and promote the town’s
first railroad. He served as a director, vice president, and
acting president of the Johnson County Savings Bank.
The store the Sanxays had started in 1840 had shifted
to selling hardware and iron in a new location at Clinton
and Washington. The brick building there grew from two
stories to three, and expanded to the east. Years later the
building became known as Whetstone’s and it now hous-
es Panchero’s. But for decades it was referred to simply as
Sanxay’s Corner, so integral was the family to the town.
Although J. P. Sanxay, the second son, ran the store,
he “developed for everything like business, and all its ac-
tivities, such intense antipathy, to render him almost mor-
bid,” according to his brother. Although he took up other
interests and moved away, J. P. and his wife retired to the
family home at 109 E. Market, where he died in 1901.
Meanwhile, his brother, Theodore Frederic, had
become an attorney in the East. He still read Iowa City
newspapers and tried to visit every year. He wrote the
Old Settlers Association in 1908, “The circumstance of
my birth in Iowa City gives me a great affection for the
place, and I confess that, though the major part of my life
has been lived elsewhere, as the years roll on I find my
thoughts turning more and more to the old home of my
boyhood, and I begin to feel that I should like to end my
life there, where it began.” He died in New York in 1925
but was buried here in Oakland Cemetery. An impressive
monument marks his grave.
His love of his hometown extended to the Univer-
sity of Iowa. His estate established an annual award for a
liberal arts graduate; the award still exists as the Sanxay
Prize. The initial gift for the prize was $15,000 —equal to
$210,000 in today’s dollars.
Sharing a History with the University
IN 1946, EUGENE AND BLANCHE GILMORE bought
“the little neo-classic house on East Market street,” as
Blanche described it. Eugene Gilmore served as Univer-
sity of Iowa president from 1934 to 1940 (and before that,
as vice governor-general of the Philippine Islands, and
then professor and dean of the UI law school). Despite
the troubling economic times of the Great Depression, the
university under his leadership acted entrepreneurially,
adding the Law Commons, Hillcrest Residence Hall, the
Theatre Building, and the Art Building to the campus.
According to Blanche Gilmore, the Sanxay-Gilmore
House’s unusually large foundation stones were “left
over from the construction of the capitol building.” That
certainly seems fitting, because the Sanxays, arriving here
even before Old Capitol was begun, were certainly part
of the foundation of this community. Their 1843 house—
and its juxtaposition to the downtown and campus—is a
compelling reminder of the early days in Iowa City, when
bricks were just becoming available but entrepreneurship
and civic values were already paramount.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church has owned the house in
recent decades and has been a good steward. Now the
church is selling the lot to the University of Iowa and pro-
posing to move the house (with university assistance) to
the courtyard at 130 E. Jefferson Street.
At first glance, this might seem like a good solution.
The National Park Service, however, states that historic
buildings should remain where their history happened.
In other words, the location and orientation of the Sanxay-
Gilmore House is indeed part of its story and key to its
significance.
Protecting a Historic Green Space
FURTHERMORE, THE COURTYARD at 130 E. Jeffer-
son (the proposed receiving site) is part of another story.
The State Historic Preservation Office, representing the
National Park Service, has delineated several issues re-
lated to inserting the house here. One of these issues is
the courtyard’s association with the adjoining building,
known historically as the Park House Hotel (1852-1857)
Fall 2014 3
and St. Agatha’s Female Seminary. St. Agatha’s was a
girls’ boarding and day school operated by the Sisters of
Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Sisters of Charity in the Midwest—like Cathe-
rine Beecher and other 19th-century educators — valued
natural spaces for its female students. Physical exercise
in the outdoors was essential; so were opportunities to
study botany and contemplate nature. When the Sisters
of Charity started advertising another Iowa school simi-
lar to St. Agatha’s in 1858, they extolled its location “in
the midst of a grove of luxuriant timber, the shady walks
of which, together with the grounds which are elegantly
laid out, render it a most eligible place for the instruction
of young Ladies.” After St. Agatha’s opened on Jefferson
Street in 1861, a stable was moved from the courtyard and
a board fence erected, granting the students and teachers
some privacy and protection. Later, an arbor appeared.
According to 1880s catalogs for St. Agatha’s, the school
“derives many advantages from its location in Iowa City,
is beautifully and healthfully situated between groves,
woods, and on a winding river.”
St. Agatha’s closed in 1909 and the large building be-
came Svendi Hall (and later Burkley Place), a privately
owned women’s dormitory. The women boarders would
have enjoyed the courtyard as a remnant of nature.
Over all these decades, the courtyard has functioned
as a tranquil, restorative green space in a heavily built
area of town. Inserting an 1843 house here would be a dis-
service not only to the needs of today’s urban dwellers,
but also to the history of both the Sanxay-Gilmore House
and St. Agatha’s. The significance of two historic proper-
ties would be diminished.
Honoring a Sense of Place
WE ENCOURAGE the University of Iowa to build upon
its long commitment to historic properties and its part-
nership with the Iowa City community. As the university
conducts feasibility studies for construction of an entre-
preneurial center in the area, we believe that its leaders
should indeed embrace its entrepreneurial and innova-
tive spirit and build around this historic home at 109
East Market—just as the Pappajohn Building was built
around Gilmore Hall on campus. There are plenty of
national examples of new architecture juxtaposed with
historic structures, where new and old complement each
other. It can be done. Here lies a wonderful opportunity
for the university and creative architects to do something
truly stellar, in honor of our shared history.
And we urge the City of Iowa City to work with all
parties to protect the Sanxay-Gilmore House, the oldest
house within our original city limits, and to keep it where
it first arose in 1843—a contemporary in time, space, and
story of Old Capitol itself.
130 E. Jefferson Street was St. Agatha’s Female Seminary for Girls for five decades, and then Svendi Hall, a private dormitory
for women. This photo, circa 1891, shows the courtyard west of the building. BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES. Even today, the courtyard at 130 Jefferson holds true to its ori-
gins as a treasured green space in the oldest part of Iowa City.PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF IOWA CITY
AGREEMENT TO TRANSFER REAL ESTATE BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS, STATE OF IOWA
WHEREAS, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, for the use and benefit of the University
of Iowa (hereinafter “UI) purchased real property located at 109 E. Market Street, Iowa City,
Iowa for future growth and development of the UI campus; and
WHEREAS, located on the above referenced land is an older home referred to by City as
the Sanxay-Gilmore home (hereinafter “Home”) determined by the City of Iowa City (hereinafter
“City”) to be of significance and value to the City and community; and
WHEREAS, UI has agreed not to raze the Home if the Home could be moved, at a
reasonable cost, to a suitable alternative location; and
WHEREAS, City owns the metered parking lot across the street from the Home, and such
otherwise vacant parcel is approximately the same size as the parcel where the Home now sits;
and
WHEREAS City and UI have determined the City owned parking lot site can
accommodate and is a suitable location for the Home.
THEREFORE, City and UI enter into this Agreement to Transfer Real Estate (hereinafter
“Agreement”) whereby under certain terms and conditions agreed to by the parties as set forth
within this Agreement, City shall transfer to UI a parcel of land identified as Parcel#1010305002
and further described as the East 59’ of the West 63’, Lot 7, Block 77 Original Town, Iowa City,
Iowa. All as described and depicted on Exhibit A, attached to and incorporated into this
Agreement, (hereinafter the “Property”).
1. Transfer Price. As UI will be paying for the cost of the Home relocation, remodeling the
Home, and the upkeep and maintenance of the Home into the future; and under the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, City shall transfer the Home to UI for no cost ($0.00) upon
the satisfaction and waiver of all of UI’s obligations and conditions specified herein.
2. UI Pre-Transfer Obligations.
• UI, at its sole cost and expense shall contract to initiate a Phase I environmental
assessment. Any negative findings in such assessment shall be shared with City within 3
days of receipt of the report.
• UI, at its sole cost and expense shall retain the services of an engineering, structural, and/or
design professional to develop plans and specifications for: a) the physical move/relocation
of the Home from its current location at 109 Market Street, Iowa City to the Property; and
b) a new foundation to be built on the Property to support the Home; and c) all new utility
connections for the Home on the Property; and d) plans for final site development,
including parking, of the home at the Property; and e) interior and exterior renovations of
the Home to support new programmatic space for UI that are sensitive to the age and
architecture of the Home, with the further understanding that UI shall consult the
guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Properties as it plans
any exterior renovations to the Property; and f) site restoration of the Home’s former site
on University property. The City may designate a staff member to be part of the UI project
team that develops such plans and specifications. As plans are developed, City shall make
the Property available to UI for necessary testing and inspections. UI shall only be
obligated to restore the property following any such testing if UI elects not to move forward
with Home relocation or if such testing leaves one or more revenue generating parking
spaces usable for a period of more than seven days.
.
• Upon completion of the above specified plans and specifications, UI shall issue the
documents for public bidding thru its regular policy and procedures for bidding capital
projects per State of Iowa Code; but will not award the contract until the Property is
transferred as set forth below under Section 4.
3. City Pre-Transfer Representations & Obligations.
• City represents that to the best of its knowledge and belief there are no encumbrances, liens
or mortgages on the Property; and City shall not further encumber the Property with any
mortgages or liens without prior written approval from UI.
• City, at its expense, shall obtain an abstract of title to the Property continued through a
date not more than 30 days prior to the scheduled closing of this transaction and deliver it
to UI. It shall show marketable title in City in conformity with this Agreement, Iowa law
and title standards of the Iowa Bar Association. City shall make every reasonable effort to
promptly perfect title. If closing is delayed due to City’s inability to provide marketable
title, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until either party terminates the
Agreement after giving ten days written notice to the other party. The abstract shall become
the property of UI when the conveyance instrument from City to UI is recorded
• City warrants to the best of its knowledge and belief there are no abandoned wells, solid
waste disposal sites, hazardous wastes or substances, or underground storage tanks located
on the Property, and City has done nothing to contaminate the Property with hazardous
wastes or materials. City warrants the Property is not subject to any local, state or federal
judicial or administrative action, investigation or order, as the case may be, regarding
wells, solid waste disposal sites, hazardous wastes or substances, or underground storage
tanks. If there exists any abandoned wells, UI may require City to cap the well in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• City shall bear the risk of loss or damage to the Property prior to closing and possession.
City agrees to maintain existing liability insurance on the entire Property
4. Closing and Transfer. Closing shall occur after the plans and specifications are developed
and bid in Section 2 above of this Agreement but before UI awards the contract in accordance with
Board of Regents policies and processes. This transaction shall be considered closed upon the
delivery of the title transfer documents to UI. City shall convey the Property to UI via warranty
deed, free and clear of all liens, restrictions and encumbrances except as provided in Section 5 of
this Agreement. City and UI are both exempt from real estate taxes, and as such, there are no real
estate taxes to pro-rate at the time of transfer from City to UI.
5. UI Post Closing Obligation. UI shall maintain and preserve the Home with sensitivity to
the age, architecture, and historic nature of the Home for a minimum period of forty (40) years
following the transfer date from City to UI. If the UI determines it no longer has use for the home
within the forty year period the home and property shall revert to City ownership and the UI shall
transfer the property to City by warranty deed free and clear of all liens, restrictions and
encumbrances.. After the forty year preservation period the UI agrees to either preserve the home
on-site or on another suitable property, or provide the City the ability to relocate the home with
an accompanying two-year period to accomplish the move. Should the city not exercise the option
to relocate the home and the UI moves forward with sale of both the home and property, the UI
agrees not to object to any City led effort to designate the structure as a national and/or local
historic landmark.
6. General Provisions. In the performance of each part of this Agreement, time shall be of
the essence. This Agreement shall apply to and bind the successors in interest of the parties. This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and shall not be amended except by a
written instrument duly signed by City and UI. Paragraphs and headings are for convenience of
reference and shall not limit or affect the meaning of this Agreement. Words and phrases herein
shall be construed as in the singular or plural number, and as masculine, feminine or neuter gender
according to the context.
7. Survival. Provisions of this Agreement intended by their terms and conditions to (i) take
effect after closing or (ii) continue in effect after closing, shall survive the closing on this
transaction.
Approved for UI:
David Kieft Date
Business Manager, University of Iowa
Approved for City:
___________________________________
Bruce Teague Date
Mayor, City of Iowa City
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 28, 2020
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Kevin Boyd, Chair, Historic Preservation Commission
Re: Montgomery-Butler House
Request: We ask City Staff to help form a working group of relevant city departments and
citizens out a plan and recommendation for an adaptive reuse and path forward for the
Montgomery-Butler House.
Background: The City acquired this historic asset in the 1990s as part of the land acquisitions
for the water plant site. Shortly after, the City received a grant to moth-ball the property to
preserve it for future use. While it is located in Waterworks Prairie Park, the land surrounding
the water treatment facility at the park is maintained by the Public Works Department. We likely
need representatives of all relevant City Departments as well as citizens including someone
from our commission, someone from Parks and Recreation Commission, perhaps some of the
regular users of Waterworks park (many of whom recently engage the City Council over an
unrelated issue). It’s our job to provide concrete direction and let the City Staff map out the
details.
Why find an adaptive reuse of the Montgomery-Butler House?
1. Previous City leaders made this commitment. The City acquired a historic asset in
the late 1990s as part of the land acquisition for the water plant site. The City received a
grant to moth-ball the property for future reuse. That moth-balling is showing signs of
failure. We need to act.
2. The City has had recent success in adaptive reuse of historic properties. Public
Space One’s new home at 225 and 229 N Gilbert is a great example of the City
preserving historic resources and opening up discussions and ideas from the community
about what the use for this historic asset might be. The group should invite a community
discussion about how to use this historic asset. While the result might simply be a
shelter or trail head, the creative minds of our community may result in a great idea.
3. It’s the right thing to do during the climate crisis. The structure already contains the
embodied energy, the energy it used to construct the building - its materials, transport,
and assembly. If the building is demolished because of neglect, that energy is lost. Let’s
keep this city-owned resource out of the landfill and find another use for this structure.
It’s an opportunity to lead by example - get the community thinking about how to reuse
buildings instead of demolishing them and adding to our landfill.
4. It’s part of our shared history. Cultural continuity between generations, stitch together
our past and our future. Walter and Elizabeth Butler were a little like the godparents of
Iowa City. When the territorial legislature needed a place to meet in Iowa City, the
Butlers built what came to be known as Butler’s Capitol. After Walter’s death, Elizabeth
lived in this house and with her second husband, Martin Montgomery, they operated a
ferry to cross the Iowa River at this point on Dubuque Road. This structure was likely
built between 1856 and 1859. Finding an adaptive reuse is part of the Historic
Preservation Commission’s Annual Work Plan and the City’s Historic Preservation Plan.
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
April 9, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Agran, Kevin Boyd, Helen Burford, Gosia Clore, Sharon
DeGraw, Lyndi Kiple, Cecile Kuenzli, Quentin Pitzen, Jordan
Sellergren
MEMBERS ABSENT: Austin Wu
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow, Anne Russett
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Boyd called the electronic meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
utilizing Zoom. An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or
impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members, staff, and the
public presented by COVID-19.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS – CONSENT AGENDA:
922 Rundell Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (entry porch modification).
MOTION: Kuenzli moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Agran seconded the motion.
The motion carried on a vote of 9-0.
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF
Certificate of No Material Effect – Chair and Staff Review.
809 Ronalds Street – Brown Street Historic District (roof shingle replacement).
Bristow said asphalt shingles were replaced with new asphalt shingles, switching from three-tab
to architectural shingles.
Minor Review – Staff Review.
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical
due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members, staff and the public
presented by COVID-19.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2020
Page 2 of 5
920 Dearborn Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (front stoop and step
replacement).
Bristow explained this property had a slab spanning from under the pair of front windows all the
way to the driveway. She said it would be replaced with a new slab that is just in front of the
entryway, with stairs coming off forward and the sidewalk going off to the side.
Intermediate Review – Chair and Staff Review.
813 Rundell Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (rear basement egress window).
Bristow noted whole Commission review was not needed for this rear egress window since the
property was in a conservation district. She said the window would not be visible based on its
location.
820 Ronalds Street – Brown Street Historic District (minor change to a previous COA –
revisions to opening configuration on new outbuilding).
Bristow explained this outbuilding was approved a few years ago by the Commission. Since the
owner decided to change the upper floor to an accessory apartment, there will now be an
exterior door placed on the west side of the outbuilding.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR MARCH 12, 2020
MOTION: Agran moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission’s
March 12, 2020 meeting. Clore seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0.
COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION:
Historic Preservation Fund Report (deferred from March 12, 2020 meeting).
Bristow shared a pie chart showing the number of Historic Preservation Fund projects approved
in each of the districts.
Bristow noted that funding began in the first six months of 2017, with only one project, a porch
repair.
In calendar year 2018, which bridged two fiscal years, approved projects included siding repair
and replacement, some storm window repair, repair of regular windows, roof replacement - a
wood shingle roof, an exterior stair replacement, some painting, and some general wood
repairs.
Projects in calendar year 2019 included some porch repair, window repair, and roof
replacement.
Bristow shared costs of different types of work. Siding repair and replacement is an expensive
project. General repair included work on things like columns and trim. Storm windows were a
lower cost item.
Bristow explained project costs based on fiscal year. With a 50% match, the total available for
loans/grants is $40,000. She noted the amount paid out has been less than the available
amount, in part due to a project price cap.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2020
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Bristow said there are still four projects outstanding from last fiscal year. She said some were
approved toward the end of the fiscal year and they also had a problem with a window repair
contractor. In the previous year, all seven approved projects were completed.
In the current fiscal year, Bristow said five projects have been approved. She said two additional
applications were submitted last week.
Bristow noted the amount paid out over time has been around the $30,000 range even though
there is $40,000 available. She said she pushes this funding for any project where it is
applicable, but not everybody wants to apply. She wondered if raising the threshold would help.
Currently the Commission is paying a maximum of 50% ($5,000) on a $10,000 project. Bristow
said some of the approved projects came in higher than the current cap, helping explain why not
all funds were paid out. She also believed more applicants were needed. She said at least one
more project could have been taken on for each year so far.
Agran wondered if there were people interested in doing $2000 projects who could not afford
their $1000 share. He thought another way to look at it would be to fund projects under $4000 at
a 75% rate and a $10,000 project could still be at the 50% rate.
Bristow thought that was a good idea. She said applicants can split projects up and can do two
projects in a fiscal year.
Boyd asked if there was a website that explained the program.
Bristow said all documents can be found on the City’s website, doing a search for Historic
Preservation.
Boyd suggested leaders of historic neighborhoods be made aware of the Historic Preservation
Fund.
Kuenzli said if neighborhood associations were still meeting, it would be nice if Commission
members could attend a meeting to talk about the Historic Preservation Fund.
Burford asked what happened to funds that were not dispersed.
Bristow said if an approved project is not complete, a request is submitted to the City to roll
those earmarked funds to the next fiscal year so payment can be made upon completion and
the Commission would still have a $40,000 pool for new projects. She said so far those have all
been approved. The $9000 that was not allocated in the first fiscal year rolled into other City
funds.
DeGraw asked if any program changes would be considered based on new circumstances with
applicant employment or income, as an example citing the many challenges caused by
Coronavirus this year.
Bristow said there is an income cap. Above that amount it is a loan and below that amount it is a
grant. Loss of employment may drop someone below the cap, making project funding a grant
instead of a loan.
Kuenzli asked if the grant cap was $5000, which was verified by Bristow.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2020
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Burford wondered if unused funds could be dedicated to the Montgomery-Butler House instead
of going back to the City’s general fund.
Bristow said she could ask but was not sure that would be an option based on Finance policies.
Preserve Iowa Summit, Dubuque, June 4-6, 2020.
Bristow explained the summit will now be virtual. Because of that they are going to lower the
registration costs. The exact amount is not known yet. Since it will be virtual, attendees will not
have costs for food, transportation, or lodging. Since costs will be much less, more
Commissioners may be able to attend/view the sessions. She asked that Commissioners send
her an email if they are interested. The early bird deadline is May 11th.
Annual Historic Preservation Awards Update.
Bristow said she sent out notification to the awardees and she has started hearing back from
them.
Bristow said Channel 4, who normally films the awards, is looking at doing more of a Zoom
presentation. That way people could present the different projects from the comfort of their own
home. Bristow said filming at the Library with just two or three people in an empty room might
be awkward. She said she would send an email to the award committee to set up a meeting to
discuss options.
ADJOURNMENT: Kuenzli moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Clore.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Judy Jones
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 9, 2020
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2019-2020
NAME
TERM
EXP. 5/09 5/23 6/13 8/08 8/19 9/12 10/10 11/14 12/12 1/09 2/13 3/12 4/09
AGRAN,
THOMAS 6/30/20 O/E X X X X X X X X X O/E X X
BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/20 X O/E X X X X O/E X O/E X X X X
BUILTA, ZACH 6/30/19 X X X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
BURFORD,
HELEN 6/30/21 X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X
CLORE,
GOSIA 6/30/20 O/E X O/E O/E X X X X O/E X X X X
DEGRAW,
SHARON 6/30/19 X X O/E X X O/E O/E X O/E X X O/E X
KARR, G. T. 6/30/20 X X X X X X -- -- -- -- -- -- --
KUENZLI,
CECILE 6/30/19 X X O/E X X O/E O/E X X X X O/E X
KIPLE, LYNDI 6/30/22 -- -- -- X X X X X X O/E O/E X X
PITZEN,
QUENTIN 6/30/21 X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X
SELLERGREN,
JORDAN 6/30/22 -- -- -- X X X X X X O/E O/E X X
SHOPE, LEE 6/30/21 X X O/E -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
WU, AUSTIN 6/30/20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- O/E X X O/E