HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-14 CorrespondenceFebruary I, 1995
Mayor Susan Horowitz
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
~ar Mayor Horowitz:
Thank you for your patience in answering questions, ~ieldin~
opinions from Councilors, and listening to +he loyal oppositiov
regarding the Creenvir-.w proposal for SE Iowa City.
You want more low income housing. Please consider an option: if
owners of land wests east, or north of Iowa City will not sell to
the city for the purpose of a manufaetm-ed home park, offer more
money or condemn the land for mabile home development as was done
to con;truct the wastewater treatment plant.
Regardless of n~ney offered, no one Js likely to sell land,
evidence that the issue in those areas is against the n~bile homes
d~emselves. That bias has never been mentioned in my hearing by
any of the loyal opposition to 'the Greenview or Lake Calvin
proposals. ~e only say enough is enough. No more until others
bear their share.
Now tile task is to make possible whatever housing is needed so
long as it is dispersed throughout the north, east, and west of
the ei ty until an equity is reached, whether by mean or median
income level in each quadrant of the city~ or by number of
dwellings, or population, or . . .
I appreciate the need for housing responsive to market needs (so
called a'ffordable housing), and hope consideration will be given
to the same or similar low incqa~e development plans north, east,
or west o~ Iowa City as wetl as to houses in tile SE quadrant that
represent higher incomes.
Only then will the "mix of housing types" stated in the
Cm~)rehensive Plan, 1989 revision, Housing Policy "b," be realized
in Iowa City. We who live south o£ Higbway 6 want to be part of
Iowa City~ not merely a nearby low-income ghetto.
Sincerely,
50 *~tber Lane
Iowa City, IA 522t~0
February 8, 1995
To: Mayor Susan Horowitz and Members of the Iowa City City Council
re: REZ-93007 & .R:EZ-940019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the days immediately preceding the public meeting of the Iowa City City Council on
January 31, 1995, four events occurred that were highly relevant to the Weeber-Harlocke planning
and zoning matters on the Council's Agenda for that meeting: (1) The Ruppert family unilaterally
withdrew from the agreement that had been the basis of certain zoning changes approved by the
Planning & Zoning Commission; (2) in explaining its reason for the withdrawal, the Ruppert
family stated that a newly received land evaluation showed that the agreement was less
advantageous to itself than it had previously thought; (3) the City Attorney submitted a
Memorandum to the Mayor and City Council expressing certain views about the legal
implications of the rezoning proposals then pending before the Council; (4) the Parks and
Recreation Commission (through its subcommittee for implementation of the Neighborhood Open
Space Plan) presented an outline of a park and open spaces plan for the area bounded by
Hatlocke, West Benton Street, Miller Street, and Route 1.
The City Council referred the Weeber-Harlocke matter back to the Planning & Zoning
Commission primarily on the basis of the collapse of the previously negotiated agreement and
with strong advice to all interested parties to engage in a good faith effort to reach an agreement.
The unilateral termination of the previous agreement only underlines how difficult a negotiated
solution will be. Of course the issues must eventually be resolved by the Planning & Zoning
Commission and the City Council with some input from various interested parties. Whatever the
process that leads to decision, it may be affected by the attitudes and assumptions of participants
concerning the other three events that occurred in the last days of January. For that reason, I
want to comment briefly on each of those events.
(1) The land appraisal values. The Ruppert family has made it clear that they repudiated
their previous agreement because, on their reappraisal, they would not make as great a profit from
the sale of the land as they had anticipated. It is well known that appraisals, even by competent
and disinterested appraisers, may vary greatly. To the extent that the zoning impact on the value
of various pieces of property is considered in making zoning decisions affecting the Weeber-
Harlocke area and related areas, it is important to be cautious about accepting asserted values.
What I want particularly to emphasize, however, is that no one has a right to profit from land
sales on the basis of the zoning designation that happens to be in effect at any particular time.
On the contrary, the City has broad discretion to revise its zoning ordinances when it has
appropriate reasons for doing so in the public interest.
(2) The City Attorney's Memorandum. In her Memorandum to the Mayor and City
Council, dated January 27, 1995, the City Attorney raised certain questions about the legality of
Mayor Susan Horowitz and Members of Iowa City City Council
February 8, 1995
page2
the zoning changes then being proposed to the C~ty Coanefi. From a L:g~in~of
Memorandum as a whole, it appears that she was primarily discussing the Jen~$~
j ust~fieation of RS5 zoning on the basis of the different amounts of traffic gene~ed by'&~85 and
RS8 zoning. Her expressed concerns were based on certain assumptions about traffe volume,
but these assumptions were shown to be questionable by William Knabe at the January 31st City
Council meeting. Nevertheless, there are certain comments in the Memorandum which might
lead some readers to an erroneous conclusion that the proposed zoning changes would be treated,
as a matter of law, as if they were the equivalent of an eminent domain taking of private property
requiring compensation by the City. Without making any attempt at a detailed legal analysis of
the Memorandum, I want to make three observations to outline why I believe such a conclusion
would be quite wrong:
1/The City has very great discretion to make zoning changes, including "downzoning" changes.
Any zoning action taken by the City for the public interest carries a strong presumption of
validity.
2/ According to Iowa law, the permissible basis for zoning changes includes public health,
comfort, safety, and welfare (for which consideration may be given to traffic congestion, the
impact on adjacent property values, and the impact on natural features of land).
3/Even when regulation has resulted in very great reduction of the economic value of property,
the Supreme Court of the United States has refused to consider the regulation a taking of the
property. Unless all economic value of the downzoned land is destroyed -- which is plainly not
involved in the present situation, it is extremely unlikely that a reduction of land value resulting
from rezoning would be considered as a taking under the Fitlh Amendment of the United States
Constitution.
(3) The Parks and Recreation plan. The Parks and Recreation Commission has just begun
to implement Iowa City's new open space ordinance. Any acceptable treatment of the Weeber-
Harlocke area and neighbofingl areas must include consideration of the public interest in
establishment of parks and open space and preservation of sensitive areas and other speciui
features of the land in question. I hope that public representatives of these interests will be
apprised of and participate in discussions and deliberations leading to a resolution of zoning and
development issues.
In summary, as interested parties and public agencies prepare to give further consideration
to the various questions ~oeiated with the Weeber-Harloeke proposals following the City
Council's January 31 decision, I am writing to express my views about the meaning to be given
to events of potential continuing s~gnifieanco. I think it is important that neither factual and legal
preconcoptions about claimed lanO. values nor erroneous assumptions about the constitutional law
under the Taking clause skew the process of disenssion and deliberation. And I think it is
Mayor Susan Horowitz and Members of Iowa City City Council
February 8, 1995
page 3
important that the public interest in preservation of land and dedication of open space be kept in
the foreground of any discussions or deliberations.
I also think it is important, if private discussions are to make any con~bufion to the
resolution of the Weeber-Harlocke-associated issues, that an adequate amount of time be allowed
for this purpose.
Respectfully submi~ed,
William G. Buss
cc: City Attorney; Members of Planning & Zoning Commission
Brian J. Witzke
1011N. Summit St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
home phone: 354-7861
January 27, 1995
To the City Council,
Recent discussions concerning the annexation of 2 acres of land in
Hickory Hill Park for a proposed expansion of Oakland Cemetery has alarmed
and dismayed me (and my family as well). Hickory Hill is an urban gem that
my family and I enjoy on a regular basis during all four seasons. We are
very familiar with the area under discussion, which encompasses, among other
treasures, the largest blackberry patch in the park.
Considering that the proposed expansion would only accomodate burials for
a few decades at best, what will happen when this annexed region becomes
filled with graves in the near future? Once a precedent is set to sacrifice
park land, what will prevent further encroachment? Hickory Hill was
established for the Iowa City community as a park for the living to enjoy,
not a repository for the dead. There certainly are many other areas that are
appropriate for the establishment of cemeteries, but nothing can ever replace
our precious park lands in Hickory Hill once they are modified by cemetery or
other developments.
The deeply-ravined terrain that flanks the proposed cemetery expansion is
inappropriate for any use other than natural park land. The discussion to
"fill" portions of this land to acc~'nmodate cemetery expansion, which was
discussed with the Council, is absolutely unacceptable. Not only is such
fill completely at odds with the natural environment of Hickory Hill, but the
barrage of noisy dump trunks and bulldozers that is necessary with
large-scale filling is an assault to the peace of both cemetery visitors and
nearby residential neighborhoods.
So what can be done about the limited number of remaining grave sites
available at Oakland? There are many locations in the Iowa City area that
would be appropriate for the creation of new cemetery space. Certainly, the
expansion of Iowa City must reasonably accommodate new cemetery space for the
future, and this reality should be part of the City's regional planning.
Perhaps the City will need to buy some additional cemetery space in the
outskirts of the developing urban area. Or perhaps the City should think
about getting out of the expanding cemetery business altogether, as many
other communities do not offer City-owned cemetery facilities at all (which
are provided by private businesses or churches).
Regardless of which choice is used, it is absolutely imperative that
Hickory Hill park land be left alone. Park lands must be inviolate in our
community -- parks were wisely established in perpetuity for the benefit and
enjoyment of our residents. Please, please, don't let any part of the park
be disturbed or annexed -- that would be a dangerous precedent for future
generations. As Hickory Hill is encroached from all sides by expanding urban
development, if anything, we need to think about setting aside more land to
preserve the fragile and beautiful natural areas that flank the Hickory Hill
area. This is especially true of the deep ravines and steep slopes that are
foolish areas to develop, but wonderful areas for greenbelts and parklands to
enhance our community's aesthetics and residential quality of life (and
property values, as well).
Feel free to contact me about any ideas, questions, or concerns.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Witzke
City of iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date:
February 8, 1995
To:
The Honorable Mayor, City Council, City Clerk
From:
James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer
Re:
Parking Prohibition on Maiden Lane North of Prentiss Street
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the City Code, this is to advise you of the
following action:
ACTION:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A-10 of the City Code, the City Traffic Engineer will direct the
installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME on the east side of Maiden Lane from its intersection
with Prentiss Street north to Ralston Creek. This action will take place on or shortly after
February 23, 1 995.
COMMENT:
This action will regulate parking on the east side of Maiden Lane. During the fall of 1994 the
City constructed perpendicular parking on the west side of Maiden Lane and the prohibition
as noted above will protect and ensure aisle space for vehicles maneuvering into and out of
the perpendicular parking stalls on the west side of this portion of Maiden Lane.
,I J'-IT
IO:111 V
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 8, 1995
To:
The Honorable Mayor, City Council, City Clerk
From:
James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer
Re:
Stop Sign Installation on Dickenson Lane at its Intersection with Sycamore
Street
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the City Code, this is to advise you of the
following action:
ACTION:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A-5 of the City Code, the City Traffic Engineer has directed the
installation of a stop sign on Dickenson Lane so as to cause traffic on Dickenson Lane to stop
prior to entering the right-of-way of Sycamore Street. This action occurred on February 1,
1995.
COMMENT:
This action has been taken to protect the right-of-way of Sycamore Street from vehicles
entering Sycamore Street from Dickenson Lane, a newly constructed residential street in
southeastern Iowa City.
bjLstopsign
¥MOI 'A..LI3 ¥MOI
Heartland Candleworks
'Box 975
Iowa City, Iowa $2244
" .' .:Phone/FAX: 319-337.-631.6
· w:.~. ~ ._ ...'
February 13, ~95
Re: Flood Plain Rolocation Assistance for Iowa City's Heartland Candleworks
I. Proiect Introduction
Heartland Candleworks is a rather extraordinary organization: a self-help
local industry that trains and employs individuals referred to u~ by Iowa -
City's Emergency Housing-Proj'~ct.' i' T 'l~ou~h. the. ef.f.o~ of Heartlira.d, 11
homeless people are now self-sLtfficlent.., -hvlng in limited, yet functional
housing. Heartland provides interest free housing loans, co-signs
participant's leases, and guarantees payment of rent to their landlords.
People who were recently homeless and chronically unemployed are
now tax paying responsible citizens of Iowa City. Products made by
· Heartland in Iowa City are now distributed to more than four hundred
retail customers in all :50 states, .This year, this will brin~ more tl~an a
"'. quurier..of a m!.llion.external dollars' into the local Iowa ~ity economy,
while reducing the cost to Iowa City taxpayers by getting people out of
the shelter and off the welfare rolls. In recognition of this innovative
ec_~rt,,, the Iowa City ...H,_.u~,_ ,~,,Riights Co_m. mi.ssio.n,,recently cited Heartland
slewohm as our City S Business of the Ieatr .
· Since Heartland has now been recruited to export our locally made
s~ .ualitl/products 'to a..no.~. c..h~..'..fi;bf 130 retail sores in Canada, this already
gntfi'.cggt finane. l~J'atld.$ocial;coiiffib.ulib. a to our community will grow -
expo.ng. ntially.i.n 1995;'.This'will'orovide'a lamj~cted Izmss benefit to the
local economy of oi, er one million dollars each year. Employment of
local homeless families will double as a result of this phenomenal growth.
The U.S. Trade Commission of the U.S. Consulate in Toronto heard of this
development, and has offered technical and marketing assistance to
9xlm. ~ Hea:ctl .aq.d',s exgo.m in~. Canada to even more retail oufiets.
· .- .'..~ ; .2.' · .:- --',".L:- ~ ,:Y .-'..'
-This .e~. ,iiomi¢-~ad social b~ltefif{o theIowa City community will continue
't~ ekl~id"dra~atl 'd, ill~;~ 'ia /mi~ge'Heai-tl id Can;tlework hai been
identified nationally as a rare workina model of economic self-sufficiency
for individuals previously dependent on local and federal governmental
a~sistance. With all of the lip service to welfare reform and the need for
self-sufficiency for weftare recipients, Heartland really walks the talk,
· lVlaay..o. ther..citi,es .across the .U,S...hay .o taken notice of the Heartland
' :' ,L~'- ~' · ..... '""-t'4~' i'-'~'4";':' "* 'i",:"
business leaders coming to visit our humble facilities from Britain, Canada
and severs{. state,?..' This phenomenal national in.terest, deserves to be
matched with a l"ocal comm!tment from Iowa Ci~,'s l'edders.
T, he .Better Horn,es.Fund is the .only national charity with the mission to
oe..ve~op .e~o. nomic s.eff~.sufficiency.for ho..me14ss families.. The Chairman of
the Board of the Fund Is now working directly with Heartland to develop
new products and creat~ more opportunities for homeless families. The
Better Homes Fund has identified Heartland as the most viable model in
the nation for community based projects that serve the housing, social and
econo~c ngeds~of homeless .families. As a result, for the third year running
eartland products are beln. g featured m full page displays m Better
Homes and Gardens magazine, These products arc sold as fund-raiser items
to assist homeless families nationwide. Heartland Candles were the cover
art for this year's Better Homes Fund Holiday mall order catalog. Our
innovative project has been featured by numerous local and national print
and broadcast media including Channel 2 News, Cedar Rapid~s Gazette,
Press Citizen, Des Moines Register, CBS This Morning, the Susan Powter
Show, Chicago Tribune CTV, New York Newsday, and the New York
Gannett papers. Th/s creates great public relations benefit/or Iowa City.
II. Grant Prooosal Sununarv:
A. Presently, Heartland has a makeshift production facility set up in a building
in the flood l>laln at the south edge of Iowa City. This building was
abandoned after the devastating floods. Heartland Candleworks
production team have hauled out tons of flood debris. We've reclaimed
and renovated this building through a "sweat equity" rental agreement
with the landlord. All of this effort will be literally washed away in the
event of furlire flooding. A flood relief ~,rant will prevent such tra£ed¥.
B. Since many of the participants in the Heartland Candleworks project have
been subjected to years of chronic poverty, they do not own cars. Since
they must walk to work, many live in very marginal housing in the
surrounding flood plain area. These families' limited, yet persistent efforts
to provide their own housing would be wiped out by any future flood.
Homing relocation is urgently required for these families in need.
III. Hood Plain Relocation Grant Reauest
A. $450, 000 is requested for the acquisition and renovation of an
existimz commercial production building in Iowa City. This will allow
this model indu. stry to re-locate permanently outside of the flood plain.
& ~?~..~., OO0 Is requested for the df,.qulaltion and renovation of ten units of
~_ ~x{sti. n§ hous. imz stock in Iowa City to provide decent and healthy
~ ~:~.ousmg for the present and future h. omeless families that are referred to
~ ..,.-l, teartland by The Emergency Housing Project This will allow the
m }~ ~.~-~ilies that work in {his project to relocate outside of the flood plain.
L,..
These f~nd~wfll & us~ w~th ma~mum efficiency, ~use we utilize
~r~ycl~.building materies ~d v.olunt~r .~nt~ction crews in our
proj~L Our ~r ~t ~mplefion ~st Will'f~l well ~1ow conventional
ave~g~ ~d pr~u~ a~ve average housing.
....'. ~ ~.' ~.:' ..:.~ :'.: ~ .... ~.'."~
offi~'~ our a~un~t, McGiadrey~ullen. An and~t~
will ~so ~ provided u~n ~mpletion of this community project.
This single integrated grant package solves flood plain re-location, housing
assismnc~ for homel~ families and economic development for the most needy
strata of the Iowa City .Cor~..u~i.ty....
IV. Conclusion"
No viable plan has yet been presented to utilize the $1.2 million of Federal Funds
allotted to Iowa City for Hood Relief. This is a novel and workable plan of
action .that provides great economic and social benefit to homeless families and to
the entire community of Iowa City. Now is the time to act on this proposal.
This is a one fimo gmat ~ will provide loafing ~nd growing social and economic
benefit to Iowa City for yeara and years to come. This is a true investment in the
future of Iowa City.
V. Request for meetin~ with the Iowa City Council
We respectfully request that this grant proposal be placed on the formal agenda
of the next sch~uled city council .m, eeting. R.ei?sentativ. es of H.?rtland
Candleworks will come to the niceling Io pmvsde further information and answer
any questions put forth by the Council and the people of Iowa City.
.Iowa ¢i.t.y .
Flood fund talks on tap
By don Yates.
7he Pres{.Citi~eh .
· With tim~ m/~hing out for Iowa
City to spend more Ihan SI rail-
lion in federal Iloed money. city
officials say councilors must
decide where the funds should go
soon -- or .miss n great .op.
portunity. ·
, e d hke 1o get some of
these problems mitigated and see
the funds spent quickly," said
'Marianne Milkman, community
developmere coordinator.
think it's a terrific opportunity to
try and prevent Ibe kind of (suf-
fering) we had in 1993. I think.
ideally, _floodplains should be
used to carry floodwatersi"
Councilors will discuss how to
spend Ibe $1.2 million in federal
fl.ood funds at Mouday's work
session.
Mayor Susan Homwilz said she
expecls a lively discussion.
"1 think it would be imprudent
if we did not use the money." she
said. "1 feel that Ibere's certainly
a concern on the part of the
council Io make sure we do what
we <:an to help mitigate fulure
flooding."
Aboul one-third of the money
had been earmarked for moving
flood victims oul of the flood
plain and into subsidized lots in
the proposed Oreenvi~w mobile
home. park. After rezoning for the
park was defeated last month,
councilors began looking for'
olber ways to spend the money.
.Time. however, is beginning to: .
run out. Beeraise the federal gov- '
cramcut requires that the flood
relief money be accounted for by '
Aug. 15, some of the proposed
uses for the funding may not be
feasible.
To merit the federal require-
ment. Ihe city must either spend
the money or have made legally
binding agreements Io spend it by
the deadline,
See FLOOD/SA
Flood
from 1A
Friday, Milkman and assenJoin
planner Steven Nasby released a
memorandum detailing four pos-
sible uses of the mon~y,. from
buying up flood property and
helping people move out of the
floodplain to sewer projects.
Nasby said all but the sewer
projects would be difficult to
complete in the olinted time.
· For instance, one possibility
would be to spend $470,000 pur-
chasing property in Showers Es.
totes. a group of about 15 homes
along the Iowa River in the
southern part of (own.
The problem, Nasby said. is
that it may be difficuh to sign
individual contracts with home-
owners by the Aug. 15 deadline.
Nasby has similar coneeros
about proposals to spend
$873,000 of the federal money to
purchase other floodplain proper-
ties in Iowa Cily or $1.6 million
to provide downpayment assist-
ance to allow residents of That-
cher and Baculis mobile home
parks, enabling them to move out
cannot force owners to leave their "We can use it all but them is a
homesiftbeydonotwamto. ,pessiblity Ihal we could send
A fourth praposal, to spend some of it hack." he said. "It
$1.7 million on sewer improve.' depends on what the council
merits throughout the city. would decides."
not require the city to roach
agreements with .individual rest- Nasby .said he would like an
dents, ' meaning it would not be indication from the council Moo-
difficult for the city to complete day.
the project by August. "The sooner the bette[," he
Money that is not spent or ~aid. "Anytime you have money
accounted for by *the Aug. 15 and can do something, you wish
deadline reverts back to the rede. you could,"·
mlgovemment. Whatever the council decides
of the floodplain. Nasby ~id the situation is sire. Monday, Horowitz said she real-
Any action' by the cily is con.' ilar to a $1 million federal crime izes time is running out.
tingent on voluntary action by 'bill gram that councilors decided "The staff is really going to
homeowners, meaning the city ?.octopi last week. have to scramble on this,"
'"U. til I had a .m'mh'j.b I couhh~ 'l
eve. begin Io Ihink ~Jbottt tt fitmily.
My I~1}, htl.* re~tl(v coil e together in
the laa't six tirollib& ~
~ Smith
themselves
Work details
337.6316
See CANOLES/7B
Mile told I,utctte Richmd~ ,,1'o ate Ih'althtnd Gmdh'work&
Where to bul/
HOMELESS
Homes
FUND
I I¢lp ih. I I,..r#x~ I~l.tilir~
'l
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman, The Better Homes Fund
David Jordan
V'~ Pmsidenl. Ob'eclor
New Produc~ Development
Mered'~h
Des go~nes, Iowa
Presklenl, 1'he Better Homes Fund
Ellen L Bassuit, M.D.
Assamate Professor ol Psychia~/
Ha,'vacd Med':cul .~chool
8oslon, M:,ssachusolls
Efta L. Bernthai, Esq.
Parmer
Lalham & WaiNns
WashingIon, D.¢,
Dale Eldridge
Pmsidenl
O.E.I(. P,z~ucfions, Ino.
E~no, California
Erneal Hende,'aon,
He,~letson Houses o! Amelica. I~
Sudbuu, Massachuse~
Ted I{aye, Ph.D.
Vice Presi~enl
Wall ~;sney Sludios
Bmban~, Cagomia
Wilffam T. Halart
The Halan G~oup
Odando, Flodda
Gloria R, Smilh, Ph.D.
Coe~dinalo~ and Program O~eclo!
WJL I(ello~g Foundallan
Baae Cceek, ~kJan
Dernard Solomon
Coasullanl
BasIon, Massachusetts
Ellen L, 8assuk, M.D.
Pfesldenl
Howard E, Oarsh
Executive 0~eeJor
181 Wells Avenue
NewIon Cenler, MA 02159-3320
617-964.:]834 FAX 617-244-17S8
The Candle Project
264 East 10th Street
New York, N.Y. 10009
To all at The Candle Project:
Thank you very much for taking the time to show me
around. I especially appreciated it knowing how busy
you are getting all those products out for the
holidays.
It was astounding to see what a huge effort has been
made to renovate the apartment buildings so that
families can have a descent, affordable place to live.
As we walked from building to building, I thought about
how you are providing more than just housing and Jobs;
you are constructing a real community where people work
together, live together and support one another. You
are also creating an environment where children begin
to have hope for their future.
Talking with one of the moms who is in The Candle
Project was heartwarming. She'is proud of the work she
is doing, proud of her apartment and most of all
beginning to have confidence that she can raise her
children successfully.
Your pro~cts are making a big hit with the readers of
Better Homes and Gardens magazine. With the holidays
barely behind us, we are gearing up for the February
promotion in Country Gardens.
Wishing you continued success and looking forward to
our ongoing partnership.
Warmly,
Wendy D. ' G~rmatn
Director Corporate Development
·
Employ the homeiess
I'atrido ,lordrio i.~ dirrchw
'~¢ I';ntrrl:cno, Iloa.~hig Project
'] Iowa
~'.
~y Patricia Jardue
OWACITY--lu Jaly
{0 Illlack ]IOIOUIossIIr~. It s
ii I'tl][~ (}[ ]}h'ec[er Ill
~IOI'I'itOUC~ J lausi.G Project
ml .ol~ du~s Ihe I)rub]em siill
.~a Gi[~/~ohlisou
~ similar servio~ eton.
~tietl aad accuolpallied
~ TURN
~[hh'~11, I've workell with
,~roxhan(d7 1,2U0 dllhfi'011[
JUltic, less htdlvilluals IIurhlx lily
CltUle, real I've Iraadored Ihelr
~rll{'l[I] elalie~ly. Willie each
.:.ldelas aod ItCed., ifs
Im hwk er qtlalily jobs for
Nolo Ihal I snkl q4mtit~ jebs.
I[;I)s witIda oL'~a.im0o.s lira[
hie.lily the dignity of Ibe
.eqduyee as n illtiler prha'lly.
.I.hs ia which u persee ~o] ~eel
i.v.sled reel hwolved. ~obs
vmvide []eaell~.
I calllint COOlit Ihe oumher of
lim.s I've nosweird the pholle
~.l EIIP and broil colffronled by
hcsilalloe alol wurds [o Ihls
' ~1 tfiecl: Did yea say ~mergency
~ [~nlSlOg reject? Oh, ~ever
~qlpee.e who hod nplJIled For
· TILey IIo,'1 call backer
~leY Itlnke nlly nlteln[a to~
~f~Fro]tt Iheh' bia~NOlle or
which is too sarprlslug. What
S~llrisillC is Lha[ Peelde Ilave so
~IUo blvesiluent bl Ilteir
('flUUllalllly Ilmt they cowl view
the Ivlig [oral beuefils ~ both
(hmedal had socie(nl -- of
· ~vlo~ the hnrd-to.eelpluy a
~alrlcla ,
· Jordau "·
A camace lot :m ~
homeless ~ ~
ItlO(lVn[~ a Few Olller3
,rQrmerl~iio~tel~
..motlwted
Michael Rlclmnls' l[earllnnd
Caudleworks stalled la Iowa
City In Mal~h I!~ wilh mm
resident or Blip as Ils first
employee. liering b~o modeled
a~er a shallot veillure er his
New York ~1[?, Iho pmjucl
deelos 1o provide htlllleless
pel'SOli~ ur Ilmso will[ sp~lal
Ile~ds tile leoIs For acillevlllg
selr. sulllcleucy hi mi
~teeal-bulldlag elwlronmel]L
As o~ Ibis writlag, eifiht
I~Op~e m'e pad of Ihls hallslie
pro~ss.
l[Icllm'ds' hlnovullou IS
receutl~ r~lnlmed a small
telmir simp Ihal had broil
d~v~sl~led b~ Ihe Ilood. 8ever~
workers are enjoying
proeo~ or compleld? r~toriag
this [aclll[y so tlml prodaction
~1 Ilm Ilem'llm~d Caodlewor~
ldred.
In October, 1 la'esent~
Xlchm'ds with ~ hu0tmLd
,~ ~or 11ear~d._
Candleworks' a~mpllshmenls
~nd commlhaent Io Ihe
~olalllUlllly.
"I've seen people rimego," I
said "I've seen people wllilngl~
give up eetl[lemeats,
weeRelldS voluel~rlly,
~[[ollL for tim first lime In seam
easee. a he,,,e or Ilie[row.. One EHP Director Presents
persoil saltl It all with Ihe
words. '1 feel COlill,leto [or the
Human Rights Award
l'h'st [late hi my life.'"
Ill Ills acce|llallCO speech.
saddmied IhRt his proloci sheuld 0 n Oclo~r
Illchards admitted to hehig
slalid oiiL '"rids lylm of work
should he so orlllaai7 that It
shouldn't eveit be ilarlead."
Richards went oe to Issue a
clialleoge Io Ilm coaaltalllly.
"We would be wlUIog to work
with any business persou who -I
would like [o Idre lieople who
are in [lie shelter. We would be
wllliilg [o set up a Irainlag
program aud have people work
in our project For a Few weeks,
and ntake Ilia[ tralisitloa to
learu work skiUs, titell work
with tilelit lit COleJog lille your
busbleSs, So aliyooe who's
latecosied hi Joining ill Call
l C]laJ]ellge those eallduyers
wile Ilave terlniaaled liteJr
COllversat[olis wllen Ihey realize
we're a shel(er to bmug ou next
time.
I clnillenge Illuse who
leuaclousiy cilag to (lielr belief
tlmt Ihe boiseless nt~
lllteloployable to dispease with
these stereotypes aud give
$O]lleOlle a[ry.
I extol blase local veadot's. Ibe
Soap Olmi'a, lite Vortex, Every
Biotaida' thing, Dawlfs Illde
and Bead Away, New PJouegr
Co-op alld Alternallvss, who
have beguu carrylug Hearband
Caedleworks' Ibie or offerlogs.
^lid I laud Wet*hi Marketplace
for cutering into a johi[ venture
with Illchords mid for Its futui~e
plaus to olin a coffee shop
elap|oyJn§ formerly 11Ollteleaa
I ~sk everyone else to please
coosider Joiah]g in wllh uS. Tile
rewards, bolll For Ule heineless
and our entire comlnmlky, are
Patricia Jord,~
Ivlichacl Richards of
Hearlland Candleworks with the Ci~s
cat~§o~.
Richards, a native o£ low~, employs ~
homeless pc~sans and othc~s wilh
q~cial needs at his project, which
makes candles, display racks,
candlesticks and shadow lanterns and is
modeled ~er a similar project of his in
N~w York City.
Since the inception oF the Iowa City
venture, eight people, six of whom now
have their own homea, have become
8si,ndly cmploy~
In accept[n§ lho award, Richards
admitted to I~'mg soddened that his
efforts should sland out. "Tl~s work
should be so ordi~y ttmt it shouldtit
c~cn I~ eelicad."
Hc v~nt on to issue a challenge to ~hc
business community: "We would bc
willing to work with any business
p~son who would like to hire people
who are at the shelter."
Besides the s~vcfal national clml.~
tl~t offer Heartland Candleworks' line
of products, such local businesses as
Soap Opera, the Vortex, Eveo,
Bl.oomin' Thing, Dawn's Hide and Bead
Away, N~ Pioneer Coop and World
Marketplace a~ now i~volvcd.
pr~suntod i}
THIS WEEI
2A'- The Daily lowan - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, Janus.-/19, 1995
Personalities
Sitaft worker bat, tle,s t sk i'at t ousin
, .-." . ..~. 4 :' .'?~...
J~6 Dawson 'Basically, in additian to
Thb Daily lowan, - which is the director,
' opment director, the marketing
· ~ach morning, as Pet Jordan director, the finance director and'
eliluke the eta. ira of the large gray the program development person
ko,~se on the corner of 331 N.
Of]bert St., she prepares herself - I'm now doing the 'Early Blrd'~
' . · program ' she said.
for the chaotic atmosphere iof
ahbther day at Emergency Hous- Jordan developed 'Early Bird' to '
inl{ Project Inc. provide one-on.one counseling for
' residents. The purpose of the pro-.
',d, ordan'efirat.etopisher~mput. eramrs to provide the reeidente~
',( ................... with attainable goals, such'is'
. . teaches money management and"
, , ............. ' ' ' jobmaintenane,o.
· } , . ' .... : ' Later, the qmet olderdan's clut~t
~? wnwerr~t~ne apeuss moat st n, er toted of, co is interrupted by eL,
. ~y ,~ I n.g grant proposals, franticcallfromaresident,eperolo-L
s.peeenee, artec!es and budgets. Her officer and calls from residents'"':
~ekrdl~Ytls .q,mckl. y !uts .n~,p~d by. needing checks cashed and volan-*
I~ s s entry rmglng telephone ..... ' %a.
and the shelter a residents, eager One resident entered Jordan's ~
b I~hnre news of recent success. office to auk for a $5 loan, whieh~
: iA day in my life Is pure chaos Jordan gave without apprehension~
br~ause an!dhing can happen and Over tlme,'Jordan says she i~ .~
anything does happen," said Jor- able to truer many of the shallot'e:
d'ah; ~,5omebody might appear at residents and ~1oeon't mind helping
th(~ doorstep who has schizophre- them when they need iL ....
nia~ and is hearing voices.~ "I j~t love the people,' she said. 'i
; ,More than 25 percent of the "They are very caring, percepti';'e .'
I people.'
~ Word of ,lardso's work ~vith the
~ day in rag life is pure shelter has brought,others to Iowa
cbaosbecauseany~hing , City. She enid ann man came to the ~.
ca, n happen and aoy~ing , Emergency Housing Project after'
· learning of her from an inmate in
does happen. Soreshodr prison. - ' / ,':
might appear at thex Jordan said her impact on some-
.d.O~rstep who has \ ~ of the residents can become a bor-
den when they attribute their sue.
s~hizophrenia and is] con to her. '..
hearing voices." /< 'One of the people said to me the:
' other day, 'It's because of you I
· don't go out and drink, ' she said
Pat Jordan, d~rector of .... - . · . .
~:~ ....... , ~..,~i,,,, .. doreen .~_ttr~nnt es the succesLo~ .. i~ Scolt Aiaha~asy/see Daily lowan
· g. ,. &., ~'}' 8 ' . ';?_o.me former rasiden~i~y. As d~reclor of Emergency Housing ProJect Inc,; 331 N.'Gdbert'SL, Pat~
rrolect inc. ' d!?rogram., a 1oc~. ?ro.?~, o~o- 'Jordan's day can feel like a never-ending ,re. sued of details; 4'Llte,r, ally~,'
shelDr'a res dents are sobinn- less tlir~,h me,,' ~'~n~,l I fee[ ovenvhelmed m paperwo, rk,..she sad,. -. - .-.... ,.., ...,~.:
...... . ........ ~ ..... ~.~...,. .. .. . .. ~ .': ....
p oruc and n need of fuading to s ' ·
, .. ' __.e.a_.e~n._~.p_e. ople Ire sent to that. arrives home at 11 p.?.,' She anye ~ been'successful in helping reel-
ann, stun. . projee~ fo~m ~---'-'~'l~'ive no. she loves her job : L · ' dents find lobs and aided in dis
.Wh. an Jordan. m,n ~, takl.~.. cars of ,ho~_hho have literally turned ~..' ~/han a person comes back and. 'ping the auraher of residents from
a,n,e,.me, rg,ency, see s, puttt,ng .her t_heir lives ,around ancLar. a_~w. says thank-you and tells you how 39 per nlghl; in December to 25 per~
~ngi. ran negros ano marneting . und~'~andmg what it's like to' much you helped them what other. night in Ja.uuarv. '.:'~ ':-'
experience to work on the gmer-. ~' ~le-mo~o- ~ . a , ., -- ..'
.. ** ,~ Lt -~ . .. . legacy could you pose b y want? - Someday I m oing to take
gel~cy tlouulng P~ect a venous. brand-new TV and ... an apart. Jordan asked '~ " - :q year off and bake ~io,
· ad~jniatrati.ve ,ns.e-.de an'~.eU as meet,' she said. " Although her life ia h~ctic,' Jor-' ~ow rm having a
the Early ~_ird pr.~rgra~_.~ ~l;~.ooe Jordan oran leaves the ultks at don has no plans to leave the lot of wondert'ul peonIs,' Jordan'~
dice, clorrec~p._tlyle.l.tt~-~ .-.1..2 4p.m.,butmootnightoohetravele E.margancylioueiugProjectsoon. said. ...',.'
:' Li.: '-'< .7~; · · ! ' - ' : ":"'"'"~':!~
IOWA CITY
P.O. Box64
lOW^ CITY, lOW^
$2244
(319)354-0863
February 10, 1995
Iowa City City Council
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Council Members:
Three years ago an ad hoc group of concerned citizans began meeting to address growing concerns about the
Iowa City downtown area and pedestrian plaza. The group included members of the Downtown Association,
Chamber-of Commerce, and Iowa City Police and Recreation Departments, as well as private citizens and
representatives fi, om several service agancies. A task force was organired, which proposed se~;erai strategies
to make the downtown a safer, family friendly environment. One of the most suct, essful aspects of the work
of our task force in conjunction with the DTA, was the Friday Night Concerts. As you know, many
thousands of our diverse citizens enjoy these fre~ concerts for 18 consecutive weeks (May 5 - Sept. 1 this
year).
The costs for these events have been paid for with contributions from area businesses, the DTA, looal service
clubs, the Iowa City Press Citizen, indMduais, and grants developed by United Action for Youtk All of the
work for the concert series has been organized by volunteers with cooperation from the Iowa City Police
Department. All promotion and advertising is given in kind. In addition, the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors Community Crime Prevention grant will provide a youth staff person to assist with the logistics
of the Friday Night Concert Series. Therefore, 100% of the money raised goes directly to pay the musicians.
We are respectfully requesting $7,500 from the Iowa City City Council to help support this project in 1995.
We urge you to consider using a portion of the unallocated funds recently idemified.
We will be attending the City Council's meeting on Monday, February 20, to encourage your support for this
important Iowa City event. If you have questions prior to the meeting, please contact us. Thank you for
your consideration.
Sincerely,.. .
/:
Via
Friday Night Concert Series
351-7231
Downtom Assodation President
338-1142
(~~ JM'? CORPORATXON
CORPORATION T~GE¥ SERXE$ kIT-8
iOWA CITY
P.O. Box64
IOWA CITY, IOWA
52244
(319) 354-0863
FebmavjlO, 1995
Iowa City City Council
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Council Members:
Three years ago an ad hoe group of cencemed citizens began meeting to address growing concerns about the
Iowa City downtom area anti pedestrian plaza. The group included members of the Downtown Association,
Chamber 'of Commerce, and Iowa City Police and Reereation Departments, as well as private citizens and
representatives from severai royice agencies. A task force was organized, which proposed se~ieral strategies
to make the domown a safer, family ~iendly environment. One of the most success fid aspms of the work
of our task form in conjunction with the DTA, was the Friday Night Concerts. As you know, many
thousands of our diverse citizens enjoy these free concerts for 18 consecutive weeks (May 5 - Sept. I this
year).
The costs for these events have been paid for with contributions from area businesses, the DTA, local service
clubs, the Iowa City Press Citiz~, individuals, and grants developed by United Action for Youth. All of the
work for the concert series has been organized by volunteers with cooperation from the Iowa City Police
Department. All promotion and advertising is given in kind. In addition, the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors Community Crime Prevention grant will provide a youth staff person to assist with the 1ogistiea
of the Friday Night Concert Series. Therefore, 100% of the money raised goes directly to pay the musicians.
We are respectfully requesting $7,500 from the Iowa City City Council to help support this project in 1995.
We urge you to consider using a portion of the unallocated funds recently identified.
.We will be attending the City Couneil's meeting on Monday, February 20, to encourage your support for this
Importast Iowa City event. you have questions prior to th? meeting, please contact us. Thank you for
your consideration.
Sincerely, .
/
Friday i~ight Concert
351-7231
Series
Downtown Association Presi&nt
338-1142