HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-15 Info Packet of 5/10 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
May 0,200
MAY 14 WORK SESSION ITEMS
IP1 Memorandum from JCCOG Solid Waste Planning Coordinator to City Manager: Alley
clean up in downtown
IP2 Memorandum from JCCOG Solid Waste Planning Coordinator to City Manager:
Downtown Association comments regarding alley cleanup
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
IP3 Memorandum from City Manager: Iowa League of Cities
IP4 Memorandum from City Clerk: Out of Office
IP5 2000 Census Committee Final Report (From City Clerk)
IP6 Memorandum from City Clerk: April 30 - Council Work Session
IP7 Letter from Greg Ganske to City Manager: Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement
Reimbursement
IP8 Memorandum from Michael Gunn (Historic Preservation Commission): Central
Business District Survey & Evaluation (Survey - Council packets only)
IP9 Memorandum from Director of Public Works to City Manager: Foster Road Grading
and Water Main Project
IP10 Memorandum from Community Development Coordinator to City Manager: Adjustment
in HUD Income Limits for the City of Iowa City
IPll Invitation from Tom A, Woodruff (Dovonian Fossil Gorge, Inc.): Dedication
Program/Tour of the New Devonian Fossil Gorge Visitor/Education Facility
IP12 Department of Public Works Special Projects - City Council Report #6
IP'I 3 Iowa City Police Department Monthly Bar Check Report - April 200t
IP14 Letter from Stepping Up: Alcohol
IP15 E-mail from Carol DeProsse to JCNEWS: Jail Meeting Correction
IP16 E-mail from Carol DeProsse to JCNEWS: Responsible Economic Development
IP17 E-mail from James Ephgrave: Lexington Avenue
IP18 E-mail from Richard Twohy: Bob Simpson - Passage today
Agenda packet: Economic Development Committee (Previously distributed)
Memorandum from City Manager: Harlocke-Weeber Area - Parkland Acquisition
May 10, 2001 Information Packet (continued) 2
Distributed at 5/14/01 Work Session:
Hunter's Run Park site masterplan and survey results
Terrill Mill Skate Park itemized project cost estimate
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 7, 2001
To: City Council
From: Brad Neumann, Staffperson; Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Re: May 14 Work Session: Alley cleanup in downtown
Over the past couple of years the City has received an increasing number of complaints
regarding the appearance and cleanliness of downtown alleys. The complaints the City
receives include blowing litter and unsightly overflowing dumpsters. A problem for City staff
in responding to these complaints involves notifying the responsible party in a timely manner
due to the number of dumpsters in the alleys. We do not typically know what business or
residence is responsible for a particular dumpster, and the refuse haulers are not usually
willing to provide this information. Recently, the City's newly formed Solid Waste Advisory
Committee, with assistance from Sue Dulek of the City Attorney's office and Doug Boothroy
of Housing and Inspection Services, discussed this issue and has developed a
recommendation for the City Council to consider.
The committee recommends increasing the enforcement of existing ordinances that deal
with littering and dumpsters located on the City's downtown right-of-way. The committee
also recommends implementing a permit system for dumpsters located on public right-of-
way. The permits would be used to identify the person or party responsible for the
dumpsters. The proposed program would work as follows:
Dumpster Regulation and Permit System
· Any downtown building owner or operator of a business with an alley dumpster would be
required to obtain an annual permit to be placed on each dumpster placed in the City
right-of-way. The permit fee would vary depending on the type of dumpster (garbage,
grease, recycling) and include any other storage containers in the public right-of-way.
· A sticker would be issued and placed on each dumpster to help the City identify the
party responsible for the dumpster. If a problem is noted, a call would then be made to
the contact listed on the permit and that party would be asked to clean up the mess that
day.
· If the responsible party does not respond to the verbal notice, the City would then issue
a written violation which, if not rectified, would become a municipal infraction.
· Through this permit system the City would be able to remove a dumpster from the public
right-of-way if the problem became severe enough and was not rectified.
Each building owner or business operator would be responsible for blowing litter similar to
how this issue is handled in other commercial areas. Each business would be responsible
for cleaning up litter in the portion of the alley which is adjacent to their business, similar to
the responsibility a business has to maintain the portion of the public right-of-way in front of
their building.
May 7, 2001
Page 2
Currently, the City Code (Solid Waste 14-3H-8E) requires the City Council to approve written
agreements with each business or individual wanting to place a dumpster in the City's right-
of-way. This section of the Code has rarely been used and would be eliminated and
changed to the permit system outlined above. Permit applications would be accepted in the
City Clerk's office and routed to the Housing and Inspection Services Dept. for record
keeping. A permit would be valid for one year. Information regarding dumpster placement
and alley upkeep, which is already part of the City Code, would be presented and discussed
with each permit applicant.
An issue for discussion is the level of enforcement effort by City staff which is desired in
policing downtown alleys. With existing staff, enforcement would be limited primarily to
response to complaints. The weed inspector that works seasonally in Housing and
Inspection Services is a possibility for additional enforcement, but this is only a 3-1/2 month
position. There are no existing staff able to take on daily enforcement duties related to
cleaning up downtown alleys.
Dale Helling and I discussed this proposal with the Downtown Association (DTA) at one of
their recent meetings. The DTA supported the proposals and stated that they would also
like the City to consider restricting the number of dumpsters in the alleys. The Solid Waste
Advisory Committee has discussed this issue and feels that the number of dumpsters and
the placement of those dumpsters in alleys is not an issue that needs to be addressed at the
present time, but may require consideration in the future.
Let's plan to discuss this matter at your May 14 work session.
cc: Steve Atkins
Dale Helling
Doug Boothroy
Sue Dulek
Jeff Davidson
Karin Franklin
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Indexbc\memos\3-1 BAN.doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM I-
DATE: April 24, 2001
TO: Steve Atkins
FROM: Brad Neumah'~
RE: Downtown Association comments regarding alley cleanup
As part of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee's public involvement process I artended
the Downtown Association's (DTA) April 12, 2001 meeting in order to discuss the
downtown alley cleanup situation and the proposals developed by the Solid Waste
Advisory Committee. The DTA was very supportive of a permit system and stepped-up
enforcement in order to help keep the alleys clean. The DTA indicated that they have
discussed the situation many times in the past and they also suppod any efforts in
reducing the number of dumpsters in the alleys in order to alleviate the congestion.
The DTA supports the recommendations made by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Let me know when you would like to schedule a time to discuss this issue with the City
Council.
cc: Jeff Davidson
Dale Helling
Jccogsw/mem/DTA4-12.doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUMI
DATE: May 8, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Iowa League of Cities
I will be in Pella for the Iowa League of Cities meeting on Thursday, May 10.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM i°;';4°' I-
DATE: May 10, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
RE: Out of Office
I will be out of the office Friday, May 18th through Friday, May 251h. I will be
retuming on Tuesday, May 291h. Deputy City Clerk Julie Voparil, will be available.
I05-10-01
2000 Census Committee Final Report ~P5
In order to direct the City's involvement in the Federal Government's 2000 Census
campaign and to assure a thorough and accurate account, a local 2000 Census
Committee was formed. City Clerk Marian Karr was the designated City staff person to
take the leadership role in the City's involvement in the 2000 Census effort. An effort
was made to recruit Census Committee members from a cross-section of the
community. Each Committee member assumed the responsibility of promoting the 2000
Census among specific segments of the community. Census Committee members
were:
Dale Bentz - Elderly Groups/Organizations/Services
Don Canfield - Service Organizations
Maeve Clark - 8ocial Service Agencies
Bob Elliott - Schools
Jane Hoshi- University
Paul Maske - Churches
Mary Mclnroy -Speakers Bureau
Dottie Ray - Media
Ann Rhodes-University
Bob RoeIf - Major Industries
Thirteen meetings were held from April '19, '1999 through April 20, 2000. Promotional
materials were researched and reviewed, committee reports received, and federal
census representatives presented updates. In addition to the monthly meetings
Committee members worked throughout the month to establish contacts and provide
materials. A course of action for the publicity and outreach activities was established to
include a school age program, University of Iowa component, and service organizations
interaction. Area churches, elderly, and other special groups were identified for publicity.
JOHNSON COUNTY FAIR:
A census booth was staffed by committee members and City staff and distributed
information on the upcoming Census.
SCHOOLS:
Over 6800 Census pencils were distributed to children at Regina and in the Iowa City
public schools. Information was distributed through local PTO's, central administration,
and school principals. The following activities were offered to schools chosing to
participate in promoting Census 2000:
1 ) Articles for school newsletters
2) Information on district's web page
3) Articles for inclusion in PTO and PTA newsletters
4) Posters displayed in schools
5) Information shared at district administrator meetings and with the Family
Resource/Neighborhood Centers
6) Instructional kit material activities taught in math and social studies
The Federal Census 2000 also mailed promotional packets to all schools.
Page 2
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS:
Approximately 480 fact sheets were distributed to service organizations with a letter
containing information on our Speaker's Bureau. The following groups scheduled
speaking engagements: UHIC Lions Club; Farm Bureau Women; Noon Optimist; JC
Senior Health Coalition; Mercy Hospital Food For Thought; Neighborhood Council
Board; Low Vision Support Group; Noon Kiwanis; and the Johnson County Democrats.
Several agencies phoned for written information.
CHURCHES:
The 2000 Census Committee contacted area churches and synagogues asking them to
place Census flyers/bulletin inserts in their bulletins. Over 4700 inserts were distributed
by 15 churches.
ELDERLY SERVICES:
Articles were written for the Senior Citizen Post, Iowa City Press Citizen, Gazette, and
the Senior Center newsletter targeting "Snowbirds". An announcement in the Gray
Hawk newsletter indicating the need for Census workers.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA:
The 2000 Census Committee and University of Iowa liaisons organized distribution of
Census information to University of Iowa faculty, students, and staff. Census Committee
Activities included:
Census inserts in the Villager, International Education, FYI, Pacemaker, Noon
NewS, Student Senate Newsletter, Parents Times Newsletter, CoIleqe of
Medicine News, and DSB WeekIv.
Cultural Diversity Day displayed information and gave away products in Census
booth.
Census information sent to 22 foreign student organizations, also printed out in
11 additional languages.
Recruitment posters displayed campus bulletin boards, campus departments,
and Residence Services.
Contacted 350 student organizations.
Various university newsletters highlighting the Census jobs and Census
education.
Women's and Men's basketball scoreboard announcements.
Contacts to Panhellenic Association.
Campus-wide Census posters distribution including Cambuses.
Display cases at Iowa Memorial Union.
Page 3
Iowa Memorial Union table tents.
Facilitated newspaper adicles.
Sent e-mail regarding Census to Deans, Directors, and Depadmental Executive
Officers.
Advertised positions/workers on jobnet.
BUSINESS FAIR:
The Census Committee set up an exhibit booth at the Iowa City Area Chamber Annual
Business Fair. We emphasized that "Everyone wins.... When you complete your
Census form". Committee members and City staff provided Census giveaways for those
who visited the booth.
BUS PANELS & LIGHT POLE BANNERS:
Census 2000 signs were posted on all 20 City buses. There were also 45 banners hung
in our downtown area on major light poles. Federal grant money was provided for this
project as the downtown is also the main campus of the University of Iowa and promoted
the census to citizens, businesses, and students.
MEDIA:
The Iowa City Census was advertised on local radio stations during the months of March
and April. A partnership was developed with the Cities of Cedar Rapids and Coralville to
combine resources for area radio and television spots in March and April. A scrolling
message was advertised for 1 month on the Weather Channel. Articles were published
in the Iowa Citv Press Citizen, CommunitV News Advertiser, Dailv lowan and the
Gazette.
FINAL REPORT:
The National response rate for the 2000 Census was 67%. Iowa City was above the
national rate and had a response rate of 74%. A preliminary count of the 2000 Census
showed the population of the City of Iowa City was 62,220. The 2000 Census
demonstrated a 2072 population increase from the 1996 Special Census.
The City awaits mapping and data information due out in May and June. After review
the City will determine whether a challenge will be made to our population count. The
Census 2000 Count Question (CQR) program that will be implemented to respond to
challenges to the Census 2000 housing unit counts and group quarters counts received
from local government entities becomes effective on June 30, 2001, and end on
September 30, 2003.
Prepared by Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
City of Iowa City
M MORANDUM I-
Date: April 30, 2001
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, April 30, 2001, 6:30 PM in Council Chambers
Councih Champion, Kanner, Lehman, O'Donnell, Pfab, Wilburn, Vanderhoef
Staff: Atkins, Helling, Dilkes, Karr, Boothroy, Nasby, Matthews, Franklin, Schoon, Davidson,
O'Malley
Tapes: 01-47 and 01-48, Both Sides
(A complete transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office)
ADDITION TO CONSENT CALENDAR
Ryan Rooney, representing the applicant, requested that the Liquor License for a new
establishment "Etc." be added late to the agenda. City Clerk Karr and City Arty. Dilkes stated
the application was not in order as it lacked sufficient signatures. Council did not add the
application to the agenda. Council directed staff to notify Mr. Rooney if any special meetings
were scheduled prior to the regular May 15 formal meeting.
PLANNING & ZONING ITEMS
PCD Director Franklin presented the following items.
A. Setting a public hearing for May 15 on an ordinance changing the zoning designation from
P, Public to CB-10, Central Business District for approximately 0.76 acres of property
located south of Iowa Avenue between Linn and Gilbert Streets. (REZ01-00005FFower
Place).
B. Setting a public hearing for May 15, 2001 on an ordinance amending the Zoning Code
(Article E, Commercial and Business Zones) to allow public, municipal parking facilities as a
permitted use in the Central Business District (CB-10) and Central Business Support (CB-5)
Zones.
C. Public hearing on an ordinance amending the Sensitive Areas Overlay Plan for Walnut
Ridge Parts 8, 9, and 10, an approximate 35.15 acre residential subdivision located on
Kennedy Parkway. (REZ01-0003).
Glenn Siders, representing the developer, noted that the item should be amending Part 9 and
10 only; Part 8 has already been approved.
April 30, 2001
Work Session
Page 2
D. Ordinance rezoning 24 acres from P, Public to SAO-5 Sensitive Area Overlay and amending
the preliminary SAO plan of the Peninsula Neighborhood, an 82.1 acre development located
at the west end of Foster Road. (Public hearing and first consideration)
Council agreed to set a special formal meeting for 9:00 AM on May 3 to waive second
consideration and pass and adopt the ordinance, and to consider an amendment to the
developer's agreement to change the legal description.
E. Ordinance changing the zoning designation from General Industrial (I-1) to Intensive
Commercial (C1-1) for approximately 12.09 acres located on the south side of Highway 1.
(REZ01-0002).
PCD Dir. Franklin stated the potential buyer would be present at the public hearing to discuss
two issues, the limitation to one free standing sign (they would like two), and requesting some
modification to the access easement. Until the CZA is signed the public hearing would have to
be continued.
F. Ordinance amending the zoning code Article (D), definitions, and Article (L) provisional
uses, special exceptions and temporary uses, to allow accessory apartments in accessory
buildings. (Second Consideration).
G. Ordinance changing the zoning designation by establishing a Conservation Overlay Zone for
properties generally located south of Burlington Street along Governor and Lucas Streets.
(Pass and Adopt).
H. Resolution approving a preliminary plat of Prairie Edge Subdivision, a 5.66-acre, five-lot
subdivision, located on the west side of Prairie du Chien Road and north of Linder Road.
(SUB01-00003).
I. Resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan to include the North District Plan.
AGENDA ITEMS
None
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Historic Preservation Commission (Brown Street District) - No applicants, readvertise
LEXINGTON AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING (IP1 of 4/26 Info Packet)
Asst. PCD Director Davidson and Asst. City Atty. Matthews presented information. Majority of
Council directed staff to install a seasonal barricade that would close Lexington Avenue for 8
months of the year and reevaluate after one year in accordance with the traffic calming policy.
STAFF ACTION: Proceed with installation of seasonal barricade. (Davidson)
MORMON TREK EXTENDED (IP2 of 4/16 Info Packet)
April 30, 2001
Work Session
Page 3
Asst. PCD Director Davidson outlined the project and stated a decision needs to be made on
the alignment of a portion of the road in the vicinity of the Dane and Willlares' farms. After
discussion a majority of Council indicated a preference to the N-1 B alternative alignment with
some variations.
STAFF ACTION: Proceed with road design and property acquisition according to N-1B
alignment. (Davidson)
WILLOW STREET AND UNION ROAD ON-STREET PARKING
(Consent Calendar ~4g(44) (a) and (b)
Asst. PCD Director Davidson answered questions regarding the proposals.
COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON JCCOG
Majority of Council agreed that a Council Members appointed to represent the Council should
vote in accordance with the majority of Council on City policy matters previously acted on or
agreed to by Council, but feel comfortable stating her/his personal opinion on the matter prior to
the vote. City Atty. Dilkes outlined provisions of the State Code regarding removal of
appointees. After discussion Council directed the City Attorney to prepare a resolution for the
June 12 formal agenda formalizing the policy with respect to votes on particular bodies, and
including a removal option.
STAFF ACTION: Prepare resolution for June 12 agenda. (Dilkes)
CDBG ALLOCATIONS (Item #16)
Community Development Coordinator Nasby present for discussion. Council Members
Vanderhoef and Kanner stated they would each be making amendments at the formal meeting
regarding Ruby's Pearl, Foxboro, Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship and Habitat for
Humanity.
ALCOHOL ORDINANCE (Item #16)
City Atty. Dilkes and Asst. City Atty. Matthews outlined the changes to the revised ordinance.
PCRB (IP3 of 4/26 Info Packet)
Majority of Council agreed to continue the Board in some fashion and requested the extension
of the sunset clause be an agenda item for the May 14 work session.
STAFF ACTION: Include item on May 14 work session. (Karr)
COUNCIL TIME
1. Council Member O'Donne]l indicated his preference to have starting and ending times on the
work session agenda items.
2. Council Member Vanderhoef requested that a discussion of sidewalks be scheduled for an
upcoming work session.
April 30, 2001
Work Session
Page 4
3. City Atty. Dilkes reported that she had researched whether the City could file a HUD
complaint regarding access at one of the City funded buildings, and indicated that the
preliminary research indicated the City would not have any standing as the City is a
governmental entity and not a aggrieved person.
4. City Arty. Dilkes stated she would be providing Council information on the US West vs.
Coralville case in which a number of cities are helping fund.
5. City Atty. Dilkes reported that staff was working on the smoking and restaurant definition
and will be reporting back shortly.
6. In response to Council Member Kanner, City Atty. Dilkes stated a memo regarding wetlands
legislation is also being prepared.
7. In response to Council Member Pfab, the Mayor requested that discussion of pursuing a
change in state law to allow video monitoring for traffic citations be discussed in two weeks.
Meeting adjourned 10:20 p.m.
05-10-01 COMMITTEE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 0 ? 2001
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 81fY MANAG[I 'S I]FFIC[
April 20, 200] ~
Mr. Stephen J. Atkins ~Z~
City Manager ~A7/
City Of Iowa
410 E Washington St
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1825
De~ Mr. At~ns:
Th~ you for contacting me in reg~d to reimb~sement of ~ding for water ~d
wastewater in~tmcture improvements for Iowa City. I appreciate he~ing from you.
The Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) released a su~ey concerning ~e need for
drinking water in~astmct~e in the United States in Febm~ of~is ye~. The 2001 Needs
Survey is a national estimate of the infrastmc~e needed to meet ~e public heath goals of the
Safe DriVing Wmer Act. According to the repoa, c~ent ~d ~e needs for &i~ing water
infrastmct~e totals $150.9 billion over 20 ye~s. Of this mo~t, $102.5 billion is considered as
inCastructure which is needed now to provide safe driving water ~d $48.4 billion is considered
to be futum needs.
On M~ch 28% the Subcommittee on Enviroment ~d Haz~dous Materials, of which I
m a member, held a he~ing on ~is issue. I will keep yo~ thoughts ~d suggestions in mind as
the House considers ways to meet these in~astmct~e needs in order m deliver safe driving
water m the public.
Again, th~ you for ~ing ~e time to share yo~ concerns. I appreciate having the
bcncfit of yo~ views.
Sincemly,
Greg G~ske
Member of Congress
JGG:he
FEDERAL BUILDING
1108 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 210 WALNUT STREET 40 PEARL STREET
WASHINGTON, DC 20515 DES MOINES, IA 50309 COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51503
(202) 225 4426 (515) 284 4634 ~712) 323 5976
PRpNTED ON RECYCLED pApER
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM '! I--
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Michael Gunn, Chair,
Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: May 7, 2001
RE: Central Business District Survey & Evaluation
Please find enclosed a copy of the recently completed "Survey and Evaluation Of the
Central Business District." Architectural historian Marlys Svensdsen of Svendsen Tyler, Inc
prepared this survey for the Historic Preservation Commission. The purpose of the Survey
was to identify historic resources that individually or collectively meet the criteria for listing in
the National Register of Historic Places. Listing in the National Register can be a source of
pride for property owners and, in the case of business districts, an important marketing
opportunity. Financial incentives for National Register propedies include Federal and state
grants-in-aid. In addition, the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 provides for a twenty
percent investment tax credit for rehabilitation of historic commercial buildings. A twenty
percent state investment tax credit is also available on a limited basis.
On Wednesday, 16 May 2001, Ms. Svendsen will make a presentation of the survey.
The hour-long meeting will be held at 8:00 AM in the Council Chambers of the Iowa City
Civic Center. Please let Madan Karr know at your May 14 work session if you plan to
attend.
Survey and Evaluation
Of the
Central Business District
Iowa City, Iowa
Prepared for the
Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
Prepared by
Marlys A. Svendsen
Svendsen Tyler, Inc., Sarona~ Wisconsin
April 2001
City Of ]Owa City
City Council
Emic Lehman, Mayor
Connie Champion Mike O'Donnell, Mayor Pro-tern
Ross Wilburn Steven Kanner
Irvin Pfab Dee Vanderhoef
Steve J. Arkins, City Manager
Historic Preservation Commission
Mike Gunn, Chair Summit Street Representative
Susan Licht, Vice-Chair At-Large
Ann Freerks At-Large
Richard Carlson At-Large
Michaelanne Widness At-Large
Peter Jochimson Woodlawn Representative
Doris Malkmus Moffitt Cottage Represemative
James Enloe East College Street Representative
Marc Mills Brown Street Representative
Loret Mast College Green Representative
Planning & Community Development Department
Karin Franklin, Director
Robert Miklo, Senior Planner
Scott Kugler, Associate Planner - CBD Survey Project Manager
Table of Contents
i. Introduction ........................................................................................3
ii. Methodology ......................................................................................4
iii. Development Overview ........................................................................5
iv. Summary of Findings and Recommendations ................................................9
v. Historic Preservation Incentives for CBD ...................................................13
vi. Amendment to Multiple Property Documentation Form "Architectural and Historical
Resources of Central Business District Neighborhood (1855 - 1950)"
Statement of Historic Contexts ..............................................................E- 1
Associated Property Types ..................................................................F-89
Geographical Data ..........................................................................G- 103
Summary of Identification and Evaluation Methods ...................................H-103
Maj or Bibliographical References .........................................................I- 107
i. Introduction
In 1992 the City Council and Historic Preservation Commission for Iowa City adopted a
comprehensive historic preservation plan to guide future preservation activities of the city. The
plan set forth aggressive goals and objectives to identify and protect historic resources significant
to Iowa City's past. The year 2000 was set as a reasonable deadline for completion of efforts to
survey historic resources in residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. Completion of
the Central Business District Survey in 2000 accomplishes another step towards meeting this
important objective.
Other surveys and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominations completed since
1992 include the following:
· "Muscatine Avenue Moffitt Cottage Historic District" (NRHP, 1993)
· "Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa" - Multiple Property Documentation Form
(NRHP, 1994)
· "Brown Street Historic District" (NRHP, 1994)
· "Historic and Architectural Resources in College Hill, Iowa City, Iowa, 1839-1944"
(NRHP, 1994)
· "College Hill Historic District" and the "East College Street Historic District" (NRHP,
1994)
· "Architectural and Historic Resources of the Dubuque/Lirm Street Corridor, 1839-
c.1940' (1996)
· "Survey and Evaluation of a Portion of the Original Town Plat of lowa City,"
(Phase I) and "Historic Folk Housing of Iowa City, Iowa, 1839~c.1910' (1997)
· "Architectural and Historic Resources of the Longfellow Neighborhood Area, Iowa
City, Iowa, c.1860-c.1946' (1996, 1998)
· "Survey and Evaluation of a Portion of the Original Town Plat of Iowa City,"
(Phase II) "Architectural and Historical Resources of Original Town Plat
Neighborhood (Phase II), 1845-1945 (1999)
· "Survey and Evaluation of the Goosetown Neighborhood (Phase Ill),"
Architectural and Historical Resources of Goosetown Neighborhood (Phase III), 1855-
1945 (2000)
The entire Central Business District (CBD) Survey Area is contained in the southwest portion of
the Original Town of Iowa City platted in 1839 (see page E-2). It contains approximately 135
properties located on 15½ blocks roughly bounded by Clinton Street on the west, Van Buren
Street on the east, East Jefferson Street and the alley south of Jefferson Street on the north, and
East Burlington Street on the south (see Figure 2, p. 18).
Work on the CBD Survey began in the fall of 1999. Photography was completed during October
and November 1999 and November 2000. Historic research was conducted during the winter
and spring of 2000. Site forms were completed during 2000. The survey report was written
during the fall of 2000.
The Central Business District Survey was completed under the authority of the City of Iowa
City, Iowa with direction from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, Mike Gunn,
chairperson. Marlys A. Svendsen with Svendsen Tyler, Inc. of Sarona, Wisconsin served as both
historian and architectural historian for the project. Scott Kugler, Associate Planner for the City
of Iowa City's Planning Deparlment, was the project manager. Interns John Adam, Mary Htmt
and Karmin Bradbury completed photography and other research assignments for the project.
ii. Methodology
The overall purpose of this study was to identify historic resources that individually or
collectively meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. A full
description of the methodology employed is contained in Section H of the Multiple Property
Document Form appended to this report beginning on page 103.
Work on the Central Business District Survey was completed over a 13-month period beginning
in the fall of 1999 and concluding in November 2000. Eight buildings in the CBD Survey Area
were identified as having been previously listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Listing dates appear in parentheses below.
· Congregational Church, 30 North Clinton Street (1973)
· College Block Building 125 East College Street (1973)
· Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 East College Street (1974)
· Old Post Office, 28 South Linn Street (1979)
· George & Harriet Van Patten House, 9 South Linn Street (1983)
· Boerner-Fry Company Building/Davis Hotel, 332 East Washington Street (1983)
· Franklin Printing House, 115 South Dubuque Street (1986)
· Paul-Helen Building, 207 East Washington Street (1986)
Four National Register properties are located on the north and west edges of the CBD Survey
Area.
· Old Capitol National Historic Landmark (1972)
* Pentacmst Historic District (1978)
· Park House Hotel, 130 East Jefferson Street (1978)
· St. Mary's Church & Rectory, 220 East Jefferson Street (1980)
One National Register listed property was destroyed by fire in 1999 - the former Opera House
Block at 210 South Clinton Street. Another downtown property was determined eligible for the
National Register earlier this year - the Englert Theatre, 221 East Washington Street.
Preparation of an amendment to the 1994 Multiple Property Documentation Form, Architectural
and Historical Resources of lowa City Central Business District Neighborhood (1855-1950),
was the final outcome of the CBD Survey. The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and
the staffof the State Historical Society of Iowa will review the initialdraft. Revisions will be
made based on their suggestions.
ii~ Development Overview
The survey identified development trends experienced in Iowa City's Central Business District
during the past 16 decades, and classified them as similar to evolutionary patterns in commercial
development found in many American communities. Such evolutionary paRems are often
described as "organic," in that a downtown is not the product of a single property owner, a single
architectural designer, or a single historical period. Rather, it represents the collective financial
investment and architectural preferences of hundreds of individual owners and business
operators through many generations. In Iowa City where considerable property is owned by the
University of Iowa and the municipality, the role played by institutional planners and property
managers also contributed substantially to the organic pattern.
When established in the 1840s and 1850s, downtown Iowa City faced onto the six-acre Capitol
Square. Old Capitol served the territory, then the state as the statehouse.. A mix of small-scale
frame and brick commercial buildings, churches and dwellings were built on the north, east and
south sides of the square. These early buildings were utilitarian in design, serving basic needs
of the new settiers and were soon replaced. Iowa Avenue was planned as a wide boulevard
from Capitol Square on the east edge to Govemor's Square on the west edge of the Original
Town Plat. Although a govemor's mansion was never built, its 120-foot width made Iowa
Avenue the widest and most important thoroughfare in the city despite the fact its symbolic role
never materialized.
Other sweet widths in the CBD ranged from 80-feet for most of the north-south streets
(Dubuque, Linn, Gilbert, and Van Buren) to 100-feet for the east-west streets (Jefferson,
Washington, College, and Buffington). Because it froriled onto Capitol Square, Clinton Street
was given the more generous width of 100-feet. One block east of Capitol Square along the
north side of Iowa Avenue a city park was platted with nearby reserves for churches and a
school. South Market, one of three public squares on the Original Town Plat, was established
three blocks away between Gilbert, Van Buren, College, and Burlington streets.
The railroad arrived in Iowa City at the end of 1855 and the capital was removed to Des Moines
two years later. In a decision that would eventually have profound significance, the state
legislature established a university in 1847 willed the abandoned capitol m it in 1857. Capitol
Square became its campus with the now established business district surrounding it on three
sides. First generation commercial buildings gradually were replaced with two and three-stury
brick commercial blocks. After the Civil War more substantial church structures replaced
earlier ones, an opera house appeared, and several additional University buildings were erected.
The downtown continued to serve as the economic and social crossroads of the community.
The decade of the 1870s produced the largest number of extant buildings in the downtown -
two dozen or 17% of all present structures. Mostly two-story, narrow-front commercial
buildings with residential flats for their owners on upper levels, by 1880 these buildings lined
Clinton and Dubuque Streets and adjoining blocks. Clothiers, tailors and milliners favored
Clinton Street; most banks built along Washington Street; saloons and billlard halls selected
Dubuque Street; and a collection of hardware stores, boot and shoe sellers, drygoods
6
establishments, jewelers, bakeries, and hotels scattered along the intervening blocks. Fire was
the greatest hazard of this era and occurred regularly. Many catastrophic fires created
oppommities for new buildings in their places.
The 1880s and 90s produced changes in the use of both public squares in the downtown. South
Market was changed from a brush-covered localized dump to a railroad depot site for both
passengers and freight. In 1890 the city authorized transfer of the city park block to the
university. A series of new buildings were constructed here including Chemistry Hall and
Homeopathic Hospital as well as the first sections of the University Hospital during the
following decade. Construction of more omamented buildings continued during the 1880s and
the t890s with 20 still surviving from this period. More than one-third of the currently existing
buildings in the downtown were built prior to 1900.
During the decades prior to World War I, the downtown experienced a building boom.
University enrollment grew, new buildings were added to the Pentacrest Campus, and the
hospital complex was expanded three times. Streets were paved using brick, electric street
railways began operation, and retail trade thrived. Twenty buildings survive from this boom
period, including several that define the downtown skyline today. They included a multi-story
bank and office building, a major hotel, and a new theatre to replace the declining opera house.
A civic corridor replaced residences along and near Lirm Street with advent of a public library,
post office, and several fraternal halls joined City Hall then located on the northwest comer of
Linn and Washington streets.
Downtown development declined during the 1920s and 1930s. The most significant change was
the appearance of national and regional franchise stores. The first had appeared prior to World
War I and confmued to thrive despite the Great Depression. A number of buildings went
through receivership. The rapid rotation of businesses that typified downtown Iowa City
continued.
Several trends in 20th century technology and popular culture manifested themselves in the
downtown prior to World War II. The arrival of the automobile spawned construction of
7
service stations, cur dealerships and garages including several along Buffington and south of
College Street along Linn and Gilbert streets. Tobacco shops, confectioncries, soda fountains,
billiurd halls and movie theatres sprang up in existing buildings scattered throughout the
business district. The only major building constructed in the decade prior to World Wur II
housed the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper. Less than a dozen buildings constructed during
the 1920s and '30s survive.
The 20 years that began with Wo~d Wur II saw the population of Iowa City neurly double.
Enrollment at the University fluctuated dramatically before leveling off in the late 1950s.
Shortages and workforce disruptions during the wur stifled downtown development during the
curly 1940s. An ample supply of office and retail space discouraged additional development
during the following decade despite a robust retail climate. As a result, the general size and scale
of buildings in the business district remained unchanged. The same core blocks provided a mix
of retail shops, banks, theatres, hotels, service stations, office buildings, restaurants and civic
buildings with a handful of residences scattered in. Only seven buildings erected during these
two decades survive today.
Downtown property owners and municipal leaders focused attention on solving traffic
congestion and purking problems during this period. In the late 1940s purking meters were
introduced and the first municipal parking lots were built on purcels along the eastern edge of the
downtown. Congestion was addressed by street widening, removal of boulevurd or median
strips, and installation of traffic signals.
The last four decades of the 20th century in downtown Iowa City have been dominated by the
debate over urban renewal. Introduced in about 1960 as a strategy to revitalize an aging city
center, measures eventually were broadened to include the construction of new municipal
buildings and purking ramps as well as propesais for street closures. The strategy of acquiring
and demolishing aging buildings to provide lurger purcels for redevelopmerit proved highly
controversial. Bolstered by the receipt of federal funding, this policy eventually resulted in
clearing 11 acres of land or nearly six city blocks. Simultaneously, the University built major
new buildings in the three blocks extending along the north side of Iowa Avenue.
8
By 2000 the CBD Survey Area had become intensely developed commercial blocks consisting
of two and three-story buildings plus a scattering of multi_story bank, office and apartment
buildings accompanied by parking ramps and a hotel. A multi-block pedestrian mall had been
installed along College Street between Clinton and Lima streets and on Dubuque Street between
College to Washington streets. The university's central campus extended for three blocks along
the north edge of the survey area from the Pentaerest to Gilbert Street. A collection of civic and
institutional buildings was located along the east edge. The south edge is marked by a
transportation corridor along Burlington Street. The Old Capitol Center, a multi-story shopping
mall, was located south of the Pentacrest along the west edge of the CBD.
iv. Summary of Findings and Recommendations
The Central Business District Survey Area includes a variety of building types and forms ranging
from attached narrow-front commercial buildings to freestanding fraternal halls and classroom
buildings. Portions of the area were first settled when Iowa City served as Iowa's territorial and
then state capital. All of these first generation, temporary structures have since been replaced
with more permanent buildings one or more times. Approximately 135 primary structures were
evaluated during the Central Business District Survey. Site forms were completed for all
buildings including structures constructed during the past several decades. Due to turnover of
some businesses during the survey, or the construction of new buildings, several revisions were
necessary. Approximate number counts by various categories inchde:t
· 100 retail and/or office buildings
oSbanks
· l0 buildings containing a minimum of 10 apartments
· 3 churches
· 3 libraries
· 1 mortuary
· 4 hotels
· 2 thea~es
· 2 miniparks and 1 pedestrian mall
· 5 parking lots and 3 parking ramps
· 11 university-owned or leased properties (approximately 30% of CBD Survey Area)
· 5 municipally-owned buildings
· 7 buildings conslructed as single-family dwelling
nSome buildings may appear more than once due to multiple uses or applicable categories. Categories used
in this summary include both current and original uses.
A range of American amhitectural styles spanning the latter half of the 19th century and the 20th
century are represented by the buildings in the CBD Sittrey Area. The work of important local
and Midwestem architectural firms and designers is represented in modest as well as large-scale
buildings. They include Chauncey Lovelace of Iowa City, Proudfoot and Bird and their
successor firm - Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson - of Des Moines, Dieman & Fiske of Cedar Rapids,
Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen of Des Moines, Vorse, Kraetsch & Kraetsch of Des Moines, H.L.
Stevens Co. of Chicago, Kruse and Klein of Davenport, and J. Bradley Rust of lowa City. Their
work and that of other designers and craftsmen whose names are not known include examples of
the Greek Revival, Italianate, Classical Revival, Beau.x-Arts, Georgian, and Modeme styles.
Individual Eligibility: Approximately 64% (87) of the primmy buildings are more than 50 years
old with the remalhing 36% (48) less than 50 years old. Of the 135 extant primary buildings,
slightly less than one-third appear to meet the National Register of Historic Places Criteria for
Evaluation as individually significant architectorally and/or historically. These same properties
would also meet the criteria for local landmark designation because the criteria used are the same
under the Iowa City Historic Preservation Ordinance. In the table which appears on pages F-
101 - 106, buildings already listed on the National Register are designated as "NRHP" and
National Register eligible properties are designated by "E". Buildings not considered eligible for
the National Register are designed as "NE".
Historic District Eligibility: Portions of two potential historic districts, the Downtown Historic
District and the East Jefferson Street Historic District identified in a previous survey, are located
in the CBD Survey Area. The Downtown Historic District has an irregular boundmy def'med by
Iowa Avenue and the alley south of Iowa Avenue between Linn and Gilbert streets on the noah,
Clinton Street on the west, and Gilbert Street on the east. The southern boundmy follows the
alley south of Washington Street between Clinton and Liun Street and then follows Linn Street
south to include the old Iowa City Public Library at the southeast comer of Linn and College
streets and then continues east along College Street to Gilbert. The pedestrian mall blocks along
College Street and the newly constructed buildings facing Iowa Avenue and College Street
immediately west of Gilbert Street are excluded. The district contains the best preserved
10
commercial buildings in the CBD including examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Renaissance,
Romanesque, Classical Revival, Georgian, and Modeme style building designs. It also includes
a collection of public buildings constructed prior to World War I in a "civic corridor" along the
east edge of the CBD.
Built during more than 15 decades, these buildings record the story of Iowa City's economic
and social center. As with most organically developed business districts, its buildings express
the individual taste of their builders, the architectural styles and aesthetics popular during a
considerable period of time, and the range of materials available for construction and/or
subsequent remodeling. Despite the loss of dozens of buildings to urban renewal efforts during
the 1970s, a sufficient number of contributing buildings survive to qualify portions of the
surveyed area for National Register designation as a historic district.
Since substantial differences exist between the nature of buildings developed east of Linn Street
and the balance of the district, an alternative to including the "civic corridor" in the Downtown
Historic District would be to designate individual structures in the corridor separately. Several
of these buildings are listed already in the National Register. Others are eligible. This option
should receive careful consideration.
A small portion of a second historic district lies along the north edge of the subject survey area.
The portion of the CBD Survey Area in the East Jefferson Street Historic District includes the
north half of the block located between Clinton Street, Jefferson Street, Dubuque Street and
Iowa Avenue and the building at the southwest comer of Jefferson and Gilbert streets. The
balance of the district extends along the north side of Jefferson Street from Clinton Street to just
east of Gilbert Street. The East Jefferson Street Historic District includes an important
collection of Iowa City churches as well as a several well-preserved residences dating from the
late 19th or early 20th century. Several residences were associated with important historic
persons in Iowa City. Portions of the downtown campus originally affiliated with the
University medical school and hospital are included in this district since they fall within the
historic period of the balance of the East Jefferson Street Historic District. They also
11
demonstrate the manner in which the downtown campus evolved prior to World War I to
include the blocks bounded by Clinton Street, Jefferson Street, Gilbert Street and Iowa Avenue.
Historic Preservation Overlay Zones: Iowa City' s zoning ordinance provides special protection
for properties that qualify either as a local historic district or a historic landmark under the
designation "historic preservation overlay zone (OHP)''2. All areas identified as eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places individually or as a historic district qualify for local
designation and protection. It is recommended that, through time, the Historic Preservation
Commission seek designation of all properties identified as National Register eligible in the
amendment to the Multiple Property Documentation Form, Architectural and Historical
Resources of lowa City Central Business District (1855 ~ 1950). Highest priority should be
given to designating individually eligible properties with particular attention to any identified as
threatened.
Conservation Overlay Zones: Iowa City' s zoning ordinance also provides for special protection
of older neighborhoods under the designation "conservation overlay zone (OCD)''3 or
conservation districts. Currently the first conservation district is being considered by the Historic
Preservation Commission after approving design guidelines. The OCD Zone or conservation
district is designed to "conserve the unique characteristics of older neighborhoods"; to "provide
for design review of new construction or alteration of existing buildings to assure compatibility";
to "encourage the retention and rehabilitation of existing dwelling units"; to "stabilize property
values and encourage reinvestment" and "to protect the environmental setting of historic
landmarks and historic preservation overlay zones in close proximity to or surrounded by OCD
zones."
To qualify as a conservation district, the majority of the buildings of an area must be at least 50
years old and less than 60% of the buildings would qualify as contributing structures to a historic
district. Based on these qualifications and the purposes listed above, a strong case can be made
for designating the blocks identified above as a historic district rather than a conservation
21owa City Code, Section 14-6J-3.
3Iowa City Code, Section 14-6J4.
12
district. The Downtown Historic District coutains a total of 72 properties of which 58 or 81%
are contributing structures end 14 or 19% are non-contributing structures due to age or integrity.
As a restfit this area would not qualify as a conservation district.
A strategy of establishing a conservation district should be carefully considered. In order to
comply with the conservation district ordinence, a significantly larger number of non-
contributing properties would need to be present through the inclusion of a larger area. The
situation under which this would make sense is if the determination is made that the corn blocks
of the "traditional" downtown including those buildings between the alley north of College
Street end north of Burlington Street between Clinton end Linn streets were also included. This
approach should be pursued with due deliberatinn since it would have the effect of "diluting" a
historic district, a strategy that may be inappropriate.
v. Historic Preservation Incentives for CBD
There are four incentive programs available at the federal, state end local levels designed to
encourage rehabilitation of properties listed un, or eligible for, the National Register of Historic
Places. To be eligible for the programs, a property must be individually listed on, or eligible for,
the National Register or considered a contributing structure within a historic district that is listed
on, or eligible for, the Register.
Federal.' At the federal level the Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program provides a 20%
investment tax credit (ITC) to owners of certified historic properties who complete a certified
rehabilitation. The National Park Service holds ultimate responsibility for determining which
properties are eligible for the tax credits end whether rehabilitation meets the standards
established for historic buildings. Initial application is made through Judy McClure, Historic
Preservation Architect (j udy.mcclure~dca.state.ia. us) at the Community Programs Bureau of the
State Historical Society in Des Moines. Application fees are charged for review of applications
based on the estimated cost of the rehabilitation. Fees are waived for projects of less than
$20,000.
13
Eligible tax incentive projects must meet several additional tests. The building that is being
rehabilitated must be defined by the IRS as "depreciable," that is, used in a trade or business or
held for the production of income. The amount of the rehabilitation must be "substantial". The
IRS defines substantial projects as those involving the greater of $5,000 or an amount equal to
the owner's adjusted basis in the building. Expenses incurred in an ITC project may occur
during a two-year period or be phased over a five-year period. For phased projects, plans must
be approved prior to work commencing.
The application process for Federal ITC projects involves three pans. Part 1 of the Historic
Preservation Certification Application - Evaluation of Significance asks the owner to identify
what is historically significant about the subject property. Part 2 of the Historic Preservation
Certification Application ~ Description of Rehabilitation asks the owner to document the
condition of a building with photographs before work commences, to describe various parts of
the building being rehabilitated, and to provide a detailed explanation of the work planned. For
larger projects, plans showing existing conditions and new floor plan arrangements are required.
All work on ITC projects must be completed in conformante with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation. Part 3 of Historic Preservation Certification Application *
Certification of Completed Work is filed at the end of a project. Photographs showing the
building in its post-rehabilitation state are submitted with final cost estimates.
For projects with a planned duration longer than 24 months, an owner is allowed to phase
completion of the work for a period of up to five years. In these instances, the tax credit can be
taken incrementally as work proceeds rather than waiting until the project is completed. Both
Pan 1 and Pan 2 of the application must have been approved by the National Park Service before
work began. Then work may be spread over five years and the tax credit taken based on the
value of the work completed during each tax year. For example, ira $500,000 project is spread
equally over five years ($100,000 in qualifying expenses for labor, materials and outside
contracts annually), the owner is eligible for $20,000 in federal investment tax credits each year.
When the project work is complete, a Pan 3 application is completed and submitted.
14
State: In July 2000 Iowa established the Iowa Historic Property Income Tax Credit which
provides a state income tax credit of up to 25% for qualified rehabilitation costs. This program
can be used in tandem with the federal ITC described above. As with the federal ITC, eligible
properties include those listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register and those that
are contributing structures to a historic district. In addition, ira property is a locally-designated
landmark as the result of a local government action, it becomes eligible for the 25% state ITC.
Designation of a local historic district and individual landmark designation by the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission would have the effect of making properties eligible for the
25% state ITC.
The program is expected to operate much as the federal ITC operates with applications reviewed
and approved by the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines. Similar criteria for
approval as those described above for the federal ITC apply to the state ITC projects. Initial
application is made through Beth Foster, National Register Coordinator at the Community
Programs Bureau of the State Historical Society of Iowa (beth. foster(q~dca.state.ia.us) in Des
Moines.
The third incentive program was established in 1990. it is based on state enabling legislation and
local initiative. Iowa' s Historic Property Temporary Tax Exemption Program encourages the
rehabilitation of historic buildings by allowing county governments to abate increases in local
property taxes resulting from completion of a certified rehabilitation. The program provides a
combination of full exemption for four years from any increased valuation resulting from the
work, and decreasing exemption (up to the new valuation) during the subsequent four years. To
be eligible a minimum of $5,000 of rehabilitation investment must be made. Before completing
the three-part application, it is advisable to estimate the adjusted basis and the total rehabilitation
investment for the project to determine whether it will likely meet the "substantial rehabilitation"
test. Criteria for approval are similar to those described above for the federal and state ITCs.
Initial application is made through Judy McClure, Historic Preservation Architect at Community
Programs Bureau of the State Historical Society of Iowa Oudy.mcclure@dca. state.ia.us) in Des
Moines.
15
City: In 1999 the City of lowa City adopted a state-authorized Urban Revitalization Plan for the
Central Business District. The Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption Program that was adopted
in conjunction with this plan likely will make use of the state's Historic Property Temporary Tax
Exemption Program obsolete. Tax exemption schedules differ slightly for the two programs and
the city' s tax exemption program requires a local application process rather than a state
application procedure. Both programs require construction work to conform to The Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Local tax exemption projects must be approved by
the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission in the same manner that certificates of
appropriateness are considered under the Iowa City Historic Preservation Ordinance.
The city's Urban Revitatization Tax Exemption Program provides a competitive advantage for
historic buildings over non-historic buildings. This results from making tax abatement available
for both commemial and residential uses in historic buildings while limiting non-historic
buildings to commercial uses. In practice this means that the rehabilitation of an historic
building that includes apartments on the upper floors is eligible for a greater level of tax
abatement than a non-historic building with the same set of uses.
The Urban Revitalization Plan also provides a disincentive for the demolition of historic and/or
architecturally significant structures by making new construction projects that require the
demolition of such buildings ineligible for property tax exemption. Initial application for the
Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption Program is made through David Schoon, Economic
Development Planner with the Planning and Community Development Department for the City
of Iowa City (david-schoon@iowa-city.org).
16
Figure 1: Map of Iowa City with Central Business District Survey Area (shaded) U.S.G.S. Iowa
City West (7.5'), 1983
e*~! I,'
'Y:I'
I
17
Figure 2: Map of Iowa City showing survey boundaries for potential Downtown Historic
District and East Jefferson Slreet Historic District (shaded)
MARKET ST
'j~FT':e~:~'~' ~ .....
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IQ~A AVE
WASHINGTON ST
z ~ ~//////~ :oE s ~ ~
~ D
/////////' ~ ~ ~ z ~ ~ G
COURT ST COURT ST
18
Figure 3: Map of Central Business District Survey Area showing individual buildings
potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
MARKET ST
~SON ST
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IOWA AVE
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
~ ~ ~ GREEN
PARK
COURT ST COURT ST
LEGEND
Individually eligible/key property ~ Survey boundary
Contributing property ~ Potential historic distria
Noncontributing property ~
19
Figure 4: Map of University of Iowa Campus showing individual buildings and University of
Iowa building numbering system. Properties listed in, or eligible for, the National Register of
Historic Places are in italics.
~ ~ / ~ ~ ~r
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA MAIN CAMPUS
1. Old Capitol 22. Collegeof Engineering
2. Schaeffer Hall 23. MacLean Hall
4. Jessup Hall 184. PhiHips Hall
8. Macbride Hall 188. SpenCe Laboratories of Psychology
11. OId University Hospital (Seashore Hall) 203. VanAllenHall
16. School of Journalism 300. Jefferson Building (former Hotel
18. Medical Laboratory Building(BiolOgy Jefferson)
Building) 316. Lindquist Center
19. Hall of.4natomy (Biological Sciences 448. Biology Building East
Library) 490. Old Iowa City Public Library
20. Isolation Hospital
20
NPS Form 10-900-b
(June, 1991)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Multiple Property Documentation Form
This form is used for documenting multiple property groups retattng to one or several his~3ric contexts. See instructions in How to Complele ~e Multiple
Pro,oen*y Documentation Form (National Register Bulletin 16B). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use
continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.
New Submission X Amended Submission
A. Name of Multiple Prol~ertv LieUng
Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa
B. Associated Historic Contexts
(Name each associated histodc context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological pedod foreach.)
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1950
C. Form Prepared bv
name/title Madvs A. Svendsen
organization Svendsen Tyler, Inc, Date October 2000
street & number N3834 Deed Lake Road telephone (715~ 469-3300
city or town Sarona state Wisconsin zip code 54870
D. Certification
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this deeee~eeb'ttee
lefm ;.;;~ tie I~deael IlqlAer documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the Hsting of related properties consistent with
the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional fe{lelfemeel~4 lark le $b Ofll hd b0 ed liar
leefe~e~ el tile Iliaclef'; Itee~klal~ ed kktsllw let Ileekeelell aid liArale pte/e~,eaee. (L] see continuation sheet for additional
comments).
Signature and title of certifying off'~al Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
I hereby certify that this multiple propedy documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating
related properties for listing in the National Register.
Signature of the Keeper Date of Action
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number Table of Contents Page
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1950 Iowa
Name of Muitiple Property Listing State
Table of Contents for Written Narrative
Provide the toltawtng information on COntinuation sheets. Cite the letter and the title before each section of the narrative. ASsign page numbers
according to fOe instructions for continuation sheets in HOw fo Complete the Multiple Property DocumenteUon Form (National Register Bulletin 16B).
Fill in page numbers for each section in fOe spaCO below.
Page Numbers
E. Statement of Historic Contain ............................................................................................................................1
(If more fOan one histodc comext is documented, present them in sequential order.)
F. Associated Property Types .................................................................................................................................89
(Provide description, significance, and registration requirements.)
G. Geographical Data .............................................................................................................................................103
H, Summary of Identification and EvaluaUon Methods ...................................................................................... 103
(Discuss the mefOOds used in developing the multiple property listing.)
I. Major Bibliographical References ....................................................................................................................107
(List major written WOrks and pdmary location of additional documentation: State
Hletodc Preservation Office, other State agency, Federal agency, local government,
university, or Other. specifying repository.)
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being COllected for applications to the National Register of Histodc Races to nominate
preperttss for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list probedies, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a
beneft in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
Estimated Burden Statement: PuNic reporting burden fOr this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including tim for reviewing
instructions, gathering end maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of
this form to the Chief, Admintstmtive Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of
Management and Budget, Papalwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018). Washington, DC 20503.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
SecUon Number E Page 1
ArchitectUral and Historical Resources of IOwa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name Of Multiple Properly Listing State
E. Statement of Historic Contexts
L Introduction
Iowa City's founding and early development am discussed in the original Multiple Property
Documentation Form (MPDF) for "Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa" (submitted and approved
by the NPS in 1994). The "Brown Street Historic District" was listed in the National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP) in 1994 under the historic context "Iowa City Neighborhoods: Town and
Country (1840 - 1940)." Other historic contexts relating to three chronological pedods of
development and a fourth relating to the development of the University of Iowa (UI) located off
campus were included in this MPDF as well. The "Muscatine Avenue Moffitt Cottage Historic
District" was listed in the 1993 under a separate historic context "The Small Homes of Howard F.
Moffitt in Iowa City and Coralville".
Since 1994 five amendments to the original MPDF have been developed to cover the previously
developed historic contexts or based on intensive-level surveys of specific neighborhoods in Iowa
City. They include:
· "Architectural and Histodc Resources of the Dubuque/Linn Street Corridor, 1839-c.1940~
(completed 1996),
. "Historic and Architectural Resources in College Hill, Iowa City, Iowa, 1839-1944" (approved by the
NPS in 1997) with two historic districts, the "College Green Historic District" and the "East College
Street Historic District (both listed in the NRHP in 1997),
· "Historic Folk Housing of Iowa City, Iowa, 1839-c. 1910' (completed 1997),
· "Architectural and Histodc Resources of the Longfellow Neighborhood Area, Iowa City, Iowa,
c.1860-c.1946" (completed 1998),
· "Architectural and Historic Resources of Original Town Plat Neighborhood (Phase II), 1845-1945
(completed 1999, listed 2000) and
· "Architectural and Historic Resources of the Goosetown Neighborhood (Phase Ill), 1855-1945
(completed 2000).
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number E Page .2
ArchiteCtural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District. 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Propeft,/Listing Stat~
This amendment builds on the survey work and each of the MPDF amendments created beginning
in 1994. It deals with the Central Business Distdct (CBD) blocks located opposite Capitol Square
of the Original Town Plat of Iowa City recorded in 1839 (Figure 1 ) with approximately 135 principal
buildings located on 15 blocks and I half-block. Figure 2 shows the boundaries for other survey
projects and National Register historic districts in Iowa City,
Figure 1: Map of Iowa City showing the 1839 Original Town Plat. The survey area is shaded~
~ Taken from "Map of Iowa City drawn by Leander Judson," reprinted in The Palimpsest, (Februan/, 1967) vol. 48,
no. 2, pp. 60-61.
United States Deparlment of rITe Interior
National Pa~k Sayice
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number E Page '~
Architectural and Historical Resource~ of iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Properly [.iMing State
FiGure 2: Map of Iowa City with boundaries for survey projects and National Register historic districts
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ii. Description and Overview of Development of Central Business District Survey Area
The Central Business District (CBD) Survey Area is located in the south central section of the
Original Town Plat laid out in 1839 for Iowa City. The Original Town Plat included 100 blocks with
eight lots per block, 31 out lot blocks, two public squares, three market squares, two public parks
and reserves for churches and a school. A promenade bordered the east bank of the Iowa River.
Following the siting of "Capitol Square," which included the equivalent of four city blocks, on a rise
overlooking the river, lots measuring 80 feet x 140 feet were laid out facing the square. A grid
system of streets of varying widths aligned with the compass points stretched in four directions
from the square. Alleys measuring 20 feet ran in an east-west direction except in the blocks
closest to the riverfront promenade between Madison and Front streets (now absorbed into the
University of Iowa campus) and in the two blocks extending along the east side of Capitol Square.
The Central Business District Survey Area is bounded by Jefferson Street on the north, Burlington
Street on the south, Clinton Street on the west and Van Buren Street on the east. The CBD is
located directly east of the Pentacrest Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP) and Old Capitol National Historic Landmark (NHL). Previously surveyed
sections of the Original Town Plat (Dubuque-Linn Street Corridor, Phase I, Phase II and Phase III)
lay to the north and east of the Downtown.
The CBD Survey Area includes three blocks of the downtown campus of the University of Iowa
along the north edge with the balance of the neighborhood composed of commercial blocks and
municipally owned land, The physicel layout of the CBD is relatively flat with a slight downward
slope from west to east towards Gilbert Street. A more drastic terrain change occurs in the
southeast comer of the survey area adjacent to a short north-south section of Ralston Creek that
parallels South Van Buren Street. There are no other topographic features of consequence in the
survey area.
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As noted above, the CBD contained blocks containing lots facing onto east/west streets with alleys
bisecting the blocks. The exceptions were Block 79 and Block 80 immediately east of Capitol
Square where lots faced Clinton Street and no alley was provided. Iowa Avenue was planned as
wide boulevard leading from the Iowa Territorial Capitol located in Capitol Square to Govemor's
Square on the west edge of the Odginal Town Plat Its 120-foot width made Iowa Avenue the
widest and most important thoroughfare in the city from a practical sense while its anticipated role
in connecting the capitol to the official governor's residence made it the symbolic center of the city.
The widths of other streets in the CBD ranged from 80 feet for most of the north-south streets
(Dubuque, Linn, Gilbert and Van Buren) to 100 feet for the east-west streets (Jefferson,
Washington, College and Burlington). Because it faced onto Capitol Square, Clinton Street had a
more generous width of 100 feet.
A square-block municipal park that is now a part of the University of Iowa's downtown campus was
originally sited north of Iowa Avenue between Dubuque and Linn Streets. Reserves were also set
aside for churches and a school facing the park along Iowa Avenue (Block 66), Jefferson Street
(Block 67) and Dubuque Street (Block 60). Three market squares were situated along a north-
south diagonal line extending from the intersection of Burlington and Gilbert streets to the
intersection of Johnson and Fairchild streets. Two market squares were located in and near the
CBD including South Market located between Burlington, College, Gilbert and Van Buren streets
within the CBD Survey Area. Centre Market was located just outside of the survey area between
Jefferson, Market, Van Buren and Johnson streets.
The church reserves were eventually granted to four denominations and still serve three churches
160 years later. The balance of the church reserves were sold by the churches and converted to
commercial uses. The school reserve was used for an education building that had a varied career
as a part of the public school system and host to two local hospitals, The site was subsequently
transferred back to the state for use in conjunction with the university,
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By the year 2000 the CBD Survey Area had evolved to contain a sedes of intensely developed
commemial blocks generally consisting of two and three-stoW buildings with scattered multi-story
banks, office buildings, apartment buildings, parking ramps and a hotel. A multi-block pedestrian
mall extended along College Street from Clinton to Linn streets and from College to Washington
streets. Three blocks of the University of Iowa's downtown campus stretched along the north edge
of the survey area with the former Capitol Square, now known as the Pentacrest, laying to the west
of the CBD. An assortment of moderate to large-scale public and pdvate civic buildings was
located along the east edge with the south edge marked by a major arterial street and a series of
public parking ramps. The Old Capitol Center, a two-story shopping mall, was located south of the
Pentacrest along the west edge of the CBD.
iii. Development Patterns
Between 1839 when Iowa City was platted and 1945, the CBD Survey Area underwent several
phases of commercial and institutional development. The physical development patterns and
historic settlement trends associated with a substantial portion of the city sprang from the original
decisions made in the platting of the town and changed in response to historic events,
Territorfal and EaHy Statehood Era (1839-1857)
The first period of development for the CBD Survey Area falls within the Territorial and Eady
Statehood (1839 - 1857) historic context developed in the original MPDF for "Historic Resources of
Iowa City, Iowa". This pedod saw a mixture of small-scale commercial buildings constructed on the
east and south sides of Capitol Square as well as a handful of small dwellings. These eady
buildings were utilitarian in design serving the basic needs of the new settlers. The buildings were
generally not long lived. Two examples make the point. The Lean-back Hall (non-extant) was built
in 1839 at the northeast corner of Washington and Linn streets. The building was hastily
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constructed of hewn logs and rough board siding. It housed a tavern room, kitchen, dining hall and
a lodging room - multi-purpose functions that were required in 1839. Its hasty construction may
have contributed to its descriptive name and short life.
Like the Lean-back Hall, Butler's Capitol (non-extant) was built to serve a need of the new territorial
capital. Located along the north side of Washington Street just east of Clinton Street, this 60 foot x
30 foot two-story frame building was built by Walter Butler to serve as a temporary meeting place
for the territorial legislature in t841. Butler's decision to erect temporary quarters for the legislature
had the advantage of drawing guests to his new hotel located a few feet away opposite Capitol
Square on Clinton Street. A year later, the new stone capitol was sufficiently complete to hold the
fifth assembly of the territorial legislature, leaving Butler's Capitol to serve vaded uses. Among the
more notorious was its reported use as a house of ill-fame after it was moved a block to the
southeast and became the City Hotel?
The CBD's earliest buildings continued to be constructed of indigenous materials until after arrival
of the railroad in late 1855. These included local timber processed in water powered and later
steam powered mills, limestone quarried from numerous locations along the Iowa River and brick
manufactured at several area brick works using local clay deposits.
Skilled building craftsmen were among the most valuable citizens in any frontier economy. Thus,
construction of the territodal capitol proved a boon to construction generally sinca it attracted such
skilled labor. The continued presence of stone masons and cutters after completion of the capitol
(a total of 85 in 1856) encouraged a continuation of stone construction for commercial building
foundations as well as private dwellings. A commensurate number of skilled brick makers and
bricklayers (a total of 80 in 1856) encouraged the early replacement of frame buildings prone to fire
by two and three-story brick commercial buildings in the densely developing blocks south of Iowa
Avenue along Clinton, Dubuque and Washington streets.
2 Information provided by Robert G. Hibbs, local historian, Apdt 2001.
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Craftsmen were essential in constructing chumhes dudrig the 1840s and 1850s on the church
reserves located along Iowa Avenue and Jefferson Street and further north along Clinton Street.
The Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association of Iowa City organized and applied to the territorial
legislature to use the school reserve to build a school and library in 1841. They completed a two-
story brick building along the east side of Linn Street north of Iowa Avenue a year later. In each of
these instances, the presence of competent stone masons, bricklayers, plasterers, carpenters,
glaziers, steeple jacks, cabinetmakers and laborers was essential.
In general, the buildings constructed in the CBD during the 1840s and 1850s followed the styles,
materials and construction practices of national trends with several local variations. Most buildings
were vernacular in nature with little thought of architectural ornamentation. The exceptions were
buildings that used the Greek Revival Style or its most common features. This may have been
encouraged by the recent completion of the territorial capitol replete with its dome, portico and
Classical proportions. However, since the Greek Revival Style was popular throughout the period
in other eastern Iowa communities the impact of Old Capitol's design can easily be overstated.
Greek Revival styled commemial blocks with two or three stories - often no wider than 20 to 25
feet - gradually filled the block faces. Their storefronts usually consisted of dual entrances (one
for the shop space and the other for upper story offices or residential fiats) and a simple
arrangement of multi-light display windows and rectilinear entrance sidelights or transoms, Upper
floors usually had three or four double-hung sash with 6/6 or 9/6 configurations set between stone
lintels and sills or cast iron pediment amhes and sills. Brick corbeling and simple cornice moldings
completed the upper edges. Roofs were frequently side gable forms with parapets extending
above the roofline of the front facade.
Near the end of the Territorial and Eady Statehood Era (1839 - 1857) more substantial commercial
blocks were appearing with slightly more ornamentation. Stylistically they fell into the Victorian
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Renaissance or the Italianate styles. Their upper level windows were frequently embellished with
decorative cast iron or ~ressed-metal hoods. Brick corbeling treatments continued and pressed
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Franklin Printing House, 115 South Dubuque Street
metal cornice designs with brackets and bands of dentils were introduced. A pair of commercial
buildings at 111 and 115 South Dubuque- the oldest to survive in the CBD -were constructed in
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ca. 1856 or soon thereafter and are examples of Renaissance Style. The better preserved of
these two buildings, the Franklin Printing House (NRHP) at 115 South Dubuque Street was built as
quarters for the Iowa Capital Reporter newspaper in 1856. This newspaper was distinguished by
the fact it won a competition to be the official printer of the Iowa General Assembly. As the
Territodal and Eady Statehood Era (1839-1857) drew to a close with the move of the state capital
to Des Moines, the Reporter fell out of favor. When the state's political climate turned in the
1860s, the Iowa Capital Reporter was sold and the name changed to the Iowa City Republican.
After the Republican moved to larger quarters in the 1870s, this building housed a restaurant and
saloon operated by F.B. Volkringer known as "Frenchy's Saloon" until the turn of the 20th century. It
held a clothing store and drug store after 1900 with the upper floors taken over by the Hawkeye
Brush Works. Then in 1911 this property was purchased from the Volkringer heirs by John V. Koza
who operated a meat market from the first floor and resided above with his wife, Lucy. Koza's Meat
Market remained here for many years.
The Railroad Era (1856 - 1898)
The late 1850s brought three important histodcel developments to Iowa City that would
permanently shape its future - the arrival of the railroad in 1855, the departure of the state capital
in 1857 and the opening of the University of Iowa on a permanent basis in 1857. In turn, each of
these developments had a profound impact on the downtown. The Railroad Era (1856 - 1898) was
introduced with the laying of track in 1855 from the Mississippi River to Iowa City for the Mississippi
and Missoud Railroad (M&M RR), forerunner of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
The much-heralded ardval of the railroad strengthened Iowa City's ties to eastern cities and
increased the flow of settlers moving to and through the community. The fact that it remained at
the end of the completed track for nearly a decade gave Iowa City a major advantage. The
population, which had grown steadily during the decade of the 1840s to 1,250 people in the 1850
census, grew dramatically during the next decade. It doubled by 1854 to 2,570, spiking to 6,316
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two years later in 1856 before leveling off at 5,214 in the 1860 census.
Other important developments of the 1850s transpired neady simultaneously. With the state
capital scheduled to remove to Des Moines in 1857, the General Assembly granted Iowa City the
favor of permanently locating the University of Iowa here in 1847. Considered a consolation prize
of indeterminate value by many local citizens, the university opened in 1855 in rented quarters in
the former Mechanics' Academy (non-extant) located on the school reserve east of the city park
located along Iowa Avenue. It closed shortly after opening and then reopened in the vacated state
capitol in 1857.
During subsequent decades, an assortment of buildings to house university activities was added
on the former Capitol Square and to the blocks immediately east along the north edge of the
survey area. The former Mechanics' Academy was leased to house the University of Iowa Normal
School beginning in 1860. South Hall (south of Old Capitol, non-extant) was completed in 1863 as
a dormitory, but within three years was converted to classroom, academic offices and faculty
residences. The former Mechanics' Academy was purchased by the university and converted to a
men's dormitory in 1866 to replace the lost space in South Hall. Within a few years, North Hall
(non-extant) was completed immediately north of the former capitol and the grounds of Capitol
Square were fenced to keep out hogs and other livestock that roamed freely at the time. Other
dwellings constructed to the east and west of the city park were leased for dormitory and
classroom use. In ca. 1871 the men's dormitory in Mechanics' Academy was converted to a 20-
bed hospital managed by the UI Medical Department with nursing care provided by the Sisters of
Mercy. In 1885 the Sisters of Mercy established a separate hospital but the Academy continued to
serve as classrooms for the Medical Department.
Like Capitol Square, two other public open spaces on the Original Town Plat - city park and South
Market square - became the sites for buildings not originally intended for them. City park was not
a formally landscaped space. It was mostly a collection of native grasses, rarely cut or maintained
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in its early years. It was the site of a number of public celebrations and it likely functioned as an
informal gathering spot for visitors to the downtown and students. Public scales were maintained
at the southwest corner of the park at the intersection of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street giving
rise to the regular practice for many years of weighing and selling hay at this intersection (see
photo, page 25).
In 1890 the city council authorized transfer of the city park block to the State of Iowa for use in
conjunction with the university. It was thought at the time that such a move would discourage talk
in the Iowa General Assembly of moving the university to Des Moines - an ever present concern.
Whether the transfer of the park was actually the cause that achieved the desired effect or not, the
university was not moved.
The transfer of park property was not favored by all Iowa Citians. After the university made plans
to build a new Chemistry and Pharmacy Building on the site but before its construction, women
parishioners at St. Mary's Catholic Church located north of the park protested the building's
construction because of the planned felling of trees. Iowa City historian Irving Weber has
described the event as Iowa City's first protest. After a delay, the bishop of the Dubuque Diocese
interceded and the women withdrew so that the work could proceed.
During the decade following the property transfer, two university buildings were constructed in the
former park block during the decade of the 1890s. The Chemistry-Pharmacy Building (non-extant)
was built at the northeast corner of Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue in 1890 and the Homeopathic
Hospital (non-extant) was constructed at the southeast corner of Jefferson and Dubuque streets in
1894. The first section of the University Hospital, which was connected with the university's Medical
School, was erected in the Linn Street right-of-way east of the former park block in 1897. Just west
of the former park at the northwest corner of Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue, Close Hall was built
in 1890-91 to house the YMCA and YWCA. The building originally held lounges, meeting rooms
and a gymnasium used by UI students. In 1927 the YMCA and YWCA were moved to the newly
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completed Iowa Memorial Union. In 1924 Close Hall became headquarters of the UI newspaper,
the Daily lowan.
Like the city park block, the South Market squaro saw usage change through time. Located
several blocks east and south of the downtown's more important commercial blocks, the South
Market was also impacted by proximity to Ralston Creek. Though this location made the area
prone to periodic flooding, it also made it more suitable for the routing of a railroad line. This factor
was recognized by the late 1870s and the eastern half of South Market square was leased to the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad for a north-south railroad route through Iowa City.
Within a few years both a passenger station and freight house were constructed here. Farther
south, a collection of small and moderate-scale factories, a mill and a brewery located along South
Gilbert Street and the blocks fronting on the trackage constituted Iowa City's primary 19th century
manufacturing district. The use of South Market for railroad purposes would continue for the next
75 years,
During the Railroad Era (1857-1898) the balance of the CBD Survey Area became more densely
developed as local population continued to grow. During the 1860s Iowa City's population
adjusted in response to the inflow and exodus of war bound troops training at Camp Pope. It rose
from 5,214 in 1860 to 6,418 in 1867 and 6,583 in 1869 before declining to 5,914 in 1870. Five
years later in 1875 the city's population showed a modest increase to 6,371. The population
continued to rise slowly during the last decades of the 19th cen ury o 7,123 in
t fr m 1880 to 7,987 in
1900.
One of the earliest visual representations of the CBD Survey Area is contained in the 1868 "Bird's
Eye View of Iowa City." The map clearly shows Capitol Square with North Hall and South Hall
completed, Iowa Avenue with the city park devoid of buildings, churches along Jefferson Street
north of the city park and commercial buildings along the blocks closest to Capitol Square,
including North Clinton Street. Irregularly spaced dwellings filled the blocks facing Linn Street and
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1868 Bird's Eye View Map of Iowa City with the CBD Survey Area marked~
3Ruger, A. "Bird's Eye View of Iowa city, Johnson County, iowa." Chicago: Chicago Lithographing Co., 1868.
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to the east and along the streets south and east of the intersection of Clinton Street and College
Street. Both the brewery district to the north of the CBD along Market Street between Linn and
Gilbert streets and the fledgling industrial area along South Gilbert Street are represented.
Residences stretch north and south of the downtown with the block-wide floodplain vacant along
Ralston Creek. Dwellings resume to the east of Van Buren Street. A section of the bird's eye view
map showing the downtown with the Central Business District Survey Area highlighted appears
above on page E-14.
Examination of the dates of extant commemial buildings in the CBD Survey Area reveals the
largest number of buildings dating from the 1870s. Only a few from the 1880s or eadier survive,
although two dozen remain from the 1870s. These buildings are clearly depicted on Sanborn
Maps dating from 1874 and 1879.' Another 20 survive from the 1880s and the 1890s. They first
appear on Sanborn Maps dating from 1883, 1888, 1902 and 1899. The number of extant 19t~
century buildings totals fewer than 50, or approximately one-third of the buildings in the CBD.
The blocks containing the most intact buildings from the 1870s through the 1890s include the block
of Clinton Street south of Iowa Avenue, the block of Dubuque Street south of Iowa Avenue and
several pockets of buildings in the 100 block of South Dubuque Street, 100 block of College Street
and 200 block of Washington Street.
Subsequent to the 1870s, retailing along the block of Clinton Street south of Iowa Avenue included
establishments ranging from apparel sales and tailoring to bakeries and pharmacies. Several
buildings in the block typify the ownership patterns and changing uses of commercial buildings
during this period. The Moses Bloom Clothing Store was a double-front three-story brick
commercial block built in ca. 1870 at 28-30 South Clinton Street, Johnson County Property
Transfer Records show this property was owned by Moses Bloom and members of his family from
'The term "Sanborn Maps" is used hera to refer to the maps depicting aedal views of downtown blocks from
1874 to 1970. The maps were used by insurance companies through the years for rating buildings.
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prior to the Civil War through World War I. Bloom also owned other parcels in this block to the north
and east. He arrived in Iowa City from New York City in 1857 and opened a clothing store a short
South Half of Moses Bloom Clothing Store, 30 South Clinton Street
time later at this address. His store also included a merchant tailoring business and handled men's
hats and furnishings. When his son-in-law, Max Mayer, joined the business, the name became
Bloom and Mayer.
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Members of the Sanxay family owned the corner lot next door to Bloom's building at 32 South
Clinton Street. They built a three-story Italianate Style brick building in two phases between 1868
and 1874. A hardware store was located in the building during the early 1870s and despite the
building's prominent location at the corner of Capitol Square the shop space was vacant for a time
during the early 1880s. By 1890 the space housed a drug store - the Whetstone Pharmacy -
operated by John Whetstone and later by his son, Robed Whetstone. The business became a
downtown landmark complete with a popular soda fountain and postal station. The building's
Whetstone Building, 32 South Clinton Street
location immediately adjacent to the UI campus gave rise to the store's motto as a "Store of
Conveniences at the Convenient Corner."
At 16 South Clinton Street F.P. Brossart constructed a three-story brick commercial building with
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Gothic Revival ornamentation in ca. 1870. Through the years, several building owners
operated businesses from the shop space and resided in an apartment above. Sanborn
Namur's Bakery, 16 South Clinton Street
Maps show the shop space held several tailoring businesses, a millinery shop and several
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confectioneries, John Noel had a confectionery that also dispensed ice cream at this site during the
early 1880s and Eugene Namur's Bakery and ice cream factory operated frem here for neady four
decades beginning in the late 1880s. The Namur family resided in an upper level apartment.
According to local historian Irving Weber, the Namur Bakery was famous for its "snowflake bread."
He said the secret of the bread was running the white flour dough between steel rollers a number of
times. Many visitors to Iowa City would take home a loaf.
A fourth building along the block face appeared in the mid-1890s on property owned by William P.
Coast. This two-story brick building was massive compared to most commercial buildings. It had
three shop spaces instead of the usual one or two with an elaborate cornice treatment and
distinctive arched windows. The building Coast constructed was a good example of the Victorian
Renaissance Style. He and his partner, James Easley, operated a clothing store from two of the
shop bays, 10-12 South Clinton Street. A barbershop operated in the south bay. Eventually Coast
and his sons, William O. and Preston, assumed full ownership of the clothing business, adding
mens' furnishings and a merchant tailor trade. The store operated into the 1930s, using the slogan
"From Coast to Coast You'll Find No Better Clothes Than Coasts."
Several barbers operated from the Coast-owned shop at 14 South Clinton, with Arthur Winters' from
the 1920s threugh the 1950s. By 1930 the Town and Gown Tea Room was located above Winters
barbershop at 14'~ S. Clinton. Other office suites on the upper level were occupied by vadous
tenants, mostly physicians and surgeons. The site was convenient for their private practices since it
was located just acress Clinton Street from the University of Iowa Medical Department dudng the
1890s. At the turn of the 20th century when the new University Hospital was built, it was located just
1~ blocks east along Iowa Avenue.
The remainder of the Clinton Street block contained buildings of like scale dudng the Railread Era
(1857-1898), except for the St. James Hotel. This hotel was opened in 1872 following a
conflagration that destroyed eight buildings at and near the Iowa Avenue and Clinton Street
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intersection in 1867. When opened, the St. James was considered the best of a dozen hotels in the
downtown. Its four-story mansard roofed Second Empire Style design was much admired and
frequently photographed. In 1883 noted railroad engineer and prominent Iowa City banker Peter
William P. Coast & Sons Building, 10-14 South Clinton Street
Day acquired the St. James Hotel. Fifteen years later he remodeled its 50 rooms, advertising the
fact that it was lighted by electricity, was steam heated and had bath connections for the rooms.
The St. James remained a landmark until it burned in 1916.
A block away on Dubuque Street just south of Iowa Avenue a somewhat different pattern of
commercial development was taking form. By the late 1860s this stretch of Dubuque Street
already was in transition. The 1868 bird's eye view map of Iowa City shows a mixture of small-
scale front-gable buildings, row-house residences and a handful of two-story commercial blocks.
Located along a well-traveled entrance road into the downtown, this block proved to be an
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attractive location for restaurants, hotels and saloons. The 1868 city directory shows no fewer than
eight saloons in the block between Iowa Avenue and Washington Street.
Beginning in the late 1860s replacement buildings were constructed, but property owners still
favored smaller buildings than those constructed along Clinton and Washington streets. Instead of
three and four-story buildings, a series of two-story bdck buildings were constructed in this block.
Prominent corner lots were the first to receive next-generation buildings, On the southwest
Dubuque and Iowa Avenue corner, the Park House was constructed in 1868 diagonally from the city
park that gave the hostelry its name. It was one of eight hotels in Iowa City when Gotlieb Hunzinger
opened it for business. s By 1881 Hunzinger's widow, Margaret, leased the first floor to Joseph
Dehner to operate as a restaurant. Ten years later she sold the building to Tom and William Pohler.
William Pohler operated a restaurant at the I South Dubuque Street Park House site, and his
brother Tom had a restaurant next door. By the turn of the 20th century, William had changed his
business to a grocery and leased portions of the building to other tenants. Pohler's grocery was one
of 29 operating in Iowa City in 1901. William and his wife Elizabeth lived above the store. The
business continued in the Pohler family with sons Ray and Henry in charge until World War II.
Across Dubuque Street at the southeast corner of Iowa Avenue, Market Hall was constructed about
the same time that the Park House opened. The north half of Block 66 was originally a church
reserve. In 1841 the Universalist Church erected a small bdck building that stood here until fire
destroyed it in 1868. After the fire, the Universalists built a new church a block west on the
northeast corner of Iowa Avenue and Clinton Street. J.J. Dietz and Joseph Hummer acquired the
former church site and likely built Market Hall, a two-story brick commercial building, at this
prominent corner location soon after the fire as it appears on the bird's eye view of Iowa City
completed that year (reproduced as page E-14). Like several owners, Dietz's and Hummer's names
5This should not be COnfused with a building of the same name at the northwest comer of Dubuque and
Jefferson streets.
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Market Hall, 2 South Dubuque Street
appeared on several other downtown properties during this period.
Market Hall is an example of a two-story Commercial Brick Front form rendered in the Late Victorian
Romanesque Style. The building's fine corbeling and brick arch work remain intact in the north half
but like other structures where ownership has divided buildings, the south half lost its original
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appearance. Market Hall likely took its name from the fact that a meat market was located on the
first floor for many years and a meeting hall was on the upper level. Sanborn Maps show the
shop spaca held a meat market beginning in 1874 and continuing through 1920. Kimball, Stebbins
& Meyer were listed as butchers here in 1868. Subsequent meat markets included Kimball,
Stebbins, Meyer & Hunt (1875-76, 1878-79), Frank Stebbins (1890, 1891-92), Franklin Market
operated by Frank Stebbins (1893-94), Messner Brothers Meat Market operated by John and Louis
Messner (1901-02), Mullin, Messner & Co. (1904), and Koza & Kaufmann Meat Market operated by
John Koza and Lou Kaufmann.
Throughout the late 19t' and early 20th centuries, the upper level of Market Hall changed use
frequently. During the 1870s and 1880s a commercial college (1874), preparatory and normal
school (1879) and business college (1883, 1888) operated here. By the 1890s Frank Tanner
operated a carriage repository and agricultural implement business here. A cigar factory was
located here bdefly at the turn of the century followed by a dance hall through the 1920s. Another
business that operated from the southeast comer of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street without need
of a building was the city market and scales. Here buyers and sellers weighed and measured farm
products such as wagonloads of hay and corn in order to make business transactions.
With a fire an ever present concern along congested downtown streets and following several major
fires on this block in the 1870s, builders turned to masonry materials for replacement structures.
Skilled bricklayers produced excellent masonry work, including well-executed Romanesque window
arches and a rich variety of corbeling details in the cornices of even the more modest buildings (10
and 12 South Dubuque Street). Other buildings featured embossed metal brackets, cornices,
omamented window hoods and storefront elements (9-11 South Dubuque Street). Multiple
storefronts were frequently grouped in single buildings that through the years have been divided into
multiple ownership (17-21 South Dubuque Street).
The buildings constructed along South Dubuque Street during the 1870s employed Romanesque
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City Scales at intersection of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street, ca, 1880s (State Historical Society Collection)
and Italianate style designs and features in simpler, vernacular buildings. New buildings
constructed during the decade included Ham's Hall (ca. 1870) at 6-10 South Dubuque
Street, 12 South Dubuque Street (ca. 1870), the F.J. Epeneter Building (1873) at 7 South Dubuque
Street, 19-21 South Dubuque Street (1874), the J.J. Stach Saloon (ca. 1876) at 17 South Dubuque
Street and the Patterson Block (1879) at 9-11 South Dubuque Street. The north half of the F.J.
Epeneter Building was added in 1883 and the Patterson Block received a major remodeling in
1899.
Ham's Hall at 6-10 South Dubuque Street is a Romanesque Style commercial block that originally
had three storefronts, Only the south third at 10 South Dubuque Street remains intact today.
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Sanborn Maps show the first floor held a billiards parlor or saloon beginning in 1874 and continuing
through 1888 - one of many locations in the block where such businesses existed during this period.
A flour and feed business operated by Val Miller began here in ca. 1890 and a few years later was
taken over by Philip H. Katzenmeyer. Philip Jr. and later his brother George joined their father in
the business shortly after 1900. The Katzenmeyer family business continued at this location until
ca, 1914 when it was relocated to 335 South Gilbert Street,
South third of Ham's Hall, 10 South Dubuque Street
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Farther south at 17-21 Dubuque Street, another three-bay commemial building was constructed in
phases between ca. 1874 and 1876. The south bay is the oldest section constructed for the firm of
Maresh and Holubar, who operated a tin shop and stove business from 21 South Dubuque Street
from 1875 through ca. 1882. It is likely that the arched metal cornice joining the three storefronts is
an example of their much-touted metal working skill.
Maresh and Holubar sold their third of the building to Joseph Barborka who moved his jewelry store
from just up the street at 9 South Dubuque Street. Large-scale dock work appears to have been
one of Barborka's specialties having built and/or installed the tower clock at St. Mary's Catholic
Church in 1867 and the City Hall clock in 1881 as well as a large sidewalk clock in front of his store,
which was a downtown landmark during the decades before 1900. By 1901 the business included
his children, Wilhelmina Barborka as a metal engraver and Joseph as both a jeweler and optician.
During later years the building housed a confectionery and restaurant.
The center and north bays of the building located at 17 and 19 South Dubuque Street were built
soon after the section to the south housing Maresh & Holubar was completed about 1874. Like the
south bay, their designs blended qualities of both Romanesque and Italianate styles, including
round-topped windows and a brecketed cornice, James ScanIon owned the center bay where he
operated a saloon until he sold the building in 1884 to Moses Bloom, a prominent downtown clothier
and Iowa City mayor. After a short-lived restaurant, Bloom leased the space to a series of fumiture
stores including those operated by F.J. Schneider and William Hohenschuh who incorporated the
undertaking trade with their furniture business, a common practice for a century. The building at 19
South Dubuque Street continued as a furniture store until after World War I with each of the three
building sections under separate ownership. The funeral business was moved into a new building
at 13 South Linn (see photo page E-67).
Sanborn Maps show the north bay at 17 South Dubuque Street contained a variety of retail uses
beginning with a saloon in 1879 operated by J.J, Stach, Within a few years Stach switched his
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J.J. Stach Saloon, ScanIon Saloon and Maresh & Holubar Tin Shop/Barborka Jewel~ Store, 17-21 South Dubuque St~et
trade from spirits to boots and shoes. The passing of the Stach Saloon in the mid-1880s reflected
the shift away from saloon keeping downtown, as all such establishments had disappeared by 1901
from this block. The nature of shoe trade was changing from one-person manufacturing and repair
shops during this period to separate retailing and manufacturing establishments. Stach's store was
listed as one of nine "dealers" in boot and shoe sales in 189Q Another eight firms are listed as
"manufacturers" while in previous years the two groups were combined in a single list. The Stach
family's shoe store continued from this location with Phil and Joe assisting their father for more than
three decades.
The Patterson Block at 9-15 South Dubuque Street was the largest construction project undertaken
along this block during the 1870s. L,B. Patterson was an attorney with considerable real estate
interests when he undertook construction of the four-bay, cream-colored brick building between
1874 and 1879. The metal cornice has a date block indicating the year "1899." It is probable that
this date is when the facade was updated and a unifying cornice installed. The resulting design
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North One-quarter of Patterson B'~iock, 9 South Dubuque Street
changes gave the building a Victorian Renaissance Style with a dentiled cornice and garlanded
window hoods,
In later years, separate ownerships of the component sections of the Patterson Block resulted in
breaking up the building's stylistic unity. This factor combined with the destruction of the south half
of the Patterson Block by a fire in the 1980s has left only the north bay, 9 South Dubuque Street,
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intact. This bay held a variety of retail tenants during the late 19th century including a boot and shoe
shop, jewelry store and restaurant.
The balance of the CBD retains individual buildings or clusters of commercial buildings from the
1870s, 1880s and 1890s intermingled with 20th century buildings. The 100 block of College Street
contains two well-preserved buildings constructed during the 1870s - the Dooley Block at 109
Dooley Block, 109 East College Street
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College Street and the crown jewel of College Street, the College Block Building at 125-127 East
College Street (see photo page E-31 ). A third building at 115 College Street is nearly identical to
the Dooley Block but not as well preserved.
The Dooley Block was constructed in ca. 1874 when the built-up portion of the business district
generally extended along the blocks to the north and west of this property. The building's design
blends Romanesque and Italianate styles with distinctive bracketed cornice and elaborate semi-
circular window hoods. Frank Dooley acquired the property after the Civil War, and it is likely that
the building was under construction when the 1874 Sanborn Map was completed. It held the
Hazard & Pratt Hardware Store when completed and by the turn of the 20th century housed the
Opera House Exchange, the first of several saloons on the premises. When prohibition ardved, the
business changed to a pool hall or billlard parlor and tobacco shop with Henry Musack the proprietor
from before World War I through the late 1920s. The building housed a series of grocers during the
1930s including Piggly Wiggly Grocers in 1930 and Self-Serve Grocery from the mid-1930s through
World War II.
Several years after the Dooley Block was completed, Iowa City architect Chauncey Lovelace
bought a lot at 125-127 East College Street to build a double-wide, two-story brick
commercial block he designed. Lovelace, also a contractor, partnered with Robert Spencer
Finkbine in the architectural firm of Finkbine and Lovelace since before the Civil War. The
design of his new building was statement of Victorian exuberance. The account of the
building's construction in 1878 read like a well-placed advertisement for Lovelace.
The front of Mr. Lovelace's new block will be decidedly handsome and ornate.
The windows will be of plate glass and capped with elaborate galvanized
ironwork, the top of the building to be surmounted with a conspicuous comice. It
is something new, just what the street architecture of this city needs. (Daily
State Press, Iowa City, Iowa, August 15, 1878)
It appears Lovelace built the College Block or "College Street Block" (NRHP) as it was originally
called, partly on speculation. Charles Barrow operated a grocery store from the east shop space
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from shortly after it was completed through ca. 1912. Tenants changed frequently in the west half,
however, and included a drug store, drygoods store, saloon, produce market and confectionery
before World War I. In ca. 1895 Lovelace moved his architectural practice into one of the second-
floor offices.
College Block, 125-27 East College Street
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The 1870s brought several Second Empire Style commercial blocks to the downtown. As with the
St. James Hotel opened on the southeast corner of Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue in 1872, this
style was usually reserved for larger buildings and frequently for buildings located on prominent
corners. Examples included buildings at 210 South Clinton Street, City Hall built at the northwest
corner of Washington and Linn streets in 1881, the Odd Fellows Building at the northwest corner of
College and Dubuque streets built in 1882, and the building at 118 South Dubuque Street built in ca.
118 South Dubuque Street
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1881. All of these buildings except one -118 South Dubuque Street - are non-extant as a result of
fires or urban renewal.
J.K. Corlett operated a carriage and wagon manufacturing business from 118 South Dubuque
Street in several small buildings prior to the Civil War. In 1881 he sold the property to Edmund
Shepherd and a two-story Italianate Style commercial block was erected on the site. Moore,
Westcott & Co., a retail hardware store, located on the first floor and the upper level was used for
storage. A decade later a third floor was added incorporating a mansard roof. At the same time the
hardware business added a wholesale line to its trade. After the turn of the 20th century, the
hardware store was discontinued and a series of retail tenants occupied the building's three
storefront spaces. Adaptation of a mansard roof to this building's expansion proved to be both
aesthetically pleasing and utilitarian.
Stillwell Building, 216 E. Washington St. at left without third floor
(from an advertisement in the 1896 Hawkeye Annual, State University of Iowa)
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The need for upper-level space in the downtown during the 1880s for offices, workshops and
housing resulted in an increasing number of buildings being constructed with at least three stories.
The demand for storefront space was met by spreading the CBD to the east and south during this
decade as well. The location of the new City Hall at the intersection of Washington Street and Linn
Street in 1881 served as a magnet for construction of several fashionable and innovative buildings
along the north side of the 200 block of Washington Street a few years later.
--- ~ ~.,.~
Stillwell Building, 2'16 East Washington Street, with third floor added
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One of the most innovative buildings was constructed in ca. 1882 to house the metal working shop
of Maresh and Holubar, the leading local firm involved in the fabrication of embossed cornices,
brackets, window hoods, moldings, metal roofs and other ornamentation. When they built at 212-
214 East Washington Street (non-extant), they selected a design that featured cast iron storefronts
for each of the building's three bays, embossed metal panels for cladding over the entire brick front
and elaborate window hoods. A massive decorative cornice topped off the building. Though no
IXL Block, 218 East Washington Street
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other Iowa City buildings were ever built with such extensive metal ornamentation, the Marosh and
Holubar building did provide a catalogue of possibilities. The Stillwell Building (216 East
Washington Street) and the two sections of the IXL Block (218-220 East Washington Street) used
Victorian metalwork in their designs. Mortliner Ryan completed the Stillwell Building in ca. 1880.
Originally two stories in height, the metal cornice was removed and roused when a floor was added
in ca. 1890. Byron Stillwell opened a paint, oil, varnish and wallpaper shop in the building's shop
space in the late 1880s and purchased the building in 1900. The business was continued for nearly
a century from this location.
Another important building erected in this block was the 1881 City Hall. This three-story building
combined municipal offices with fire and police stations. The building was designed in the Second
Empire Style complete with a mansard roof, iron crosting, brocketed comice, dormers and a 78'
tower that housed both a bell and clock. The principal entrance was on Washington Street with
three bays opening onto Linn Street for the fire wagons.
Between City Hall and the Stillwell Building a massive three-story building began to take shape
before the mortar was even set on City Hall. The IXL Block (source of its name unknown) was
constructed on land assembled through a sheriffs sale after the property was forfeited for non-
payment of taxes. Erected in 1883 the IXL Block included three distinct buildings linked by a
common Victorian design treatment and a common tenant on the upper levels. The center and
west sections survive today with 218 East Washington Street containing the most intact original
storefront in the CBD. Cast iron columns frame the large display windows, with the original
decorative metal molding separating the first and second floors still in place. The windows have
elaborate surrounds with embossed keystones, The designs of the storefront and the window
surrounds are repeated in the building's sheet metal cornice and pediment. The 220 East
Washington Street center section differs slightly in window placement and cornice. A curved
name/date block caps the cemice. The impact of the IXL Block when viewed with the 1881 City Hall
is preserved in an advertisement for "Three Complete Schools" on page E-33.
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The IXL Block had three shop spaces with the west and center bays containing a grocery store and
agricultural implement dealership when the building was completed. After 1900 tenants appear to
have changed frequently. The 218 East Washington Street section included a second hand store
and printing business in 1906, but Louis Benda's grocery store was here by 1910. By World War I
the first floor was divided into two shop spaces. Harry Wieneke operated a shop selling cigars,
IXL Block (original center section), 220 East Washington Street
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stationery, fishing tackle, newspapers and magazines and rubber stamps during the 1930s. In the
same time frame, Swaner Farms Dairy operatad a dairy store here as an outlet for their creamery.
The 220 East Washington Street section continued to house an agricultural implement dealership
until 1911 when the building was sold to Ostdlek and Thomas Tennyson. The storefront was
divided, with City Bakery occupying the east shop. Dudng subsequent years they leased the west
unit to vadous tenants including a series of jewelry stores, an electrical contracting business and an
undertaker.
Beginning in the 1890s and continuing neady three decades, the upper floors of IXL Block were
occupied by a business school that appeared under vadous names including the "Iowa City
Commercial College," the "Iowa City Academy," and the "Iowa City School of Shorthand." The
college advertised "three complete schools under one roof." The Academy alone occupied twelve
rooms and offered university preparation courses. W.A. Willis owned and directed the school with
twelve "practical" teachers directing the courses.
At the close of the Railroad Era, four decades of fires, demolition, rebuilding, new construction,
street paving and changing technology had transformed Iowa City's downtown from frontier town to
important center of scholarship and commerce. The university campus was firmly established on
the north edge of the CBD, execution was beginning on a master plan for development of the
Pentacrest, and the UI medical complex was taking shape. The downtown's eastern boundary had
been extended to Linn Street and south past College Street. Businesses catering to the needs of
Iowa City's permanent residents and growing student population kept vacancies low. City blocks
that had contained a mixture of buildings prone to fire at the beginning of the Civil War were
replaced by orderly commercial blocks. Specialized retail shops stocked the latest fashions and
indispensable gadgets of the coming consumer age, Predictions of expanded importJexport
opportunities presented by railroad connections were being realized.
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The close of the Railroad Era (1856 - 1898) was signaled by two events. A new depot was
constructed for Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RR passengers in 1898 along Wright Street four
blocks south of the CBD between Dubuque Street and Clinton Street. Commerce would continue
to depend on rail connections even after interurbans were built and the "Good Roads" movement
reached a peak late 1920s. Passenger service would link students to their hometowns and provide
Iowa City residents with ready access to urban centers for many years to come. A second event to
end of the Railroad Era came in 1899. George MacLean was installed as president of the
University of Iowa, ushering in a period of unprecedented growth. The 20th century would bring
impacts to the community through factors emanating from expansion of the university, the building
aesthetics it introduced and both the opportunities and challenges it presented to the downtown.
Town and Gown Era (1899 - 1940)
Four decades span the Town and Gown Era (1899 - 1940) in Iowa City, It's marked by dramatic
growth of the University of Iowa and the redevelopment and expansion of the downtown. Iowa
City's population more than doubled from 7,987 in 1900 to 17,182 in 1940. This trend was in
contrast with a decline in the state's population during the pedod. Iowa City experienced a modest
increase between 1910 and 1920, growing from 10,091 to 11,267. Growth was more dramatic
during the next decade, reaching 15,340 by 1930. Intense growth occurred between 1920 and
1925 as population ballooned more than 4,000 persons, or nearly 36%. The Great Depression
reduced the rate of growth with fewer than 2,000 added by 1940 bringing Iowa City's size to 17,182
on the eve of World War II.
General population trends were mirrored by growth in the university, Enrollment neady tripled
between 1876 and 1896 prompting the first long-range campus planning. Dudng subsequent
years, enrollments mushroomed from nearly 1,500 in 1900 to more than 6,000 by the 1920s.e
eActual enrollment figures: 1896 - 1,331; 1900 - 1,450; 1913 -2,255; 1916 -3,523; 1922 -6,808; and 1936 -
6,076. From State University of Iowa Building Situation. (Iowa City: University of Iowa), 1923, and The University of Iowa
Fact Book. (Iowa City: Office of University Relations, 1979 & updated 1987.
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Meanwhile, building disasters occurred that would have a particular impact on the northern edge of
the CBD Survey area - fire on the Pentacrest destroyed the Medical Building and nearby South
Hall in 1901. Construction of replacement structures, as well as new and expanded facilities for
virtually every department of the university, took place dudng the terms of the university's next five
presidents - George MacLean (1899 - 1911), John Bowman (1911-1914), Thomas Macbdde (1914
- 1916), Walter Jessup (1916 - 1934) and Eugene Gilmore (1934-1940). The university campus,
which had seen construction of only 16 buildings during its first haft century grew by neady half that
many new buildings and major additions erected in the CBD Survey Area north of Iowa Avenue
between Clinton and Gilbert streets before World War II.
The campus core, Capitol Square, was redeveloped in the Beaux~Arts Style and eventually
renamed "Pentacrest" (NRHP). One of Iowa's premiere architectural firms, Proudfoot & Bird of
Des Moines, won the national design competition for the first building, Schaeffer Hall, and
subsequently designed Macbride Hall (1908), MacLean Hall (1912) and Jessup Hall (1924). The
Olmsted brothers, nationally recognized landscape architects of Brookline, Massachusetts, were
retained in 1905 to expand campus plan.
The university's growing enrollment coupled with its expanding campus and construction boom set
the stage for a period of unprecedented growth in Iowa City's commercial center.
Recommendations made by campus planners were not uniformly greeted with praise but the
Classical ornamentation of the Beaux-Arts and Neo-Classical designs of new buildings on the
Pentacrest were expressed in several new commercial buildings including a major bank, hotel and
several office buildings, as well as a few civic buildings. It has been speculated that campus
buildings served as the stylistic model for CBD buildings, but it is more likely that both were dedved
from national trends.
Appearance of the downtown was transformed in other ways after the turn of the 20th century.
Several fires destroyed clusters of two and three-story buildings. Small land parcels were
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combined and single larger replacement buildings were erected in their place. Fraternal halls were
constructed by three local lodges and one veterans group along the east edge of the CBD. Linn
Street received both a public library and post office to join city hall. By World War I, theaters
offering live performances, motion picture shorts and '~talkies" appeared along Washington,
Dubuque and College streets. During the four decades before World War II, residential patterns in
the downtown shifted significantly. The first large-scale apartment building was completed in the
CBD and a growing number of upper-level areas were converted to fiats for students and
downtown workers.
Changes in transportation also impacted the downtown during the Town and Gown Era. Liveries
disappeared from block interiors, succeeded by garages and automobile showrooms. Filling
stations appeared at major intersections. Street railway lines were extended along several
downtown streets after 1910. Their arrival was of such import that a 1906 fountain in the
intersection of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Streets was removed to City Park to make way for
extension of the rail line along Dubuque Street. Bdck paving, first introduced to the downtown in
1895 when Clinton Street was paved north to Church Street, was expanded every direction.
College Street was paved through the downtown and east to Summit Street in 1897. Clinton Street
was paved south to the new Rock Island Depot the following year. Additional major brick paving
projects included Gilbert Street (College to Market) in 1908, Iowa Avenue in 1907-1908 and
Dubuque Street in 1914.
The prosperity and expansion of the opening decades of the 20t~ century was marked darkly in
October 1929, five days after the dedication game for Iowa Stadium (today, Kinnick Stadium),
when the stock market crashed on "Black Thursday". Bonds for the stadium were forced into
default and UI construction all but ceased for more than two decades. Downtown construction
slowed during the 1930s as well, with several buildings falling into receivership or being sold for
delinquent taxes. Despite the general economic environment several major downtown projects
were successfully undertaken during the depression years,
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A close examination of the downtown during the Town and Gown Era reveals development patterns
that shaped the buildings that survive today as well as those that have disappeared. As noted
previously, the expansion of the UI campus along the north edge of the CBD was one of the first
trends to appear during this period. Transfer of City Park to the University of Iowa in 1890 opened
the way for this trend. Construction of the Chemistry-Pharmacy Building (non-extant) at the
northeast corner of Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue was initiated later that year. A disagreement
about medical privileges resulted in construction of the Homeopathic Hospital (non-extant) in 1894
at the southeast comer of Jefferson and Dubuque streets in the northwest corner of the park block.
Three years later in 1897 the first section of a new University Hospital physical plant (UI Building
#11 ) for allopathic doctors was constructed on the site of the former Mechanics' Academy along the
west edge of Block 60. The hospital site included the Linn Street right-of-way from Iowa Avenue to
Jefferson Street adjacent to the former park. Architects Proudfoot and Bird of Des Moines were
commissioned to design the building. Closure of Linn Street was met by local resistance by a
number of downtown business and church leaders but eventually proceeded.
The original University Hospital consisted of three sections built in an U-shaped plan. The center
section and the southwest wing were completed in 1897 with the east wing added in 1908, the east
tower in 1912 and the west tower in 1914. The same year the last tower was constructed, Eastlawn
(non-extant) was built at the southwest corner of Iowa Avenue and Gilbert Street as housing for
nursing students. The Isolation Hospital (UI Building #20), the only portion of the hospital complex
to retain its visual integrity, was built in 1916 to house patients suffering from infectious diseases.
The complex maintained this configuration with only minor changes until 1928 when the University
General Hospital was opened on the west campus.
Development of the hospital complex along Iowa Avenue was accompanied by construction of new
buildings for the UI Medical School. The university had formal, though nominal, connection to a
medical college established in 1850 in Davenport, the "College of Physicians and Surgeons." In
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1858 the school was moved to Keokuk where it continued to maintain a nominal connection to the
university. All connection to it was abandoned by the university in 1870, and it eventually ceased
operation. The university's change toward the Keokuk institution resulted from legislative
authorization to create a new medical school in Iowa City. Appropriations, however, remained small
Isolation Hospital, UI Building #20, 325 East Jefferson Street
and inadequate until an 1882 General Assembly authorization of $30,000 for a medical building
(non-extant) south of Old Capitol. This building was struck by lightening in 1901 and destroyed by
the ensuing fire.
Several replacement buildings for the Medical School were commissioned by the successor
architectural firm that designed the hospital buildings - Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson. They were
located in the 100 block of East Jefferson Street including the Hall of Anatomy (UI Building #19) and
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the Medical Laboratories Building (UI Building #18), both completed in 1902-1904. In 1928
following completion of the $4.5 million General Hospital funded by the Iowa General Assembly and
a matching grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, both the Medical School and the hospital were
relocated to the west side of the Iowa River.
After the new facility was opened, the former hospital complex was remodeled into laboratories and
classrooms and renamed East Hall (later, Seashore Hall). The Medical Laboratories Building
became the Zoology Building (later, the Biology Building). It continued to house offices, classrooms
and laboratories. The Hall of Anatomy served similar functions as the Zoology Building Annex and
then as the Biology Building Annex. In 1999 following a major rehabilitation, the Biological Sciences
Library was opened in this structure.
Construction of larger, multi-story buildings is a second development pattern that gave the CBD a
distinctly changed appearance in the early years of the 20th century. The Johnson
County Savings Bank building, later the Iowa State Bank & Trust Co. building (102 South Clinton
Street), was completed in 1912 as the first example of this pattern. Its construction ushered in a 15-
year building boom in downtown Iowa City that produced larger, taller structures in the place of two
and three-story narrow-front commercial buildings.
The Johnson County Savings Bank was established in 1872, and it purchased the property at the
southeast corner of Clinton and Washington Streets three years later. Its odginal trustees included
Several prominent Iowa Citians and its first president was former Iowa governor Samuel Kirkwood.
He remained in this capacity until 1877 when Thomas Carson became president. Camon headed
the bank until his death in 1905, seeing its operations grow dramatically as Iowa City
prospered with growth of the university.
In 1912 with deposits in excess of $2 million, the Johnson County Savings Bank retained the
services of architects Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson of Des Moines to design a new bank and office
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Johnson County Savings Bank/Iowa State Bank & Trust Co. Building, ca. 1940s, 102 South Clinton Street (State Historical
Society of Iowa Collection)
building to house its growing business. The firm had worked for a number of Iowa colleges and
universities, including design of the major buildings surrounding Old Capitol, located diagonally
across the street from the bank corner and design of the UI Hospital and medical school complex
along the north edge of the CBD. In addition to bank activities, the planned building would provide
office space for a growing number of businessmen and professionals practicing in the CBD.
Banking operations were relocated temporarily to an Iowa Avenue location, their old building razed
and replacement building constructed. Walter Davis, a local attorney with the firm Wade, Dutcher &
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Davis, served as president of the bank during the construction period.
The Neo-Classical Style bank building housed a mix of tenants on its upper floors including doctors,
lawyers, insurance companies, a detective agency, abstractor, dentists, realtors, a beauty parlor,
the Christian Science Reading Room and a dress shop. In 1932 the Johnson County Savings Bank
suspended operations. Two years later a new institution was opened, the Iowa State Bank and
Trust Co., under the leadership of Ben Summerwill.
The second large-scale building to appear in the CBD during the Town and Gown Era was the Hotel
Jefferson (129 East Washington Street). Its construction came in two phases beginning with the
lower six floors in 1913. Two floors were added in 1928. The hotel succeeded the Metropolitan
Block that was destroyed in a fire in 1912. This old three-story building housed the Guzeman
Knitting Mills on the upper floors where an explosion set the building ablaze. After the tire, the land
was leased to the Iowa City Hotel Company, a development company led by several prominent local
businessmen, including William P. Hohenschuh, operator of a downtown mortuary, with Ralph Otto,
a former Iowa City mayor, functioning as corporate counsel. The same group formed the Jefferson
Hotel Company to manage the new hotel's operation.
Construction of the building began on Mamh 1, 1913, and the hotel opened just eight months later.
its amhitect was from a Chicago firm that specialized in hotel design, the H.L Stevens Company.
The building's structure was engineered to allow expansion through the addition of floors - a
technique employed by hotels around the country and a continuing practice today. Like the
neighboring Johnson County Savings Bank, the hotel occupied a prominent corner along
Washington Street and incorporated Neo-Classical Style elements in its design. The addition of two
floors in 1928 made it the tallest building in the downtown for more than 50 years. Original
appointments allowed the Hotel Jefferson to claim in its advertising to be one of Iowa's finest,
including electric elevator, a 250 foot artesian well and rooms with hot and cold running water,
telephones, steam heat and electric lights. Dudng 1933-1934, nine murals depicting the
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Hotel Jefferson, 129 East Washington Street, ca. 1930 (State Historical Society of Iowa Collection)
history of Iowa City and Johnson County were commissioned through the WPA Federal Artist's
Project for the hotel lobby and the mezzanine, These were later auctioned into private collections.
After an auspicious dedication ceremony, the hotel - one of eight in the downtown - was put in
service with the claim that it was the "only fireproof hotel in Iowa City." Other original first floor retail
included the Stewart Shoe Store, Harvat & Stach dress shop with Emma Harvat (later Iowa City
mayor) and Ann Stach as owners, a barber shop and Racine's Cigar Store No. 2, one of three such
stores operated by Fred Racine in the downtown. By 1930 the hotel was renamed the "Jefferson
Hotel," and later became a regular stop for regional and cross-country motor coaches. The
Jefferson Hotel Dining Room served a 25¢ breakfast and a 50¢ lunch to travelers and overnight
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patrons. By 1940 the chamber of commerce had its offices there.
Three building projects of more modest scale took place farther east along Washington Street
during the decade preceding World War I. They included the Paul-Helen Building (207 East
Washington Street, NRHP) built in 1910, the substantial 1911 remodeling of the First National Bank
Building, and construction of the Englert Theatre in 1913.
The Paul-Helen Building was based on a design provided by Frank X. Freyder, architect for the
Iowa City contracting firm of Sheets and Company that erected the building. It was built for the
Schmidt-Kurz Improvement Company, whose officers G.W. Schmidt, C.A. Schmidt and William
Kurz, named the building for their children. G.W. Schmidt owned the Iowa City Iron Works, a
supplier of structural and decorative iron and steel such as that used in the Paul-Helen Building.
Kurz was the proprietor of a saloon and billlard hall that relocated from College Street to the east
shop space in this building. The original tenant in the two west bays was the Smith and Cilek
Hardware Store. Iowa City Gas and Electric Company took the two east bays. The second floors
ten office suites were occupied by doctors, lawyers and insurance agents, as well as power
company staff. The third floor originally held a dance hall and was used as the Iowa National Guard
Armory by 1915. The third floor was also used for regular Saturday night dances open to the public.
The Mahana & Ogle Dancing School was there by 1919 and their orchestra provided music for the
"Varsity" dances.
In 1918 two years after prohibition ardved, the College Inn - a restaurant and ice cream
confectionery - replaced the saloon. When prohibition was repealed, this space was leased for
operation of a state-owned liquor store. By 1934 the hardware store was operating as "Lenoch &
Cilek" after Frank Lenoch, Cilek's brother-in-law, purchased Smith's share in the business. During
World War II a club for Navy petty officers ranted the third floor.
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Paul-Helen Building, 207 East Washington Street (NRHP)
Across the street from the Paul-Helen Building, owners of First National Bank (202 East Washington
Street) sought to transform their property by completing a major exterior remodeling. The original
bank building at the northeast corner of Washington and Dubuque streets faced onto Dubuque
Street and had housed a grocery store and clothing store during the 1880s. By 1888 the building
had been taken over by the Farmers Loan & Trust Co. and First National Bank. In 1911 the building
was remodeled in the Classical Revival Style and reoriented toward Washington Street. This style
was frequently favored for American banks during the period as they sought to evoke a sense of
strength and permanence. The brick building was clad in Bedford limestone, the popular stone
used on a number of buildings constructed by the University of Iowa on the Pentacrest beginning at
the turn of the 20th century. Two other important civic buildings located along South Linn Street a
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block east of the bank - the new Public Library (1903) and the new Post Office (1904) - also reflect
the Classical Revival Style executed in Bedford limestone.
First National Bank was first organized in 1863 under a federal charter with W.B. Daniels as
president. Peter Dey served as president from 1869 until 1878 and again from 1895 until he died in
..
Fi~t National Bank, 204 East Washington Street, ca. 19~0s (~tate Historical Society of Iowa Collection)
1911. Its affiliates Farmers' Loan and Trust Company was organized as a state savings bank in
1882. This bank was established by some of the same founders as the First National Bank. By the
late 1880s both institutions were operated from the building at the northeast corner of Dubuque and
Washington streets, with William J. McChesney as president of both.
The bank crisis of the 1930s saw both banks closed. They were among five local banks to cease
operations during 1931 and 1932. The First National Bank was the last to close on January 20,
1932. Within two months, 75 local residents formed a new bank - First Capitol State Bank located
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in the building at the southeast corner of Clinton and College streets. In March 1933 the receiver for
First National Bank transferred the closed bank's building to First Capitol State Bank where it
resumed operations. First Capitol State became First Capitol National Bank in eady 1933, and by
years end was rechartered as First National Bank. It continued to operate under this bank charter
until the 1990s when a sedes of sales and mergers saw it first become a branch of the Mercantile
Bank and by 2000 part of the Firststar holding company.
Next door to the Paul-Helen Building and down the block from the remodeled First National Bank,
work was begun on a theater in 1913. Construction of the Englert Theatre (221 East Washington
Street) required demolition of a former three-story livery stable. The new building was an example
of the mixture of several architectural styles popular after the turn-of-the 20t~ century in downtown
Iowa City, including the Neo-Classical Revival favored in remodeling the First NatiOnal Bank, and
the Commercial Style used in the Paul-Helen Building. Owner William Englert was descended from
the Englert brewing family. With his brothers, he owned and operated the Englert Ice Company at
the time he built the Englert Theatre as a legitimate theater. He leased retail spaces on the
theaters first floor to a confectionery and a barbershop. His family resided on the second floor, with
another apartment and sleeping rooms located on the third floor.
During its early years the Englert Theatre offered Iowa Citians a modern playhouse for legitimate
theater. Some of the great names and many popular productions toudng American playhouses
during the period made the Englert a stop for nearly 50 years. Englert died in 1921 and the
theaters operation was assumed by his widow, Henrietta "Etta" Chopek Englert. In 1926 a fire
seriously damaged the Englert. The interior was substantially rebuilt based on a design by the Des
Moines architectural firm of Vorse, Kraetsch & Kraetsch. As rebuilt, provision was made for motion
pictures as well as stage productions. By 1934 the upper floors had been converted into four
apartments.
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Englert Theatre, 221 East Washington Street
Another section of the CBD was redeveloped during the Town and Gown Era as the result of a
major fire. The Dey Building (8 South Clinton Street) dates from 1917 when it was erected on the
former site of the St. James Hotel. The hotel had been opened in1872 following a conflagration that
destroyed eight buildings in 1867. In 1883 Peter Dey acquired the property, and by 1890 he had
purchased an additional building immediately east of the hotel. In 1914 following Peter Dey's
death, the property transferred to members of the Dey family. When fire struck on Good Friday in
1916 the four-story mansard roofed brick hotel was leveled. Members of the Dey family decided to
rebuild. A fire-resistant structure was built with the structural option for expansion from two to five or
six stories for hotel rooms.
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Dey Building, 8 South Clinton Street
The new Dey Building housed University Book Store in the large corner space, continuing a tradition
of a bookstore at this corner begun in 1870. Another early tenant included Sidwell Dairy Store
located at 111 Iowa Avenue. It sold milk, butter and ice cream from this location during the 1930s.
During World War I two spaces were used by the Student Army Training Corps, forerunner of the
ROTC. After the war, a succession of tenants occupied the first floor, but the hotel room addition
allowed for in the building's original structural plan never materialized.
An important retailing trend that manifest itself in downtowns throughout the United States arrived in
Iowa City after the turn of the 20th century. This trend involved the establishment of nationally
franchised business outlets such as F.W. Woolworth & Co., a department store specializing in items
priced at 5¢ and 10¢. Other franchise stores were established by national catalogue retailers,
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including Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery Ward & Co, As the century progressed,
regionally based retailers sought to imitate the success of these national firms sometimes forming
partnerships with local companies or establishing their own outlets. Firms such as Younker's
Department Store with headquarters in Des Moines and Seifert's clothing store centered in Ottumwa
are examples of regionally based retailers who located outlets in Iowa City after World War I1.
Among the franchise businesses to establish locations in existing buildings or erect new buildings in
Iowa City after 1900 were F.W. Woolworth & Co. (124 South Clinton Street and 110-114 South
Clinton Street, non-extant) opening in ca. 1910, White's Consolidated Stores (114-116 East College
Street) in ca. 1925, Sears, Roebuck & Co. Department Store (111 East College Street) in 1929, the
Montgomery Ward & Co. Department Store (121 East College Street) in 1929, S.S. Kresge
Department Store (121-123 East Washington Street) in ca. 1933, the Montgomery Ward & Co.
Farm Store (128 East Burlington Street) in ca. 1945, Alden's Department Store (118 South Clinton
Street) in the 1940s, Younker's Department Store (111-117 East Washington Street) in 1951, J.C.
Penney's Department Store (130 South Dubuque Street) in 1957-587 and Seifert's (10-14 South
Clinton Street)in 1962.
The Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building (111 East College Street) was one of several franchise stores to
locate in newly built structures. It was opened in 1929 and likely was built to the new tenant's
specifications. It is an example of the medium sized, utilitarian designs favored by franchise stores
for many Iowa towns during the 1920s - 1930s. The building's wide front fa~;ade and simplified
detailing distinguished it from its 19th century counterparts along East College Street.
Another trend that appeared in the CBD after 1900 was the desire of owners to update buildings by
remodeling storefronts. In some instances, entire front fac..ades were reconstructed. Major fa~;ade
changes that have gained architectural significance in their own dght were installed at 28 South
Clinton Street and 128 East Washington Street. Moses Bloom built the former building sometime
7J.C. Penney's originally located in the downtown at another location in 1922~
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Seam, Roebuck & Co., 111 East College Street
prior to 1874. In 1919 the Bloom family sold the north half of the original building (28 South Clinton
Street) to Arthur Ewers who established a shoe store in the shop space and operated it along with
his son Glenn under the name "A.M. Ewers & Co." The front fa~:ade was updated with the
installation of new glazed brick, a modern Chicago window grouping, a new terra cotta cornice and
plate glass shop windows.8
The building at 128 East Washington Street also received a major remodeling during this period.
Like the Ewers & Co. building, this building pre-dates 1874 and its original Late Victorian Italianate
design was replaced. Renamed the Arcade Building in 1927 the front facade was clad
8The original Chicago windows and storefront have since been modified in this building.
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A.M. Ewers & Co., 28 South Clinton Street
in glazed terra cotta and a five-sided recessed forebay. An island display case at the center was
installed. The west half housed Domby Boot Shop operated by Earl Snyder. The east half housed
H.C. Moeller Co., a ladies' read-to-wear operated by A.J. O'Dell.
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ARCADE BUILDING
Arcade Building, 128-130 East Washington Street
In other cases, storefront remodeling projects introduced such new materials such as glazed terra
cotta, stainless steel, glass building blocks, reinforced plate glass and pigmented structural glass.
Several examples of the use of pigmented structural glass (sometimes referred to by trade names
such as Carrara Glass and Vitrolite) appeared in the downtown during the 1930s. Roland Smith
installed a curved glass and stainless steel storefront for Smith's Caf~ at 11 South Dubuque Street
in the early 1930s. Its circular window remained a downtown landmark for many years.
A similar storefront remodeling was undertaken at 119 East College Street in the Crescent Block
during the late 1930s. Here the entrance bay for the upper levels was remodeled to establish a
narrow office space for the real estate business of the building's owner MG. Koser of Koser
mlmmlmmm
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';- .- >-:- LL';;
:
Crescent Block, 117-121 East College Street
Brothers Real Estate. Carrara Glass was incorporated into the curved display window of the
storefront's Art Deco design. The balance of the building housed a drug store and the Montgomery
Ward & Co. Department Store during the 1930s.
Growth of the general population paralleled increases in university enrollment during the Town and
Gown Era. The combined effect was especially noticeable in housing, In the CBD, this population
growth was manifested in conversion of space above shops into apartments or sleeping rooms.
One major addition completed in 1924 produced 32 apartments constructed in a two-story addition
above Joseph O'Leary's automobile garage at the southeast corner of Linn and Washington
streets. The car dealership disappeared during the 1920s, replaced by Iowa Drug Store and a few
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small shops along Linn Street, including the Red Ball Grocery Store. The upper levels were known
as the "Iowa Apartments" with 32 flats containing a mix of tenant types including students, store
clerks, store managers, a news reporter, a contractor and a University of Iowa nursing supervisor
Profitable operation of the building proved impossible for a series of owners, however, with three
separate sheriff's deeds issued during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Although both modest and large-scale building modernizations took place during the 1920s and
1930s, only a few new buildings were added during the decade of the Great Depression. The most
significant of these was the Iowa City Press-Citizen Building, completed for the newspaper at 319
East Washington Street in 1936-37. The building's design was described by contemporaries as an
example of "Modern Industrial Style." Better known today as the Moderne Style, the design
incorporated glass blocks and decorative panels depicting trains, airplanes and other "20th century
wonders."
. ,~., ~,;. ,:-~ .- . .....
Iowa City Press-Citizen Building, 319 East Washington Street
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The Press-Citizen was a result of the merger of two daily newspapers in November 1920 - the
Iowa City Press that espoused Democratic party views and the Iowa City Citizen that offered a
Republican Party voice. The Iowa City Press got its start in August 1869 when, after a succession
of mergers and new owners, the Iowa State Press was born out of the ashes of the Iowa Capitol
Reporter. In 1885 the Press was sold to Samuel and C.S. Mercer and renamed the Iowa City Daily
Press, which continued to offer a Democratic view. Meanwhile a Republican Party newspaper, the
Iowa City Citizen was formed in 1881. The two newspapers published daily editions competing
vigorously for advertisers and readers.
By 1920 party politics were less important than the economic realities of newspaper publishing,
creating the climate in which the papers were merged. After only a few months of merged
operation, Ohio newspaperman Merritt C. Speidel purchased the Press-Citizen as the first of what
would become a 13-newspaper group. When the newspaper was moved into the new quarters in
1937 it was owned by Speidel.
Location of the new building at the eastem edge of the CBD was part of a general expansion of the
downtown that had begun at the turn of the 20th century. For the most part this trend saw private
residences and vacant parcels replaced by buildings that served the public in one fashion or
another. The buildings were clustered along South Linn Street and sections of East Washington
and East College Street between Linn and Gilbert streets. Together they formed a civic corridor of
sorts with mostly freestanding buildings surrounded by spacious, landscaped sites.
The earliest public building established at the eastem edge of the downtown was City Hall (230 East
Washington Street, non-extant) in 1881. More like its three-story commercial neighbors to the west
and south in scale and siting, City Hall was an established landmark by the turn of the century. With
the University of Iowa firmly established and growing on both the north and west edges of the CBD,
it is not surprising that when sites were considered for several public buildings during the years prior
to World War I, South Linn Street and the blocks to the east ware prime choices.
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The attract was felt in 1902 when plans were made for a new public library. Four of the six sites
considered were located along Linn Street, including the winning site on the southeast corner of
Linn and College streets. The Iowa City Public Library (220 South Linn Street) was designed by the
Des Moines firm of Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen. Liebbe had served as state architect and the
firm was designing the Iowa City High School at the time the library commission became available.
Old Iowa City Public Library, 220 South Linn Street
Liebbe's firm had no previous experience designing libraries, but members of the Library Board
appeared unconcerned because of the firm's general experience both locally and around the state.
The building was designed in the Classical Revival Style and constructed of Bedford limestone. Its
construction was completed in 1904, two years after the Iowa City Public Library Association
successfully petitioned Andrew Carnegie for a grant to build a library.
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In Mamh 1902 the Library Association had been informed that it would be granted $25,000 for
construction of a library if the city would provide a site and at least $2,500 annually for its operation.
This amount was deemed insufficient by the library planners. After several requests for a larger
amount, the Library Board was successful in getting the Carnegie grant increased to $35,000. The
Iowa City Public Library was one of 46 to be built in Iowa with the benefit of Carnegie grants
between 1901 and 1904.s
Examples of other buildings completed in the Linn Street civic corridor included the original
federally-owned Post Office building on the northeast corner of Linn and Washington streets and
three fraternal halls - the Knights of Columbus Building, the Elks Building and the Masonic Temple -
all located in the block east of Linn Street.
The Iowa City Post Office (28 South Linn Street) was constructed in 1904. A major remodeling and
addition was completed in 1931. Preparation of the Post Office site required several frame and
brick houses along Linn and Washington Street to be razed. Like the original Iowa City Public
Library, this building's design is an excellent example of the Classical Revival Style that swept the
country during the decades following the turn of the 20th century. The south one third of the building
was completed in 1904 with a central entrance and steps facing Washington Street. The 1931
addition provided an extension on the north and a second level, which quadrupled the size of the
building. It was reoriented onto Linn Street. Like the library, the exterior walls are of Bedford
limestone, with ornamental stonework including quoins, keystones and a stone balustrade along the
parapet.
In 1906 the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.) Chapter No. 590 acquired property on
the southwest comer of Gilbert and Washington streets. The Elks completed a new building,
apparently the first on the site on the site, by 1909. The B.P.O.E Hall (325 East Washington Street)
sEggers, Lolly Parker. A Century of Stories: The History of the Iowa City Public Library, 1896~ f 977. Iowa City:
Iowa City Public Library Fdends Foundation, 1997.
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Old Iowa City Post Office, 28 South Linn Street
is an example of the adaptation of the Classical Revival or Colonial Revival style to a fraternal hall
use. The footprint of the building has evolved with time, including the addition and modification of
porches, kitchen space and stage. Unlike the library and post office, the B.P.O.E. Hall had walls
clad in reddish brown brick with Bedford stone for trim. The Elks vacated the building in 1967.
The Iowa City Masonic Temple (312 East College Street) was the second fraternal building erected
in the civic corridor before World War I. This freestanding 3~-story brick and stone building was
completed in 1914 on a vacant parcel that had previously been grounds for the residence that stood
at the northeast corner of Linn and College streets. The Masonic Temple was designed by architect
Charles A Dieman of Cedar Rapids. Like the other civic corridor buildings, it is an example of the
adaptation of the Classical Revival Style. Like the B.POE. Hall, the Masonic Temple used reddish
brown brick for the main building. The balance of the building was more intricate with decorative
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Iowa Ci~ Masonic Temple, 312 East College Street
trim and the arrangement of the front facade said to be based on the south face of the University of
Iowa's Schaeffer Hall on the Pentacrest. The interior of the Iowa City Masonic Temple retains much
of the building's original A~s and Crafts Style millwork, with the original lodge hall still intact.
Prior to building the Masonic Temple, the Freemasons had met in 15 different rented locations in
the downtown. Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A.F. and A.M. was responsible for the new building but
shared space with other Masonic organizations. This building was dedicated on July 28th 1914
which was coincidentally the date that Austria declared war on Serbia marking the start of World
War I.
Another fraternal group erected a building in the civic corridor after World War I. The Knights of
Columbus built its hall in 1930 at 328 East Washington Street. This building was smaller than either
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the Masonic Temple or B.P.O.E. Hall and has subsequently been radically altered.
Two other buildings appeared in the civic corridor prior to World War I that are technically not civic
buildings, but nevertheless had a major public component to their use. Both were mortuaries
located along Linn Street immediately south of Iowa Avenue. The Hohenschuh Mortuary (13 South
Linn Street) was constructed in 1917 by William P. Hohenschuh. A second mortuary, the Harmon
Mortuary (non-extant), was constructed across the street at the southeast corner of Linn and Iowa in
1922. Both were convenient to churches, fraternal halls and to both the university andMercy
hospitals.
The Hohenschuh Mortuary is an excellent example of the Georgian Revival Style. Its design is
attributed to the H.L. Stevens Co. of Chicago. This firm also designed the Hotel Jefferson which
Hohenschuh Mortuary, 13 South Linn Street
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had been completed in 1913 by a group of investors headed by Hohenschuh. The Hohenschuh
Mortuary replaced a two-story frame building that held side-by-side flats. Though commercial in use
the mortuary building had a stately, residential appearance. The building was likely the first
mortuary building in Iowa City built as such and probably one of the first in the state of Iowa.
Hohenschuh began his undertaking business in conjunction with a furniture store he operated on
Dubuque Street. The combination of such businesses was a common practice in the 19t~ and early
20th centuries. Hohenschuh was president of the state association of funeral directors from 1894 to
1895 and frequently served as a speaker on funerary topics. He wrote an internationally-recognized
textbook on the funeral business and was the first head of the University of Minnesota School of
Mortuary Science in Minneapolis. His leadership among his peers was acknowledged when he
received license No. I when the industry was first regulated. Hohenschuh also held the position of
vice-president of the First National Bank. By 1930, the mortuary had been sold to John Donohue
and Delmer Sample who retained the Hohenschuh name. They also operated a private ambulance
service in connection with the mortuary.
Several trends in popular culture were reflected in the downtown during the Town and Gown Era.
The growing popularity of tobacco products, particularly after Wodd War I, prompted opening of a
number of cigar stores. Some began as sidelines for barbers. Fred Racine operated a nickelodeon
called Amedcan Theatre at 111 South Dubuque Street in 1911, but his principal trade was cigars.
He experimented with operating soda fountains and billard padors in conjunction with tobacco sales
at other downtown locations. By the 1920s he had three locations including Store No, 1 at 132 East
Washington Street, Store No. 2 in Hotel Jefferson at 131 East Washington Street and Store No. 3 at
22 South Clinton Street. The stores remained in business into the 1950s.
Another trend revolved around entertainment. Iowa City had an abundance of saloons since its
earliest days. After the turn of the century many were operated in conjunction with pool halls or
billard parlors. These establishments were scattered throughout the downtown although a number
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were located to serve the university campus along Iowa Avenue and South Dubuque Street. After
the enactment of state prohibition statutes and the advent of National Prohibition in 1916, some of
these businesses, closed but most turned to soft drinks and continued to offer billiards to their
Customers.
The story of Epeneters Billlard Hall is a case in point. It was established by F.J. Epeneter at the
southwest corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street. As noted earlier, this block of South
Dubuque Street was an especially popular location for saloons and billlard halls immediately
following the Civil War with eight saloons located between Iowa Avenue and Washington Street in
1868. This pattern changed as various waves of prohibition activism and concern about the "evils of
idleness" impacted the saloon and billlard hall trade. This may help explain the unusual retail
decision made by brothers Charles and Thomas Epeneter who assumed the business from their
father about 1910. The previous year the Iowa General Assembly passed a prohibition statute
known as the "Moon Law" which limited the number of taverns in a community by a formula which
allowed one saloon per thousand population. Enforcement of this law gradually redused the
number of saloons across Iowa. In an unusual response, the Epeneter brothers' diversified their
trade by including the sale of vacuum cleaners as well as billiards by 1911.
Moving pictures were first offered at nickelodeons that could be located in virtually any storefront
shop spaca. For a nickel a customer at the Dreamland Theatre located at 111 South Dubuque
Street in 1909 could watch continuous shows. The Englert Theatre was the downtown's finest
theatre but a number of other small theatres opened before World War I. They included the Past
Time, the Iowa (original location), the Bijou, the Princess and the People's Theatre in Smith's
Armory. Some of these had small stages, a few had live acts or shows, and the others offered
films. All of these buildings are non-extant except for the Iowa Theatre, though in a much altered
state at 14 South Dubuque Street.
None could compete with the Englert Theatre for offering first-run major films, however, until the
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new Iowa Theatre was completed at 124 South Dubuque Street in 1937. The market for motion
pictures continued to grow after Wodd War II, concluding with the construction of the Varsity
Theatre (non-extant) in ca. 1947. It was run by the same company as the Englert Theatre and was
located across the street adjacent to First National Bank. Movie going remained a brisk business
drawing people to the downtown for evening shows and matinees.
Several land-use patterns in the downtown during the early years of the 20th century are likely
explained by physical proximity to the University of Iowa. One was the location of billlard parlors
along the north edge of the CBD where students could spend idle time. Another involved location of
commemial laundries and pantoriums (dry-cleaners) along Iowa Avenue. Several of these
establishments were here prior to 1900, but the pattern peaked during the decades surrounding
World War I. Examples included the Lumsden Bros. Pantorium at 110 Iowa Avenue, the
Westenhaver's City Steam Dye Works and Pantorium at 111 Avenue, Kee Lung's laundry (later
operated by Guy Lee) at 117 Iowa Avenue, the New Process Laundry at 114-116 Iowa Avenue, the
C.O.D. Laundry at 211 Iowa Avenue and the Peoples Steam Laundry at the southeast corner of
Linn and Iowa and later at 225 Iowa Avenue. Even the University Hospital Laundry was located
nearby at 12 North Gilbert Street.
Proximity to the student population likely contributed to location of both laundries and the other
apparel maintenance establishments along the north edge of the business district. Research in
residential neighborhoods in Iowa City shows that dozens of young women, including many
Bohemians, found employment in these laundries before and after World War I.
The C.O.D. Laundry (211 Iowa Avenue) was one of the largest and longest-lived launddes to locate
along Iowa Avenue. It was started during the 1880s under the proprietorship of A.T. Calkins at the
southeast corner of Iowa Avenue and South Linn Street. In 1893 the business had grown to include
a branch for drop-offs and pick-ups at 6-8 South Clinton Street. About 1895 Louis Kenyon acquired
the business and erected a spacious new building to house it at 211 East Iowa Avenue. He leased
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the upper level of the building to the Iowa City Public Library from ca. 1897 through ca. 1903. A
bowling alley was operated in the basement pdor to 1900, and a dance hall later was operated on
the second floor.
By 1915 the C.O.D. Laundry had been either acquired by or merged with the New Process Laundry
Co, The new company operated under the name 'New Process Laundry and Cleaning Co." By
1931 the laundry was discontinued and the space was used as a temporary location for the U.S.
Post Office, then undergoing a major expansion.
Proximity to the central campus and the University Hospital may also have played a role in the
location of several hotels. Both the Van Meter Hotel (non-extant) and Hotel Reardon were located
along the south side of Iowa Avenue opposite the University Hospital. Hotel Reardon was odginally
constructed as a private home at 215 Iowa Avenue. After William and Minnie Reardon bought the
structure in 1926 they completed a series of changes to convert the building to the "Hotel Reardon."
They operated the hotel and lived on-site for many years, The hotel operated until the late 1960s
and was subsequently converted to eight small apartments and a single retail space.
Washington Hotel (332 East Washington Street, NRHP) was opened in a nearby building - the
former Bcerner-Fry Co. factory - a few years before the Reardon, This three-story brick and stone
building had been originally constructed in 1899 as a factory for the manufacture of toilet articles
and light pharmaceuticals. Factory use ceased in 1915 and by 1922 the building was sold to Hayes
Carson and his wife Lillian. The couple remodeled it for use as Washington Hotel with 46 rooms, 17
on each of the upper floors and 12 on the main floor, In 1949 George Davis became the owner-
manager and in 1952 he renamed the business, as the Davis Hotel, which continued under Davis'
management until 1972. A prominent sign on the side of the hotel advertising the use of gas to
"Light, Heat, Cook" was a feature of the downtown skyline for many years. Local historian Irving
Weber notes that the original factory owner's name, "Boernet~Fry', appeared beneath the power
company's sign encouraging local wags to dub the building the "Bum or Fry,"
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Boernet-Fry Co./Washington Hotel, 332 East Washington Street
A final identifiable development trend in the CBD Survey Area during this period occurred along the
east and south edges of the downtown. It produced a series of locally-owned and nationally-
franchised automobile service stations, automobile dealerships and garages established along
Burlington Street and South Gilbert Street. Historically these routes had been important entry points
to the CBD. In the case of Burlington Street, its significance as a transportation route resulted from
bridge access across the Iowa River. The pattern of service stations was well established by 1933.
Sanborn Maps for that year show stations on both southwest and northeast corners of College and
Gilbert streets, stations on or near the northeast corner of Clinton and Burlington streets, one at the
northwest corner of Dubuque and Burlington streets, one along the north side of Burlington Street
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between Dubuque and Linn streets and another on the northeast corner of Linn and Burlington
streets. Standard Oil Company, Kelly Oil, Conoco and Sinclair Oil were among the eady operations.
None of the first generation of small-scale, full-service and dual-pump service stations survives.
Prior to 1900, land uses along Burlington Street were businesses which required large storage sites
for bulk goods such as lumber, coal and feed or liveries. When large parcels were needed for new
commercial ventures such as auto dealerships and garages, these sites were most readily
converted. A case in point is the Nail Chevrolet Garage (non-extant) established in the 200 block of
East Burlington Street on the former F.E. Dyers & Co. lumberyard site. Eventually the Nail car
dealership and repair shop was expanded to include neady a half-block site along the north side of
Burlington Street.
The Town and Gown Era (1898-1940) came to a close on the eve of World War II. More than 30
buildings from this period, as well as a substantial number of major remedelings survive in the CBD.
The era encompassed three decades of unparalleled growth in enrollment and physical plant
expansion by the university of as well as robust commercial development in the Central Business
District. The decade of the Great Depression produced slower growth. The north edge of the CBD
Survey Area was redeveloped with construction of the University Hospital and Medical School
buildings which by 1928 were replaced by facilities located wast of the Iowa River. A civic corridor
was established before Wodd War I along the east edge anchored by City Hall, a new post office
and public libraW and a group of new fraternal buildings. The heart of the downtown took on a new
appearance with brick paved streets, street railway lines, multi-stoW bank and hotel buildings, movie
theaters and several moderate-scale retail and office buildings. National and regional franchising
helped continue the downtown as the retail center for Iowa City and surrounding area. The impact
of the automobile is evidenced in what disappeared - liveries, horses, feed stores, the Iowa
Avenue/Dubuque Street hay market - as well as what appeared - automobile dealerships, repair
garages, service stations, traffic signals and angled parking spaces.
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Post-WoHd War II Era ( f 94 f - f 960)
During the twenty years beginning with Wodd War II overall Iowa City population grew at a
substantial rate with figures rising dramatically from 17,182 in 1940 to 27,212 in 1950 with the influx
of returning veterans and their families. The subsequent decade produced another increase - to
33,443 by 1960. Enrollment at the University of Iowa fluctuated during these years with student
numbers dropping from 9,283 to 4,853 between 1940 and 1945 as a result of the war. One year
later, enrollment jumped to 9,783. Veterans comprised approximately 6,000 of this number.
Enrollment rose to nearly 13,000 students in 1950, then declining to less than 10,000 by the mid-
1950s as veterans graduated.
In several instances, university responded to the influx with temporary, low-cost solutions. One
visible example was at the northeast corner of Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue. The Universalist
Church built on this site in 1870 had been sold to the university by the Universalists-Unitarians in
1907. It became known as "Unity Hall," and served bdefly as a student union then as music practice
and recital hall before being razed to make room for six temporary Quonset Hut classroom
buildings.
Many of the post-war students were married creating a demand for apartments, As a result, the
decade produced a modest housing boom in the CBD with upper levels converted to apartments.
The building at 118 South Dubuque Street (see page E-34) was one such example. John and
Letha Piper established the Piper Apartments there in 1940. The enterprising couple leased the
entire building that year and laid out 12 apartments on the second and third floors while continuing
to operate their specialty foods business from one of the shop spaces. Extraordinary demand for
housing would prove the wisdom of their decision.
Development patterns that shaped the CBD Survey Area dudng the previous era continued during
the 1940s and 1950s. The campus of the University of Iowa remained well-established along the
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north edge of the CBD. Only one major building was added - the Centennial Building of the State
Historical Society of Iowa (402 East Iowa Avenue) in 1958. Though not technically a part of the
university, the State Historical Society Library had been affiliated with university since the late 19t"
century. Prior to the construction of the Centennial Building, the Society had been housed in
Schaefer Hall. Two houses used for music practice rooms and the former University Hospital
Laundry Building were razed at the northeast comer of Gilbert Street and Iowa Avenue to make way
for the Centennial Building.
The general size and scale of buildings in the CBD remained unchanged during the 1940s and
1950s. The same 11 or 12 blocks extending from Capitol Street to Gilbert Street and from Iowa
Avenue to Budington Street provided a mix of retail shops, banks, theatres, hotels, service stations,
office building, restaurants, civic buildings and a few residences. Four decades later in 2001, only
seven buildings erected during these twenty years survive including two service stations, two small
office buildings, two department stores and one small retail building. Four other structures received
major exterior remodelings.
The modest amount of downtown development during the 1940s and 1950s had several causes.
The period began with economic recession still on the minds of most business owners. Once the
United States entered World War II in 1941, construction of new buildings and major remodeling
projects were put off. Shortages of construction materials were experienced nationally and
disruptions in the workforce caused by wartime operations meant only high priority construction
projects would be allowed to proceed.
One of the few projects completed during the bdef window when economic recovery was on the
horizon and the war remained undeclared involved the former Coldran Opera House at the
southeast corner of College and Clinton streets. Built in 1877, this was a three-story commercial
block built in the Romanesque Style. The opera house actually occupied the two upper floors with
seating for 1,050 people. The 30' high ceiling and walls were decorated with elaborate frescoing
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including portraits of Shakespeare and Beethoven. The newspaper account of the opera house's
1877 opening claimed with pride that the only finer theater in the Midwest was in Chicago. The
opera house was closed shortly before the Englert Theatre was opened in 1913 and the third floor
was made into club rooms. Tenants included the University Triangle Club before and after World
War I and the Knights of Pythias during the late 1920s and 1930s. The second floor was remodeled
i
Savings and Loan Building, 103 E. College St., ca. 1940s (State Historical Society of Iowa Collection)
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into ten office suites while the first floor continued to house the Iowa City State Bank. A bank
continued to operate from this location until it was closed during the Groat Deprossion.
In 1940 the property was acquirod by Investors Inc. and substantially romodeled based on a design
by J. Bradley Rust of Iowa City. It involved installation of a new buff-colored brick exterior cladding
on the upper levels and Bedford stone on the first floor. Matching stone is used to form the
windowsillsroeltcourse and a single corbeled brick band forms fiat window amhes above second and
third level windows. First floor window openings wero initially filled with glass building block, which
was subsequently roplaced with tinted plate glass panels. The dramatic College Street entrance
installed in 1940 romains with a pair of doors framed in brushed metal and inset in nine molded
bands of roceding stone. The building's name since the 1940s, "The Savings and Loan Building," is
depicted in Art Deco style lettering above the entrance doors. After the romodeling was completed,
First Federal Savings and Loan Association became the prime tenant on the first floor. Two floors
of offices above were occupied mostly by dentists, lawyers, accountants and insurance agents.
General economic prosperity in the U.S. after World War II produced the dramatic incroase in
enrollment and croated a surge in the economic life of the CBD. Retail locations wero in groat
demand and first floor vacancies low. Rental rates incroased and a pattern of frequent business
turn-over that had been in evidence in downtown Iowa City from late in the 19t" century, continued
at an accelerated rate.
Another trend is evident from examination of property transfers in the downtown during this period.
Ownership of several buildings passed from one generation to the next, at times to multiple out-of-
town owners or family trusts. This was accompanied by an incroase in tenant-operated businesses
over-owner occupied proprietorships, The disconnect between property ownership and business
operation led to deferred building maintenance and improvements and in some cases, to under
financed cosmetic improvements. As a rosult, general building maintenance was in a state of
decline by the end of the 1950s.
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After World War II, the twin problems associated with growth in popularity of the personal
automobile in American cities - parking and traffic - surfaced in the downtown Iowa City as well.
Complaints about congestion and too few parking spaces were heard during the 1930s, but until the
parking meter was patented in 1938 there was no ready solution. In an effort to deal with both
issues the City installed its first 150 parking meters in the downtown in 1946. A year later the city
council added 250 meters at a cost of $80 each, Annual income from each meter was soon
approximately $100 as compared with the national average of $75, demonstrating the keen local
demand for parking.
Meters were integral to the local plan to address parking and traffic congestion through the
construction of off-street municipal parking lots. Parking meter revenue was designated to finance
acquisition of land and the construction of lots. The first parcel acquired for these purposes
occurred in 1948 at 317-325 East College Street, adjacent to the Public Library. The lot contained a
large, two-story frame apartment building that was razed. Since the city council was obligated to
spend 75% of the revenue from parking meters on off-street parking, land acquisition and
improvement plans were easily pursued during subsequent years.
By 1951 the downtown parking plan was well established. Development of the off-street lots and
installation of meters was actively supported by the local chamber of commerce. One parking lot
had been developed on the site of the former Van Meter Hotel located along the south side of Iowa
Avenue near Linn Street for 95 cars with another lot on South Dubuque Street constructed for 72
cars. A half-block along East Washington Street, currently serving as part of the Iowa City Civic
Center site, was leased and paved for parking purposes as well. The 1950 lease gave the city the
option to purchase the lot for future construction of a city hall. Another off-street lot was developed
on the south side of Washington Street between Gilbert and Van Buren streets. City officials
recognized that this Iot's remote location made it less desirous and in 1952 added lighting to
encourage nighttime use by shoppers and movie goers. An innovative improvement was made in
another municipal lot located adjacent to the non-extant Community Building built by the American
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Legion on the southeast corner of Gilbert and College streets. In 1952 three hitching posts were
installed for the convenience of Amish families who operated horses and buggies.
Another strategy to deal with downtown congestion was completed in 1948 when the city council
directed removal of the landscaped boulevard in the center of Iowa Avenue between Clinton and
Gilbert streets. Installation of parking along Iowa Avenue came a short time later. Parking
associated with a densely developed, compact downtown located adjacent to a university campus
would come to dominate much of the debate concerning the downtown during subsequent years.
In summary, the Post-World War II Era was characterized by prosperity in the Central Business
District. Coping with problems became the rule whether they involved shortages of materials during
the war, dealing with an influx of students and shoppers at war's end, or making room for the
congestion and parking demands associated with the automobile age.
Urban Renewal and Redevelopment Era (1960 to 2000)
urba renewal has characterized debate
During the last four decades of the 20th century n regularly
over the future of downtown Iowa City. By the late 1950s, the problems associated with deferred
maintenance for a number of aging downtown buildings were added to the concerns of parking and
traffic congestion. Many residents recognized that a captive market of students patronized
businesses and rental housing despite the downtown's poor condition. Some saw the poorly
maintained condition of the downtown as a source of public embarrassment. Timing was ripe for
dramatic solutions to be proposed when in 1960 Robert Wheeler, a doctoral student in the College
of Engineering at UI, produced his thesis on the potential for redevelopment in downtown Iowa City.
Wheeler presented ideas for redeveloping the downtown to a sedes of civic groups. His
straightforward plan called for razing deteriorated buildings and replacing them with modern
buildings and parking facilities. Groups who heard his message were divided on its merits. In 1963
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the concepts he outlined were integrated into the civic improvement efforts of "Citizens for a Better
Iowa City." The League of Women Voters supported the idea while 300 members of the newly-
organized Downtown Businessmen's Association eventually opposed it. The Iowa City Chamber of
Commerce supported it, the Junior Chamber opposed it.
Efforts by local govemment to improve the downtown involved getting the municipal house in order,
efforts already well underway when Wheeler offered his urban renewal initiative. The issue of
whether to build a new city hall had been a topic for public discussion since at least 1948 when a
report by the city's own planning commission urged construction of a new city hall and proposed
several sites on which to do so. Poor maintenance had led to problems with the 1881 City Hall. In
1951 the debate surfaced in another form when the idea was floated for a joint cityy-county building
to both the Johnson County Courthouse as well as the City Hall.
Debate was bdsk during the 1950s about the need for a new city hall and police and fire stations.
Eventually plans for a joint city-county facility were shelved. In 1959 the city retained Iowa City
architect Henry Fisk to design the first phase of the project - a new police station and fire station.
Construction began the following year. The second phase involved building an administrative wing.
Fisk was joined by local architect Roland Wehner to complete this task. Phased construction of the
Iowa City Civic Center was completed by 1962. The 1881 City Hall was demolished and the site
sold for private redevelopment.
Two years later construction of the Community Recreation Center was completed on the former
South Market square. The facility replaced the Community Building that had been destroyed in a
January 1955 fire. Built during the peak of the Cold War, the new Community Recreation Center
was ouffitted with a fall out shelter on the lower level.
During the early 1960s local government representatives and citizens undertook initiatives designed
to explore the possibilities for federal and privately-funded urban renewal in downtown Iowa City.
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The Iowa City Board of Realtors established its own "Build Iowa City Better Committee" in 1964 and
invited the National Association of Real Estate Boards to complete a study of Iowa City's prospects.
This study'° recommended a series of actions on housing, urban renewal strategies, campus
planning, the establishment of a downtown development organization and a downtown sign
ordinance. It was also recommended that an architect be retained to design a beautification and
improvement pregrem for the four-block central core of the downtown.
Urban renewal planning continued, and in 1966 the city presented its first formal urban renewal
plan. It called for the condemnation and acquisition of deteriorated downtown properties by the
municipal government followed by demolition and resale of the cleared parcels to developers. The
plan also provided for construction of a downtown parking ramp and creation pedestrian mall. The
same year the urban renewal plans were announced, Sycamore Mall opened on the southeast edge
of town and the Sears, Roebuck and Co. department store moved there from the downtown.
During the subsequent decade, the renewal process was riddied with heated public debate,
controversy and legal challenges. Then, in 1976 after hiring a new city manager (the fourth
employed during the urban renewal period), the city returned to the drawing board with a new
consultant - Zuchelli, Hunter and Associates (ZHA) of Annapolis, Maryland. In February 1977 a
modified urban renewal plan was accepted by the city council. Its size was scaled-down, with
smaller parking ramps proposed, a site included for a new public library and, perhaps most
importantly, rather than a single sale of all land, 11 acres of urban renewal parcels were to be
divided into clusters or single sites to be offered for redevelopment. The result would be
competition on parcel prices and a division of responsibility for carrying out redevelopment among
several owners and/or developers.
Bids on the urban renewal sites were received before the end of the year. The College Block
~'lowa City - Profile in Progress: A Special Study Report to the City of Iowa City," Building America Better Committee,
National Associm~on of Real Estate Boards, 1964.
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Building, which had been spared demolition in the eadier stages of urban renewal as a result of
federal historic preservation laws, received substantial bidder interest and saw rehabilitation begin a
short time later. Several urban renewal parcels were withheld by the City until interest surfaced, or
bid prices offered were increased.
Plaza Centre One, a five-story brick office building at the northwest corner of College and Dubuque
streets, was one of the first projects. It was completed in 1978 at a cost of $2.5 million. Designed
by the Iowa City architectural firm of Hansen Lind Meyer, it was the largest office building
constructed as a part of this controversial process replacing eight two and three-story late 19th
commercial buildings. Among the more significant buildings razed to make way for this building's
construction was the three-story mansard-roofed Odd Fellows Building at 129-131 South Dubuque
Street. It dated from 1882.
Straddling the Dubuque Street right-of-way on the south side of College Street, the Plaza Centre
Hotel was completed in 1880. This site contained a sedes of two-story brick cemmemial buildings
including the former Strand Theatre. When the nine-story hotel was opened, it was affiliated with
the Holiday Inn national franchise and contained more than 200 rooms. It adjoined one of two multi-
level parking ramps built during the 1980s as a part of the urban renewal effort.
Integral to the ZHA urban renewal plan was the development of a pedestrian mall along two blocks
of College Street and one block of Dubuque Street. Officially named "City Plaza" the pedestrian
mall grew to include the 50-foot by 150-foot Black Hawk Park at the southeast comer of Washington
and Dubuque streets. Originally cleared dudng the urban renewal process when the Morrison
Building was razed, the lot was one of several parcels improved by Project GREEN as a temporary
park. When the west fac~ade of the adjacent Paul-Helen Building was painted with a mural
representing Chief Black Hawk, the park received its name. By 1979 when the park appeared on
the list of properties slated for sale and redevelopment, protests rose from residents and students.
The following year the city council adopted a policy making the temporary park more permanent.
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Formal action incorporating it into the pedestrian mall that it abutted came in 1984. The mural was
lost, however, in permitting rehabilitation of the Paul-Helen Building with an entrance and windows
in the west wall of the building on which the mural had been painted.
The three-block pedestdan mall was a downtown success almost immediately, With automobiles
prohibited, spaces were created for people to interact, including a fountain at the intersection of
College and Dubuque streets, shade trees, a variety of seating choices and landscaped walkways.
It operated as planners had intended, sewing as a centerpiece for both informal and planned
downtown activities and events. Its intense use resulted in considerable wear and tear on the
physical facilities of the mall and in 1999, two decades20 years after the odginal City Plaza was
completed, the city undertook a major overhaul, A play area was installed, the "Weatherdance"
sculpture and fountain was introduced to the intersection of Dubuque and College streets, new light
standards and street furniture inspired by 19th century designs replaced earlier elements, limestone
replaced railroad ties, landscaping materials were changed in some instance, and Black Hawk
Minipark was formally integrated into the mall's overall design.
The single largest urban renewal project was undertaken outside of the CBD Survey Area. It
involved the construction of a two-story interior shopping center on the two-square blocks south of
Washington Street and west of Clinton Street. Adjoining the center, a second municipal parking
ramp was built along Burlington Street between Clinton and Capitol streets. The Old Capitol
Center was completed in 1985 by General Growth Properties, a leading national shopping center
developer in the Midwest. When completed the shopping center included Younker's and J.C.
Penney's department stores as anchor tenants as well as an assortment of national franchise retail
shops and a multi-screen movie theater complex. Fate of the downtown shopping mall (40%
vacant in late 1999) remains uncertain as a result of the construction of the competing one million-
square-foot Coral Ridge Mall in nearby Coralville in 1999 by the same developers, General Growth.
While urban renewal was being pursued, redevelopment of a similar sort was underway on the
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downtown campus of the University of Iowa. Virgil Hancher had served as president at UI since
1940 seeing enrollment increase from just under 7,000 students to nearly 15,000 by the time he
retired in 1964. The physical size of the campus tdpled dudng the same pedod with the value of
research grants increasing more than 24-fold as a number of UI programs gamered national
attention.
The work of James Van Allen, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy beginning in
195t, is a prominent example of one successful program, Van Allen lead a team of scientists
whose experiments aboard the Explorer I and III satellites in 1958 established the existence of
radiation belts - later named for the scientist - that encircled Earth. This discovery opened a
broad research field and Van Allen's work attracted some of the best astrophysics students in the
country to Ul's program. It is not surprising that in response to Van Allen's success and national
recognition, a new physics research facility was planned and built.
The block-long structure was located on the south side of Jefferson between Dubuque and Linn
streets. It was designed by the Durant Group of Dubuque and completed in three phases between
1963 and 1971: the 94' tower housing the Van de Graaff Accelerator ("atom smasher") in 1964,
Phase I in 1963-65 and Phase II in 1968-71. Renamed "Van Allen Hall" in 1982 it was constructed
as a joint facility for the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Science
Education. Funding for the building came from state appropriations and grants by the National
Science Foundation. When completed the accelerator was the only one of its kind in Iowa. It
operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week for physics research conducted by students and
faculty. The accelerator building tower, which housed the Van de Graaff Accelerator, was razed in
1998 to make room for another biology building addition.
Construction of Van Allen Hall was part of a downtown campus building boom during the decade of
the 1960s. Phillips Hall was constructed during 1963-1965 on the northeast corner of Clinton Street
and Iowa Avenue to house the College of Business Administration. It was named for Chester A.
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Phillips (1882-1976) who served as dean of the College of Business Administration from 1921 to
1950. The six-story building houses classrooms, offices, a library and a 300-seat auditorium. The
Des Moines architectural firm of Woodburn and O'Neil designed it.
Additions to the Zoology Building were completed in 1963-65 and 1969-1971 at the northwest
corner of Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue, housing classrooms, research facilities and offices.
Four laboratories were specially equipped for teaching physiology, ecology and microscopic
anatomy, comparative physiology and neurophysiology and advanced genetics. The additions also
originally held a marine water room, animal quarters, an electron microscope and teaching lab, a
scanning electron microscope, plant growth chambers and an insectadum. The Zoology Building
was renamed the Biology Building sometime after 1972. The Davenport architectural firm of
Richardson and Associates designed both additions. The 1890 Close Hall was razed to make room
for the second addition.
The former University Hospital complex continued in use as classroom and office space during this
period, first under the name East Hall, later as Seashore Hall. It was named for Carl E. Seashore
(1866-1949), a pioneer in the field of psychology. Seashore is credited with founding the second
psychological clinic in the United States and helped to found the Iowa Child Welfare Research
Station. In 1968 the Spence Laboratories of Psychology building was added to the former hospital
complex facing Iowa Avenue just east of Linn Street.
Construction of the Spence Laboratories building came dudng the presidency of Howard Bowen
(1964-1969), a period marked by substantial university construction on both sides of the river. A
total of 20 buildings were erected during these five years with seven more under construction and
ten scheduled for groundbreaking at the time of his departure. The total cost of these structures
was estimated at $125 million, with funding coming from the federal government, foundations,
private gifts and revenue bonds, The Spence Laboratories was one of several buildings conceived,
built and put in operation during Bowen's tenure. Architect for the project was Louis C. Kingscott of
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Kalamazoo, Michigan. His firm had designed the major 1949 addition to the University of
Michigan's Chemistry Building. When completed, the Spence Laboratories of Psychology building
contained faculty and student research facilities for psychology, clinical and social psychology,
animal and human learning, memory, perception, psychophysics and classical condition.
If there was doubt about the relationship between the University of Iowa and the Central Business
District, the closing decades of the 20th century focused it. The T-intersection Iowa Avenue into
Clinton Street formed a historic backdrop for the territorial government and early state of Iowa, and
later for its university. Old Capitol remained the symbolic center of the campus even as the
hospital complex, dormitories and the law school were disbursed west of the river. Student
demonstrations against the Vietnam War during the late 1960s began at this historic and symbolic
intersection. On May 6, 1970, following the killing of four students involved in an anti-war protest
on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio, a crowd of 400 gathered at the intersection of
Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue to protest. The gathering turned violent, and large plate glass
windows of the Iowa Book and Supply Store located on the first level of the Dey Building (8 South
Clinton Street) were easy targets. During the next several days sit-ins and demonstrations
continued on the campus and in the downtown. Numerous buildings along Dubuque and College
streets were damaged. On May 9th a fire at the Armory was falsely attributed to the anti-war
demonstrations. The next day UI President Willard "Sandy" Boyd gave students the option to stay
through final exams or leave due to safety concerns, and nearly 12,000 of the university's 18,000
students left. Sometime later the State Fire Marshall determined that the Armory fire was not
arson but caused by a faulty electrical circuit,
As the war continued, protests at UI continued. On May 5, 1971, downtown demonstrations
associated with the anniversary of the Kent State University student deaths were staged once again
at Clinton Street and the Pentacrest. More than 100 law enforcement officers broke up a gathering
of nearly 500 people and made arrests for doting. The Iowa Book and Supply shop windows were
once again targets. On May 8th the Daily lowan student newspaper falsely reported that the Iowa
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City Civic Center was bombed. On May 14, university officials banned nighttime rallies on the
campus.
The spring of 1972 brought downtown riots once again. On May 4 and 5, up to 3,000 people
demonstrated in the downtown including vandalism and confrontations. The protests were followed
on May 10 by a non-violent demonstration and a mamh from the downtown to Interstate 80 two
days later. Iowa Governor Robert Ray charged the Iowa Highway Patrol with quelling violence,
giving the protest activities state-level significance.'
Cessation of the national draft in January t 973 brought the end to spring demonstrations associated
with the Vietnam War. In their wake, the university administration made plans to relocate and
restore Old Capitol, while downtown merchants turned to downtown urban renewal to rehabilitate
the image of downtown. The Dey Building continued to house Iowa Book and Supply, a major
downtown bookstore, on its main floor and basement with professional offices on the upper level.
The installation of a new storefront in the 1970s abandoned large plate glass windows that had
been repeatedly damaged during protest demonstrations for small, safely ensconced display
windows.
Dudng the Urban Renewal and Redevelopment Era a growing share of the retail merchandising in
the downtown catered to student buyers. Restaurants designed to accommodate meals-on-the-go
and employ student workers abounded. The downtown became a center for all manner of ethnic
and specialty eateries beginning with the Pizza House restaurant in 1958 at 127 College Street. A
handful of well-known taverns like The Airliner (22-26 South Clinton Street), Gabe's (330 East
Washington Street), and Joe's Place (115~117 Iowa Avenue) continued uninterrupted operations
while others came and went. One bar known as the "C,O.D." located in the former C.O.D. Laundry
at 211 Iowa Avenue and claimed to be the state's largest beer seller during the late 1970s.
'Spriestersbach, D.C. The Way It Was: The University of Iowa, f964-~999, Iowa City: University of Iowa Press,
1999, pp. 170-188.
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By the turn of the 21st century bagel shops, bakeries, ice cream shops and coffeehouses had
surfaced. T-shirt shops and sport apparel replaced ladies ready-to-wear shops and hat stores.
The only national franchise stores to remain in the downtown core blocks were fast-food
restaurants. National or regional retailers such as Alden's, Montgomery Ward, Sears, J.C.
Penney's and Seifert's left the CBD.
A footnote on the story of the downtown and the University of Iowa during the Urban Renewal and
Redevelopment Era is told by a modest two-story building located at 330 East Washington Street.
Constructed in 1956 by the Maintenance Supply Corporation, a janitorial supply company, the
building was sold to the American College Testing (ACT) Program, Inc. in 1960. Educational testing
was one of the programs that had excelled during Hancher's presidency at UI. In the late 1956s
ACT developed from the Iowa Tests of Educational Development developed at the university. As
might be expected ACT, a not-for-profit organization, acquired space near the campus in the
downtown. Its operation continued from this site until 1968 when the new facility was completed
along Highway I near Interstate 80. The building was then sold to Albert and Wilfreda
Hieronymous. Albert was a professor of education at the university and Wilfreda became an active
proponent of urban renewal efforts during the 1960s and 1970s. They eventually owned a number
of downtown properties and became investors in Old Capitol Center. The building at 330 East
Washington Street came to house Gabe 'n' Walkers, later Gabe's Tavern, in 1975.
Summary
At the turn of the 21st century, downtown Iowa City continues as the heart of the community. The
CBD Survey Area has evolved through sixteen decades to a relatively stable land use pattern that
includes a core of commercial properties south of Iowa Avenue between Clinton, Burlington, and
Linn streets bounded by a three-block section of the University of Iowa's downtown campus north
of Iowa Avenue, a corridor of civic and institutional properties between Linn and Gilbert streets,
and a well-defined transportation/parking ramp corridor along Burlington and Gilbert Streets.
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Office buildings, banks and an ever changing collection of restaurants and retail users appear likely
to continue in the downtown core. Cultural uses appear likely to be expanded with a doubling of
the size of the Iowa City Public Library on the immediate hodzon and a planned rehabilitation of the
Englert Theatre for new performance space already in process. The last urban renewal parcel
located at the southwest corner of College and Linn streets remains in use as a temporary parking
lot awaiting reuse.
Tables appear below showing the number of buildings in the CBD Survey Area by decade based
on dates researched during completion of individual site inventory sheets for each property. The
population figures for Iowa City are taken from U.S. and Iowa Census figures for the respective
years cited.
CBD Buildings by Decade
Decade Number of
Buildings
Pre-1860 1
1860-1869 3
1870-1879 24
1880-1889 8
1890-1899 11
1900-1909 10
1910-1919 12
1920-1929 6
1930-1939 5
1940-1949 4
1950-1959 8
1960-1969 15
1970-1979 9
1980-1989 9
1990-1999 4
2000 3
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Ci 42
Population for Iowa ty
Year PopulaUon
1850 1,250
1854 2,570
1856 6,316
1860 5,214
1867 6,418
1869 6,583
1870 5,914
1873 6,454
1875 6,371
1880 7,123
1885 6,748
1890 7,016
1895 7,526
1900 7,987
1905 8,497
1910 10,091
1915 12,033
1920 11,267
1930 15,340
1940 17,182
1950 27,212
1960 33,443
1970 46,850
1980 50,508
1990 59,738
1996 60,148
2000 62,220
~2Population figures aretaken ~omFederaland Statecensus records repodedin various sources and published
accoun~ of ~ecensuses.
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F. Associated Property Types of the Central Business District Neighborhood
(1855 - t945)
i. Property Type: Architectural and Historical Resources of Central Business District
Neighborhood (1855-1950)
ii. Description:
The historic resources in this property type are all located within the 15 full blocks and I half-block
included in the CBD Survey Area. All of the resources date from the period 1855 to 1950. The
historic resources are principally commercial buildings. The exceptions are typical of those that
would be expected in a moderate sized business distdct that has historically included diverse uses.
Historic commercial buildings include theaters, banks, hotels, laundries, office buildings, mortuaries
and retail commercial blocks. Public buildings include churches, libraries and fraternal halls. None
of the municipal buildings (three public parking ramps, a joint city hall-police station-fire station and
a recreation building-natatorium) are more than 50 years old. A few private residences and severel
buildings constructed as apartments survive. Several early 20~ century large buildings associated
with Ul's medical school and hospital survive. None of the university buildings less than 50 years
old would qualify as exceptionally significant.
The physical integdty of resources in the survey area ranges from well-preserved, nearly original
condition, to substantially intact with minor alterations, to very altered or neady unrecognizable.
Nearly all of the buildings in the CBD have been modified to some degree.
iii. Significance
The historic resources for this property type represent noteworthy examples of vernacular
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commercial building forms from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries, as well as the work of
trained amhitects. Important Midwest amhitectural firms and designers include Chauncey Lovelace
of Iowa City, Proudfoot and Bird and their successor firm - Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson - of Des
Moines, Dieman & Fiske of Cedar Rapids, Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen of Des Moines, Vorse,
Kraetsch & Kraetsch of Des Moines, H.L. Stevens Co. of Chicago, Kruse and Klein of Davenport
and J. Bradley Rust of Iowa City. Their work and that of other designers and craftsmen whose
names are not known include examples of the Greek Revival, Italianate, Classical Revival, Beaux-
Arts, Georgian and Modeme styles. The work of master metal workers employed by the Iowa City
firm of Maresh & Holubar, one of the city's most important 19th century tin shops, is documented
for several buildings and metal work on other buildings in the CBD is attributed to this firm.
Buildings are associated with previous historic contexts developed in the MPDF "Historic
Resources of Iowa City, Iowa" (1994), as well as the historic context for the "Central Business
District, 1855 - 1950." They demonstrate the growth and development of the Central Business
Distdct as well as the downtown campus of the University of Iowa. They illustrate patterns of
development that produced building booms, radevelopment after major downtown fires, South
Dubuque Street be rebuilt in the 1870s and East Washington Street in the 1880s and 1910s, Iowa
Avenue become home to commercial laundries, East Washington Street become the financial
distdct, civic and governmental buildings locate along Linn Street and later Gilbert Street, hotels
and restaurants scatter throughout the downtown, and the downtown campus expanded to include
three blocks north of Iowa Avenue.
iv. Registration Requirements
a. Area of Siani~cance
Significant resources are found under National Register Criteria A, B and C or combinations of
them. No examples were found for Cdtedon D, although recommendations for further study were
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made in cases where historic archeological remains may exist.
Criterion A: Properties and districts should be associated with important commemial development
trends in Iowa City's Central Business District, the development of the university medical school
and hospital within the downtown campus, and the development of civic and fraternal institutions in
the city center. Individual buildings may be associated with other areas of significance including
industrial development, ethnic history, education, the performing arts, religion, transportation and
social history.
Criterion B: Properties should be associated with persons who made individual contributions to
Iowa City's commercial history or the history of the University of Iowa. Several individuals of
statewide significance were identified during the survey, and further research may uncover
additional individuals in the future.
Criterion C: Individual properties should illustrate architectural styles, building forms, building
types, materials, or construction practices that represent the various periods of commercial
development in the Central Business District. Individual properties may be associated with a
master designer, architect or craftsman. Historic districts should include collections of properties,
some of which may individually lack significance, but as a group demonstrate important trends in
local or neighborhood development.
Criterion D: Properties that are likely to yield important information about commercial building
practices or help document growth of the University of Iowa. Significant elements under this
criterion could include sub-surface evidence of earlier buildings such as foundations, cisterns,
privies, waste pits, steam heating tunnels, etc.
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b. Levels of Sinni~cance
Most properties will be found significant on a local level based on their association with downtown
development. A few buildings are significant on the state level as a result of their role with the
University of Iowa.
c. Integrity Considerations
Individually significant buildings or contributing resources in historic districts in commercial areas
are likely to have been altered more than residential properties. It is expected that commercial
buildings (theaters, banks, retail buildings, office buildings, hotels, garages and service
stations and commercial laundries) retain their original appearance in terms of basic shape,
proportions, roo~ines and important features. The upper levels of their pdncipal far,,ade(s) should
remain relatively unchanged in terms of placement and size of window openings, masonry detailing
such as corbeling and cornice design. Easily reversible alterations, such as the addition of fire
escape ladders, will not be defined as significant. The replacement of multi-pane sash with
recen~gured windows is acceptable (e.g. 6/6 double-hung sash replaced by 1/1 double-hung
sash), but changes in the shape or type of windows would be unacceptable (e.g. segmental arched
double-hung sash by smaller, casement windows). Changes in window openings that are more
than 50 years old will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine their impact.
Greater change is acceptable for storefront levels on commercial buildings since these areas
typically experience considerable change since the average life of a storefront in the United States
only about ten years. The manner in which important storefront elements are treated will be
evaluated. Such elements include the shop and/or upper level entrances, transoms, shop
windows, beltcourses, ornamentation and awnings. In general, modifications made to storefronts
in commercial buildings more than 50 years ago will likely be considered significant in their own
right if they have been preserved relatively intact. Sympathetic alterations made within the past 50
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years will not automatically preclude a building from being eligible for the NRHP. These more
recent alterations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if they support or detract
from a building's important design elements.
Alterations made to convert the use of commercial buildings are also commonplace in central
business districts. They will likely be considered insignificant unless they resulted in the loss of
important interior public spaces. In summary, integrity standards for commercial buildings assume
that they have, by necessity, evolved and changed through time. This organic quality of business
districts provides a slightly different set of integrity expectations for buildings.
Integrity standards for building types in the CBD Survey Area other than commercial buildings
anticipate somewhat less organic change. For example, churches are expected to retain their
original shape and proportions with original window openings, doors, spires and other architectural
features preserved. Construction materials for foundations, walls and windows should be original.
The use of modern roofing materials is an acceptable alteration. In general, modifications made
more than 50 years ago will be accepted as part of the historic appearance of a church. Additions
or wings will be accepted if they are located along a non-principal faC,,ade, have sympathetic design
elements and are constructed of compatible building materials. Treatment of entrances that have
been altered to accommodate handicapped access will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to
determine their impact on overall design.
Integrity standards for public buildings such as the former public library, former post office,
fraternal halls and buildings connected to the University of Iowa, anticipate a fair amount of
organic development. Like churches, these building types are expected to retain their original
shape and proportions with odginal window openings (not necessarily original sash), doors and
other important architectural features. Construction materials for foundations and walls should be
original. The use of modern roofing materials is an acceptable alteration. In general, modifications
made more than 50 years ago will be accepted as part of the historic appearance of one of these
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building types. Additions or wings will be accepted if they are located along a non-principal fac~ade,
have sympathetic design elements, am connected in a fashion that causes minimal alteration to
the historic section of the building and are constructed of compatible building materials. The
addition of exiting systems installed for public safety purposes is expected to be carried out on
non-principal fac~ades. Treatment of entrances that have been altered to accommodate
handicapped access will be evaluated on a caase-by-case basis to determine their impact on overall
design.
There are only a few residences within the CBD Survey Area. Individually significant houses or
contributing resources in historic districts should be relatively unaltered, retaining their original
appearance in terms of basic shape, proportions, rooflines and important features. Principal
fac~ades should remain relatively unchanged with placement and size of window openings and
primary entrances consistent with the original design. Residential buildings should maintain
original porches though sympathetic modifications made more than 50 years ago will be accepted.
The presence of unobtrusive additions on non-principal far.~.ades and modern roofing materials will
not automatically preclude a building from being eligible for the NRHP. Alterations made to convert
single-family residences to offices, retail shops, or apartment buildings will be assessed on a case-
by-case basis to determine if the changes support or detract from a house's important design
elements. Easily reversible alterations such as the addition of fire escape ladders will not be
considered significant,
By definition, historic districts are collections of buildings that when considered as a group rather
than individually possess a sense of time and place. They may share building type, style, form or
material. They have a common period of significance that may extend through a few years or
several decades. They consist of contiguous properties or multi-block areas with relatively few
intrusions. Integrity for individual buildings as well as the setting as a whole should be high.
Buildings within historic districts are divided by definition into two categories: non-contributing and
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contributing resources. Non-contributing resources am those buildings that do not share a
common heritage with the distdct as evidenced in building type, amhitectural style(s), form,
materials or pedod of significance. Non-contributing buildings are generally considered to be
intrusive in nature and would not be missed if removed from the district. Buildings less than 50
years old are generally considered non-contributing.
The category of contributing resources can be further divided by definition into key buildings and
supportive buildings. Key buildings within historic distdcts are those buildings that are
individually eligible for the National Register of Histodc Places. Integrity standards for these
properties should be the same as those established for individually eligible buildings outside of
historic districts. Architectural integrity of supportive buildings may be somewhat less. For
example, changes in window and door openings, cornice and beltcourse trim, or storefront
changes may be acceptable. The addition of fixed awnings and changes in signage would also be
acceptable for most key buildings and all supportive buildings.
A final issue of building integrity involves moved buildings and relates equally to buildings being
evaluated for individual significance or as a part of a histodc district. Moved buildings are rarely
found suitable for National Register listing. The assumption is that a move destroys a building's
significance by altering its original setting and context. No moved buildings have been identified in
the CBD Survey Area. However, research in other neighborhoods has shown that the practice of
moving buildings of all sizes was well established by 1900 in Iowa City. Dudng the subsequent 30
years, it served as a redevelopment technique used by various developers, contractors and many
private property owners.
Because of the practice of moving buildings in Iowa City was common, should future research
identify relocated buildings they should not automatically be precluded from being eligible for the
National Register, Instead, they should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Moves made more
than 50 years ago should be treated as historic alterations giving importance to other selection
United States Department of the Interior
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Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central BuSiness District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
criteria, Moves should be considered detrimental if they resulted in the loss of significant
architectural elements.
v. Historic Districts and Individually Eligible Properties
The Central Business District Survey Area contains a total of 135 buildings. Of this total, 43
appear individually eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and eight buildings
already have been listed. Another 55 buildings appear not to be individually eligible for listing and
would be considered non-contributing structures in a potential historic or conservation district due
to their recent dates of construction and integrity issues. The remaining 28 buildings are not
individually eligible, but would be eligible for listing as supportive/contributing structures if a historic
or conservation district were drawn to include them.
Using the criteda of the National Register of Historic Places for historic districts, one historic district
was identified within the CBD Survey Area with two different building types - commemial structures
and civic or institutional buildings. The Downtown Historic District has an irregular boundary
roughly defined by Iowa Avenue and the alley south of Iowa Avenue between Linn and Gilbert
streets on the north, Clinton Street on the west and Gilbert Street on the east. The southern
boundary includes the alley south of Washington Street between Clinton and Linn Street and then
follows Linn Street south to include the old Iowa City Public Library at the southeast corner of Linn
and College streets and then continues east along College Street to Gilbert. The pedestrian mall
blocks along College Street and the newly constructed buildings facing Iowa Avenue and College
Street immediately west of Gilbert Street are excluded. The disthct contains the best preserved
commemial buildings in the CBD including examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Renaissance,
Romanesque, Classicel Revival, Georgian and Moderns style building designs. It also includes a
collection of buildings constructed in a "civic corridor along the east edge of the CBD prior to
World War I.
United States Department of the tnt~rior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number F Page ,97
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central BuSiness District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
Built during a period of more than 15 decades, these buildings tell a stow as Iowa City's economic
and social center. As with most organically developed business districts, its buildings express the
individual taste of their builders, the architectural styles and aesthetics popular over a considerable
pedod of time and the matedais available for construction and subsequent remodeling. Despite
the loss of many buildings to urban renewal efforts during the 1970s, a sufficient number of
contributing buildings survive to qualify for National Register designation as a historic district.
Because of the differences between the buildings developed east of Linn Street and the balance of
the district, an alternative to including the "civic corridor in the Downtown Historic District would be
to designate them individually. Several of these buildings are already listed in the National
Register while others are eligible. This option should be given careful consideration,
A small portion of a second potential historic district lies along the north edge of the survey area.
The East Jefferson Street Historic District was previously recommended as a part of the
Original Town Plat Phase II Survey. This area includes the north half of the block bounded by
Clinton Street, Jefferson Street, Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue and the building at the
southwest corner of Jefferson and Gilbert streets. The East Jefferson Street Historic District
includes an important collection of Iowa City's churches as well as a number of well-preserved
residences dating from the late 19th through the early 20~ centuries. Several of these residences
were associated with important historic figures in Iowa City. Portions of the downtown campus
originally affiliated with the university medical school and hospital are included in this district
because they fall within the historic period of development for the balance of the East Jefferson
Street Historic District and demonstrate the manner in which the downtown campus evolved prior
to World War I to include the blocks bounded by Clinton Street, Jefferson Street, Gilbert Street and
Iowa Avenue.
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Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listir~g State
vi. Properties in the Central Business District Survey Area
Individual site forms were prepared for all buildings within the CBD Survey Area. Each form
contains recommendations for a building's contributing or non-contdbuting status in a potential
Downtown Historic District or East Jefferson Street Historic District,
Site Address HIstoric Name & Date Individual Historic District-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ ContribuUng/
Not Eligible Non-
ContribuUng
52-04069 102 E Burlington St Standard Service Station ca. 1965 NE NC
52-04068 120 E Burlington St Montgomery Ward & Co. Farm ca. 1930 NE NC
Store
52-00759 304 E Burlington St Kelly Oil Service Station 1941 NE NC
52-94064 310-18 E Burlington Unnamed Building 1986 NE NC
52-00763 320-22 E Burlington Unnamed Building 1985 NE NC
52-04063 340 E Burlington St Unnamed Building 1986 NE NC
52-01023 30 N Clinton St Congregational Church 1868 NRHP C/Key
52-01938 8 S Clinton Street/ Dey Building (Iowa Book & Supply) 1917 E C/Key
105-111 E Iowa Ave
52-01051 10-14 S Clinton St Wm. P. Coast & Sons Building ca. 1895 E C/Key
52-01052 16 S Clinton St Unnamed Building (McDonald ca. 1870 E C/Key
Optical)
52-01053 18-20 S Clinton St Unnamed Building ca. 1870 NE C
52-01055 22 S Clinton St Unnamed Building (The Airliner) ca. 1888 NE C
52-01057 24-26 S Clinton St Building (The Aidiner) ca. 1870 NE C
52-01058 28 S Clinton St Moses Bloom Clothing Store ca. 1870 E C/Key
(Ewers Men's Store)
52-01059 30 S Clinton St Moses Bloom Clothing Store ca. 1870 E C/Key
(Gilda's Imports)
52-01060 32 S Clinton St Whetstone Building (Pancherc's) 1868 E C/Key
52-01063 102 S Clinton St Iowa State Bank & Trust 1912 E C/Key
52-04075 118 S Clinton St Strub Building (Preferred Stock) 1865/ NE NC
1978
52-04074 124 S Clinton St Hawkeye Barbers 1978 NE NC
52-01069 130/138 S Clinton St Things &Things (Active ca. 1975 NE NC
Endeavors)
52-94072 132 S Clinton St Lorenz Boot Shop ca. 1975 NE NC
United Sites Depa~nent of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ContinuaUon Sheet
Section Number F Page 99
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District. 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
Site Address Historic Name & Date Individual Historic Dletrict-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ Contributing/
Not Eligible Non-
ContrlbuUng
52-04040 210 S Clinton St Safeway 2000 Building 2000 NE NC
52-04070 224 S Clinton St Bread Garden Restaurant 1955/ NE NC
1995
52-01071 226 S Clinton St Unnamed Building 1905 NE C
52-01070 103 E College St/ Savings & Loan Building 1877/ E C/Key
208 S Clinton St 1940
52-04093 109 E College St Dooley Block ca. 1874 E C/Key
52-04085 110 E College St Unnamed Building ca. 1968 NE NC
52-04086 112 E College St Unnamed Building (Daydreams ca. 1930 NE NC
Comics)
52-01087 114-16 E College St Schneider Brothers Furniture Store 1893 NE C
52-04091 111-13 E College St Sears, Roebuck & Co. Building 1929 E C/Key
(The Field House)
52-01088 115 E College St Unnamed Building (Gringo's) ca. 1895 E C/Key
52-04090 117-123 College St Crescent Block ca. 1895 E C/Key
52-94087 118-20 E College St Unnamed Building ca. 1874 NE C
52-01089 125 E College St College Block Building 1878 NRHP C/Key
52-04088 128 E College St/ Plaza Centre One 1977 NE NC
125 S Dubuque St
52-01095 312 E College St iowa City Masonic Temple 1913 E C/Key
52-01096 320 E College St Trinity Episcopal Church 1871 NRHP C/Key
52-04059 325-393 E College Unnamed Building 1996 NE NC
52-01097 404 E College St Sinclair Filling Station (Union Bus 1951 E C/Key
Depot)
52-01098 408 E College St Iowa City Rug and Carpet Facton/ 1903 NE NC
52-01545 I South Dubuque Park House 1867 NE C
Street/127 Iowa Ave.
52-01546 2 S Dubuque St Market Hall - north half (Dulcinea) ca. 1870 E C/Key
52-01547 4 S Dubuque St Market Hall - south half (University ca. 1870 NE NC
Camera)
52-01548 5 S Dubuque St F.J. Epeneter Building - north half 1883 NE C
(Livardio Cafe)
52-01549 6 S Dubuque St Ham's Hall - north two-thirds 1870/ NE NC
(Deadwood) 1950
52-01550 7 S Dubuque St F.J. Epeneter Building - south half 1873 E C/Key
(Cathedne's)
52-01551 9 S Dubuque St Patterson Block - north half of north 1879/ E C/Key
half 1899
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuetion Sheet
Section Number F Page 100
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
Site Address Historic Name & Date Individual Historic District-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ ContribuUng/
Not Eligible Non-
ContribuUng
52-01552 10 S Dubuque St Ham's Hall - south third (Sports 1870 E C/Key
Column)
52-01553 11 S Dubuque St Patterson Block - south half of north 1879/18 NE C
half (Micky's Idsh Pub) 99
52-01554 12 S Dubuque St Unnamed Building (Sports Column) ca. 1870 E C/Key
52-04094 13-15 S Dubuque St Prairie Lights Book Store 1983/ NE NC
1993
52-01556 14 S Dubuque St Mueller Block (Sports Column) ca. 1910 NE NC
52-01557 17 S Dubuque St J.J. Stach Saloon (Iowa Hair ca. 1876 NE C
Cutting)
52-01558 19-21 S Dubuque St Scanton Saloon and Maresh & 1874 E C/Key
Holubar Tin Shop (Discount
Records)
52-01559 23 S Dubuque St Unnamed Building 1879/ NE NC
1951
52-01561 111 S Dubuque St Unnamed Building (Tobacco Bowl) 1860 E C/Key
52-04083 114-16 S Dubuque Dain, Kalman & Quail Building ca. 1975 NE NC
52-01562 115 S Dubuque St Franklin Printing House 1856 NRHP C/Key
52-01564 118 S Dubuque St Unnamed Building 1881 E C/Key
52-01567 124 S Dubuque St Iowa Theater (Brimpies) ca. 1937 NE C
52-04084 130 S Dubuque St J.C. Penney Building 1957 NE NC
52-04065 220 S Dubuque St Plaza Centre Hotel (Sheraton 1980 NE NC
Hotel)
52-04067 229 S Dubuque St Hawkeye State Bank ca. 1965 NE NC
52-01673 22 N Gilbert St Unnamed House NE C
52-01674 24 N Gilbert St Unnamed House NE C
52-01739 10 S Gilbert St Unitadan-Universalist Church 1907 E C/Key
52-01742 220 S Gilbert St Robert A. Lee Community 1964 NE NC
Recreation Center
52-01743 221 S Gilbert St Unnamed Building
52-04062 225 S Gilbert St Quick Trip #509 (Happy Joe's 1980 NE NC
Pizza)
52-01939 113 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Building 1879 NE C
52-01940 115 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Building (Joe's Place) 1879 NE NC
52-01941 117 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Building (Joe's Place) 1926 NE C
52-01942 119 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Building (Easy Place 1926 NE C
Restaurant)
52-01943 121 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Building (Malone's Pub & 1890 NE C
Eatery)
United States Depadment of the Interior
NaUona; Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number F Page 101
Architectural and Histodcal Resour~s of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
Site Address Historic Name & Date Individual Historic District-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ ContribuUng/
Not Eligible Non-
ContribuUng
52-01944 211 E Iowa Ave C.O.D. Steam Laundry Building 1895 NE C
52-01945 215 E Iowa Ave Reardon Hotel 1912 NE C
52-01946 217 E Iowa Ave First Christian Church 1970 NE NC
52-01947 225 E Iowa Ave Peoples Steam Laundry Building 1909 E C/Key
52-01948 229 E Iowa Ave Vogel House 1898 E C/Key
52-04039 325 E Iowa Ave Tower Place & Parking Facility 2000 NE NC
52-01952 402 E Iowa Ave Centennial Building (State Historica 1958 NE NC
Society of Iowa)
52-01953 410 E Iowa Ave James and Francis Mahoney 1891 E C/Key
House (United Way)
52-01954 422 E Iowa Ave Houser-Metzger House (United 1898 E C/Key
Way)
52-01955 430 E Iowa Ave Unnamed Office/Apartment 1986 NE NC
Building
52-02224 9 S Linn St George & Harriet Van Patten ca. 1874 NRHP C/Key
House
52-02225 13-15 S Linn St Hohenschuh, W.P., Mortuary 1917 E C/Key
52-02227 28 S Linn St Old Post Office 1904/ NRHP C/Key
1931
52-02228 104-116 S Linn St O'Leary Velie Garage/Iowa ca. 1918 NE C
Apartment Building /1924
52-02229 122 S Linn St Meardon Building 1977 NE NC
52-04056 123 S Linn St Iowa City Public Library 1981 NE NC
52-02230 218 S Linn StJ307 E Old Iowa City Public Library 1903/ E C/Key
College St 1968
52-04054 220 S Linn St Unnamed Building 1949 NE NC
52-02231 224 S Linn St Unnamed House (Sweet Livin' 1888 NE NC
Antiques)
52-94055 225 S Linn St Dubuque Street Parking Ramp 1980 NE NC
52-02800 109 E Washington St Hands Jewelry Building 1910/ NE NC
1969
52-02804 110 E Washington St Western Union Building (Ginsberg ca. 1928 NE C
Jewelry Store)
52-02805 112 E Washington St Unnamed Building 1900 E C/Key
52-02806 114-16 E Washington Unnamed Building (RSVP and The ca. 1874 NE NC
St Third Coast)
52-02807 111-17 E Washington Younker's Department Store 1951 NE C
Building (Brown Bottle Restaurant)
52-02808 118 E Washington St Unnamed Building (Bo James ca. NE NC
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Continuation Sheet
Section Number F Page 102
Architectural and Historical Resoumes of Iowa City Central Business District. 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Mult~le Property Listing State
Site Address Historic Name & Date Individual Historic District-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ Contributing/
Not Eligible Non-
Contributing
Restaurant) 1874/
ca. 1968
52-02809 120 E Washington St Bremer's Building 1962 NE NC
52-02810 121 E Washington St S.S. Kresge Co. Building (Iguana's 1933 NF: C
Comic Book Caf~)
52-02811 124 E Washington St Unnamed Building ca. NEE C
1874/
1950
52-02812 126 E Washington St Unnamed Building (Cyberbeans ca. 1874 NE C
Internet Caf~)
52-02813 128 E Washington St Arcade Building 1874/ E C/Key
1927
52-01487 125-31 E Washington Hotel Jefferson (Jefferson Building) 1913 E C/Key
St.
52-02814 132 E Washington St Pryca & Schell Building (Hills Bank) ca. 1879 NE C
52-02815 202-14 E Washington First National Bank (Firstar Bank) ca. E C/Key
S'd20-28 S Dubuque 1870-ca.
/1994
52-02816 207 E Washington St Paul-Helen Building 1913 NRHP C/Key
52-02818 216 E Washington St Stillwell Building (Lasansky ca. 1880 E C/Key
Corporation)
52-02819 218 E Washington St IXL Block-west section 1883 E C/Key
52-02820 220 E Washington St IXL Block-center section 1883 E C/Key
52-02821 221 E Washington St Englert Theatre 1912 E C/Key
52-04053 223-225 E Unnamed Building (Dick Blick Art ca. 1910 NE C
Washington St Materials)
52-02822 224 E Washington St IXL Block-east section 1883 E C/Key
52-04052 227 E Washington St Unnamed Building (India Caf~) ca. 1940 NE C
52-02823 228 E Washington St First National Bank Drive-in 1962 NE NC
Building
52-04051 229 E Washington St Unnamed BIdg.(Meacham Travel) 1970 NE NC
52-02824 319 E Washington St Iowa City Press-Citizen Publishing 1937 E C/Key
Building (Citizen Apartments)
52-02825 320 E Washington St Ecumenical Housing 1980 NE NC
52-02827 325 E Washington St B.P.O.E. Hall (Commerce Center) 1909 E C/Key
52-02828 328 E Washington St Knights of Columbus Hall (The 1963 NE NC
Professional Building)
52-02829 330 E Washington St ACT Building (Gabe's) 1956 NE NC
52-02826 332 E Washington St Boerner-Fry Company/Davis Hotel 1899 NRHP C/Key
52-02830 410 E Washington St Iowa City Civic Center 1963/ NE NC
1999-
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
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Continuation Shee{
Section Number F, G & H Page 103
Amhitectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business DistricL 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple property Listing State
Site Address Historic Name & Date Individual Histodc District-
Number (Common Name) Eligible/ ContribuUng/
Not Eligible Non-
Contributing
2000
52-04049 415 F: Washington St Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp 1992 NE NC
52-04044 UI Bldg. #11 UI Hospital (Seashore Hall) 1897- NE NC
1914
52-04082 UI Bldg. # 18 Medical Laboratory Building 1902 E C/Key
(Biology Building)
52-04089 UI Bldg. #18 Biology Building Additions I & II 1965/ NE NC
1971
52-04079 UI Bldg. #19 Hall of Anatomy (Biological 1902 E C/Key
Sciences Library)
52-04058 UI Bldg. #20 Isolation Hospital (Old Music 1916 E C/Key
Building)
52-04043 UI Bldg. #188 Spence Laboratories of Psychology 1968 NE NC
52-04077 UI Bldg. #184 Phillips Hall 1963-65 NE NC
52-04057 UI Bldg. #203 Van Allen Hall 1965 NE NC
52-04045 UI Bldg. #-d,48 Biology Building East & 2000 NE NC
Dubuque Street Skywalk
G. Geographical Data
The Central Business Distdct Survey involved completion of an intensive level survey for
approximately 15 full blocks and 1 half-block. The survey contained approximately 134 individual
buildings in Blocks 43, 44, 45, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 79, 80, 81 and 82 of the Original Town
Plat of Iowa City. The CBD Survey Area extends from Clinton Street on the west to Van Buren
Street on the east with Burlington Street as the southern boundary and Jefferson Street as the
nodhem boundary.
H. Summary of Identification and Evaluation Methods
This amendment to the Multiple Property Document Form (MPDF) "Historic Resources of Iowa
City, Iowa' was completed under the authority of the City of Iowa City, Iowa and the direction of the
United States Department Of the Interior
NaUonal Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
SecUon Number H Page 104
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 IoWa
Name of Multiple Proparty Listir~g State
Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission. Funding was provided by the City of Iowa City. This
amendment serves as the final report for the Iowa City Central Business Distdct Study, one of a
series of ongoing neighborhood studies being completed by the Iowa City Historic Preservation
Commission in response to recommendations contained in the "Iowa City Historic Preservation
Plan" adopted in 1992 by the City of Iowa City.
Madys A. Svendsen with Svendsen Tyler, Inc. of Sarona, Wisconsin was retained by the City of
Iowa City to complete the CBD Survey. Svendsen served as principal for the project in the
capacity of both historian and architectural historian. Svendsen holds a B.A. in history and political
science from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Her previous work in Iowa City included completion
of the "Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan" (1992), the MPDF "Historic Resources of Iowa City,
Iowa (1994), the "Brown Street Historic District" National Register Nomination (1995), the Original
Town Plat Phase II Study (1998-99) and the Original Town Plat Phase III (Goosetown) Study
(1999-2000). Scott Kugler, Associate Planner from the City of Iowa City's Planning Department,
coordinated work on the contract on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission. Interns
Karmin Bradbury and John Adam completed photography and other reseamh assignments for the
project under Svendsen's supervision.
Work on the CBD Survey was completed dudng a 13-month period that began in October 1999
and concluded in November 2000. A public information meeting was held in November 1999 in
order to explain the survey process, answer questions and invite downtown business persons and
property owners to assist in the project.
Fieldwork on the survey began in October and November 1999 with completion of black and white
photographs for each property. Individual site numbers provided by the State Historical Society
were assigned to each property and entered on photo log sheets. Data from the 1981 Urban
Revitalization Act Study for the CBD conducted by Jim Jacobsen for the City of Iowa City's was
reviewed for each property. Site forms for properties located in blocks 65, 83, 79, 60 and 45 were
United States Department of the Interior
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Continuation Sheet
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Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 iowa
Name of Muitiple Property Listing State
unavailable.
Archival research was completed at the State Historical Society LibraW in Iowa City, the University
of Iowa Library Special Collections and Map Collections in Iowa City and the Iowa City Public
Library. Reseamh began with the compilation of a chain of ownership for each property based on
Property Transfer Records obtained from the Johnson County Auditors Office. This information
was then cross*checked and compared with 19m and 20th century City Directory entries and
Sanborn fire insurance map records to confirm dates of construction. Directory searches also
determined businesses, their owners or proprietors and their competitors in some cases. Sanborn
maps proved valuable in determining the longevity of buildings, their expansions or modifications
through time and the types of businesses occupying specific properties. Data from building
permits was used to date buildings constructed more recently.
Help in researching buildings constructed and owned by the University of Iowa was provided by the
Facilities Services Group of Design & Construction Services, University of Iowa. Dan Hurd
provided a list of buildings in the survey area that was useful in identifying construction and
alteration dates as well as architects responsible for their designs. Present day floor plans for each
of the buildings also were provided.
Other archival research included examination of county histories, biographical directories, city
histories, obituaries, architectural studies, census records, histodc photographs, newspaper
records and histories of local businesses. The newspaper articles written by the late Iowa City
businessman and Iowa City Press-Citizen columnist Irving Weber proved extremely useful.
A computer-based Iowa Site Inventory Form (adopted by the Iowa State Historical Society in 1997
and revised in 1999) was then completed for each of the properdes in the CBD Survey Area. Each
form included two pages of standardized information for inclusion in the computedzed database for
Iowa's Statewide Inventory and one or more pages containing an architectural description,
United States Department Of the Interior
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Continuation Sheet
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Name of Multiple Property Listing State
statement of significance and list of major bibliographical references. A sketch map for each
property and a 4"x6" black and white photograph were attached to each form.
Using the information gathered in the field and archival research, the development of the CBD was
considered and individual properties assessed to determine their likely eligibility for the National
Register, The Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Identification and Evaluation, National
Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, National Register
Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form, National Register Bulletin
16B: How to Complete the National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form and Iowa's
Survey Procedures and Guidelines Manual were used in these assessments. Once individual
eligibility had been identified, a second evaluation was made to determine whether a building was
likely to contdbute to the significance of a potential historic district or conservation district for the
Downtown.
Of critical importance in both individual and district assessments was the issue of building integrity.
The assessments were based on knowledge of the existing condition of each of the properties and
made with an understanding of building modffication practices typically used in other parts of Iowa
City. Integrity considerations also were formulated to be compatible with the City of Iowa City's
present local historic district and historic landmark ordinances.
Copies of the draft report was circulated to members of the Iowa City Historic Preservation
Commission and reviewers familiar with the downtown. Especially useful comments and
corrections were received from Robert G. Hibbs and Richard Carlson. Thanks to their careful
reading and editing, the report's accuracy was improved.
Work completed dudng the CBD Survey is the second project focused on Central Business District.
The first was undertaken in 1981 by James Jacobsen, a graduate student working on a Masters
degree in urban planning at the University of Iowa, who propared a study for the City of Iowa City's
United States Department of the Interior
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NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number H & I Page 107
Architectural and HiStOrk;:al Resources of Iowa City Central Business DistriCt, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
urban renewal program. No nominations to the National Register of Historic Places were
completed in conjunction with that survey.
I. Major Bibliographical References
"APA Historical Database: Selected Entries" [from httl~:llwww.cwu.edul~warrenlcalendar
/ca10128.htmll Soume: Street, Warren R. A Chronology of Noteworthy Events in Amerfcan
Psychology. Washington, DC: American PsychologiCal Association, 1994.
Atlas of Johnson County, Iowa. [Publisher not specified] 1917.
At/as of Johnson County, Iowa. Davenport, Iowa: The Huebjnger Survey & Map Publishing Co,,
1900.
Atlas of Johnson County, Iowa. Iowa City, Iowa: J. J. Novak, 1889.
Aurner, Clarence Ray. Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa History, Volumes 1 and 2. Cedar
Rapids: Western Historical Press, 1912-13.
Brcak, Nancy J. and Jean W. Sizemore. "The 'New' University of Iowa: A Beaux-Arts Design for
the Pentacrest." The Annals of Iowa 51 (Fall 1991), State Historical Society of Iowa.
"Buildings East of the Pentacrest" compiled by Dan Hurd, University of Iowa, Facilities Services
Group, Design & Construction Services, September 26, 2000.
Callget, Roberta, editor. The Iowa City Story: '~ Matter of Opinions.. Chicago: Link Programs
Incorporated, 1983.
The Census of Iowa f or the years 1856, 1873, 1875, 1880, 1885, 1885, 1887, 1889, 1895, 1905,
1915 and 1925 as printed by various State Printers.
Census of the United States for 1920 and 1930.
"Chemistry Building: Introduction." [from httl~://www. umich.edu/~bhl/bhl/Bentlev Map/HTML
/Text/Chem.intro.html] Sourca: The University of Michigan: An Encyclopedic Survey; Walter
A. Donnelly, Wilfred B. Shaw and Ruth W. Gjelsness, editors; Ann Arbor: University of
Michigan Press, 1958.
City Directories of Iowa City, Iowa. 1856 to present.
United States Department of the Interior
NaUonal Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number t Page 108
Architectural and Historical Resources of iowa City Central Business District. 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name Of Multiple Properly Listing State
Combination Atlas and Map of Johnson County, Iowa. Geneva, Illinois: Thompson & Everts,
1870.
Drury, John. This is Johnson County, Iowa. Chicago: The Loree Company, 1955.
Ellis, Edwin Chades. "Certain Stylistic Trends in Architecture in Iowa City." Unpublished M.A.
Thesis, University of Iowa, 1947.
Gallaher, Ruth A. "Money in Pioneer Iowa." Iowa Joumal of History and Politics. Vol. 32, No. 1
(January 1934).
Gebhard, David and Gerald Mansheim. Buildings of Iowa. New York: Oxford University Press,
1993.
Gottfried, Herbert and Jan Jennings. American VemacularDesign, 1870-1940. New York: Van
Nostrend Reinhold Company, 1985.
Hibbs, Bob, "Welcomel To the Iowa City Masonic Building." Iowa City Masonic Lodge, (AF&AM),
January 1998.
Histodc photographs, Manuscript Collection, State Historical Society of Iowa Library, Iowa City,
Iowa.
History of Johnson County, Iowa containing a history of the county and its townships, cities and
villages from 1836 to 1882. Evansville, Indiana: Unigraph, Inc., 1973; reprint of book
originally published in 1883.
"Iowa City, Iowa". The Commercial Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 1, (January, 1898).
Iowa City, Iowa, Souvenir and Annual for 1881-82. Iowa City, Iowa: Hoover, Kneedler & Faust,
1882.
Iowa City and Her Business Men,' Iowa's Most Enterprising City. Iowa City, Iowa: Moler's Printery,
[Date Unknown].
Insurance Maps of Iowa City, Iowa. (New York: The Sanborn Map Company and the Sanborn and
Perris Map Company; 1874, 1879, 1883, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933
and 1933 updated to 1970).
Johnson County History. Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa Writers Project, Works Progress Administration,
Iowa City, Iowa: Iowa City School System Publication, 1941.
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
continuation Sheet
Section Number I Page 109
Architectural and Historical ReSources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name Of Multiple Property Listing State
Keyes, Margaret N. Nineteenth Century Home Architecture in Iowa City. Iowa City, Iowa:
University of Iowa Press, 1966.
Lafore, Laurence Davis. American Classic. Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa,
1975.
Magnuson, Linda W- "Sheets and Company: An Iowa City Builder/Architect Firm, 1870-19067
Unpublished M.A. Thesis, University of Iowa, 1980.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: An Illustrated History. Norfolk, Virginia: The Downing Company,
1989.
Map of Iowa City, Iowa, with Description of Resources and Nature/Resoumes and Advantages.
Des Moines, Iowa: The Iowa Publishing Co., 1910.
Perl, Larry. Calm and Secure on the Hill: A Retrospective of the University of Iowa. Iowa City,
Iowa: University of Iowa Alumni Association, 1978.
Persons, Stow. The University of Iowa in the Twentieth Century: An Institutional History. Iowa
City, Iowa: University of Iowa Press, 1990.
Petersen, William John. "Iowa City - Then and Now." The Palimpsest, Vol. 48, No. 2 (February
1967).
Petersen, William John. "The State Historical Society of Iowa: The Centennial Building." The
Palimpsest, Vol. 41, No. 8 (August 1960).
Portreit and Biographical Record of Johnson, Poweshiek and lowa Counties, Iowa. Chicago:
Chapman Bros., 1893.
Richardson, Jim. The University of Iowa. Louisville, Kentucky: Harmony House Publishers, 1989.
Rugers, Earl M., "A Bibliography of the History of the University of Iowa, 1847 - 1978." Preliminary
Edition, University of Iowa Libraries, 1979.
Ruger, A. "Bird's Eye View of Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa." Chicago: Chicago Lithographing
Company, 1868.
"Semi-Centennial Edition." Iowa City Republican, October 20, 1890.
Shambaugh, Benjamin F. Iowa City: A Contribution to the Early History of Iowa. M.A. Thesis,
University of Iowa, Published by State Historical Society of Iowa, 1893.
United States Depa~nent of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
continuation Sheet
Section Number I Page 110
Architectural and Historical Resources of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Multiple Property Listing State
Shambaugh, Benjamin F. 'Iowa City Through the Years," The PalimpsesL Vol. 48, No. 2 (February
1967).
Sisson, John R. Johnson County, Iowa Map. [Publisher Unknown] 1859.
Spriestersbach, D.C. The Way It Was: The University of Iowa, 1964-1999. Iowa City: University of
Iowa Press, 1999.
Svendsen, Marlys. "Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa". National Register of Historic Places
Multiple Property Documentation Form prepared for the Iowa City Historic Preservation
Commission, 1992.
Weber, Irving. On Iowa. Iowa City, Iowa: University of Iowa and Iowa City Lions Club, 1996.
Weber, Irving. Irving Weber's Iowa City- Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7and8. Iowa City, Iowa: Iowa
City Lions Club, 1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1990.
Wheeler, Robert J. "A Proposal for Renewal of the Iowa City Central Business District and Adjacent
Areas., Iowa City, Iowa." Unpublished PhD. Dissertation, University of Iowa, 1960.
Zug, Joan Liftring and Krieg, Diane. "The University of Iowa Builds for New Excellence." The
lowan, Vol. 21 (Fall 1972), 24-30.
Newspaper Articles
"City Plaza, 1979-1999, 20th Anniversary Edition." Community News Advertiser/Iowa city Gazette.
Iowa City, Iowa, September 22, 1999.
"Early Iowa Newsreel: Old Iowa City." Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, November 25,
1956.
Iowa Cffy Press-Citizen Articles:
"Buildings Fade with Urban Renewal." June28, 1980,
"Change Sweeps Through Downtown Iowa City." August 2, 1980.
"Clinton Street Famous for Many Clothing Stores." July 26, 1980,
"College Street Downtown: Much as it Was in 1894." July 3, 1982.
"Dobbin uses new Public Hitching Rack in City." February 22, 1952."Downtown Iowa City gets
a 'Booming' Face Lift." June 21, 1980.
"Early Newspapers." Mamh 9, 1939.
"Elks Lodge Once Owned Press-Citizen Site-Frame Houses Stood on Historical Building Site."
September 13, 1980.
"Ever-Changing Iowa Avenue." June 14, 1980.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Continuation Sheet
Section Number I Page 111
Architectural and Historical Resqurces of Iowa City Central Business District, 1855 - 1945 Iowa
Name of Muffiple Property Listing State
"Excavation of Iowa Avenue Boulevards." August 12, 1948.
"Favor Joint City-County Building; Planning Commission Urges City to Negotiate with County
Board." April 6, 1951.
"Feed Mills Gave Way to More Modem Business." August 16, 1980.
"History of Iowa City's Financial Growth Shows Safe and Sane Development of Banks."
December 2, 1929.
"Iowa City Bet on the Wrong (Iron) Horse." May 18, 1985.
"Iowa City - Past, Present, Future." Iowa CityPress-Citizen, December 5, 1910.
"Iowa City's First Legally Authorized Bank Created by State Law Back in Fifties." November,
25, 1929.
"Iowa City's Puzzling Growth Rate." March 21, 1981.
"Iowa City was Attractive to Railroads in 1854." May 5, 1984.
"Iowa Avenue Boulevards to Be Removed." August 19, 1947.
"Jefferson Building Dedicated in 1913." February 9, 1974.
"Landmark Succumbs to Progress." September 30, 1950.
"Last Vestige of Popular Interurban Uprooted." May 17, 1980.
"Life Changes on Three Comers." July 19, 1980.
"Lights Go Up on City Parking Lot." February 13, 1952,
"Movie Houses, Shops Lined Dubuque Street." November 1, 1980.
"Nall's had Three Sales Rooms." September 27, 1980.
"No College on College St." October 11, 1980.
"Old, New Give Birth to Change." June 7, 1980.
"Parking Lot Expansion Planned." December 18, 1951.
"Parking Lot to Be Located Here." July 3, 1948.
"Pioneer Grocers." December 4, 1940.
"Prepare to Surface Musser Parking Lot." March 6, 1951.
"Purchase of Three new City Parking Lots Is Approved." January 1, 1952,
"Says City Hall Fire Station Floor May Fall; O.K. Repairs." March 13, 1951.
"Scaled-down Renewal Plan Accepted," February 24. 1977.
"See Need for Survey of Traffic Problems." ca. May 1, 1951.
"Sicilians Operated Iowa City's Eady Fruit Stores." August 23, 1980.
"Street Projects move Rapidly." September 22, 1950.
"Take Iowa City History." March 31, 1975.
"UI Inspired Building Boom of 1927-29." July 16, 1983.
"University of Iowa Pioneered Television Broadcasts in 1932." Apdl 14, 1949.
"Iowa City Women are Six to One for Equal Suffrage in Test Made." Iowa City Daily Citizen, May 26,
1916.
"Semi-Centennial Edition." Iowa City Republican, October 20, 1890.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: May2, 2001
To: Steve Arkins
From: Chuck Schmadeke
Re: Foster Road Grading and Water Main Project
A suggestion was made at Tuesday evening's council meeting to open for travel the
right-o~way of Foster Road between Dubuque Street and Prairie du Chien Road as part
of the grading and water main construction project.
Opening the route for travel prior to paving will provide an attractive shortcut for
motorcycles and other small motorized vehicles and maybe automobiles as well. This
project does not anticipate public use of the right-of-way and the improvements are not
sufficient to accommodate the general public,
Public Works does not recommend opening for travel Foster Road between Dubuque
Street and Prairie du Chien Road until the street paving is also installed.
cc: Kim Shera
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM- /
DATE: May 7, 2001
TO: City Manager
FROM: Steven Nasby, Community Development Coordinator~~
RE: Adjustment in HUD Zncome Limits for the City of Zowa City
Annually the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUn) issues median
income figures to cities and states to determine eligibility for federal programs such as the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOIvlE Investment Partnership programs.
For both of these programs, households under 80% median income can qualify for certain
types of assistance. Enclosed is a table containing the most recent data for Iowa City
(released in April 2001).
The 2001 HUn income numbers are significantly higher than last year (up over :L4%).
According to this information, Iowa City's median family income for a household of four is
$62,900. This puts us 3rd in the State of Iowa as both Cedar Rapids ($65,300) and Des
Moines ($64,200) are higher than us.
To put the new Iowa City income figures into some perspective please see the bulleted items
below.
· A single person working full time (2080 hours annually) making less than $16.93
per hour would be considered low income.
· A family of four making $50,000 per year would qualify as low income.
While some of these income figures may appear high, our CTTY STEPS Plan prioritizes the use
of our federal funds by focusing the majority of assistance to households under 50% median
income. If you have any questions about the HUn median income levels or would like
additional information please let me know.
Cc: Karin Franklin, Director of Planning and Community Development
enclosure
TABLE OF INCOME GUIDELINES AND DEFINITIONS FOR IOWA CITY
Effective March 29, 2001
Household 30% MedianIncome 50% Median 60% Median 80% MedianIncome Median
Size (Pove~y Level) Income Income (low income) Income
I $13,200 $22,000 $26,400 $35,200 $44,000
2 15,100 25,150 30,180 40,250 50,300
3 17,000 28,300 33,960 45,300 56,600
4 18,850 31,450 37,740 50,300 62,900
5 20,400 33,950 40,740 54,350 67,900
6 21,900 36,500 43,800 58,350 73,000
7 23,400 39,000 46,800 62,400 78,000
8 24,900 41,500 49,800 66,400 83,000
May 01, 2001
Ernie Lehman, Mayor
City of Iowa City, Iowa
325 East Washington St.
Iowa City, IA. 52244
Dear Mayor Lehman:
Devonjan Fossil Gorge Inc. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
cordially invite you to a Dedication June 23, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. for a new
Visitor/Education facility. This Dedication will be held at the Dam site on
Coralville Lake in Johnson, County, Iowa.
Our purpose is to officially open a new Visitor/Education facility that will
showcase 375 million-year-old Devonjan age fossils in what was once Iowa's
own tropical sea.
Devonian Fossil Gorge is truly a remarkable site. This is evidenced by
over three-quarters of a million visitors since its exposure during the
devastating floods of 1993. With this new facility, all visitors can safely
experience an educational presentation of a unique Iowa geologic resource.
We look forward to your advising Council Members and City Staffof this
event and your early response and attendance. Please RVSP Deb at phone
#319/338-1184 or e-mail: Deb@riverproducts.com. Thank you.
Sh cerely,
Tom A. Woodraft, President,
Devonjan Fossil Gorge, Inc.
Phone#563/391/8227 or
e-mail:Apwood~,Juno.com
~~ YOU ARE INVITED
by
DFG, Inc. and the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers
to attend a
DEDICATION PROGRAM/TOUR
of the
NEW DEVONIAN FOSSIL GORGE
VISITOR/EDUCATION FACILITY
Saturday @ 9:00am June 23, 2001
This will be a special opportunity to tour a facility/site uncovered by
the record floods of 1993 that now provides a unique window into
Iowa's 3 75 million-year-old tropical sea and inhabitants.
Located at the Coralville Lake Dam Spillway on the Iowa River in
dohnson County, Iowa. Take 1-80 to exit 244, then north 2 miles on
Dubuque Street, NE., then east on West Overlook Road to the Dam and
Dedication/Tour site.
e-mail: APWood70~aoLeom
~ What you~ · Dc~ian vouilCo~ ~nc~ Committee
...:.~ : :. ' , ...' '. Rocks fMi~~ar~p~ds
' .. "...x:::~'~': '..~'-?:.'.'.;-.. ';.....',';'.Ea~nee ~ ,:o :~.
' ~ · '" ' Steve Fo~
Up ff~tibn "
:' gro .preSe 8. · Coalville
': ~ · · Wendy Ford"
~ 5~:.;;: .Visitors Bureau, Coralville
. _ - .... Develop an innovative, ,~ ~[k~State Geolo~st Iowa City
challenging and exciting n~ .
"' '~ ,0' ' fossil discoVe~ ]~a~scape Architect, U .S. Army Corps of
~ngineem, ~}ck Island
~ ~ ,F~k Sunde~an, PE
~Io~nS the orge ":;~ a~ngincer, Corps of Engineera, ~ck Island
Overheard at the si{el.. L;::, PrOyide~acilities thatare ':~;~raphic Design/Exhibit Builder, Iowa:Ci~
.... . :.' ""'. ' ' .."] Davenpo~ : ;':
"My best class visitV' ~' h~ Dave Lacina :,
::"' ... . President, McComas LaGinn Const., Iowa
"AwesomeU' Contribute to the area -.: .'.··
Keyin Koellner
"hre ~ intellcctual" . President, Design/Build Associates, Inc.
"Older than my parents, evcn 'educational opportunities.. · " Davenport y:,,:
For more info~adon, cont~
grandparents..." ~
319-391-8227 or 319-626L~43~
Our Goal
~ Share in Preserving...
Working with the Corps of
Department, design, build
and privately fund an educa-
tional and recreational facil-
itate' Gorge
~is rare and intellectu~ 375
m~ion-year-old resource.
l)'evonian-age sea tloor and ob-
serve first-hand ~he k~ssil shells Com~c~on ~d completion
and skeletons of sea dwelling ~ p~nned for ~e summer of
animals normally hidden [~xn ~. Appropriate recogni-
view 6r. seen o~jy on quark3~ ~on w~lbe ~ven m all con-
laces, road cuts or extre~ne cut ~butom.
~s is an unusu~ oppo~u-
'and ~t niW for all Iowans and spe-
cifically those who live in
Eastern Iowa.
sg;~cll displayed. ~
,o We would appreciate your ~ll-
:~x,~ '~'::~ ing out and mailing the at-
~,~ inched ~fo~a~on ~ your
m~eductibl~ contribution.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
WASTEWATER TREATMENT ,,,~t' ~-
AND COLLECTION FACILITY
Contract 3 - South Plant ~
Improvements TO/~
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Report Number: #6 Contractor:
Story Construction Company
Report Date: May 3, 2001 300 South Bell Ave.
Ames, Iowa
Project Number: 3387.0
Engineering Consultant:
City of Iowa City Administration and Inspection Staff:
Tim Randall, Special Projects Manager Stanley Consultants, Inc.
Mike Schuckert, Special Projects Inspector 225 Iowa Avenue
Terry Simmons, Special Projects Inspector Muscatine, Iowa
Date Construction Started: March 14, 2000 Appmved Time Extensions (Days): 0
Comracl Completion Date/Days: March 13, 2002 / 730 Revised Completion Date: N/A
Days Elapsed: 415 Percent of Project Completed: 42 %
Days Remaining: 315 Contract Price: $26,574,000.00
Percent of Time Used: 57 % Progress Payments to Date: $10,597,102.85
Summary of Construction Activities To Date:
,- Laboratory/Administration Building: Work on the above ceiling plumbing. electrical and
duct work is nearing completion. The City's Housing & Inspection Services have conducted
rough-in inspections. The mechanical penthouse structure is complete except for the interior
and exterior metal panels, which are being installed now. The exterior brick and cast stone
veneer is complete. Installation of the exterior windows is underway.
Maintenance Vehicle Storage Building(MVSB): Work on the exterior CMU walls is
underway. Work on the exterior brick and cast stone veneer is following close behind. The
South Wastewater Plant Contract 3
City Council Report #6 Page I May 3, 2001
overhead mechanical piping and plumbing is in-progress. Work is nearing completion on
the underslab electrical conduits. Preparations for the mezzanine concrete floor deck pour
are nearing completion.
Addition to Sludge Processing FaciliU: Work recently resumed in this area. Work on the
conduits in the rotary dram thickener room is complete. Installation of the electrical
grounding system is in-progress. The fill sand within the foundation is being re-compacted
after setting the winter, prior to floor slab placement. Preparations are underway to start the
exterior brick and cast stone veneer.
Sludge Digestion Building: The concrete walls for the Sludge Equalization Tanks are
complete. The concrete for the tunnel roof and ground floor slab has been placed. Erection
and welding of the stainless steel digester tank covers continues. Welding and placement of
the mixing tubes is complete. Work on filling form-tie holes with grout is underway.
Waterproofing of the Digester Building basement walls is complete.
Chlorine Contact Tanks: Work recently resumed in this area. Form-tie holes have been
plugged and filled with grout. Sloped concrete fill has been placed in the base of the tanks.
Connection of the new tank drain lines has been made to the existing drain system.
Backfilling of the excavation is underway.
Secondary Clari~ers: Work recently resumed in these areas. Clar~er 5300: The clean rock
base and mud mat have been placed. Formwork and rebar for the base slab are underway.
The in-slab tank drain line has been placed. Clar~er 5400: Siltation from over the winter
was removed. The concrete encasement for the under-slab piping has been placed. The
clean rock base and mud mat have been placed. Formwork and rebar for the base slab has
just started.
Primary Clarifiers: Clarifier 3300: Structural fill was placed, sloped and compacted. The
mud mat is complete. Form work and rebar for the base slab is underway. Clari~er 3400:
Under-slab piping and concrete pipe encasement are complete. Structural fill was placed,
sloped and compacted. The mud mat, formwork and rebar for the base slab are complete.
The first section of the concrete base slab has been poured.
Aeration Tanks: Concrete pours for three of the five north-to-south tank walls are complete.
Work is progressing on the north end walls. The east elevated walkway on top of the tank
wall is complete from north to south. Work is complete on the CMU baffle walls in the east
two tanks. The tank drains for the west section have been placed and encased in concrete.
Final grading. compaction of the fill sand. and placement of the mud mat are co~nplete for
the west section. Formwork for the west section of the base slab is underway.
Blower Building: Work is scheduled to start in summer 2001.
Grit Dewatering Building: Work is scheduled to start in summer 2001.
South Wastewater Plant Contract 3
City Council Report #6 Page 2 May 3, 2001
Vortex Grit Chantbers: The concrete bases for the two Vortex Chambers are complete. The
concrete for the Grit Pump Wet Wells is complete. Backfilling around the concrete bases is
underway.
High Strength Flow Equalization Tank: Work recently started in this area. Excavation work
is underway. Re-routing of the EW lines is complete. Formwork has started for the High
Strength Flow Meter Pit.
High Strength Flow Pump Station: The concrete walls of the pump station are complete to
grade. Backfill of the structure is complete up to the pump well. Work recently started on
this structure. Shoring and excavation work is complete. The base slab and first wall pours
are complete.
FIow Equalization Basins: Placement of the 6' aggregate base in Cell No. 2 is anticipated
next. Placement of ACC and PCC paving is scheduled for summer 200 I.
Site Piping: Work resumed on the site piping after the frost left the ground. The north run of
the new sanitary sewer service for the Lab/Admin and MVSB buildings has been placed.
Work on the tank drain line in the Primary Clarifier area is partially complete. Work on the
WAS and TWAS sludge lines out of the new rotary drum thickener room in the Sludge
Processing Addition is underway.
North Plant Sludge Equalization Tank and Sludge Pumping Station (revision of existing
structures): Work is scheduled for September and October 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Randall
City of Iowa City
Special Projects Manager
South Wastewater Plant Contract 3
City Council Report #6 Page 3 May 3, 2001
II I
Iowa City Police Department
Monthly Bar Check Report
APRIL 2001
YEAR 2001 Monthly Total Year to Date Totals Arrest/Visit
Business Name A B A _B YTD
1 ST AV CLUB 0 iii~i~1 5 1 I 0.20
AIRLINER 2 0 20 10 0.50
ALLEY CAT 2 0 8 1 0.13
ATLAS GRILL 0 0 3 0 0.00
BREWERY 0 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
BO JAMES 2 6 9 ~i~i-~,~24 2.67
BROTHERS 4 ~ 0 17 ~ 11 0.65
CARLOS O'KELLYS 0 ~ 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
COLLEGE ST BILLlARD 2 0 12 · 0 0.00
COLONIAL LANES 0 0 1 0 0.00
DEADWOOD 3 0 6 0 0.00
DIAMOND DAVES 0 ~ 0 0 0 0.00
DUBLIN UNDERGROUND 1 ~ 0 4 0 0.00
EAGLES LODGE 1 ~ 0 1 0 0.00
ELK'S CLUB 0 ~ 0 0 0 0.00
FIELDHOUSE 4 = 8 20 43 2.15
FITZPATRICKS 0 siii/!!!i!!!!!0 2 1 0.50
GA MALONES 2 ~ 1 12 15 1.25
GABES 0 0 7 ...........5 0.71
GEoRGEs 0 i"ii:!0 4 0 0.00
GIOVANNIS 0 0 0 0 0.00
GREEN ROOM 0 0 1 0 0.00
GRINGOS 0 0 0 0 0.00
GRIZZLEYS 0 0 2 0 0.00
GROUND ROUND 0 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
HAPPY JOES 0 0 0 ......,~"0 0.00
HILLTOP TAP 0 0 3 0 0.00
JIMMY'S BRICK OVEN 0 0 1 0 0.00
JOES PLACE 0 0 5 ....i-,~ 0 0.00
KITTY HAWK 0 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
LOFT 0 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
MABELS 0 -- 0 0 ~ 0 0.00
MARTINIS 1 ~ 1 7 ,=,i=~:,~4 0.57
Column A is the number of times a bar is visited specifically checking for underage drinkers.
Column B is the number of people charged with possession under the legal age in each bar. Note this is not the
total number of charges in each bar.
Iowa City Police Department
Monthly Bar Check Report
APRIL 2001
YEAR 2001 Monthly Total Year to Date Totals Arrest/Visit
Business Name A _B _A B YTD
1 ST AV CLUB 0 1 5 ~ 1 0.20
MEMORIES 0 0 1 0 0.00
MICKEYS 0 ~ 0 2 0 0.00
MIKES 0 0 2 0 0.00
MILL 0 0 2 1 0.50
MOOSE LODGE 0 0 0 0 0.00
MORGAN'S 1 0 6 1 0.17
MUMMS 0 0 2 0 0.00
ONE EYED JAKES 2 3 11 29 2.64
OUTER LIMITS 0 0 1 ~ 0 0.00
PLAMOR 0 0 2 0 0.00
PRESS BOX 5 0 15 0 0.00
QUE 5 2 14 22 1.57
QUINTINS BAR &DELl 1 0 2 0 0.00
RT GRUNTS 0 0 4 0 0.00
SAMS 0 0 0 0 0.00
SANCTUARY 0 0 0 0 0.00
SERENDIPITY LAUNDRY 0 0 0 0 0.00
SHAKESPEARES 0 0 1 0 0.00
SPORTS COLUMN 5 9 15 37 2.47
TUCKS 0 0 2 0 0.00
UNION 6 11 20 42 2.10
VFW 0 0 0 0 0.00
VINE 0 0 1 1 1.00
V~TOS 6 9 14 39 2.79
WIG AND PEN 0 0 2 0 0.00
TOTAL 55 51 271 287 1.06
Column A is the number of times a bar is visited specifically checking for underage drinkers.
Column B is the number of people charged with possession under the legal age in each bar. Note this is not the
total number of charges in each bar,
co .,T,o. tiff MA',::,:;?S OFFICE
E · ~c~ · co
5-3-01
Dear Colleagues,
As you may know, the Iowa Ci~ C~ Council re~ntly vot~ down the flint draft of
the al~hol ordinan~ and subs~uenUy vot~ 4-3 in bvor of a mvis~
oralinane. The revised ordinan~ tightened some of ~e I~pholes in the initial
ordinan~ and is still a ve~ impO~ant pie~ of I~islation allo~ng for council to
enfor~ civil penalties against b~r o~ers and sewera who violate existing state
laws. ~..
Ci~ Councilors heard an. qve~helming amount of suppo~ for the initial dra~ of
the ordinan~. I want to ~ank all of you for your suppo~ during the cdti~l flint
stage of this ordinan~. There are still ~o votes remaining and perhaps now
more then ever the Council must hear communi~ suppo~ for adoption of the
revised oralinane. It is critical to remind the Council that while this ordinan~ is
not the magic bullet to the problem of high risk drinking, it is still an impo~ant
step in the right direction for our communi~.
You may e-mail the council at
Thanks,
Jail Meeting Co~ection Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
05-10-01
From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@ea~hlink. net] ~
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 2:03 PM
To: JCNEWS@yosemite.leepfmg.com
Cc: jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.iaus;
sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; ~neuzil@msn.com;
camlt@inav.net; Jim Fause~; Har~ Herwig; John Weihe; Diana Lundell; Dave Jacoby; Jean Schnake;
Connie_Champion@iowa-ci~.org; Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa-ci~.org;
Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ip~b@avalon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-ci~.o~
Su~ect: JCNEWS: Jail Meeting Correction
THIS POST FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY J. PATRICK WHITE, CORRECTING SOME INACCURACIES IN MY POST
YESTERDAY ABOUT THE MEETING ON MAY 9th. IT APPEARS FROM THE TENOR OF THE MESSAGE THAT THE
JAIL IS A LOW PRIORITY ISSUE WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE PUBLIC WERE ALLOWED TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THOSE TO WHOM WE PAY
SALARIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE SUBJECTED TO THE LAWS OF THE
STATE AND CITY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE PUBLIC MIGHT LIKE TO HAVE A SAY IN THE POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES OF ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION . . .
BY THE WAY, WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST CHIEF'S MEETING REGARDING THE JAIL?
>
> Corrections: The May 9th meeting is not Thompson/Harney but the full
> Board. This is a regular periodic joint meeting with many agenda
> items--not just the jail. While your characterization of my April 30
> meeting is partially accurate, a more accurate description would be that
> it was our regular chiefs' meeting (usually held each 4-6 weeks) to
> discuss any and all law enforcement matters. Thus, there too, the jail
> was only a small part of the meeting.
>
> J. Patrick White
> Johnson County Attorney
> Johnson County Courthouse
> 417 South Clinton Street
> P.O. Box 2450
> Iowa City, Iowa 52244-2450
> Phone 319/339-6100
> Fax 319/339-6149
> jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us
>
5/3/01
I05-10-01 ~
Marjan Karr IP16
From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@ear~hlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 11:07 AM
To: JCN EWS@yosemite, leepfrog .com
Cc: Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org; Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa-
city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org; Jim
Fausett; Harry Herwig; John Weihe; Diana Lundell; Dave Jacoby; Jean Schnake;
jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us;
sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.iohnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us;
tjneuzil@msn.com; carolt@inav, net
Subject: JCNEWS: Responsible Economic Development
There will be a public forum tonight at the Coralville Public Library
Auditorium
beginning at 7 p.m.
The title of this forum is What is Responsible Economic Development for
Iowa? and is sponsored by Iowa Citizens Against Child-ishness.
There is an impressive list of panelists. The audience will have time to
co~nent and/or ask questions. The forum will be taped for playback on
Channel 4 and PATV.
Marian Karr J os-lo-01
IP17 '
From: JAMES EPHGRAVE [jephgrave@home.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2001 12:27 PM
To: cbaldwin@press-citizen.com
Cc: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Gate in Lexington Avenue
Upon returning from vacation I was shocked to see that the Iowa City
Council had decided to block through traffic on Lexington Avenue. The
map printed on the front page of the Press-Citizen was highly
misleading. It shows Wolf, Lexington, Hutchison, and Magowan as
connecting Bayard and McLean. In reality Wolf stops just north of River
and Hutchison is nothing but a series of cul-de-sacs. Both McLean and
Bayard are blocked at several point not shown, leaving only Park and
River to carry all the east-west traffic.
If Lexington is blocked, where does the Council expect the 250 cars per
day currently using it to go? Magowan and Forson already carry many more
than that. Why are their residents not being asked to give their
opinions? Forson residents recently have had a city bus route shifted on
to their street without being consulted.
Lexington is one of the few streets in the area without a sidewalk. No
wonder Councilman Pfab does not feel safe walking on it. Would not
installing sidewalks resolve the safety issue without making it even
harder "to get there from here"?
Jim Ephgrave
325 Ferson Avenue
Iowa City IA 52246
466-9361
Madan Karr } o5-1o-ol
IP18 '
From: Richard [twohy@inav.net]
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 11:13 PM
To: Deb Madison
Cc: All-time Friends via; jcnews@yosemite.leepfrog.com; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us;
cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us;
pharney@co.johnson.iaus; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; tjneuzir@msn.com; carolt@inav. net;
Jim Fausett; Harry Herwig; John Weihe; Diana Lundell; Dave Jacoby; Jean Schnake;
Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org; Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa-
city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org
Subject: JCNEWS: Bob Simpson - Passage today
Importance: High
A gentle heads-up to those I can reach, this moment:
Robert Simpson died at 4:30 pm today -- thankfully, a calm and easy
passage, in his private room at UI Hospital in Iowa City.
A Memorial Gathering is planned; details announced in the next day or so.
Governor Tom, your thoughtful message (below)
was JUST in time for personal delivery, in your
own words, over the beat of Bob's strong heart.
From DraftNotes ot my prior to you:
"I've sat with Bob each day since the April 23 downturn at UIHC
Cardiac Intensive Care, speaking as if he can hear; celebrating his
decades of trail blazing leadership, both for people with
disabilities - and all of us with dreams - who looked to Bob Simpson
as a voice to match our hopes for this country."
-== Tom Vilsack's E-msg at 3:01 pm this day: ==
>May 4, 2001
>TO: Richard Twohy
>
>Richard,
>Please make sure Bob knows our thoughts and prayers are with him.
>
>Sincerely,
>>Governor Tom Vilsack
>
>Debra A. Madison
>Office of the Governor
>State Capitol
>Des Moines, IA 50319
>515/281-0561 {tel)
>515/281-6611 (fax)
>Deb. Madison@IGOV.state.ia.us <mailto:Deb. Madison@IGOV.state.ia.us>
Richard <twohy@inav.net> PO Box 2233, Iowa City 52244
Voice: 319-337-9011 Cell: 621-8339 Fax: 319-354-6995
"Our Liberties we prize & Our Rights we will maintain"
(Yup... It says it right there, on the state Flag of Iowa!)
AGENDA
Iowa City City Council
Economic Development Committee
Thursday, May 17, 2001
9:00 a.m.
Lobby Conference Room
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of March 23, 2001
3. Consider a Recommendation to the City Council regarding Economic Development
Financial Assistance Program Descriptions and Eligibility Guidelines
4. Review Draft Economic Development Financial Assistance Program Application Forms.
5. Consider Policy Designating Additional Urban Renewal Areas (TIF Districts) and Urban
Revitalization Areas (Property Tax Exemption Areas)
6. Update - Business Outreach Program - Major Employer Visits.
7. Review of Any Business Development Proposal Not Previously Listed on the Agenda
8. Other Business
9. Adjournment
Next Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 9:00 a.m.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 11, 2001
To: Council Economic Development Committee ~d'~
From: David Schoon, Economic Development Coordinat
Re: Agenda Items for May 17 Economic Development Committee Meeting
Economic Development Financial Assistance Program Descriptions & Eligibility
Guidelines
Attached is a copy of the revised Economic Development Financial Assistance Program
Descriptions and Eligibility Guidelines. This revised copy includes changes suggested by
Economic Development Committee members at your last meeting. Descriptions are provided
for the following programs:
· CDBG Economic Development Fund
· Council Economic Development Fund
· Council Economic Development Capital Fund
· Commercial/Industrial Tax Increment Financing
· Commercial/Industrial Property Tax Exemption
· Partial Industrial Property Tax Exemption
As you once again review the document, keep in mind the goal of each program. As written,
some of the programs, such as the Council Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund,
target specific projects that expand the property tax base, while other programs, such as the
Council Economic Development Fund, target a number of different types of projects and
programs.
After you discussion on May 17, the Committee may be prepared to send a recommendation to
the full Council regarding these financial assistance program descriptions and eligibility
guidelines, or the Committee may choose to wait on sending a recommendation until you have
had a chance to thoroughly review the various application forms for economic development
financial assistance.
Application Forms for Economic Development Financial Assistance
Attached you will find copies of the following three application forms for economic development
financial assistance. The following briefly summarizes for which of the financial assistance
programs each of these applications forms would be used:
· City of Iowa City Application for Business Financial Assistance
· This application form would be used when financial assistance is requested for a specific
business venture (it would not be used for a development project such as Sycamore
Mall):
· CDBG Economic Development Fund
· Council Economic Development Fund
· Council Economic Development Capital Fund
· Commercial/Industrial Tax Increment Financing
· Commercial/Industrial Property Tax Exemption (could potentially apply, but presently c~oes not)
· Application for Property Tax Exemption Under the Central Business District Urban
Revitalization Plan
· Commercial/Industrial Property Tax Exemption
· App~cation for Industrial Property Tax Exemption
· Partial Industrial Property Tax Exemption
Staff is looking for your comments on the first application form, the City of Iowa City Application
for Business Financial Assistance. The other two application forms are based upon code of
Iowa requirements. As you review this form, remember that in order to evaluate a project based
upon the guidelines included with the project descriptions, we must ask a number of questions
to have the information on which to base a decision.
In addition to these three forms, an additional form will need to be prepared for those economic
development projects that are not directly for a business venture. This would include such items
as job training projects, microenterprise development training projects, or business development
marketing programs for specific areas of the community, such as downtown. At your next
meeting, staff will present such an application.
Policy Designating Additional Urban Renewal Areas (TIF Districts) and Urban
Revitalization Areas (Property Tax Exemption Areas)
As shown on the map in the Economic Development Financial Assistance Programs and Elibility
Guidelines document, the City presently has three urban renewal tax increment financing
districts for commercial and industrial projects:
· Northgate Corporate Park
· Scott-Six Industrial Park
· Sycamore and First Avenue
The City also has designated two urban revitalization property tax exemption areas for
commercial projects:
· Central Business District
· Near Southside Commercial
In the near future, the City Council ~ill consider the designation of a TIF district in the City-
University Urban Renewal Area (the City's original urban renewal area in the central business
district area). The purpose of this TIF district would be to provide financial assistance for a
development project on Parcel 64-1 a.
Soon the City may have a total of six TIF districts and property tax exemption areas for
commercial and industrial uses. When and in what areas to designate additional incentive
areas is at the Council's discretion. The Council may take a policy of reacting to requests for
additional areas or a more proactive, targeted approach to designating additional areas. This
would be an appropriate time with the adoption of financial assistance programs and
descriptions to have this discussion.
M,.UTES ( JMiN ,RY
CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE '- .
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2001
PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE ROOM
Members Present: Ernie Lehman, Dee Vanderhoef and Ross Wilburn
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Steve Arkins, Karin Franklin, David Schoon, Steve Nasby
Others Present: Joe Rasco, Steven Kanner, In/in Pfab
Call to Order
Mayor Lehman called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes of February 22, 2001
Deferred to next Committee Meeting.
Update Reqardinq ApOlication for Community Development Block Grant Funds to Establish a
CDBG Economic Development Grant Fund
Schoon stated that this item was on this agenda so that the Economic Development Committee
would know the action that was taken by the Housing & Community Development Commission.
The Commission recommended that the project not be funded. HCDC did fund two other
economic development projects. They were Extend A Dream and Ruby's Pearl for a total of
$125,000. HCDC felt that they did fund economic development projects thus there was no need
to fund the economic development pool.
Nasby explained that the Extend A Dream organization is an umbrella non-profit that operates
places like Wild Bill's Coffee Shop. Their intention with the dollars granted is that they will rent
the Hawkeye Audio Space to house five to six micro-enterprise businesses. The businesses are
lined up and they want to do a business incubator project to rent the space for the business free
of rental charge for three years, During the three years funds would be deposited in an account
to be utilized after the three-year period. These are grant funds and not a loan. The candidates
have business plans and the details are being worked out. A certain number of FTE positions
will be required during the grant period. Additional funds are being sought from other sources.
Vanderhoef asked if it would be advantageous for the Committee to monitor the project. Nasby
said that HCDC staff is assigned to monitor the projects.
Mayor Lehman asked how much time the staff or HCDC has spent with the applicants to-date.
Nasby said that not much time had been spent with any applicants. Lehman asked what the
pros and cons would be of this Committee administering this project.
Vanderhoef commented that since City Council is responsible for economic development needs
to have regular updates about any project that is being funded, that this Committee may be the
most equipped to give the updates. She also said that there was another micro-enterprise that
was funded through HCDC a few years ago that did have some serious problems and ended up
City Council Economic Development Committee
Friday, March 23, 2001
Page 2
losing some of their funding. She felt there are long-terms responsibilities that lie with Council,
and since this group is responsible for economic development that perhaps the responsibility
lies with this group to monitor the projects. Vanderhoef said that she felt that there needed to be
regular updates of the drawdowns and the Committee needed to be updated on the statistics on
the project.
Lehman confirmed that HCDC is done with their work once the recommendations are made. He
said that the object of this Committee at this point is either to concur with the HCDC's
recommendation or to take other action to secure the funds.
Vanderhoef said that the best-case scenario would be that the committee would not concur with
the total funding plan and that they take the $105,000 that was allocated for the Extend a Dream
Foundation and the $20,000 from Ruby's Pearl and put it into the economic development fund
for the City. These two projects would be given the priority interest for the Committee to review
to use these dollars. This moves in the direction that the Economic Development Committee will
be the place where CDBG Economic Development funds will go in the future.
Wilburn said he would like to know why the HCDC voted against the Committee receiving the
funds. Nasby said there was some discussion that if the point of the economic development
fund was to ensure that a certain amount of funds were to be expended for economic
development, that in the past this has not been the case. Since there were two applications on-
hand, they felt comfortable in funding these projects.
Lehman stated that he strongly felt an economic development fund needs to be developed.
However, he said he was more inclined to wait until the next funding cycle and tell HCDC that a
certain percentage would not be available for their distribution and that it would go directly into
an economic development fund that would be under the control of the Council. He said he had a
little problem in telling these applicants that after being approved by the system that has been in
place for the past several years that the process is now being replaced. Vanderhoef countered
that that was not her intent. Since these applicants had not gotten really deep into the business
plan, a little more scrutiny before the funds are allocated is appropriate. She felt that it was
important to have the intentions of the Committee on the table. Wilburn concurred with Lehman
that it would not be appropriate to take the funds away. He did not care who administered the
projects as long as projects were funded that support minorities and people with disabilities.
Vanderhoef then inquired about Ruby's Pearl. They asked for $50,000 and were granted
$20,000. She wanted to know if this made their project viable or not. Nasby said that they were
at the meeting and agreed to accept the amount. This was in the form of a loan to the
organization. Vanderhoef said she would like to see a breakout of business plans for both of the
organizations.
MOTION: Wilburn moved to accept the recommended allocations with a second by
Vanderhoef. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote.
Lehman said that the Committee needed to make a recommendation to the Council if the funds
should be set aside in the future for economic development funds.
MOTION: Vanderhoef moved that a percentage of CDBG funds be set aside in the future
for economic development projects. The motion was seconded by Wilburn. The motion
passed on a 3-0 vote.
City Council Economic Development Committee
Friday, March 23, 2001
Page 3
This action would be taken care of prior to HCDC meetings in the fall. The exact percentage will
be determined at a future date. The CitySteps Plan will need to be presented to the City Council
for an amendment.
Update Marketinfi/Brandin~ Iowa City
Schoon reminded the Committee that in past meetings the Committee talked about going
through a process of developing a marketing plan for economic issues. The idea still remains
that each community within ICAD would do something like this to promote itself for economic
development, but still under ICAD the area would be developing an area-wide marketing plan. A.
consultant has been identified to take the communities through the process. Schoon said that
he felt it is important for Iowa City to go through this process to identify how it wants to be
identified in terms of economic development. Schoon suggested a community committee to look
at this issue.
Atkins inquired what the final work project would be. Schoon said that a position statement
would be developed to identify the community strengths and how the community would be
differentiated from other communities. The Committee supported the idea, and Schoon said that
he and others would be developing the framework of the project. Schoon reinforced that this
committee needs to focus on the needs of Iowa City.
Update- Business Outreach Proqram- Major Employer Visits
Schoon noted the upcoming meetings with employers. Vanderhoef had visited with Cub Foods
and it went well. The manager of the store was new to the area.
Schoon said that he prepared a letter for other visits in April and they will be sent out.
Other Business
None
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at
ecodev/mins/EDC3 23-01 doc
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
AND ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
CITY OF IOWA CITY
2001
CDBG Economic Development Fund
Available Funding FY2002: $0
FY2003: To be determined.
Eligible Projects:
Economic development activities that benefit low and moderate income (LMI) persons and
are within one of the following categories:
· Area Benefit. Activity will benefit an area, which must be predominately residential,
where 51% or more of the residents are LMI (the attached map identifies areas within Iowa
City that would qualify).
· Job Creation. Permanent jobs will be created of which 51% or more are either "available
to" or "held by" LMI persons.
· Job Retention. Permanent jobs will be retained, of which 51% or more are "held by" LMI
persons. (Jobs retained must be held by LMI persons at the time of assistance, or be expected
to turnover to LMI persons within two years).
· Limited Clientele. 51% of the direct beneficiaries are assumed to be LMI persons (i.e. job
training facility for persons with disabilities).
CITY STEPS identifies the following economic development strategies that should be
supported with CDBG funds:
1. Provide employment training and education.
2. Encourage employment opportunities that pay at least a living wage (including
opportunities for persons with disabilities).
3. Provide employment support services.
4. Encourage the expansion and retention of business and industry that pays at least a
flying wage.
The above strategies can be achieved through the following activities. CiTY STEPS
identifies the following projects as the highest priority projects 1 ) micro-businesses, 2)
business technical assistance, and 3) other economic development needs, such as
downtown streetscape improvements.
Eligibility Guidelines:
All projects and programs must meet the eligibility guidelines and requirements of the
Community Development Block Grant Program (see attached).
Projects that provide direct assistance to a private business for job creation and
retention purposes will also be evaluated based upon the City of Iowa City Financial
Assistance Eligibility Guidelines (see attached).
Form of Funding:
Funding is available in the form of grants, forgivable loans, and loans. Loans are
encouraged over grants and forgivable loans.
2 \/citynt\dschoon$/files\ecc dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2doc
Applications Procedures:
· Applications will be reviewed by the Council Economic Development Committee and
forwarded, with its recommendation, to the City Council for Council consideration.
· Applications must be submitted in the format provided by the City.
· The appIication process is a public process and subiect to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Other General Guidelines:
· Maximum City funding should not exceed 50% of the total project cost. When a private
business is being assisted, the owner(s) must provide at least 10% owner's equity.
· Loan repayment should not exceed a 1 O-year term and the loan interest rate will be
negotiated between the applicant and the City.
· Projects are encouraged to pay a living wage, approximately $9.00/hr in 2000.
· Projects should start substantial activities within 90-days of receiving a commitment of
City funding,
· Jobs created or retained should be maintained for at least 3 years from the date of
completion of the project.
3 \\citynt\dschoon$\rlles\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2doc
Low/Mod Income Households
~,~v~~ Low&Moderate Inc.
~i~Water Area
""' [~Census Place
!' ' Streets
Populated Place
Council Economic Development Fund
Available Funds FY2002 & Beyond: $500,000
Eligible Projects:
The Iowa City Comprehensive Plan identifies the following goals. Projects and
programs that support these goais will receive priority consideration:
· Diversify and increase the property tax base by (1) encouraging the retention and
expansion of existing industry and (2) attracting industries that have growth potential
and are compatible with existing businesses.
· increase employment opportunities consistent with the available labor force.
· Provide and protect areas suitable for future industrial and commercial development.
· Cooperate with local and regional organizations to promote economic development
within Iowa City.
· improve the environmental and economic development health of the community
through efficient use of resources.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Projects and programs will be evaluated based upon the City of Iowa City Financial
Assistance Eligibility Guidelines (see attached).
Form of Funding:
Funding is available in the form of grants, forgivable loans, and loans. Loans are
encouraged over grants and forgivable loans.
Applications Procedures:
· Applications will be reviewed by the Council Economic Development Committee and
forwarded, with its recommendation, to the City Council for Council consideration.
· Applications must be submitted in the format provided by the City.
· The application process is a public process and subject to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Other General Guidelines:
· Maximum City funding should not exceed 50% of the total project cost. When a private
business is being assisted, the owner(s) must provide at least 10% owner's equity.
· Loan repayment should not exceed a 1 O-year term and the loan interest rate shou[d be
at least ½% above the 90-day Treasury bill rate, but is negotiable.
· Projects should start substantial activities within 90-days of receiving a commitment of
City funding.
· Jobs created or retained should be maintained for at least 3 years from the date of
completion of the project.
4 \\c~tynt\dschoon$\files%eco dev strategy\cdbg/program guidelines 2 doc
Council Economic Development
Capital Improvement Fund
Ava~able Funds FY2002-2005:
Fiscal Committed Funds Available Total
Year Funds Funds
2001 $700,000, Nodh Airport Commercial Area None $700,000
2002 None $700,000 $700,000
2003 $700,000, Mormon Trek Extended, Hwy 1 to 921 None $700,000
2004 $300,000, Mormon Trek Extended, Hwy 1 to 921 $300,000 $600,000
2005 None $700,000 $700,000
Eligible Projects:
Projects must demonstrate that they directly expand the property tax base of Iowa City.
· Public infrastructure improvement projects (such as street, water main, and sewer line
extensions) that help expand the property tax base will have the highest funding priority.
· Eligible projects also include site improvements, new building construction, building
expansions, and building rehabilitations.
· Projects that stabilize or restore the value of property, such as facade improvements and
interior buildouts, may also be considered but will have a lower priority.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Projects will be evaluated based upon the City of Iowa City Financial Assistance
Eligibility Guidelines (see attached).
Form of Funding:
Assistance will be in the form of public infrastructure improvements, loans and/or
forgivable loans to businesses. Loans are encouraged over forgivable loans.
Applications Procedures:
· Applications will be reviewed by the Council Economic Development Committee and
forwarded, with its recommendation, to the City Council for Council consideration.
· Applications must be submitted in the format provided by the City.
· The application process is a public process and subject to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Other General Guidelines:
· Maximum City funding should not exceed 50% of the total project cost. When a private
business is being assisted, the owner(s) must provide at least 10% owner's equity.
· Loan repayment should not exceed a 1 O-year term and the loan interest rate will be at
least ¼% above the 90-day Treasury bill rate.
· Projects should start substantial activities within 90-days of receiving a commitment of
City funding.
5 \\c~tynt\dschoon$\fles\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2doc
Commercial/Industrial Tax Increment Financing
Available Funding:
Amount of available tax increment financing is dependent upon the amount of new
taxable property value added to a property.
Eligible Projects:
Commercial/industrial capital projects located within the following Urban Renewal/TIF
Districts (see attached maps):
· Scott-Six Industrial Park Urban Renewal Area
· Northgate Corporate Park Urban Renewal Area
· Sycamore and First Avenue Urban Renewal Area
· And any future areas so designated.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Each Urban Renewal/TIE District has its own specific eligibility guidelines. Refer to the
Urban Renewal Plan for each area.
Projects that provide direct assistance to a private business for job creation and
retention purposes will also be evaluated based upon the City of Iowa City Financial
Assistance Eligibility Guidelines (see attached).
Form of Funding:
TIF financing is available in the form of public infrastructure improvements, forgivable
loans, or property tax rebates.
Applications Procedures:
· Applications will be reviewed by the Council Economic Development Committee and
forwarded, with its recommendation, to the City Council for Council approval.
· Applications must be submitted in the format provided by the City.
· The application process is a public process and subject to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Other General Guidelines:
· Projects should start substantial activities within 90-days of receiving a commitment of
City funding.
· Projects that provide direct assistance to a private business for job creation purposes will
have to maintain the created or retained jobs for a period of years to be determined
project by project.
6 \~citynt\dschoon$',files%eco dev strateg~Acdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
City of Iowa City
Commercial/Industrial Areas
Tax Increment Financing Districts
Northgate Corporate Park
Scott Six Industrial Park
Sycamore and First Avenue
Commercial/Industrial Property Tax Exemption
Available Funding:
Amount of property tax savings is dependent upon the amount of new taxable property
value added to a property.
Eligible Projects:
Commercial/industrial capital projects located within the following Urban Revitalization Areas
(see attached maps):
· Central Business District Urban Revitalization Area
· Near Southside Commercial Urban Revitalization Area
· And any future areas so designated.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Eligible projects in either urban revitalization area must meet the following guidelines:
· Qualified real estate includes real estate assessed as commercial property. Only the
non-residential commercial component of a commercial property would qualify for
property tax exemption. However, any reuse of a historic structure assessed as
residential (owner-occupied housing - condominium units for example), residential
commercial (rental housing), or non-residential commercial property shall be considered
qualified real estate and thus eligible for property tax exemption.
· Eligible construction includes rehabilitations, additions, and new construction. However,
new construction that requires the demolition of structures identified in the Urban
Revitalization Plans as historic and/or architecturally significant is not eligible for property
tax exemption.
· In order to be eligible for property tax exemption and prior to the issuance of a building
permit, the exterior design of any qualifying project must be either 1) reviewed by the
staff design review committee and approved by City Council or 2) reviewed and
approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
In order to be considered eligible for property tax exemption, all improvements must
increase the actual value of the property as of the first year for which an exemption is
received by at least fifteen percent (15%) in the case of real property assessed as
commercial property and by at least ten (10%) in the case of real property assessed as
residential property.
7 ~\citynt\dschoon$\liles\eco dev slralegy\cdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
Form of Funding:
Qualified commercial projects are eligible for one of the two following property tax
exemption schedules:
· A partial exemption from taxation on the actual value added by the improvements.
The exemption is for a period of ten (10) years. The amount of the partial exemption is
equal to a percent of the actual value added by the improvements, determined as
follows:
First year, eighty percent (80%).
Second year, seventy percent (70%).
Third year, sixty percent (60%).
Fourth year, fifty percent (50%).
Fifth year, forty percent (40%).
Sixth year, forty percent (40%).
Seventh year, thirty percent (30%).
Eight year, thirty percent (30%).
Ninth year, twenty percent (20%).
Tenth year, twenty percent (20%).
· A one hundred percent (100%) exemption from taxation on the actual value added by
the improvements. The exemption is for a period of three (3) years.
Applications Procedures:
· The application process is a public process and subiect to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
· Approval Prior to Actual Eligible Improvements Being Made. A person may submit a
proposal for an improvement proiect to the City Council to receive prior approval for
eligibility for a tax exemption project. The City Council shall give its prior approval for an
improvement project if the project is in conformance with the urban revitalization plan
· Approval After Eligible Improvements Have Been Made. The owner of an eligible
property shah submit the first application for an exemption with the City by February I of
the assessment year for which the exemption is first claimed, but not later than the year
in which all improvements included in the project are first assessed for taxation.
8 /\citynt\dschoon$\fi6es\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2doc
City of Iowa City
Urban Revitalization Areas
Property Tax Exemption
Central Business District
Near Southside Commercial
Near Southside Residential
Partial Industrial Property Tax Exemption
Available Funding:
Amount of property tax savings is dependent upon the amount of new taxable property
value added to a property.
Eligible Projects:
Projects that add property value to industrial real estate, research-service facilities, and
warehouses and distribution centers.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Eligible projects are defined as the following:
· Industrial Real Estate
· Distribution Centers, specifically defined as:
A building or storage used primarily for the storage of goods which are intended for
subsequent shipment to retail outlets. "Distribution center" does not mean a
building or structure used primarily for any of the following purposes: to store raw
agricultural products, by a manufacturer to store goods to be used in the
manufacturing process, for the storage of petroleum products, or for the retail sale
of goods.
· Research-Service Facilities, specifically defined as:
A building or group of buildings devoted primarily to research and development
activities, including but not limited to the design and production or manufacture of
prototype products for experimental use and corporate-research services which do
not have a primary purpose of providing on-site services to the public.
· Warehouse is specifically defined as:
A building or structure used as a public warehouse for the storage of goods
pursuant to the Code of Iowa, as amended, except it does not mean a building or
structure used primarily to store raw agricultural products or from which goods are
sold at retail.
Form of Funding:
Qualified projects are eligible for the following property tax exemption schedule:
· A partial exemption from taxation on the actual value added by the improvements.
The exemption is for a period of five (5) years. The amount of the partial exemption is
equal to a percent of the actual value added by the improvements, determined as
follows:
First year, seventy-five percent (75%).
Second year, sixty percent (60%).
Third year, forty-five percent (45%).
Fourth year, thirty percent (30%).
Fifth year, fifteen percent (15%).
9 \\citynt\dschoon$\~les\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidetines 2 doc
Applications Procedures:
· The application process is a public process and subject to the State of Iowa's Open
Records Laws, specifically Iowa Code Chapter 22.
· An application for e. xemption shall be filed by the property owner with the City Assessor's
Office by February I of the assessment year in which the value added is first assessed
for taxation.
~ 0 ~\citynt~dschoon$~fiSes\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
CDBG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
(Federal Requirements)
Eligible Activities
Eligible economic development activities include:
(a) The acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of commercial or
industrial buildings, structures, and other real property equipment and improvements, including
railroad spurs or similar extensions.
(b) The provision of assistance to a private for-profit business, including, but not limited to, grants,
loans, loan guarantees, interest supplements, technical assistance, and other forms of support, for
any activity where the assistance is appropriate to carry out an economic development project. In
selecting businesses to assist under this authority, the City shall minimize, to the extent
practicable. displacement of existing businesses and jobs in neighborhoods.
(c) Economic development services in connection with activities eligible under this section,
including, but not limited to, outreach efforts to market available forms of assistance; screening of
applicants: reviewing and underwriting applications lbr assistance; preparation of all necessary
agreements: management of assisted activities; and the screening, referral, and placement of
applicants for employment opportunities generated by CDBG-eligible economic development
activities, including the costs of providing necessary training for persons filling those positions.
Guidelines for Evaluating and Selecting Economic Development Projects.
These guidelines are composed of two components (1) standards for evaluating public benefit and (2)
guidelines for evaluating project costs and financial requirements. The standards for evaluating public
benefit are tnandaton, but the guidelines for evaluating projects costs and financial requirements are
mandatory.
Standards [i~r Evaluatin~ Public Benefit.
Each activity must demonstrate that at least a minimum level of public benefit is obtained from the
expenditure of CDBG funds under the categories of eligibility governed by these guidelines.
1) Job creation & retention standards. An eligible job creation and retention activity is designed to
create or retain permanent jobs where at least 51 percent of the jobs, computed on a full-time
equivalent basis, involve the employment of low- and moderate-income persons. To qualify under
this paragraph, the activity must meet the following criteria:
a) For an activity that creates jobs, the recipient must document that at least 51 percent of the jobs
will be held by, or will be available to, low- and moderate-income persons.
b) F~r an activity that retains j~bs~ the recipient must d~cument that the j~bs w~u~d actua~~y be ~~st
without the CDBG assistance and that either or both of the following conditions apply with
respect to at least 51 percent of the jobs at the time the CDBG assistance is provided:
i) The job is kno~vn to be held by a low- or moderate-income person; or
] 1 \\citynt\dschoon$/~les\eco dev strategy\cdbg/program guidelines 2 doc
ii) The job can reasonably be expected to tum over within the following two years and that steps
will be taken to ensure that it will be filled by, or made available to, a low- or
moderate-income person upon turnover.
c) Jobs that are not held or filled by a low- or moderate-income person may be considered to be
available to low- and moderate-income persons for these purposes only if:
i) Special skills that can only be acquired with substantial training or work experience or
· educati~nbey~ndhighsch~~~aren~taprerequisitet~fi~~suchj~bs~~rthebusinessagreest~
hire unqualified persons and provide training; and
ii) The recipient and the assisted business take actions to ensure that low- and moderate-income
persons receive first consideration for filling such jobs.
d) As a general role, each assisted business shall be considered to be a separate activity for purposes
of determining whether the activity qualifies under this paragraph, except in certain cases
aggregating jobs from a number of separate activities is permissible. See City staff for details.
2) Standards for activities. Activities covered by these guidelines must, in the aggregate, either:
a) Create or retain at least one full-time equivalent, permanent job per $35,000 of CDBG funds used
(local practice has been to estimate potential financial assistance based on approximately $10,000
per created or retained job); or
b) Provide goods or services to residents of an area, such that the number of low- and
moderate-income persons residing in the areas served by the assisted businesses amounts to at
least one low- and moderate-income person per $350 of CDBG funds used.
3) Where CDBG assistance for an activity is limited to job training and placement and/or other
employment support services, the jobs assisted with CDBG funds shall be considered to be created or
retained jobs for the purpose of these guidelines.
4) Certain activities may be excluded from these standards. See City staff for exceptions.
5) Ineligible activities. Any activity subject to these guidelines which falls into one or more of the
following categories will be considered to provide insufficient public benefit, and therefore may under
no circumstances be assisted with CDBG funds:
a) The amount ofCDBG assistance exceeds either ofthe following, as applicable:
i) $50,000 per full-time equivalent, permanent job created or retained; or
ii) $1,000 per low- and moderate-income person to which goods or services are provided by the
activity.
b) The activity consists ofor includes any ofthe following:
i) General promotion of the community as a whole (as opposed to the promotion of specific
areas and programs);
ii) Assistance to professional sports teams;
iii) Assistance to privately-owned recreational facilities that serve a predominantly
higher-income clientele, where the recreational benefit to users or members clearly outweighs
employment or other benefits to low- and moderate-income persons;
iv) Acquisition of land for which the specific proposed use has not yet been identified; and
12 \\citynt\dschoon$\files%eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
v) Assistance to a for-profit business while that business or any other business owned by the
same person(s) or entity(ies) is the subject of unresolved findings of noncompliance relating
to previous CDBG assistance provided by the recipient.
Guidelines for Evaluatin3~ Proiect Costs and Financial Requirements.
These guidelines are designed to provide a framework for financially underwriting and selecting
CDBG-assisted economic development projects which are financially viable and will make the most
eflbctive use of the CDBG funds. These guidelines, also referred to as the underwriting guidelines, are to
ensure:
(1) That project costs are reasonable;
(2) That all sources of project financing are committed;
(3) That to the extent practicable, CDBG funds are not substituted for non-Federal financial
support;
(4) That the project is financially feasible;
(5) That to the extent practicable. the return on the owner's equity investment will not be
unreasonably high; and
(6) That to the extent practicable, CDBG funds are disbursed on a pro rata basis with other
finances provided to the project.
Documentalion
The applicant and the City must maintain sufficient records to demonstrate the level of public benefit,
based on the above standards, that is actually achieved upon completion of the CDBG-assisted economic
development activity(ies) and how that compares to the level of such benefit anticipated when the CDBG
assistance was obligated.
Microenterprise Assistance
A microenterprise is a business that has five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the
enterprise. Microenterprise assistance can take the form of:
1) Providing credit, including, but not limited to. grants. loans, loan guarantees, and other forms of
financial support. for the establishment, stabilization, and expansion of microenterprises;
2) Providing technical assistance, advice, and business support services to owners of microenterprises
and persons developing microenterprises; and
3) Pr~vidinggenera~supp~rt`inc~uding~butn~t~imitedt~~peersupp~rtpr~grams~c~unse~ing~chi~dcare~
transportation, and other similar services. to owners of microenterprises and persons developing
microenterprises.
"Persons developing microenterprises" means such persons who have expressed interest and who are, or
after an initial screening process are expected to be, actively working toward developing businesses, each
of which is expected to be a microenterprise at the time it is formed.
] 3 \\citynt\dschoon$\files\eco dev strategy\cdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
CITY OF IOWA CITY
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
FOR BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
Adopted September 24~ 1996
Intent: The City of Iowa City wishes to encourage the establishment and growth of businesses which are
consistent with and carry out the "Economic Development Policies, Strategies and Actions for the City of
Iowa City." To this end, the City will support and provide financial assistance to individual business
establishments. This assistance may take the form of utilizing State and Federal funds targeted at economic
development, providing property tax incentives, underwriting the cost of infrastructure improvements, or
providing direct loans and grants.
The guidelines provided below will serve as a framework for the City Council in making its decisions
regarding which businesses should receive publicly funded incentives or assistance. The criteria am based
on the Economic Development Policies and the concept that businesses who receive assistance should pay a
good wage, provide benefits to their employees, be good citizens, and contribute to the overall economic
well-being of the community. Within each of the guidelines there is room for judgment and flexibility by
the City Council. Consistent with the City's Economic Development Policies, promising start-up businesses
and expansion of existing local businesses will be encouraged.
Private Financial Contribution as Compared to Public Assistance Request
Higher points to be awarded for:
A greater percentage of contribution by the assisted business;
A shorter payback period or expiration for financial assistance;
A lower amount of City financial assistance per job.
Consistency with Comprehensive Plan/Capital Improvements Program/Economic Development
Policies
Higher points to be awarded for:
Projects not requiring new public capital improvements;
A greater contribution by the developer for public infrastructure improvements;
Jobs within industry/technology groups on opportunity list;
Start-up companies and expansions of existing local operations;
A greater amount of property tax base expansion.
Quality of Jobs to be Created
Higher points to be awarded for: Higher wage rates
Full-time, long-term, non-seasonal positions;
Commitment to a safe workplace;
Contribution to health insurance benefits;
Provision of fringe benefits (e.g. vacation, sick leave, retirement plans);
Economic Impact
Higher points to be awarded for:
Contribution to diversification of Johnson County economy
Potential for future growth of industry;
Businesses that build on the resources, materials, and workforce of the local community.
14 %\citynt\dschoon$\files\eco dev strategy%cdbg\program guidelines 2 doc
Environmental Impact
Higher points to be awarded:
The more environmentally sound the company's operation;
(e.g. comprehensive energy and resource efficiency programs; comprehensive waste
reduction, waste exchange, and recycling programs).
The more environmentally sound the company's products/services.
(e.g. products/services that expand markets for recycled materials; development of
renewable energy resources or products that conserve energy.)
Community Involvement
Higher points to be awarded:
Businesses that have a history of contributing to their communities through volunteer work,
financial contributions or other means.
New start-up businesses that demonstrate their commitment to becoming involved in the
community.
General Requirements
- Every applicant should provide average hourly wages for all new and existing jobs which meet or exceed
the average county wage rate by industry. Ninety percent of the project positions should have a wage
greater than the federal poverty wage rate for Iowa City (30% of median income for a four person
household in Iowa City). Under special circumstances, consideration will be given to those companies
who cannot meet this requirement.
- Applicant must have a consistent pattern of compliance with the law and the spirit of the law, including
environmental regulations, occupational safety and health laws, fair labor standards, the National Labor
Relations Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to be eligible for financial assistance.
- Applicant must demonstrate the following in order to be eligible for financial assistance:
the feasibility of the business venture;
the reliability of the job creation and financial estimates;
the creditworthiness of the business;
that the project would not occur without city financial assistance.
A contract will be executed for any financial assistance awarded. Applicant will be required to repay all,
or a prorated share, of the amount of the financial assistance awarded if the applicant does not fulfill the
obligations of the contract.
15 \\cilynt\dschoon$\files~eco dev strategy~cdbg\program guidelines 2doc
City of Iowa City Application
for Business Financial Assistance
Business Requesting Financial Assistance:
Business Name:
Name of Authorized Person to Obligate the Business:
Business Address:
Business Contact Person: Title:
Telephone: Fax:
E~mail Address:
Business Federal ID#:
Date of Application Submittal:
Release of Information and Certification
NOTE: Please read carefully before signing
I hereby give permission to the City of Iowa City (the City) to research the company's history,
make credit checks, contact the company's financial institution, and perform other related
activities necessary for reasonable evaluation of this proposal. I understand that all information
submitted to the City relating to this application is subject to the Open Records Law (1994 Iowa
Code, Chapter 22) and that confidentiality may not be guaranteed. I hereby certify that all repre-
sentations, warranties or statements made or furnished to the City in connection with this
application are true and correct in all material respects. I understand that it is a criminal violation
under Iowa law to engage in deception and knowingly make, or cause to be made, directly or
indirectly, a false statement in writing for the purpose of procuring economic development
assistance from a state agency or political subdivision.
SIGNATURE OF COMPANY OFFICER AUTHORIZED TO OBLIGATE BUSINESS:
NOTE: The City will not provide assistance in situations where it is determined that any repre-
senration, warranty or statement made in connection with this application is incorrect,
false, misleading or erroneous in any material respect. If assistance has already been
provided by the city prior to discovery of the incorrect, false or misleading
representation, the city may initiate legal action to recover city funds.
ecodev/app bush doc
Section 1: Description of Business and Proposed Project
1.1. Describeindetai~thepr~p~sed"pr~ject"(f~rexamp~e~c~mpanyre~~cati~n~p~antexpansi~n~
remodeling, new product line, size of building expansion, number of new jobs, amount of
investment in machinery and equipment etc.):
1.2. Provide a description and history of business:
1.3. Describe the organizational structure of the business, including any parent companies,
subsidiaries, sister companies, etc.
1.4. List the names of the business owners and the percent of ownership held by each.
1.5. List the business' five-digit and six-digit North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) codes (or the primary and secondary Standard Industrial Codes (SIC codes)).
1.6. Will the project involve a transfer of operations or jobs from any other Iowa City or Johnson
County facility or replace operations or jobs currently being provided by another Iowa City or
Johnson County company? If yes, please indicate the facility(s) and/or company(s) affected.
1.7. What date will the project begin?
Be completed?
1.8. Has any part of the project been started? If yes, please describe.
ecodev/app-busndoc 2
Section 2: Financial Contributions to the Proposed Project
2.1. What type and amount of financial assistance are you requesting from the City (for example,
grant, forgivable lean, loan, property tax exemption, tax increment financing rebate, etc.)?
2.1 a. If Community Development Block Grant Funds are being requested, please describe how
the proposed project addresses the priorities, strategies, and goals cited in CITY STEPS
2001-2006.
2.2. Explain why assistance is needed from the City, and why it cannot be obtained
elsewhere. (Specific supporting documentation evidenced by cash flow statements,
income statements, etc., is requested.) If the City did not provide financial assistance,
could the project proceed?
2.3. In what form is the business contribution to the project? Please explain clearly (for
example, sale of stock, equity investments, subordinated debt, etc.).
2.4. Identify all agencies or institutions involved in the project (financial and otherwise) and
what their involvement is:
2.5. What type and amount of security will the assisted business provide the City? If no
security is offered, an explanation must be provided. Note: as a general rule, for those
businesses not publicly traded, personal guarantees are required in addition to other
pledged business assets.
Mortgage $ What seniority or position?
Lien on $ What seniority or position?
Personal guarantee $
Other $
None (if none, please explain)
2.6. Summary of Project Costs and Proposed Financing Sources
SOURCES (Summarize All Sources From Question
USE OF FUNDS 2.7)
Activity Cost A B C D
Land acquisition $
Site preparation $
Building acquisition $
Building construction $
Building remodeling $
Machinery & equipment $
Furniture & fixtures $
Permanent working capital $
(detail:)
Other
Other $
TOTAL: $ $ $ $ $
2.7. Terms of Proposed Financing
Code Source (include all
sources in Question 2.6) Amount Type(t) Rate Term
Source A: $
Source B: $
Source C: $
Source D: $
I Total: $
(~)For example: forgivable loan, direct loan, grant, equity, tax abatement, etc.
ecodevlapp-busndcc 4
2.8. Generally a decision by the City on this application can be expected within 30 days of receipt
of the application. If there is an urgent need for a more immediate decision on this
application, please indicate the desired timeframe and the reason for the urgency.
Section 3: Quality of Jobs to Be Created
3.1. How many employees are currently employed by the company worldwide (total employment
including all locations, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, etc.)?
3.2. If an existing Iowa City business, how many total individuals have been employed by the
company at the Iowa City facility during the past year?
3.3. If awarded funds, how many new full-time employees will you add to the payroll at the Iowa
City facility within 12 and 24 months of the award date? The business acknowledges if it
fails to create the jobs pledged below by the end of the project period and maintain
them for a period of time (usually 36 months from the date of the award), it may be
required to reimburse City funds for the employment shortfall, if the loan/grant was
based on job creation.
Full-Time: Part-Time:
12 months 12 months
Cumulative Cumulative
Full-Time: Pad-Time:
24 months 24 months
Cumulative Cumulative
Note: Jobs created or retained using Community Development Block Grant Funds must be
"held by" or "available to" low- or moderate-income individuals.
3.4. What is the estimated annual payroll for the new employees resulting from this project?
3.5. What is the starting average hourly wage rate (not including fringe benefits) projected to be:
For the new employees?
For existing employees?
For existing and new employees?
ecodev/app-busndoc 5
3.6. In the following table, list positions and hourly rates for each job classification to be created
and retained (an example is typed in the first line).
List of Positions and Hourly Rate for Created and Retained Positions (use additional
sheets if needed)
No. Hours Hourly
Create Retain Position Title Per Week Rate of Pay
Note: Every applicant should provide average hourly wages for all new and existing jobs
which meet or exceed the average county wage rate by industry. Ninety percent of the
project positions should have a wage greater than the federal poverty wage rate for Iowa
City (30% of median income for a four person household in Iowa City). Under special
circumstances, consideration will be given to those companies who cannot meet this
requirement. (Contact the Economic Development Coordinator at the City for current
figures.)
ecodev/app-busn dec 6
3.8. Please describe the types of worker safety programs that would be available for your
employees.
3.9. Does the business provide standard medical and dental insurance for fulPtime employees? if
so, what percentage of the standard medical and dental insurance package expense does
the company provide?
Section 4: Economic Impact
4.1. Please document how much of your operating expenditures (raw materials, supportive
services, machinery, equipment, and labor) will be spent within Johnson County.
4.2. What Johnson County companies do you expect to sell to that currently buy from
non-eastern Iowa companies? What aercentage of your sales will fall into this category?
4.3. What other Johnson County companies could be considered to be your competitors?
4.4. How will this project benefit the City/County?
4.5 How will this project grow the properly tax base of Iowa City?
4.6 Beyond the present project, what future growth potential is there for the Iowa City
operation?
Section 5: Environmental Impact
5.1. Please describe the energy and resource efficiency programs, waste reduction, waste
exchange, and recycling programs at your Iowa City operation.
ecodev/app-busn doc 7
4.6 Beyond the present project, what future growth potential is there for the Iowa City
operation?
Section 5: Environmental Impact
5.1. Please describe the energy and resource efficiency pregrams, waste raduction, waste
exchange, and recycling programs at your Iowa City operation.
5.2. Do you use recycled materials in the production of any products or through the provision of
any services at your facility? If so, please describe.
5.3. Will you be treating, transporting, storing, and disposing above ground, on or about your
business premises, in tanks or otherwise, for any length of time or for any purpose:
petroleum products, agricultural or other chemicals, waste oil or other liquid waste, or any
other inflammable, corrosive, reactlye, or explosive liquid or gas? If yes, please specify.
5.4. Will the Iowa City operation develop renewable energy resources or products that conserve
energy? If so, please describe.
Section 6: Community Involvement; Compliance with Law; Repayment Agreement
6.1. Please descdbe your business' history of contributing to the community through volunteer
work, financial contributions, or other means. If a new start-up business, please describe
commitment to becoming involved in the community.
6.2. Has the business been cited or convicted for violations of any federal or state laws or
regulations within the last five years (including environmental regulations, Occupational
Safety And Health laws, Fair Labor Standards, the National Labor Relations Act, the
Americans With Disabilities Act)? If yes, please explain the circumstances of the violation(s).
6.3. Financial assistance from the City of Iowa City requires a repayment clause in the loan
agreement with the City. The repayment clause requires a prorated repayment of the
financial assistance if the company does not meet its job attainment obligation and other
obligations of this agreement. Is the company willing to enter into a loan agreement that
contains a repayment clause?
Section 7: Required Attachments
Check off each attachment submitted. If not submitted, explain why.
Business plan (if new business)
J2~J Profit and loss statements (3 year historical and 2 year projections)
J~J Balance sheets (3 year historical and 2 year projections)
[~J Letters of commitment of project funds (from banks, applicant, etc.)
] Description of fringe benefits provided to employees
] Copies of the company's quaderly Iowa "Employer's Contribution and Payroll Report" for
the past year and a copy of the most recent monthly payroll register
Map indicating the location of the project within the community
Cost estimates for construction, machinery/equipment, permanent working capital, and
purchases.
Certificate of Good Standing from the Iowa Secretary of State or an authorization to
conduct business in Iowa.
ecodev/app bushdoe 9
Certificate of Incumbency listing the current board of directors and current officers if a
corporation or a listing of the general partners if a partnership
['~ Corporate resolution authorizing the application for City funds
Corporate signatory authorization naming an officer to execute the City application and City
loan documents, if approved
Other
Explanation/other comments:
ecodev/app-busn.doc 10
APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
UNDER THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN
__ PRIOR APPROVAL FOR APPROVAL OF COMPLETED
INTENDED IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS
ADDRESS OF PROPERTY:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:
PROPERTY OWNER(S) NAME:
ADDRESS OF OWNER:
NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF CONTACT PERSON:
USE OF PROPERTY PRIOR TO iMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED TYPE OF PROPERTY:
(Check all that apply}:
Rental
Residential , Industnal __ Owner occupied
Commercial Vacant
PROPOSED USE OF PROPERTY NATURE OF ~MPROVEMENTS:
(Check aft that apply): (Check all that applyl:
Residential __ New construction
Commercial __ Rehabilitation
Industrial Additions
SPECLFY PROPOSED USE OF PROPERTY AND NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS Ire be continued on separate
pages, if necessary):
DATE ON WHICH PROJECT RECEIVED IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPROVAL O~R CIT~
COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED EXTERIOR RENOVATION:
ESTIMATED OR ACTUAL DATE OE COMPLETION:
ESTIMATED OR ACTUAL TOTAL COST OF IMPROVEMENTS:
ESTIMATED OR ACTUAL COST OF IMPROVEMENTS FOR WHICH EXEMPTION IS SOUGHT;
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION SCHEDULE SELECTED BY APPLICANT FOR PROJECT (See reverse side for applicabh
schedule):
ON JULY 13, 1gag, DID TENANTS OCCUPY ANY BUILDING ON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED ABOVE? YES
NO IF YES, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION.
Did the construction of the ~mprovements, for which the property tax exemptjon js being applied, require th
relocation of any tensnts of residential units'~ Yes No If yes please answer the following questions
Djd any of those tenants that were required to relocate Occupy the same dwelling unit continuously fror
September 28, 1998 until they were required to relocate? Yes No if yes, please provide on
separate Sheet the number of residential units, the names of each of the tenants tile dates they occupte
the dwelling unit and the relocatlon benefits they reoemed
OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, OR CITY ASSISTANCE USED FOR PROJECT: _ ~
SIGNATURE OF PROPERTY OWNER: DATE:
TAX EXEMPTION SCHEDULES
(1) RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Qualified residentially assessed property is eligible to receive an exemption from taxation on the actual value adde,
by the improvements.
Exemption period 10 years
Exemption amount 115% of the actual value added by the improvements.
Amount of the actual value added cannot exceed $20,000. The granting of the exemption shall not result in th
actual value being reduced below the actual value on which the Homestead Credit is computed.
12) ALL PROPERTY*
Qualified real estate is eligible to receive a partial exemption from taxation on the actual value added by
the improvements.
Exemption period 10 years
Exemption amount 1 st yea~ 80% 6th year 40%
equal to a percent 2nd year 70% 7th year 30%
of the actual value 3rd year 60% 8th year 20%
added by the improve 4th year 50% 9th year 20%
ments 5th year 40% 10th year - 20%
(3) ALL PROPERTY·
Qualified real estate is eligible to receive an exemption from taxation on the actual value added by t~
improvements.
Exemption period 3 years
Exemption amount 100% of the actual va3ue added by the improvements
141 RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WITH 75% RESIDENTIAL USE
Qualified real estate assessed as residential or assessed as commercial consisting of 3 or more living quarters with
least 75% of the space used for residential purposes, is eligible to receive an exemption from taxation on the actu
value added by the improvements,
Exemption period 10 years
Exemption amount 100% of the actual value added by the improvements
· Since only the non-residential commercial component of a non-historic commercial property qualifies for the tax exemption, on
exemption Schedules (2) and (3) are available for those projects.
FOR AGENCY USE ONLY:
THE ABOVE APPLICATION IS/IS NOT IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS OISTRI(
URBAN REVITAUZATION PLAN.
PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DATE: RELOCATION BENEFITS PAID
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPROVAL OR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF EXTERIE
IMPROVEMENTS DATE:_~
HOUSING &INSPECTION SERVICES DATE:
BUILDING PERMIT NO,IS)
IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL DATE:_
ASSESSED VALUE BEFORE IMPROVEMENTS
ASSESSED VALUE AFTER IMPROVEMENTS
ASSESSOR'S PHYSICAL INSPECTION DATE:
ASSESSED VALUE FOR WHICH EXEMPTION IS GRANTED:
ELIGIBLE OR NON ELIGIBLE FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
CITY ASSESSOR: DATE:
APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (Read instructions on the reverse side carcfi~lly)
IM PORTANT: This application must be filed with your assessor by February I of the year in which the property
claimed for exemption is first assessed for taxation. However, a single application may be filed upon completion of an
entire project requiring more than one year tn conslmct or complete, providing prior approval has been granted by the
city council or county buard of supcl visors.
Property Owner Name
Property Owner Address
Address of Property
Claimed fur Exemption
Property is assessed and used as
[] Industrial Manulhcturing [] Distribution ('enter
[] Research - Service Facility [] Cattle Facility
[] Public Warehouse [] Spcculalivc Shell Building
I Describe in detail the new construction for which an exemption is claimed. SEE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Is this exemption heing claimed for reconstruction of existing buildings and structures? [] Yes [] No
If yes is indicated, you must receive prior approval from your city council or board of supervisors. A statement
verifying the granting of such approval must be submitted with this application to your assessor. If prior approval
has been granted, describe in detail the reconstruction.
I hereby swear that the informalion presented on this application and all attached supporting docmnents are true, correct
and complete.
Signature of Applicant Tillc Date
FOR ASSESSOR USE ONLY
have examined this application for industrial prtlpcrty tax exemption and hereby certif~
of the _ linal taxable value qualifies for p~ opcrty lax cxcmptiol~.
Assesstir Signalale Date
Any property owner who is dissatislicd x~llh their asscs~n~cnt may lilt a prolest with the Bt~ard of Review hctx~ccn
April I(S and May 5, bofi~ dates iuclus~c. of the year oflhc asscsglllcnl 57 122
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 14, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Harlocke-Weeber Area - Parkland Acquisition
At the most recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting a petition was presented
by the Harlocke-Weeber Area Neighborhood. This petition requests the City purchase
approximately four acres of land recently considered for sensitive overlay zoning. That
zoning request was denied. The petition is directed to the Parks and Recreation
Commission, and I have assumed for the purpose of securing a recommendation to be
directed to your attention. The purchase price of the property has not been officially
determined in that there have been no formal negotiations with the property owner. We
understand the land was purchased for approximately $176,000 and there have been
statements to the effect that the property owner would accept $400,000 for the property.
None of these numbers have been confirmed.
We have somewhat of a dilemma in that a majority of the City Council voted in favor of
the sensitive area overlay development proposal. It was defeated by the supermajority
requirement. in that the Parks and Recreation Commission is a recommending body to
the City Council, and given the history of this property, I want to confirm with you what
action you wish us to take.
When considering your action please note there has also been interest, although no
formal direction, concerning the acquisition of land in the area for the recently acquired
Miller Orchard Park. There are numerous policy interests at stake, and therefore before
the Director of Parks and Recreation can proceed with any land acquisition
considerations, I believe we need to receive direction from the City Council. If Terry is to
speak with representatives of Southgate, I would like it done at your direction.
Additionally, you wilt need to give thought to the possible circumstances of the
negotiation process. For example, if Terry was unable to reach an agreement, that is a
final, formal Parks & Recreation recommendation on the purchase of the land and the
price of that land, will the City Council consider condemnation of the property?
There is currently $280,000 in the parkland acquisition fund. If we were to pursue the
purchase of this land, it could result in a substantial reduction in available monies in that
fund. Several years ago, at the time we made the decision to reduce the income stream
of the Parkland Acquisition Fund in order to fulfill General Fund needs, we indicated we
would consider purchase land by way of General Obligation debt. These are
circumstances we can fulfill, but we must keep in mind that the adopted Capital
Improvement Plan and the purchase of property for the Harlocke-Weeber area is not
included. I would also caution any request for additional debt. Given the magnitude of
our Capital Improvement Plan and the $30,000,000+ debt proposal for next year, any
additional debt could exacerbate our concerns about the level of our community
indebtedness in the future. I believe you would need to consider reductions in other
projects.
cc: Director of Finance ~,
Director of Parks and Recreation
rngr/mem/harlocke-weeber doc
HUNTER'S RUN PARK
SITE MASTERPLAN
FINAL COMMENTS
FROM APRIL 10, OPEN HOUSE
Note: Ten Final comment sheets were picked up by residents and comments given.
The following were items highlighted.
1. Five comment sheets voted down small pond.
2. Three comment sheets said "No" to restrooms.
3. There were several suggestions to add more granular 6' wide trail to the east of the
area.
4. There were also suggestions to move the granular trail away from creek edge.
5. A couple comments supported 1/2 court basketball courts.
6. Other comments were for expanding plantings and prairie size.
7. Most all of the sheets were very happy overall with the design process and final design.
·
Shoemaker & Ha'Band
HUNTER'S RUN PARK
PARK MASTERPLAN
DESIGN PROCESS AGENDA
[] KICKOFF MEETING (,~1. v'l ,Ze~}'~ 45-60 minutes
o Consultant Introductions
o Review Hunter's Run Properly
Review Initial Scope of Project
o Task force sign up & times
o Survey & Graphic Handout
[] DESIGN WORK SHOP #1 (~3.3, 7~1 ) 1.5-2 hours
NEIGHBORHOOD TASK FORCE
o Review survey
o Group session break-out
o Group design workshop and design
o Group design presentation
[] DESIGN WORK SHOP #2 (~Z14 &/2~ol} 1.5-2 hours
NEIGHBORHOOD TASK FORCE
o Shoemaker & Haaland P.E. to incorporate group
drawings into revised ilte concept and present
o Task force input and recommendations
Review preliminary site improvement costs
[] DESIGN CONCEPT PREPARATION
o Shoemaker & Haaland P.E. revises preliminary concepts
and develops a presentation quality plan
[] OPEN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD REVIEW 2.5 hours
o 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Plan on display for neighborhood viewing
and comment
·
Shoemaker & Haalm~d
SURVEY RESULTS
HUNTER'S RUN PARK
RESULTS
1. How long have you lived in the west Rohret Road (west of Hwy 21 8)/Ixving Weber School
neighborhood?
1 less than one year
5 one to two years
6 two to five years
12 over five years
2, As things now stand, how long do you expect to live in this neighborhood?
0 less than two years
1 two to five years
4 six to ten years
18 over ten years
3. What do you like most about living in this area of Iowa City?
9 edge of town feeling
1 fleeway convenience
7 proximity to school
16 neighborhood
4. Do you have children living with you at home? If so, what are their ages?
less than three years
6 three to five years
11 five to ten years
10 ten to fifteen years
2 over fifteen years
Shoemaker & Haaland Surv ,ey Page I
Professional Engineers
5. You currently have Irving Weber School and Hunter's Run Park as recreation opportunities.
A. How frequently do you and/or members of your family use Irving
Weber School grounds (afier school hours & weekends)?
10 frequently
6 occasionally
7 not at all
B. How frequently do you and/or members of your family use
Hunter' s Run Park?
5 frequently
13 occasionally
4 not at all
6. If you choose to leave your neighborhood to use another park/recreation site,
somewhere else in town. (Refer to Site Relationship Graphic)
A. Where do you go? Willow Creek, Kiwanis, City Park
B. How do you get there? Mostly car, io~ & bike
C. What recreation activity do you most ofien do when you get there? P!av~tround use,
picnic, iol~ & bike.
7. Currently, Irving Weber School has the following activities available to the neighborhood; son
surface playground, ball diamond area, soccer/football field, and a hard surface play area.
Hunter's Run currently has open grassy areas, a wooded '°vVillow Creek" area, rolling topogra-
phy and sledding hill. What additional activities and/or structures would you like to see made
available in hunter's Run Park? ( Please prioritize by weighting each item 1-5 with 1 being
your highest priority.)
Prioritized List:
1. Playground 8. Volleyball
2. Trail System 9. Off Street Parking
3. Natural Areas 10. Tennis
4. Picnic 11. Frisbee Golf
5. Shelter 12. Baseball
6. Soccer Field 13. ltorse Shoes
7. Basketball
Shoemaker & Hasland
Professional Engineers Survey Page 2
8. Given the opportunity to design Hunter's Run Park, what statement best represents your
feeling about the area.
15% [] Provide more passive natural areas within the Park. Maybe add interpretire
areas, trails and shelter.
48% [] Keep sledding area and woods area as untouched as possible, but develop the
park area to the north.
30% [] Consider the entire site as fair game, for park development. Consider
removing some existing trees for a better overall park design.
6.5% [] Do nothing. I like the Park space just the way it is.
9. Many Iowa City/Coralville parks have ponds incorporated into them. If a pond were cre-
ated in Hunter's Run Park in conjunction with Willow Creek, would
you consider this a positive or negative improvement to the Park?
62% Positive
38% Negative
Shoemaker & Haaland
Professional Engineers Survey Page 3
Itemized Project Cost Estimate
Quantity Unit Price Total Cost
Site Preparation
Earthwork 2,677 cy @ $10.00 -' $26,770.00
Asphalt PathRemoval 117 If @ $10.00: $1,170.00
Asphalt Paving Removal 10 sf @ $10.00 = $100.00
Storm Sewer 501 If @ $20.00: $10,020.00
Tree Removal 5 ea @ $600.00 = $3,000.00
Sub Total $41,060.00
Site Anmenities
Benches 8 ea @ $500.00 = $4,000.00
Picnic Tables 1 ea @ $900.00 = $900.00
Trash Container 2 ea @ $300.00 = $600.00
Bike Racks 7 ea @ $75.00 = $525.00
Drop-offArea 375 sf @ $3.00 = $1,125.00
Sub Total $7,150.00
Skate Park Plaza
Scored Concrete 2,743 sf @ $3.00 = $8,229.00
Concrete Steps 23 cy @ $600.00 = $13,500.00
Sub Total $21,729.00
Vegetation
Sod 13,800 sf @ $0.40 = $5,520.00
Shrubs 25 ea @ $30.00 = $750.00
Trees-Deciduous ea @ $250.00 = $0.00
Sub Total $6,270.00
Skate Park Facility
Structural Concrete (retaining walls & radius ramps) 153 cy @ $600.00 = $91,800.00
Structural Slab (6" depth) 8,063 sf @ $10.00 = $80,630.00
Stainless Steal Piping 593 If @ $50.00 -' $29,650.00
Stainless Steel Sq. Tubing 240 If @ $50.00 = $12,000.00
Drainage tile 1,100 If @ $2.00 = $2,200.00
Gravel 140 cy @ $30.00 = $4,200.00
Fence (6' Height) 530 if @ $25.00 = $13,250.00
Sub Total $233,730.00
Sub Total $309,939.00
Contingency (15%) $46,490.85
Total $356,429.85
Terrill Mill Skate Park, Iowa City May 14, 2001 Dunbar/Jones Partnership
Itemized Project Cost Estimate
Quantity Unit Price Total Cost
Site Preparation
Earthwork 2,410 cy ® $10.00 = $24,100.00
Storm Sewer 150 If @ $20.00 -- $3,000.00
Tree Removal 7 ea @ $100.00 -' $700.00
Sub Total $27,800.00
Site Amenities
Benches 5 ea @ $500.00 = $2,500.00
Trash Container Iea @ $300.00 = $300.00
Bike Racks 7 ea @ $75.00 = $525.00
Walk 2,750 sf @ $2.50 = $6,875.00
Sub Total $10,200.00
Skate Park Plaza
Scored Concrete 1,550 sf @ $3.00 = $4,650.00
Sub Total $4,650.00
Vegetation
Sod 12,500 sf @ $0.40 = $5,000.00
Shrubs 25 ea @ $30.00 = $750.00
Trees-Deciduous 15 ea @ $250.00 = $3,750.00
Sub Total $9,500.00
Skate Park Facility
Structural Concrete (retaining walls & radius ramps) 133 cy @ $600.00 = $79,800.00
Structural Slab (6" depth) 8,063 sf @ $10.00 = $80,630.00
Stainless Steel Piping 538 If @ $50.00 = $26,900.00
Stainless Steel Sq. Tubing 240 If @ $50.00 = $12,000.00
Drainage tile 1,100 If @ $2.00 = $2,200.00
Gravel 140 cy @ $30.00 = $4,200.00
Fence (6' Height) 530 If @ $25.00 = $13,250.00
Sub Total $218,980.00
Sub Total $271,130.00
Contingency (15%) $40,669.50
Total $311,799.50
Terrill Mill Skate Park, Iowa City May 14, 200~ Dunbar/Jones Partnership