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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-09 CorrespondenceI , CITY OF IOWA CITY R 01�l MEMORANDUM Date: December 4, 2014 To: City Council From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney qV1 Re: 608, 610 and 614 South Dubuque Street At your direction, a Council meeting is being scheduled so that you can discuss whether to set a public hearing on the proposed historic landmark designation of 608, 610 and 614 South Dubuque Street. The agenda indicates that after your discussion you may or may not choose to set the public hearing. This memo will explain the process. An application to designate the properties as historic landmarks and an application for historic landmark overlay rezoning has been filed by the Friends of Historic Preservation. Article E of Chapter 8 of the Zoning Code (14-8E) sets forth the procedures for review of historic landmark applications. In accordance with these provisions, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a public hearing on the application on December 11, 2014. If HPC approves the proposed landmark designation, HPC's report and recommendation along with the application for rezoning will be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council. In addition, the proposal will be submitted to the state historic preservation office (SHPO) for its review and recommendations. Once the Council receives the reports of HPC and P&Z it must hold a public hearing and then consider an ordinance designating the properties as historic landmarks. The Council must receive comments from SHPO before it approves, denies or modifies the proposed designation. Pursuant to Section 414.5 of the State Code if the property owner files a protest with the City Clerk objecting to the historic overlay rezoning, approval of the landmark designation will require a super -majority vote of the Council (3/4 or 6 out of 7). Please keep in mind that as with any rezoning, you should not reach a decision until after Council has held the public hearing. In addition, if you choose to have discussions with interested parties outside of the public meetings you will be required to disclose those communications to enable the applicant and the property owner to respond. The property owner has applied for a demolition permit and can obtain the permit on December 10 after the 7 day posting period expires. Pursuant to Section 14 -8D -5(H) of the City Code, the setting of a public hearing suspends development activity that is inconsistent with the proposed landmark designation, including demolition, for a period of 60 days. The suspension applies to the issuance of a demolition permit or a permit that has been issued if "no substantial part" of the demolition has begun. While the required public hearing in front of Council cannot be held until Council receives the reports and recommendations of HPC and P&Z, the Council may, if it chooses, set the public hearing before it receives the reports if it desires to prevent demolition for a period of 60 days while the matter is being considered. As usual, the setting of the public hearing requires a simple majority. Please give me a call if you have questions. Cc: Tom Markus, City Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk Geoff Fruin, Assistant City Manager Doug Boothroy, Director NDS John Yapp, Coordinator of Development Services CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: December 3, 2014 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: John Yapp, Development Services Coordinator 7% 7y -- Re: Notice of Violation for 608, 610 and 614 S. Dubuque St Introduction This memo is to summarize the Notice of Violation ('Notice') issued for 608, 610 and 614 S. Dubuque St (AKA 'the cottages'), what the Notice was based on, and how the Notice of Violation process is administered. Background On November 20, Ted Pacha (the property owner) provided City staff with a copy of a structural engineer's report from VJ Engineering summarizing structural issues with the cottages. The report was signed and certified by a licensed structural engineer. The report identified serious structural issues including deterioration of brick and mortar, deteriorated limestone masonry foundations, differential settlement in walls, and bowing and bulging of walls. The report concludes with the statement "The structures pose a danger to occupants and bystanders. 1 would strongly recommend the buildings be vacated as soon as possible and be razed. " Based on the VJ Engineering report, on November 24 the City issued a Notice of Violation requiring that the structures be vacated, and the nuisance be abated either through repair or demolition. The 'nuisance' in this case was a violation of the City's Dangerous Building Code (see City Code Sections 6-1-21-1 and 17-6). The deadline given to the property owner for abatement was two weeks (Dec 8), which is a typical deadline for nuisances. Analysis It is routine for property owners to need more time to abate nuisances of this nature, and if the property owner has been responsive and has begun the process to abate the nuisance, staff will extend the deadline. In this case, the property owner has taken actions to abate the nuisance; therefore, staff has extended the Dec 8 deadline for vacating the buildings to allow the abatement process to unfold. While the tenants were provided with a copy of the Notice, it is the property owner to whom the notice is directed and it is his obligation to abate the nuisance. The City does not know and does not need to know what the contractual relationship is between the owner and the tenants and has no authority to govern that relationship. The property owner has responsibility for the properties. Second Engineer's Report: On December 2, staff received a second report on the cottages from Morning Star Studio in Cedar Rapids, also signed and certified by a licensed structural engineer. This report also identified deterioration issues, and includes the following recommendations: • We recommend mediating the root causes of the deterioration of the structures as noted in the analysis: settlement, differential expansion of materials and moisture. First and foremost, provide new support to the east walls of buildings 610 and 614 to mediate the settlement noted there. This can be attained by underpinning the east walls of the December 4, 2014 Page 2 structures with frost -protected concrete footings or with a foundation support system such as helical piles. • We recommend re -pointing of cracked mortar joints and reconstruction of damaged wall areas. • Repair or replace gutters and downspouts. All new construction and repair work shall meet applicable building codes and be performed by certified installers or contractors. In contrast to the first report, the focus of the recommendations in the second report is to highlight the repairs needed to 'mediate' the settlement, differential expansion of materials and moisture issues. The Morning Side Studio report states that overall, the buildings are structurally sound; however it is silent on whether or not the buildings are habitable until the recommended repairs are made. Conclusion With life safety issues, staff takes a conservative approach. Because the property owner is working on abating the nuisance and progress is being made, staff has extended the deadline on the 'vacate' order while the process proceeds. Staff will not lift the Notice of Violation altogether, as both engineering reports identify significant issues with the buildings. While staff has extended the deadline for the 'vacate' order, the property owner may choose to take action to terminate his relationship with the tenants. The law governs this relationship and should either the property owner or tenants have questions about this matter they should contact their own attorneys. It should be noted the property owner had started the process to evict and/or renegotiate leases before the City issued the Notice of Violation. It should also be noted that in the absence of historic preservation regulations, the property owner has the right to apply for a demolition permit at any time. S:\PCD\John\cottages NOV explanation.doc Friends of Historic Preservation Attn: Alicia Trimble P.O. Box 2001 Iowa City, IA 52244 Dear Alicia: THEO RESOURCES, LLC December 5, 2014 I There has been a lot of interest shown by Friends of Historic Preservation to the property located at 608, 610 and 614 S. Dubuque Street in recent weeks. I am attempting to sell the real estate because of health concerns over recent years which have been discussed at many meetings. I have been surprised by the amount of interest in the buildings at 608, 610, and 614 S. Dubuque Street and the amount of conflict that has resulted. I want to try to make an offer to hopefully resolve the conflict. As you know, I am of the opinion based upon the report of James Jacobs of VJ Engineering that the buildings are in danger of collapse, masonry walls of the structures are beyond their useful life, and are unstable and the structures pose a danger to the occupants and bystanders. I am also of the opinion that the same condition would not stand the stress associated with jacking and moving. I, however, understand that you believe the condition of the structural integrity of 608, 610 and 614 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Iowa differs from mine. If you feel strongly in that position, I am willing to offer to donate the three buildings and $25,000 per building toward the cost of moving each of the buildings. This offer would be contingent upon Friends of the Historic Preservation making arrangements for the moving of the buildings within a mutually agreeable time, obtaining appropriate insurance, releasing Theo Resources, LLC from any and all liability and indemnifying Theo Resources, LLC from any and all liability in connection with the buildings until they are relocated and which may arise in connection with the moving of the building. This offer will be open for 30 days. I would appreciate it if you would please review this letter and let me know if it can form the basis of a resolution of the current conflict. Sincer ,-- Theodore -Theodore H. Pacha, Manager Theo Resources, LLC Copy to: Iowa City Historical Preservation Commission Vlowa City City Council PROTEST OF RE, ZONING TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IOWA CITY, IOWA CITY OFIOI' A CITY We, the undersigned, being the owners of property included in the proposed zoning change, or the owners of property which is located within two hundred feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the zoning change is proposed, do hereby protest the rezoning of the following property and object to any landmark designation of the following property: The classification and/or rezoning of 608, 610, 614 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Iowa as historic landmarks, and any designation of such properties or structures for historic or landmark designations. This protest is signed and acknowledged with the intention that such rezoning shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the council, all in accordance with Section 414.5 of the Code of Iowa. Property Address: 602, 604, 608, 610, 614, 620, 628 S. Dubuque Street 225, 225 E. Prentiss Street, Iowa City, Iowa Property Owner(s): Theo Resources, LLC By: Theodore H. Pac- ha, Manager INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER(S): STATE OF IOWA ) JOHNSON COUNTY) ss: This instrument was acknowledged before me on December 5, 2014 Theodore H. Pacha as Manager of Theo Resources, LLC inriivirinnl nroneily nwnerk)). AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SIGNING FOR PROPERTY OWNER(S): STATE OF IOWA ) JOHNSON COUNTY) ss: This instrument was acknowledged before me on (name(s) of person(s)) as _ (Date) by (name(s) of (Date) by (type of authority, such as officer, trustee) of (name of property owner) . Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa Orig: Subd Folder 02/2013 Cc: CA — PCD - Council - Media File ..,,� TZ �5 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SIGNING FOR PROPERTY OWNER(S): STATE OF IOWA ) JOHNSON COUNTY) ss: This instrument was acknowledged before me on (name(s) of person(s)) as _ (Date) by (name(s) of (Date) by (type of authority, such as officer, trustee) of (name of property owner) . Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa Orig: Subd Folder 02/2013 Cc: CA — PCD - Council - Media File t4 r 1 - PH 12: 1 ( r C7F T '�,r B December 5, 2014 Mayor Matt Hayek and Iowa City Council Members City of Iowa City 505 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Hayek and Members of the City Council, IOWA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE /� On behalf of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, I write in support of the rezoning and redevelopment of approximately 2.3 acres along the 600 block of South Dubuque Street and 200 block of Prentiss Street from -its current commercial zoning to a Riverfront Crossing zone. The proposed 4 -story building with ground level retail and residential living units aligns with the city's plan to incorporate commercial retail and office space to attract residents of all ages. The project will provide direct economic value by increasing the taxable assessment of the property from the current $1 million to over $10 million. It will also address the growing demand for housing and office space near downtown Iowa City. The redevelopment of South Dubuque Street aligns well with the Chamber's mission: to actively foster a better business environment. We look forward to the Riverfront Crossing progress and as always, appreciate your work on behalf of our wonderful community. W'th warm regards, Nancy Que or President CE 325 E. Washington Suite 100 Iowa City, IA 52240 Telephone: (319)337-9637 Fa)c(319)336-9956 www.inwacityarea.com Marian Karr From: The Book Shop <thebookshop@q.com> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2014 11:26 AM To: Council Subject: Regarding The Cottages At 608, 610 And 614 South Dubuque Street Hello, I respectfully request that the Iowa City City Council and all concerned city staff favorably consider the preservation of what's come to be called the "cottages" at 608, 610 and 614 South Dubuque Street. I believe these cottages, which date to 1859, are not only quite demonstrably structurally sound, per the structural engineer's report submitted to the City Council and to the Building Inspection Services Department by Shanna Duggan of Morning Star Studio (Cedar Rapids), but also that the cottages are entirely deserving of Historical Landmark status. Thank you very much. Take care. William R (Will) Ingles The Book Shop 608 South Dubuque Street Iowa City IA 52240-4231 Store - 319-327-8222 Cell - 319-400-4097 thebookshODO) .com www.thebookshop.info Marian Karr From: kalmia strong <kalmia.strong @gmail. com> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2014 11:14 AM To: Council Subject: cottages at 608/610/614 S Dubuque to the City Council, I am a resident of Iowa City, and I am writing to encourage you to set a public hearing about the historic preservation of the cottages at 608, 610, and 614 S. Dubuque. These cottages are have strong historic value for our community both in the 19th and 20th centuries, and I feel very strongly that their preservation should be a high priority for the City. In addition to recognizing the importance of our past, structures like these cottages are a crucial part of what gives Iowa City the character that we love. While I support the continuing economic development of our town, it does not need to come at the cost of this character & our history. I am excited about the plans for the Riverfront Crossings District, and I urge you to take the goal of cottage preservation as stated in the Master Plan seriously, knowing that this was important to our citizens during that visioning process and continues to be important to us. I attended the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Nov. 20, and was really amazed and inspired by the passion of the people in our community with regard to this issue. It made me love Iowa City even more and was evidence that the energy and resources are there to support the preservation of these cottages. Please give this issue a public hearing! Thank you for your time & service. best regards, kalmia strong Marian Karr From: Molly Coon <pinkmolecule@hushmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 8:18 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages public response Dear Councilmembers, I'm a graduate student at the university and a member of the community. I shop at The Book Shop and more importantly I care about preserving Iowa City's historic architecture. Please put a moratorium on demolishing the three cottages on South Dubuque St. Thank you, Molly Coon Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 5:02 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Casey Daley Email: caseytaylortaddengyahoo.com Message:Part of the attraction of Iowa City is its historic charm. In the last decade, our city has lost many beautiful old homes to make way for large blocks of student housing. While there is an interest in providing housing for our growing student population, it shouldn't come at a cost to the landmarks that make Iowa City attractive to a variety residents, including our students. These homes are quite old and should be designated as historic landmarks. Form submitted from website: www.salvaizebam.org Visitor IP address: 63.152.75.127 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 3:51 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Alicia Ambler Email: aliciaambler&gmail.com Message: These cottages are worth preserving! Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 128.255.135.227 Marian Karr From: Mark Remeikis <mremeikis@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 3:23 PM To: Council Subject: Please Allow a Public Hearing to Save the Cottages on South Dubuque Dear City Council, Thank you very much for setting aside time for a special meeting to consider a public hearing to save the cottages on South Dubuque! While they may seem like meaningless old houses to many, 614 South Dubuque means so much more to myself and many others, including the over 600 supporters who have signed this petition: https://www.change.org/p/city-council-of-iowa-city-set-a-public-hearing-on-historic preservation-of-608-610- and-614-south-dubuque-street These houses are a piece of history that should be remembered. You can learn about the historic nature of the buildings, which are the last remaining workers cottages from the 1860s: http://salvagebam.org/assets/fall-2014-newsletter.pdf http://www.salvagebam.org/cottages-on-dubuque.html The latest inspector's report proves these houses are still safe to occupy, especially if some basic repairs are made, and contradicts the obviously biased report put out by the developer and owner who both want to make a bigger profit: http://www.salvagebam.org/assets/ic-cottages full-rpt-120214.pdf Additionally I want to mention that all the business owners (whose leases would be broken if demolition proceeds) have offered to purchase the buildings from Ted Pacha, but I am told he would rather sell them to a developer in one sale for maximum profit. I wish he would be willing to open to a individual building sales instead, especially if he receives the same price as the developer would pay. Ted Pacha has pushed to kick out his tenants and demo the buildings so he can get out as quickly as possible, and all during the holidays at the worst possible time for everyone involved. 614 South Dubuque has been the home of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu Academy since 1993. Over the past 21+ years, this school has been teaching Iowa residents how to become better people and better citizens. Kung fu makes improves residents health and fitness through exercise, which reduces their levels of stress. Beyond the physical training where self-defense skills are instilled, students learn how to be more direct and relaxed in every action in their daily lives. I have been training for over 10 years, and I can attest to the tremendous personal growth my fellow kung fu practitioners and I have achieved as a result of this extraordinary school. One of this art's sayings in fact is "Wa Ha Jun Hung Fung" which means "Making the Whole Nation Stronger". And that is exactly what has resulted. Kung fu practitioners and their students have gone on to open up over a dozen locations in the US and overseas, including: Coralville, IA Omaha, NE Virginia Beach, VA Detroit, MI Hamden, CT Boston, MA Gaithersburg, MD 2 branches in Brooklyn, NY Madrid, Spain Denver, CO Washington, DC Peoria, IL Portland, ME On a regular basis, many of these martial artists and their students return to Iowa City to practice kung fu. This helps the local economy by filling up hotel rooms, restaurants and businesses. At the link below, you can find some additional information and photos of the school for your reference: http://www.kungfuic.com/about-the-school/ To conclude, I cannot imagine this remarkable school being forced out of existence after 21+ years, just so a real estate developer can make a profit. I hope you can see what a big mistake this would be. Thank you for considering my input, Mark Remeikis Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 3:43 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Ann Tompkins Email: attytompkinskaol.com Message: These buildings must be saved! They are local landmarks.... significant to the history and development of our city. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 75.175.216.18 Marian Karr From: Hausknecht, Gina <ghauskne@coe.edu> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 6:54 AM To: Council Subject: 608 - 612 S. Dubuque St. Dear City Council, I write to urge you to designate the three cottages on South Dubuque St. (608, 610 & 612) as historic landmarks. These lovely little buildings are part of the rich weave of Iowa City's past and they are home to small, independent businesses. We are lucky to have buildings over 150 years as part of our downtown, accessible to and used by the public. And we are lucky to have a variety of different kinds of businesses, including the smaller ones that operate on a modest scale and that contribute to the unique texture of Iowa City's commercial landscape. As new development occurs, it needs to complement, not overwhelm or ravage, the older and smaller elements of the city. I am also concerned about the apparently conflicting information about the status of these buildings. That the engineering report submitted by the owner indicting structural problems - the basis of the eviction notices that were served to the current tenants - was contradicted by a second report indicating structural soundness does not inspire confidence in the development plans for these particular buildings. Please do not let these cottages be recklessly demolished. Sincerely, Gina Hausknecht 420 Fairchild St. Iowa City 351-2025 ghausknekcoe.edu Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 12:19 AM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Jane Bradbury Email: j.k.bradburyna,gmail.com Message:I an reiterating what has been said about the three cottages, located at 608, 610 and 614 South Dubuque, which are some of the last remaining workers cottages in Iowa City, and as such have cultural and historical significance and should not be demolished. Is the goal of Iowa City to make the whole town look like brick boxes and parking lots? Thank you for listening. Form submitted from website: salvagebarn.org Visitor IP address: 173.23.85.27 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 6:21 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Kaylene Fitzpatrick Carney Email: kfitzcarneykaol.com Message:Please, please, please do not let the Dubuque St cottages be demolished. Please do not be part of the group who allowed these to be lost. Form submitted from website: salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.28.195.42 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 6:16 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Neo McAdams Email: neo-buenizermcadams@uiowa.edu Message:Dear Council, Please do not let the cottages on South Dubuque St. be demolished. A second opinion by a certified structural engineer declared them sound, so they are not a hazard. They are of historical importance to Iowa City because they represent some of its earliest surviving buildings. They are historically important to literature, as the site of the Actualist Movement. They are also important because they preserve old working-class housing, which is rare. Please set a public hearing for the proposal to recognize the cottages as historical landmarks. Thank you, Neo McAdams Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 128.255.129.186 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 5:50 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Todd Kimm Email: toddkimmkhotmail.com Message:I attended both undergrad and grad school at the university of Iowa. I was an editor at Icon newspaper when it had its offices in the building just to the south of these cottages. This section of Dubuque Street has always been one of my favorite places in Iowa City, maybe anywhere. The cottages themselves are priceless as architectural and historic gems and for the charming, vital and independent businesses that inhabit them. I'd really like to encourage the city to develop a vision for this unique, historic area, an area that includes the cottages, a 115 -year-old depot and many cool, locally owned businesses. This area has great economic development potential, as it is (with careful restoration and some marketing). Progressive cities across the country have been doing this for years. It's what helped turn places like Austin, Texas, Portland Oregon and yes, Des Moines, Iowa, into what they are today: places that attract people, creativity and dollars. Iowa City can embrace this vision, or include it in its larger vision, as it opens itself to more development and investment. Otherwise we'll end up as soulless and generic as some places that I won't mention. Please, give us more time to make sure our community won't regret rushing into destroying these cottages far into the future. Believe me, when all of us our gone this will one of the things we are remembered for. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebarn.org Visitor IP address: 63.152.50.92 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 8:30 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Janet Ashman Email: janet-ashmanguiowa.edu Message: The two building evaluation reports are so different that it's kind of hard for me to believe they refer to the same buildings. However, it's quite easy for me to believe which report is most accurate/truthful. The smart thing to do would be to schedule a public hearing about historic landmark designation for the three buildings. Especially considering the FHP was interested enough to fund a structural engineer for a second -opinion report. The dumb thing to do would be evict the humans and demolish the buildings so we can all enjoy more apartment complexes scarring the Iowa City landscape. I really am sorry to be sarcastic but the City has already agreed to the bulldozing of so many uniquely one -of -a -kind "old" buildings and I find that very frustrating. Please don't let this happen to these buildings. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 174.225.242.81 Marian Karr From: Kristy Hartsgrove <kristy_hartsgrove@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 8:42 PM To: Council Subject: Please consider protecting the cottages on Dubuque Hi, Councilmembers! I have lived in Iowa City since 1998. I moved here because of the town's unique character and charm. The buildings and neighborhoods of this town are a huge part of what makes this town a singular and special place to live. In my humble opinion, we lost a lot when we lost the whole row of buildings across from the New -Pi on Washington... I still miss walking down that street and seeing people having drinks outside at the Red Avocado and smelling the honeysuckle bushes that grew in the yards of those old houses. Now I walk past a calzone chain and an apartment house that looks like a dormitory, and it just bums me out. The cottages on Dubuque don't have huge incomes attached or underground parking, but they have that character that the City of Iowa City that so many of us hold very dear. I encourage all of you to support voting for preservation of these buildings and other buildings and neighborhoods that have historical significance, as a way of making sure that Iowa City continues to be the kind of place we all want to live. Thank you for your time, and for all your hard work! Best wishes, Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 8:12 AM To: Council Subject: Cottages Form Submission New Form Submission Name: Jan Zelfer-Redmond Email: red4us@aol.com Message:Please review the engineer's reports that these buildings are structurally sound before you make decisions on their future. Form submitted from website: ic-fhp.org Visitor IP address: 66.172.246.50 Marian Karr From: Benjamin Schmidt <rescued rabbit@g mail. com> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 10:59 AM To: Council Subject: DuBuque st. Cottages I'm writing in support of a public hearing regarding the historic cottages on South DuBuque street. It would be a shame for this to go through without a conversation about what would be lost, and for what we are trading these and other ties to historic Community distinction. We would hate to lose another "red avocado" only to be replaced by another monstrosity of bad architecture and cheap franchise. Marian Karr From: Beth Miller <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 2nd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.or /g target talkback.html?tt--tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I am a former Iowa City Resident, and thank you for setting up a special meeting to discuss these cottages. Thank you. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364588&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364588&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Beth Miller Madison, WI Marian Karr From: Jacob Hiett <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 3rd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cott ges — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: hLtp://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt--tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I lived in Iowa CIty for about eight years between 1997 and 2007. I visit often, have family there, and consider it my second home. (If you ate at mondos or the sanctuary I may have fed you as I cooked my way through school) To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364587&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364587&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Jacob Hiett aures, IA Marian Karr From: Delores Sylvester <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 16th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: We need to save more than mansions. There is a social and cultural history that is lost when the value of smaller sites are not preserved. This helps us to see our history in a truer context. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364586&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pd£html?job id=1364586&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Delores Sylvester Peoria, IL Marian Karr From: Teresa McGee <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 20th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I am a frequent visitor to Iowa City and have family members who live there. The Cottages are a unique and important part of the history of your great City. Please hold a hearing and listen to what the Cottages mean to your own residents. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364590&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364590&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Teresa McGee Ossining, NY Marian Karr From: Amy McBeth <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 22nd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I am not a resident of Iowa City, but have lived in the Iowa City area for decades now. Please help preserve the rich, varied history of Iowa City. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364589&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg_eliyer pdf html?job id=1364589&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Amy McBeth North Liberty, IA Marian Karr From: Annie Gauger <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:38 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 23rd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 26 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt-- t -85485 -custom -52361- 20241205-u1 YMth The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I AM AN IOWA CITY NATIVE. PLEASE PRESERVE! tHANKS To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1 36459 1 &target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.or /deliver pdf.html?job id=1 364591 &target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Annie Gauger Randolph, MA Marian Karr From: joan dinnel <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 52nd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: save our heritage To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://-Petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364534&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg eliver pdf html?job id=1364534&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 joan dinnel iowa city, IA This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our Marian Karr From: Madeline Cole <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 53rd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I am a passionate lover of history and these cottages are intrinsically, historically valuable and their current residents represent the great Iowa City flavor of local businesses. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job_id=1364533&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?ob id=1364533&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Madeline Cole Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Joseph Pettit <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 59th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I would like to have a public meeting held, and I would also like to come to a solution with the current property owner (Ted Pacha) that will be beneficial to all parties involved. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon ora/deliver pdf html?job id=1364536&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364536&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Joseph Pettit Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: J Aaron Scott <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 61st signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Please do not remove one of the iconic features of this part of town. We really should try to keep the things that make our town unique around. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364529&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.or /dg eliver pdf.html?job id=1364529&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 J Aaron Scott Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Warren T Holloway <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 63rd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Please save the cottages. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364537&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364537&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Warren T Holloway Homewood, IL This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our Marian Karr From: Sharon DeGraw <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 65th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: The character of Iowa City's historic buildings is a real asset to the City. Let's protect our history and slow down when mistakes are about to happen (thinking of the 500 block of East Washington). To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364538&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: hqp://-petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?iob id=1364538&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Sharon DeGraw Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Patti Santangelo <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 66th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Historp. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon.or /g target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Please save these unique cottages. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364530&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg eliver pdf html?job id=1364530&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=l Patti Santangelo Anacortes, WA This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our Marian Karr From: Julia Venzke <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 68th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa Ciby's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon.or /g target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I believe in the preservation of historic architecture To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364539&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver -pdfhtml?iob id=1364539&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Julia Venzke Cedar Rapids, IA This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our Marian Karr From: Bob Ramsey <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 72nd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: You don't get to be on UNESCO's City of Literature list by bulldozing the birthplace of literary movements. One of the selling point of Iowa City is its dedication to the arts and preserving its unique historical treasures, not new McMansions or apartment complexes. Every time you bulldoze another national treasure, you remove another selling point. To put it in marketing speak, you don't grow your brand by imitation. You grow your brand by highlighting and growing what differentiates you from your competitors. CostCo doesn't beat Wal- Mart by a race to the bottom, it beats it by having a better class of product and treating its employees like human beings. Prairie Lights doesn't try to beat Amazon at book prices. It wins by being different. If you want to grow the Iowa City brand, don't bulldoze everything to put in generic apartments and another bar. Otherwise, Iowa City is no different than any other city of its size, except we have blizzards and tornadoes. Those are not a selling point. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364540&target type=custom&target id=52360 Marian Karr From: Al Raymond <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 82nd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon.org target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: We cannot rely on the original report that deemed these buildings unsafe. The city's own inspectors and a second report both found the cottages sound. The city's plan calls out attempting to save these cottages. We need to have an open conversation about their future. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1 36454 1 &target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg eliver pdf html?job id=1364541&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Al Raymond Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Richard Downe <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 93rd signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Lived in IC for 8 years during grad school. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: httD://l)etitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?iob id=1364532&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?iob id=1364532&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Richard Downe San Jose, CA This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our Marian Karr From: Matthieu Biger <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 94th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa Citv's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Dear City Council, thank you for listening to the voice of our community. We value those cottages, their past, current community -centric role, and would deeply like to be able to look forward to their future. We support setting a public hearing on this matter To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: httn://betitions.moveon.ora/deliver i)dfhtml?iob id=1364542&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364542&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Matthieu Biger Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Pamela Michaud <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 95th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon or /g target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: The cottages are specifically mentioned as historic preservation worthy in the 2014 City comprehensive Plan. Honor the desire of the community to have a historic townscape by the Railroad Station. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364531&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364531&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=l Pamela Michaud Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: David Burnett <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 99th signer: "Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History" Dear Iowa City's City Council, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, 100 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360- 20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Former resident of the neighborhood here. Please save these historic settlements, and with them the character of the neighborhood. Thank you To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364543&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http'//petitions moveon ora/deliver pdf html?job id=1364543&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 David Burnett Chicago, IL Marian Karr From: Jennifer E. Scott <petitions@moveon.org> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 1:16 PM To: Council Subject: 100 signers: Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History petition Dear Iowa City's City Council, I started a petition to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, the petition has 100 total signers. You can post a response for us to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback html?tt=tt-85484-custom-52360-20241205-4 9sPM The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," To download a PDF file of all your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364544&target type=custom&target id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364544&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Thank you. --Jennifer E. Scott If you have any other questions, please email petitionsgmoveon. org. The links to download the petition as a PDF and to respond to all of your constituents will remain available for the next 14 days. LATE HANDOUTS CITY OF IOWA CI - 410 East Washington Sti Iowa City, Iowa 52240- (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org Information submitted between distribution of packet on Friday and close of business Monday. ITEM 2 608, 610, 614 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET - MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JANUARY 6, 2015 ON AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURES LOCALLY KNOWN AS 608, 610 AND 614 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET AS LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS — See additional correspondence Marian Karr From: Morty Sklar <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 10:49 AM To: Council Subject: I'm the 28th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 28 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon.or target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241206-B QaAI The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Dear Council of the City of Iowa City, As a citizen of Iowa City from 1971 to 1989, and one of the early members of what came to be known as the Actualist community of poets and small -press publishers (my own press, The Spirit That Moves Us Press, was founded in Iowa City in 1975 and published The Actualist Anthology), I testify that 610 South Dubuque Street was an ongoing hive of literary activity, especially when Jim Mulac (may he rest in peace) presented readings almost week by "local yokels" (as one of his many hand - drawn and colored posters stated) as well as internationally acclaimed poets, prose writers, musicians who had participated in the International Writing Program and whom the Writers Workshop rarely presented. I am composing an email letter to the Council of The City of Iowa City with more details and with copies of reading posters from that period. Thank you, Morty Sklar To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364944&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1364944&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Morty Sklar Jackson Heights, NY This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents ofpetitions posted on our public petition website. Ifyou have any questions, please email petitionsgmoveon. org. Ifyou don't want to receive further emails updating you on how many people have signed this petition, click here: http://Petitions.moveon.orgldelivery unsub.html?e=ffi72Lo 4 LHEogmD 41dWNvdW5jaWxAaW93YS1iaXR5 Lm9yZw--&petition id=85485. Marian Karr From: Patricia Markert <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 11:44 AM To: Council Subject: I'm the 29th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 29 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.or /g target talkback.html?tt--tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241206-B QaAl The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I lived in Iowa City for three years and those cottages housed some very important writers, and set a tone of a literary community in our midst. Please keep them! To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364992&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1364992&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Patricia Markert New York, NY Marian Karr From: Dave Morice <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 5:03 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 32nd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 32 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://I)etitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241206-B QaAl The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: The cottages are a great part of Iowa City's history. They are treasures. In the 1970s, a lot of treasured places in town were destroyed by Urban Renewal, and everyone now regrets this terrible destruction of a great town. Please don't revive the vampire of Urban Renewal We must preserve not destroy. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1365084&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.or /dg eliver pdf.html?job id=1365084&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Dave Morice Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: Susan Sawyer <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 6:26 AM To: Council Subject: I'm the 39th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 39 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241207-aH=cpT The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I live in Vermont now, but I'm from Iowa, and deeply love Iowa. I spent quite a bit of time in Iowa City. Don't tear down your history, Iowa! When it goes, you can never get it back. Find a way to save these buildings. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf html?job id=1365227&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg eliver pdf html?job id=1365227&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Susan Sawyer East Calais, VT Marian Karr From: Lyone Fein-Bernbaum <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 1:25 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 44th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 44 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: hftp://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241207-aH=cpT The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: I am a past resident of Iowa City, and lived there for almost twenty years. The Near South Side section of town has a unique character that is part of what makes Iowa City an attractive place to visit and live. It would be such a shame to loose some of this one -of -a -kind quality, once again, to more cookie -cutter apartment buildings or yet more bars. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: httn://betitions.moveon.ora/deliver pdf.html?iob id=1365323&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon.or /dg eliver pdf.html?job id=1365323&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Lyone Fein-Bernbaum Minerva, OH This email was sent through MoveOn's public petition website, a free service that allows anyone to set up their own online petition and share it with friends. MoveOn does not endorse the contents of petitions posted on our public petition website. Ifyou have any questions, please email petitionsgmoveon.orQ. Ifyou don't want to receive further emails updating you on how many people have signed this petition, click here: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver_y unsub.html?e =fi72Lo 4 LHEogmD 41dWNvdW5jaWxAaW93YS1iaXR5 Lm9yZw--&petition_id=85485. Marian Karr From: chalres miller <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 1:45 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 45th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 45 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt--tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241207-aH=cpT The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: save our history To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://l)etitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1 36533 1 &target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pd£html?job id=1365331&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 chalres miller Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: suzanne t. galjour <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 8:02 PM To: Council Subject: I'm the 49th signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 49 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://petitions.moveon.org/target talkback.html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241207-aH=cpT The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Oh, we need another Walmart there, not cottages! Or, condos. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! Isn't that what is most important these days? If not, keep these cottages, they are priceless. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon oriz/deliver pdf html?job id=1365416&tarizet type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf html?job id=1365416&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=l suzanne t. galj our Tyler, TX Marian Karr From: Jennifer E. Scott <petitions@moveon.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 1:19 PM To: Council Subject: 188 signers: Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History petition Dear Iowa City's City Council, I started a petition to you titled Landmark the Cottages — Protect Iowa City's History. So far, the petition has 188 total signers. You can post a response for us to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http://Detitions.moveon.or /g target talkback.html?tt--tt-85484-custom-52360-20241207-g6S150 The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them official landmark status. Having the unique position in our city of all three properties still standing as neighbors which show off a beautiful Greek revival style of architecture while representing the low-income and working class history of our community's heritage. While all three cottages show -case important parts of our city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As a citizen, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of our city's history, and I look forward to seeing these properties receive the landmark statuses they deserve. Thank you," To download a PDF file of all your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/deliver pdf.html?job id=1365321&target_type=custom&target_id=52360 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http:Hpetitions.moveon.org/deliver pd£html?job id=1365321&target type=custom&target id=52360&csv=1 Thank you. --Jennifer E. Scott If you have any other questions, please email petitionsgmoveon. org. The links to download the petition as a PDF and to respond to all of your constituents will remain available for the next 14 days. Marian Karr From: Morty Sklar <msklar@mindspring.com> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 2:50 PM To: Council Cc: Nialle Sylvan; Joe A. Michaud; Cinda Kornblum; Jennifer E. Scott Subject: Some history for Jim's Used Books and Records at 610 South Dubuque from 1971 to 1989... Dear Members of the Council, City of Iowa City, Hello. I am writing to you in support of a public hearing on historic preservation of 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street. I speak here of the building about which I am personally very familiar— 610 South Dubuque, home of Jim's Used Books & Records. I came to Iowa City in July 1971, and returned to New York City in 1989 when my mother became ill. During that time I was embraced by what came to be called the Actualist poets and small -press publishers community, and in 1975 established my own The Spirit That Moves Us Press, which two years later published The Actualist Anthology. My press was also the first in the U.S. to have published in English a little- known Czech poet who won the Nobel Prize in literature a year later, 1984. The book: The Casting Of Bells, by Jaroslav Seifert. I was in my $60/month room when I received notice of the Prize by phone from Sweden. My press also contributed to the economy of Iowa City when, after having published Poetry -with -Drawings in the Buses for the bicentennial in 1976 and receiving permission from the City Council to put the eight winning poems from around the country—illustrated by eight Iowa City artists—in the city buses (also the Cambuses), after which businesses advertised on the buses (where they hadn't previously). I testify that 610 South Dubuque Street was an ongoing hive of literary activity, especially when Jim Mulac (may he rest in peace) presented readings almost weekly by "local yokels" (as one of his many hand -drawn and colored posters stated) as well as internationally acclaimed poets, prose writers and musicians who had participated in the International Writing Program and whom the Writers Workshop rarely presented. I've attached five of Jim's posters as well as one of the poems from Poetry -with -Drawings in the Buses. For more context of the Iowa City Actualist literary community of the 1970s into the 1980s, please click on this link to Jeff Charis-Carlson's November 24, 2014 piece on Allan Kornblum, may he also rest in piece, another founding poet/publisher of the Actualists, and beyond, who recently passed away. http://icp-c.com/IvH4gXb Forthcoming from The Spirit That Moves Us Press is a book authored by Iowa Citian, Joseph Michaud, titled, THE ULTIMATE ACTUALIST CONVENTION A Detailed View of Iowa City Actualism in the 1970s & Its Migration to the San Francisco Bay Area Thank you for your consideration of our request. Sincerely, Morty Sklar The Spirit That Moves Us Press First U.S. Publisher of Nobel Laureate, Jaroslav Seifert 35-50 85th St. Apt. 8E Jackson Heights, NY 11372-5540 (718)426-8788 http://die.spirit.that.moves.us.press.home.mindspring.com l0petv Readi� PI f6� /97? Jilnu 8 o t o 5t. Dub u! sf., Tutu& 2 BAY of 8 EM(YAL Adi I Jvssa wo,IIo, -I n4ia- Dilip Ckitre - .ToAia E aurin Tkvm600- Str%306pore m o,vr0 Ave nog - PhiItipine$ will read t6eivr worK $ P• m. Fr i d o•% 0c-4. t `i , 11-1-1 At BooKSfore 6 { O S. Dubuque 3 INTERNATIONAL RECITAL 11 at pwo ep,m% 4rct turd Qr Dec, tk Laohando Irarnaiv► 'uitori%t oT Ar3tnf-ina. Savick Ichalffc6 o{ poalestine. Na►ho Riahti arho of of I n d o nes is J�m1 ooX,r*ore to10 St. Towa City 4 "BIooJ of the 1,1064014 of ,rr*In t" co ec to praise read by +tie wuthor El s rt arty" Ola Ro %iho at: e!iq $ f - 's Friday Oe c. 5 , 198 o • pv:r SooKstotpro 6to S, pubuque Streit �o�a Get y 5 A Bunch Local YoKeIS Po.Y fi ONe ( more +0 tome) reo.din3 'af kair Q p,rn. F+r'±day► A 11av% korn 61um Sjo @ r5 Lyr►r, • Mc Kee Vtr "s« io.ve O ue r V 4 • i i . Morf`� Sktar WorKS at S%e Ce co-ed W o r Kg bOokStore Below is one of eight poems with drawings that was placed in Iowa City buses in 1976. 6 .. t� rl '�.'t f`��, �•q �.�_��p, "" .� ,`,�,��w tis % :�"� �.. i t ON r A` ,`' ktt;f til�i_ �i+� 1. rt+rpt �ttatrc�tltin„a ui IeiElt•c-ttt•�.,__ trasitsit «sui et! ler +� itt .� Itsttrlt�• �q f t+ arlt t•�. tt �. altot is3t„ Itltt� e-ilaeto <i[t-t1(A a�t 11 if lttttN t+t 1ttEt, ttt►r rtrtxetti s. Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 10:15 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Connie Pierce Email: conniepiercekmchsi.com Message:These cottages should be designated as local landmarks as part of the historic railroad depot area, rather than be demolished. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.29.133.190 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 9:29 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Jim Duke Email: soundasleep1@yahoo.com Message: Please... don't let this be another ugly destruction like the building across from New Pioneer Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 129.255.1.139 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 9:53 AM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Amy McBeth Email: mcbeth.amcbethna,g_mail.com Message: To the Council of the City of Iowa City, As a longtime area resident, I support a public hearing on granting landmark status for the three cottages currently under consideration for demolition on South Dubuque Street. These cottages have a historic importance with connection to the history of laborers in Iowa City and one cottage has an incredible connection to the history of American literature. A thorough examination by a (second) structural engineer has deemed these cottages sound and capable of being further stabilized. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Dr. Amy McBeth North Liberty Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 128.255.55.68 FRIENDS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION P.O. Box 2001, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 December 8, 2014 Mayor Hayek and Council 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: 608, 610, 614 South Dubuque Street Dear Mayor and Council: ry 1,.Y Please see the enclosed structural review and addendum by Shanna Duggan, structural engineer, regarding comments in a memo submitted from John Yapp to Tom Marcus in your agenda packet for the meeting on December 9, 2014 at 7:00am. Ms. Duggan felt that the memo inaccurately relayed the information presented in the structural report and submitted the addendum to clarify Mr. Yapp's statement: In contrast to the first report, the focus of the recommendations in the second report is to highlight repairs needed to "mediate " the settlement, differential expansion of materials and moisture issues. The Morning Side [sic] Studio report states that overall, the buildings are structural sound; however it is silent on whether or not the buildings are habitable until the recommended repairs are made. Both the structural report and addendum show Ms. Duggan found no structural faults that would indicate that the buildings were unsafe for habitation and no evidence that the buildings would become unsafe for habitation in the foreseeable future through normal aging processes. She highlighted repairs to the building which Rob Owen, preservation mason with Southeast Iowa Masonry, referred to as "routine" maintenance of older brick buildings on the very same site visit to 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street. Sincerely, Alicia Trimble Executive Director Friends of Historic Preservation STRCICTORPL REVIEW TO: Friends of Historic Preservation P.O. Box 2001 Iowa City, IA 52244 PTTft: Alicia Trimble PROJECT rl(L e: So. Dubuque Street Cottages—Structural Review ADDEN *1 ]) ITE: December 6, 2014 Dear Ms. Trimble, This letter is in response to a memorandum from John Yapp, Development Services Coordinator for the City of Iowa City, Iowa, dated December 3, 2014. The memorandum references the structural review completed by Shanna Duggan of MORE M STPX STLINO for the properties located at 608, 610 and 614 So. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, dated December 2, 2014 (referred to as the second report.) The memo states: "In contrast to the first report, the focus of the recommendations in the second report is to highlight the repairs needed to'mediate' the settlement, differential expansion of materials and moisture issues. The Morning Side Studio report states that overall, the buildings are structurally sound; however it is silent on whether or not the buildings are habitable until the recommended repairs are made." To clarify, it is our opinion that the buildings are sufficiently sound as to be occupied in their current condition. Our conclusions are based on review of the above information and our field investigation. Should any information become available that materially affects the validity of the aforementioned information, we reserve the right to modify this letter accordingly. Sincerely, Shanna M. Duggan, PE MORE "6 STOR STUDIO. LLC c-ya� n r O O � O • Ci Q •O W F- • W Q C 0Q6 O N c� o0 ow 1 v z• v wv o? C C OW R �Q zz — w ■ w cc D 7G tZ) v 0 I hereby certify that this engineering document was prepared by me or duly licensed pFEB9ro,, r ? •• "•• under my direct personal supervision and that I am a •neer ••"' Professional E`g�lq on er e laws of the State of lows. s ; SW:NNA M. i i DUGGAN Name: Sham a M. Du an My license renewal dare is December 31, 2015. x Q Pages, Sheets or Divisions covered by this seal: this letter ti •'•• IOWA Date Issued: 120614 c-ya� n r O O � O • Ci Q •O W F- • W Q C 0Q6 O N c� o0 ow 1 v z• v wv o? C C OW R �Q zz — w ■ w cc D 7G tZ) v 0 Dear Ms. Trimble, We have completed our review of the structures at 608, 610 and 614 So. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA. Sharma Duggan of M01KNM STPR STtiNO performed the site visit and review on November 24, 2014. Alicia Trimble of the Friends of Historic Preservation office, Marlin Ingalls and Rich Carlson, Architectural Historians of the State Archeologists office, and Rob Owen - Mason, were also present. We gained access to the site with the permission of the tenants who were either on site or who provided keys to the property. The purpose of the review was to provide consulting engineering services regarding the structural condition of the buildings. Our findings and opinions are summarized below. Photos can be found in the appendices and are examples of observed conditions. No structural calculations were performed as part of this report. B( CKFROd9b: The three properties were constructed circa 1858 of multi-wythe (2 or 3 layers) brick masonry walls supported on limestone basement foundations. The full -height basements have concrete floor slabs and are "walk -out" on the east side. The single story structures have a medium slope gable wood rafter roof system with asphalt shingle roofing and wood floorjoists bearing on the exterior walls. buildings 6o8 and 614 have a mid -span beam support for the floorjoists. All three properties were currently in use by the tenants. OBSERVPTIONS: The exterior of the building is in good condition (see photos Al -A8.) We were informed by the tenant that he had re -pointed the exterior wythe of brick with a cement based "drycrete" type mortar. The north and west elevations were completed in 2012, followed by the south and east elevations in 2013. The exterior wythe of brick was then painted. Some of the brick has a soft face or has spalled (see photo A4.) There is evidence of old openings which have been in -filled with a different type of brick (see photo Al —at front window.) On the north side the damaged gutter has allowed water to run down the face of the brick (see photos A5 -A7.) The tenant indicated a wood trellis was constructed to "brace" the northeast corner of building 610 to the southeast corner of building 6o8 (see photo A8.) RUM ..• I - •i The interior of the building is in excellent to good condition (see photos Ag -A16.) The attic of the property was not accessible. We did not observe any cracking in the drywall on the first floor that would indicate excessive building movement or settlement (see photo A1o.) STR[JCTURPL REVIEW N d TO: Friends of Historic Preservation P.O. Box zoos Iowa City, IA 522.44 �C'> ccp PTTN: Alicia Trimble d y VKOjECT rkgME: So. Dubuque Street Cottages — Structural Review ' DOTE: December 2, 2014 Dear Ms. Trimble, We have completed our review of the structures at 608, 610 and 614 So. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA. Sharma Duggan of M01KNM STPR STtiNO performed the site visit and review on November 24, 2014. Alicia Trimble of the Friends of Historic Preservation office, Marlin Ingalls and Rich Carlson, Architectural Historians of the State Archeologists office, and Rob Owen - Mason, were also present. We gained access to the site with the permission of the tenants who were either on site or who provided keys to the property. The purpose of the review was to provide consulting engineering services regarding the structural condition of the buildings. Our findings and opinions are summarized below. Photos can be found in the appendices and are examples of observed conditions. No structural calculations were performed as part of this report. B( CKFROd9b: The three properties were constructed circa 1858 of multi-wythe (2 or 3 layers) brick masonry walls supported on limestone basement foundations. The full -height basements have concrete floor slabs and are "walk -out" on the east side. The single story structures have a medium slope gable wood rafter roof system with asphalt shingle roofing and wood floorjoists bearing on the exterior walls. buildings 6o8 and 614 have a mid -span beam support for the floorjoists. All three properties were currently in use by the tenants. OBSERVPTIONS: The exterior of the building is in good condition (see photos Al -A8.) We were informed by the tenant that he had re -pointed the exterior wythe of brick with a cement based "drycrete" type mortar. The north and west elevations were completed in 2012, followed by the south and east elevations in 2013. The exterior wythe of brick was then painted. Some of the brick has a soft face or has spalled (see photo A4.) There is evidence of old openings which have been in -filled with a different type of brick (see photo Al —at front window.) On the north side the damaged gutter has allowed water to run down the face of the brick (see photos A5 -A7.) The tenant indicated a wood trellis was constructed to "brace" the northeast corner of building 610 to the southeast corner of building 6o8 (see photo A8.) RUM ..• I - •i The interior of the building is in excellent to good condition (see photos Ag -A16.) The attic of the property was not accessible. We did not observe any cracking in the drywall on the first floor that would indicate excessive building movement or settlement (see photo A1o.) MORIYIIYG STAR STUDIO. LLC o Structural Review So. Dubuque Street Cottages , The first floor framing has been reinforced to support the weight of the books antdYo repair he or notches in the framing. Generally, newjoists have been added to both sides2bfthe existing, joists and bear on the exterior foundation walls and the interior beam (see photos Ail -A 4_) Th _s structure has a "shelf" type basement on the west and partial north and south walls'whWA are constructed of brick (see photos A15 & A16.) The exterior of the building is in fair condition (see photos 131-1315.) The exterior wythe of brick has been painted. The lime based mortar is soft and easily raked out. Some of the brick has spalled (see photo 133.) There are several hairline cracks in the mortarjoints (see photos 135, 138, 139, & 811.) There is evidence of old openings which have been in -filled with newer brick (see photo 813.) Cracks have occurred in the mortar at the perimeter of these patches. A cement based parge coating has been applied to the limestone foundation (see photo 1310.) Expandable foam was used to seal a gap at the chimney on the east side of the structure (see photo 139.) A brick had been removed by others prior to our review and the cavity was left unprotected (see photo 1314.) The northeast corner has settled over the course of several years, there is evidence of multiple types of repairs including mortar and caulk (see photos B7 & 139.) A crack of approximately 3/8" has resulted in the foundation on the north wall (see photo 136.) The brace that was installed appears to only be tight to the structure above the level of the first floor. The southwest corner also has some settlement damage (see photo 1315.) Gutters and downspouts are poorly maintained and damaged. 91431 The interior of the building is in excellent to good condition (see photos 816-1324.) The wood paneling has tightly fitted joints. On the north wall, near the window, a gap has appeared in the corner (see photo 817.) The tenant indicated that it developed after the brace was installed. The roof framing was reviewed via an attic access hatch. The framing is in excellent condition (see photos 818-820.) OSB sheathing has been added to the wide roof planks. Daylight could be seen through a few of the brick head joints. The foundation walls were covered in wood paneling (see photos B21 & B22.) A small area was visible in the bathroom and at an access door; it appeared to be in good condition (see photos B23 & 824.) Only minor cracking was noted in the plaster ceiling. JOINT The exterior of the building is in good to fair condition (see photos C1 -C13.) The exterior of the brick has been painted. Old openings have been in -filled with concrete (see photo C3 & C4.) Cracks have occurred in the mortar at the perimeter of these patches. The chimney appears to have been constructed out of plumb (see photo C4.) The mortar has been deeply weathered in some areas (see photo C8 & Cq.) Some of the brick has spalled and there are hairline cracks in some of the mortar joints (see photo C11.) A cement based parge coating has been applied to the limestone foundation (see photos C12 & C13.) The southeast corner has settled; there is evidence of multiple types of repairs including mortar and caulk (see photo C1o.) The southwest corner is also in need of repair (see photo C7.) The gutters and downspouts are poorly maintained. vK6E 2 OF 4 N MORIYIf16 STPk STUDIO, LLC Structural Review So. Dubuque Street Cottages �rn Building 614- Interior w - The interior of the building is in good condition (see photos C14 -C24.) No significdnJ�cracYtn9 of ,' 1 wood panel separation was noted during the review. The roof framing could not bt-ieviecrogd due to a drywall ceiling above the drop ceiling. The foundation walls were in good condition, only minor cracking was noted in the plaster coating on the walls (see photos C17 & C21.) Interior brick had been removed from the basement wall and the construction of the muti-wythe wall was visible (see photos 08 & C19.) Some areas of the brick wall were visible (see photos Cxo & C22) and a full depth concrete in -fill area was noted under the stair (see photo C23.) The floor framing is in good condition (see photo C24.) Orl�LY-SIS: Overall, the buildings are structurally sound. Some deterioration of all structures is to be expected, buildings of this age have experienced years of normal weathering and have items in need of repair. Some movement and settlement has occurred in the various components and materials of the buildings, most of which can be expected. These structures also have suffered exterior damage due to use of improper or incompatible materials in previous repairs and poor maintenance practices. There is only minimal visible evidence of damage on the interior of the structures. We did not observe any indications of water infiltration of the building envelope. Prior to the 188os, the manufacturing process of brick involved hand molding and air drying. The firing method resulted in large variations in the brick finish and hardness because of uneven heating. Some of the brick appears to be quite porous, a result of low -firing. The original lime based mortar has become eroded. The exterior wythe of brick on the structures is in need of re- pointing in several locations. In a few locations, the brick walls have suffered damage due to freeze/thaw cycles of the brick and the face of the brick has become spalled. The use of cement based mortars, patches and hard -fired brick has damaged the surrounding historic bricks. Stresses within a wall caused by expansion, contraction, moisture migration, or settlement must be accommodated in some manner. In a masonry wall, these stresses should be relieved by the mortar rather than by the masonry units. Cement based mortars and hard -fired brick are harder (less compressive) and less permeable than the original brick, the result is that the stresses are relieved through the original masonry. The masonry becomes cracked and spalled as seen on these structures. The incompatible materials are also the cause of the slight bow in the window infill on the south side of Building 61o. The newer brick expands and contracts at a different rate and has bowed outward as it tried to seek relief of the resulting pressures. The settlement that has occurred at the northeast (Bldg 61o) and the southeast (Bldg 614) corners are a result of a lack of a frost -protected footing along the east elevation of the buildings. Multi- wythe brick walls of this era were typically built upon the soil only a foot, or less, below the ground level. The damage to the wall has been accelerated by the use of improper repair materials, such as caulk which traps moisture and leads to freeze -thaw damage in the adjacent brick, and poor site drainage which allows water run-off to erode the supporting soil. The "brace" which was installed between Bldg 6o8 and Mo did not repair the existing settlement condition. It is not generally common practice to brace structures against one another as improperly doing so can result in damage to both the buildings. Fortunately, that was not the case in this instance. The gutters and downspouts are generally in a state of disrepair on the structures. They are damaged and full of debris. Some discharge at the base of the structure or are no longer connected in some instances. This allows run-off to flow down the face of the brick, potentially causing damage, or as noted above, results in soil erosion and consequently, foundation settlement. F(16E 3 OF 4 MORf11116 STPR STUDIO. LLC Structural Review So. Dubuque Street Cottages t'n RECOMMEM*TlOr'IS: Co We recommend mediating the root causes of the deterioration of the structures aS_fotesin thr—, analysis: settlement, differential expansion of materials and moisture. First andfDremgst, provide new support to the east walls of buildings 610 and 614 to mediate the settlement noted there. This can be attained by underpinning the east walls of the structures with frost -protected concrete footings or with a foundation support system such as helical piles. We recommend re -pointing of cracked mortarjoints and reconstruction of damaged wall areas. Re -pointing shall include: removal of all hard cement based mortars and caulking used in mortar joints, replacement of brick that have lost their face shell and removal and replacement of hard - fired bricks. Re -pointing and reconstruction should be performed by a qualified re -pointing mason, following the Brick Institute of America guidelines. The repointing or reconstruction mortar shall have proportions closely matching the original mortar and be less compressive and more permeable than the surrounding brick. In addition to the aforementioned issues, use of standard mortar mixes with old brick can result in excessive shrinkage of the mortar or poor bonding of the mortar with the brick. Clean the existing brick with a mild masonry cleaner. Avoid sand blasting and harsh solvents as these may pit or damage the porous surface of the soft brick. Repair or replace gutters and downspouts. Provide proper flashing at the roof eaves. Extend downspouts away from the foundations of the structures to assure proper drainage of run-off. All new construction and repair work shall meet applicable building codes and be performed by certified installers or contractors. Any damage discovered during demolition or repair work should be evaluated by a structural engineer. Our conclusions are based on review of the above information and our field investigation. Should any information become available that materially affects the validity of the aforementioned information, we reserve the right to modify this report accordingly. Sincerely, Shanna M. Duggan, PE MOM1IN6 STPR STUDIO• LLC a'P 77'. t _ DUG `( AN ' • 16011 % �• IOWA I hereby certify that this engineering document was prepared by me or under my direct personal supervision and that I am a duly licensed Professional Eyypp��gi�n�eer under the laws of the State of Iowa. Signamm:-�'�"UI "k` /LL' Name: Sharma M. Duan My license renewal date is December 31 2015. Pages, Sheets, or Divisions covered this seal: this report Date Issued: 12 02.14 PPGE 4 OF 4 �F[7ffNb|X rn0Rnirn(5 STPR S T U D I O VROjECT NW: Structure Review *TE: November 24, 2014 6o8 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo A3 East Elevation Page i of 4 C I- C-) a a w MORN I n G STPR S T U D I O PKOJECT n(eMe: Structure Review ITE: November 24, 2014 608 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA 1 i Photo A5 Partial North Elevation Page 2 of 4 I. 6C j " . a y . f` �12 3k y ;. 7 Co 1� Photo A7 Brick Wall and Limestone Foundation Page 2 of 4 rrI j f` �12 3k y Co MORN I N G STPR S T U D I O PROJECT NOME: Structure Review DATE: November 24, zoi4 6o6 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo All Basement — Look west Page 3 of 4 :Y Photo Au, -- Basement— Center suD061i eaw r c rn xA ill o :3: m 7711, C:) G) M O R n I n 6 S T P R S T U D I O PROJECT NFAE: Structure Review *TE: November 24, 2014 6o8 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA 1. s�- ter'' Photo A15 Basement — Northwest corner Photo A14 Basement — Reinforced framing east side Page 4 of 4 Photo A16 Basement — Southwtxt cgrner pa V y� t7 rs CO a y '17-n, r-' PvPenbix a N O I f Ur PvPenbix a M O R N I h 6 s T P R S T U D I O VKO)ECT M1 Mif: Structure Review 60TE: November 24, 2014 bio So. Dubuque Street VHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa Gity, IA Page i of 6 r C-3 �C' a t� Z5 O v CA MORN I n 6 STPR S T U D I O DROJECT 116ME: Structure Review *TE: November 24, 2oi4 610 So. Dubuque Street vryOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA F, 5- i Photo B7 Northeast Corner — Foundation settlement Page 2 of 6 —a r, cry M O'..;,.., r:' r MORN I n G STPR S T U D I O PROJECT NP/ : Structure Review *TE: November 24, 2014 610 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo B9 Partial East Elevation - Mortarjoint cracks and deterioration, parge coating 11 Photo ail Partial South Elevation -Mortar joint crack and damaged downspout Page 3 of 6 _ V 7- N a Photo B12 .. � Partial South Elevaf6b o n-< 1 M O K n I n G S T P R S T U D I O PROjf_CT NPME: Structure Review bPTE: November 24, 2oi4 610 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo B15 Partial West Elevation — Foundation settlement Photo B14 South Elevation - Brick removed by others Page 4 of 6 ail � �► Jp Photo B16 First Floor— Look so M s m �" m h— �_n M X - W MORN I n G STPR S T U D I O P1ZOJI!CT Nt ME: Structure Review b(Te: November 24, 2oi4 610 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA a i Photo B18 Attic Roof Framing — Look west '11v } Page 5 of 6 N C Photo B2o '__ Attic Brick Wall —Look" yfhea;t =7 E5 Page 5 of 6 M O R n I n 6 S T P K S T U D I O 7ROJECT NOME: Structure Review DOTE: November 24, 2.014 bio So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo B24 Basement — West wall behind access door r Page 6 of 6 w �vvenbix c N d_ r 0 y T rTl m C-3 Irn G MORN I n G STPR S T U D I O PROJECT N1 ME: Structure Review DATE: November 24, 2014 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo C3 Partial East Elevation Page 1 of 6 Photo C2 South Elevation Photo C4 Partial East ElevatU Co ➢ 3�Sop r � C.J M O K n l n 6 S T P R S T U D I O PROJeCT nPMe: Structure Review C'I'E: November 24, 2014 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA c Page 2 of 6 M O R n I n G S T P R S T U D I O PROJECT Ni ME: Structure Review *TE: November 24, 2014 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA e " Photo Clo Southeast Corner— Foundation settlement Photo C12 Partial North Elevation — Parge coating on foundation e co ?� • ter, i"•. .^% Page 3 of 6 :t� /h O R n I n 6 S T P R S T U D I O PRO)eCT NPMe: Structure Review DPTE: November 24, 2o14 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo C�13 North Elevation —Typical crack at parge coating Photo C15 First Floor— Look southeast Page 4 of 6 ca MORN I N G STPR 5 T U D 1 0 PROJECT NOME: Structure Review DOTE: November 24, 2014 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo C1q Basement— View inside brick cavity Photo CZo �,s 7 Basement — Partial wen -Wall Page 5 of 6 M O R N I n 6 S T P R S T U D I O PROFCT N(Me: Structure Review *Te: November 24, 2014 614 So. Dubuque Street PHOTOS BY: S Duggan Iowa City, IA Photo C23 [casement — Partial east wall (concrete infill visible at left) Page 6 of 6 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 11:15 AM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Neo McAdams Email: neo-buengermcadamskuiowa.edu Message: Dear Council, Please hold a public hearing about granting landmark status for the three cottages on South Dubuque Street. They are historically and socially meaningful for many people, and there should be a careful process to determine whether they qualify as landmarks, which cannot be done under threat of demolition. Thank you, Neo McAdams Form submitted from website: www.salvagebarn.orsz Visitor IP address: 128.255.129.186 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 11:28 AM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Erica Blair Email: ericalynn.blair@gmail.com Message:The cottages on South Dubuque Street are assets to Iowa City: they are historically significant and give this town unique character and charm. The roughly 200 community members who helped create the comprehensive plan singled out these specific structures as worthy of preservation, so I ask that you vote to set a public hearing to consider granting the cottages local landmark status. Doing so would honor the community's clear desire to see the cottages remain. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.29.142.43 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:37 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Alicia Sachtjen Email: aliciasachtjen(cr�,gmail.com Message:PLEASE reconsider tearing down the cottages! You cannot rebuild historic structures like thisH Require the current tenants to fix any structural issues with the cottages; I would see that being fair. But don't allow them to be demolished! Iowa City has a great history, and MANY citizens have an appreciation for that. These buildings contribute to the small town feel that has always made Iowa City appealing. Please don't let another apartment building block out all the sunlight along Dubuque Street. Iowa City has enough of those. These cottages are an important historic landmark, and in 50 years we would regret allowing them to be torn down. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 192.234.91.20 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:11 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Karen Witzke Email: kwitzkegg.com Message:Please vote in favor of a public hearing regarding the fate of the Dubuque Street cottages. When it comes to permanently losing historical architecture, we don't tend to regret a careful and reasoned deliberation; impulsive or rushed decisions, however, leave lots of room for what -ifs. Please give the cottages the benefit of a little more time, consideration, and public input. Thank you. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 63.152.107.148 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 12:29 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Diana Kruse Email: dianalkruse&gmail.com Message: Dear City Council Members, Yes, there should be a public hearing on granting landmark status for the three cottages on South Dubuque Street. Regards, Diana Kruse Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 128.255.36.178 Marian Karr From: Jennifer Sessions <jennifer.e.sessions@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 12:00 PM To: Council Subject: public hearing on Iowa City cottages Dear City Council, I am writing to express my support for Mayor Hayek's proposal to hold a public hearing about the preservation of the cottages in the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. Although I understand the importance of continued development for our city, and the economic impact of major construction projects, the last thing Iowa City needs is another ugly, cookie - cutter apartment block/condo development catering to students. Especially if such building comes at the expense of some of the few historic residential buildings that remain downtown, and those buildings house small businesses. Thank you, Jennifer Sessions Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 1:06 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Sarah Snydacker Email: sarah.snydackerkgmail.com Message: Dear City Council members, I am unable to attend the meeting tomorrow morning, but would like my voice to be heard via this email instead. Please stop the demolition of the cottages and designate them as local landmarks. I have been a resident of Iowa City since 1998 and have seen historic properties demolished and I have seen some preserved. As a lover of architecture, as a scholar, and as someone who sees the need to preserve our history and heritage, I ask you to please set a public hearing for historic preservation review of the properties at 608, 610 and 614 South Dubuque Street. What a shame it would be to lose these properties. And shame on us if we allow it to happen. Sincerely, Sarah Snydacker 1639 Morningside Dr Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.17.168.18 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 3:03 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Pam Michaud Email: iowastay_@jzmail.com Message:Your sponsorship of the 175th anniversary weekend Dec. 5-7, 2014 was wonderful for community involvement. Please protect the three Dubuque St. cottages and small businesses in historic properties. We don't want to see developers take over our town and bulldoze historic context like the 4 Victorian buildings on the 500 block of Washington St. Without them, our heritage and sense of place and context quickly weakens. Newcomers to Iowa City since 2010 already express disappointment for these losses. Many moved here for the town -gown feel, not block -long apartment buildings. Please protect historic properties mentioned in the Comprehensive Plan. We need that architecture for Friends of Historic Preservation tours and horse drawn trolleys for years to come. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 71.217.215.125 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 4:04 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Doris Eckey Email: deckey_&iowadsl.net Message:Please vote in favor of a public hearing to grant landmark status to the cottages. They are historically significant, plus I love The Book Shop and wish it to remain in its current location! Doris Eckey Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.30.5.118 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 3:55 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Martha Eckey Email: martha-eckeykuiowa.edu Message:Hello, I am writing to express my strong support of granting landmark status for the three cottages on S. Dubuque St. I am absolutely appalled and flabbergasted that we must fight just for the chance to have a meeting to discuss this issue. If we keep stripping away the unique aspects and shops of Iowa City, then Iowa City and the university will lose its appeal to many (including me!), starting a downward spiral. I feel absolutely sickened by this proposal to rezone the cottages and build more student housing in their place! Martha Eckey Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 129.255.228.61 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 4:44 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Claire Sponsler Email: cssponsgyahoo.com Message: Dear City Council, I hope you will vote to hold a public hearing on granting landmark status to the three cottages on South Dubuque. Holding a hearing will allow time for a full range of opinions to be heard and will avoid the rush to a decision. Thank you, Claire Sponsler 413 N. Gilbert St. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebarn.org Visitor IP address: 173.17.169.133 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 4:46 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Melissa Snydacker Email: msnydackergamail.com Message:I actually live in Muscatine and have read about this in our paper (as well as yours). I am very much in favor of you making these cottages a local landmark... they are a unique part of Iowa City history. Once they are gone, it is forever, and I'm a believer in the importance of history to a city! Please DO NOT demolish these structures, but keep the integrity of the area intact! Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 66.207.30.248 Marian Karr From: Jean Hagen <petitions-noreply@moveon.org> Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 1:39 AM To: Council Subject: I'm the 53rd signer: "Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History" Dear Iowa City's Councilmen and women, I just signed a petition addressed to you titled Save Your Cottages — Protect Iowa City's Literary History. So far, 53 people have signed the petition. You can reach me directly by replying to this email. Or, post a response for MoveOn.org to pass along to all petition signers by clicking here: http•//petitions moveon or target talkback html?tt=tt-85485-custom-52361- 20241208-cl6Hwy The petition states: "Dear Iowa City Council Members, While I am not a citizen of your city, however, as a lover of knowledge and reading, I consider myself a global citizen of your community following your assignation of one of only nine UNESCO Cities of Literature, the only city in the United States to carry this designation. I am writing to thank you for setting a special meeting to discuss the historic cottages which reside on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street. I am strongly in support of your city holding an open public hearing for discussion to be held and action steps created for the purpose of turning these repositories of local history into ones which will be upheld and maintained for future generations by granting them. official landmark status. While all three cottages show -case important parts of your city's history, the property of 610 S. Dubuque Street is of particular importance to the storied history of Iowa City, particularly its history as a literary community. It once served as the starting point for the only nationwide literary movement to start out of Iowa City, the Actualist Movement in the Arts. As a movement, this literary ideology spread across the nation, influencing writers and poets for decades. As an avid reader who holds a profound appreciation for the historical preservation of the places and institutions which host writers and those who turn their writings into books, I'm grateful that you as a council are willing to set aside discussion for the future preservation of these important pieces of your city's history, and I look forward to seeing you reach a resolution as a community that affords these historical properties the landmark status that they each so richly deserve. Thank you," My additional comments are: Actually I am a longtime citizen of Iowa City. To download a PDF file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon or /dg eeliver pdf html?job id=1365973&target type=custom&target id=52361 To download a CSV file of all of your constituents who have signed the petition, including their addresses, click this link: http•//petitions moveon org/deliver pdf html?job id=1365973&target type=custom&target id=52361&csv=1 Jean Hagen Iowa City, IA Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 11:41 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Merit Bickner Email: merit.bicknergjzmail.com Message: The cottages on Dubuque street are an asset; while development and business are good, established neighborhoods give a community a feeling of culture and history that can't be developed except over time. The council's effort to move businesses into downtown Iowa City to boost the economy is admirable and appreciated, but these cottages were built in the same era as the capitol, and should be considered as added provenance to that important part of our city's history. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 63.152.90.66 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 10:41 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Sarah Kanouse Email: sarah.kanousekgmail.com Message:i write to urge you to set a public hearing - at a time when people can actually attend - to consider granting local landmark status to the three cottages on South Dubuque Street. The report of the second structural engineers give more than reasonable cause to postpone the demolition permit and consider landmark designation. Iowa City just celebrated our 175th birthday. Let us not erase wholesale all traces of our origins, even as we grow toward a future. Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 173.28.210.104 Marian Karr From: council@iowa-city.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 9:46 PM To: Council Subject: Cottages on Dubuque Submission New Form Submission Name: Anne Duggan Email: Annem.duggan@gmail.co Message:In this week where we have celebrated our town's 175th birthday, we are also contemplating knocking down three cottages that are 150 years old! There's a great deal wrong with this picture. A second engineer's report, completed by a professional who is NOT connected with a developer, has found the buildings to be in good condition. These buildings have all housed local businesses that have met all previous inspections by city staff. Iowa City has done a great deal that Is good to maintain its downtown. It is, however, on the verge of becoming a town that is made up of glass and steel. Will this look charming in 150 years? Anne Duggan Form submitted from website: www.salvagebam.org Visitor IP address: 63.152.74.229 �� ook - (Appraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP KYRAN "CASEY" COOK MAI, M.A. APPRAISERS AND CONSULTANTS OF REAL ESTATE October 2, 2013 Mr. Ted Pacha P.O. Box 1405 Iowa City, IA 52244-1405 Subject: Highest and Best Use Analysis and Financial Feasibility — Iowa River Crossings Plan versus Hodge Development proposal regarding property at the southeast corner of Dubuque and Prentiss Streets, Iowa City, Iowa. Dear Mr. Pacha: This letter is intended as the basis for a conversation with the City Manager and members of the Planning staff in order to illustrate the financial implications of the River Crossings Plan on your property. I believe that property owners with similar sites that fall under the River Crossings plan (the plan) are equally concerned that this plan dramatically reduces value. However, in this analysis, I am only concerned about your property. I believe there is a reasonable compromise that can fulfill the essential elements of the plan without a drastic loss in value. I would argue that the key planning principal is to preserve a corridor along Ralston Creek that allows for a green filter strip and pedestrian/bicycle trail system to reduce automobile traffic and the demands for parking in and around the central business district. I also believe that it is equally important to preserve and enhance property value which in turn sustains and increases the tax base from which the City derives most of its operating revenues. In light of State mandated property tax reductions I think these concerns will become increasingly important. This analysis is an extension of other appraisal work which we are doing on your property. I have considered the Riverfront Crossing Plan as proposed for your property as compared to the plan developed by Mike Hodge for an alternative project. The purpose of this analysis is to compare the two plans to determine the impact on value. This specifically concerns the west half of the block which consists of 45,030 SF. I would note that 215 Prentiss adds 3,000 SF of land to the project and it would feasible to exclude this property in case the owners are not interested in a sale or are asking an exorbitant price. Both proposals exclude 215 Prentiss. This letter will demonstrate that the plan which is currently imposed on your property has been done without a thoughtful consideration for the diminution in value that it causes. A better understanding of how property values are impacted and how to ameliorate those impacts would more likely garner the support of the property owners and help the City realize its vision while sustaining and enhancing revenues. 1580 MALL DRIVE ♦ IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 319/351-2044 ♦ FAx 351-0563 ♦ E-MAIL COO KAPPR(9COO K-APPRAISAL.COM October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 2 The Riverfront Crossing Plan shows that the three old houses which the Plan characterizes as cottages and the commercial building at 620 to 628 Dubuque would be preserved. In discussions with Jeff Davidson and John Yap, they have indicated that preservation of the cottages and the existing commercial building is preferred but not necessarily required. This has not been made clear to the property owner and has in fact created ambiguity that prevents the redevelopment process from proceeding. Moreover, there are several precedents including the Nagle Lumber property where the staff has held rigorously to the plan indicating that it is more than a vague hypothetical. This will become increasingly important as the City considers the appropriate zoning, the design criteria, and the final site plans. In addition to demonstrating the difference in value from the two alternatives, I have also devoted a part of this letter to the impact on TIF funding or the potential for TIF funding. The Hodge proposal would not require any subsidies or rebates because the cost of production is well below the value based on the potential income generated. This is in sharp contrast to the proposal based on the River Crossings Plan. Parking is an area of ambiguity for both the River Crossings Plan and the Hodge proposal. Based on the University Impact zoning which covers this area, parking is required at a ratio of one space per bedroom. Moreover, the ratio of three bedroom units to total units has also been reduced. The Hodge proposal calls for three bedroom units at ratio of 22% of total units. This ratio is consistent with the University Impact zone. Considering the proximity to City parking ramps extant and proposed, and Hodge's proposal to provide bicycle and moped parking, I have made the assumption that Hodge's proposal would require 127 parking spaces. From this total, 100 parking spaces would be underground and the remaining 27 would be on site. Hodge's proposal would also provide approximately 30 secure bicycle and moped spaces. This same ratio would be applied the property based on the City Plan. The total spaces required under the City Plan scenario would be approximately 25 to 30. Based on other projects that combined enclosed parking with apartments, parking spaces require approximately 400 SF of building per space. At this rate, some bicycle parking would be included. The River Crossings Plan: In total there will be 8,722 SF of buildings on the site that would be preserved under the Plan. This includes the three cottages and the existing commercial building. The Plan allows for some flexibility and we interpreted that to mean an additional 7,200 SF of multi -family space can be added in the interior of the site. Finally, the Plan calls for new construction of a 13,950 SF building which includes 2,790 SF of commercial space on the main floor and 11,160 SF of apartments on floors 2 through 6. These upper floors would accommodate 8 units. Financial feasibility is determined by the spread between the cost to develop and the value based on the income. The new building would be situated on approximately 4,455 SF of land with a footprint of 2,790 SF. ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 3 For this type of building, a developer would be required to use expensive steel construction which is required for buildings over four stories. Steel construction typically breaks even at eight stories or more. In contrast, concrete and stick built construction generally achieves economies of scale at four stories. In addition, with multi story buildings it is necessary to leverage the cost of an elevator over as many units as possible. Put simply, the building as proposed in the River Crossings Plan would not enable a developer to realize the necessary economies of scale. No one with a reasonable understanding of development or construction would consider such a building at this location. None the less, we have accepted this part of the plan at face value. The following table summarizes the physical characteristics of this plan together with the income potential. Commercial rents reflect the owner paying taxes and insurance. Based on City of Iowa City Yield Projection Total Potential Square Feet Potential Rent Annual Rent Income from existng buildings 3 cottages - 600 SF each 1,800 $850 /unit/ month $30,600 multi -tenant retail building 6,922 $12.00 / SF /year $83,064 New Mixed Use Bldg Main Floor Retail/Office 2,790 $20.00 / SF /year $55,800 Residential Units Levels 2-6 residential units 11,160 8 total units (avg 1,200 SF each) $1,400 /unit/month $134,400 Parking Rent 15 res. parking spaces $70 / space / month $12,600 Resid. Units behind Cottages 6 Res. Units 7,200 $1,250 /unit/month $90,000 Parking Rent 10 res. parking spaces $70 / space / month $8,400 Potential Gross Income $414,864 For new construction, rents are based on our August 2013 market analysis of Multi Family Housing in Johnson County. In the course of this study, Cook Appraisal surveyed 2,616 units of varying types and condition within one mile of the Pentacrest. Commercial rental information is based on information from the appraisals we have completed on the property. The second part of this analysis is to estimate the stabilized net income from the property after completion. ook ppraisal OMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 4 Feasibility, Highest and Best Use and Land Value: Once the gross income and expected costs have been estimated the third part of this analysis addresses the question of how these development proposals impact the land value. In order to convert the stabilized income into a reflection of fair market value we use a capitalization process. In order to develop a capitalization rate we considered current financing and the return on developer's equity that are common in the market. As with the cost and income information the capitalization rates are as developed in our appraisals. We used a capitalization rate of 7%. This is reasonable in light of the fact that interest rates are currently available at 4% on five year money which gives the investor a 3% spread between the return on the project as a whole and the cost of money. This is reasonable for a good quality project near the central business district in an environment of rising rents due to the very low vacancy. In effect, the supply for good quality living units in this area has simply not kept up with demand. I did not change this overall rate as it applies to the land in the interests of consistency. Again, these figures are based on our appraisal of the property under the two scenarios. The following table summarizes our estimate of stabilized net income for the River Crossings Plan. Income/Expense Statement Potential Gross Income Less: Vacancy & Rent Loss O 2.00% EFFECTIVE GROSS INCOME New Bldg Existng $301,200 $113,664 $6,024 $2,273 $295,176 $111,391 Less Expected Expense Ratio (36% new, 42% existing) $106,263 $46,784 Subtotal - Net Operating Income $188,913 $64,607 NET OPERATING INCOME (TOTAL) $253,519 River Crossings Cost Estimates: In order to evaluate financial feasibility we also considered the cost of construction. We have completed appraisals of three projects within a similar distance to the central business district. Two of these including both apartments and commercial space and one was strictly apartments. In each case the projects included enclosed parking and an elevator. We were also provided with bids on a proposed project to be located on South Riverside Drive. We used this information not only to estimate costs but also to estimate parking ratios. Depending on the level of finish, mixed use projects which include a preponderance of multi family are being developed for between $99 and $106 per SF. I adjusted this upward for the River Crossings Plan for the new building in light of my earlier comments about the lack of economies of scale. The cost of underground parking falls between $28 and $32 per SF. For an apartment project in the center of the site the cost is estimated at $95 per SF. The following table summarizes the expected cost of the River Crossings Plan. ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 5 Costs Per City Plan Area in SF Cost per SF Indicated Cost Commercial 2,790 $110.00 $306,900 Apts floors 2-6 11,160 $115.00 $1,283,400 Second Apt Building 7,200 $95.00 $684,000 Enclosed Parking 10,000 $30.00 $300,000 Subtotal $2,574,300 Existing Space 8,722 $50.00 $436,100 Total 39,872 $3,010,400 Notably, the existing space in the three cottages and the commercial building includes 8,722 SF. The cost of these improvements must be imputed in order to estimate the residual value that pertains to the land. For that reason, I considered the replacement cost of these buildings and deducted a factor for depreciation indicating a cost of $50 per SF. The upshot is that the cost of the improvements would be approximately $3,010,000 for a combination of both the old and new buildings. Importantly, these figures do not include land value. ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 6 The Hodge Construction Proposal: Hodge Construction has proposed an alternative development plan for a building that is similar to the Iowa River Landing project that the company developed in Coralville. This proposal calls for 8,300 SF of commercial space on the main floor with a mix of 96 residential units with 190 bedrooms and underground parking. The total area of this building will be 132,000 net leasable SF and 139,200 gross buildable SF. This total includes approximately 40,000 SF of parking which accommodates 100 cars together with bicycle and moped parking. This will be done in a single building arrayed along South Dubuque. The following table summarizes the physical characteristics of this project together with the potential income. Main Floor Commercial Residential Units 23 - 600 SF (1 BR) units 52 - 900 SF (2 BR) units 21 - 1,100 SF (3 BR) units Parking Rent 100 res. parking spaces Potential Gross Income Total Potential luare Feet Potential Rent Annual Rent 8,300 $20.00 / SF /year $166,000 13,800 $850 / unit / month $234,600 46,800 $1,150 / unit / month $717,600 23,100 $1,500 / unit / month $378,000 $70 / space / month $84,000 $1,580,200 For the Hodge Proposal, I used the same methodology as the River Crossings plan both in order to estimate the probable fair market income and for the cost estimate. In this case, there would be no existing space. I would add that the commercial space is based on a net rent with the tenant paying a pro rata share of taxes and insurance. The apartment tenants would pay utilities but the owner would pay taxes and other operating expenses. The following table summarizes our estimate of stabilized Net Income for the Hodge Proposal. Potential Gross Income $1,580,200 Less: Vacancy 2.00% $31,604 EFFECTIVE GROSS INCOME $1,548,596 Less Expected Expense Ratio of 36°/r $557,495 NET OPERATING INCOME $991,101 ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 7 Hodge Proposal Cost Estimates: The following table summarizes the cost of the Hodge Proposal. Costs -Hodge Proposal Area in SF Cost per SF Indicated Cost Commercial 8,300 $100.00 $830,000 Apartments 90,900 $105.00 $9,544,500 Enclosed Parking 40,000 $30.00 $1,200,000 Total 139,200 $11,574,500 As with the prior analysis, these costs do not include the value of the land. In fact, the purpose of this report is to use a technique that extracts the value of the land or what a developer can afford to pay based on the development proposal. The upshot at this point is that the cost of construction is as shown above. This is over three times the cost associated with the River Crossings Plan. The following table compares the cost of production with the value based on the expected income. Given these costs and the expected income the bottom line on this table shows what a prudent developer can expect to pay for the land. Gross Bldg Area Includes parking A. Total Income Bldg & Land B. Stabilized Value Based on Income Total Improvements Cost Incl Parking Overall Rate C. Income Attributable to Building D. Income Attributable to Land A -C Overall Rate for Land Land value Net Total Value Attributable to Land Divide by Land Area in SF Land value per SF Per River Crossings Plan Hodge Proposal New Rehabbed 31,250 8,722 136,200 $188,913 $64,607 $991,101 $3,621,700 $14,158,592 $2,574,300 $436,100 $11,574,500 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% $180,201 $30,527 $810,215 $8,712 $34,080 $180,886 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% $124,457 $486,857 $2,584,092 $611,314 $2,584,092 45,000 45,000 $13.58 $57.42 This table demonstrates that the River Crossings Plan leaves a value for the land of $13.58 per SF. In effect, in order to realize a break even point, no prudent investor could pay more than $611,000 for the land. This is clearly unacceptable to any property owner and for that reason the River Crossings Plan will not be adopted by the property owners and it will languish in this area unless significant changes are made. ook pDraisal LCOMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 8 In contrast, under the Hodge Proposal the developers will essentially break even on their investment if they pay up to $57.42 per SF for the land. Not coincidentally, comparable sales in the area range from $45 to over $80 per SF for similar parcels. The difference between these values is attributable to the density, the mix of product, the requirements for parking and the ability to bring economies to bear. As a check on process we have also considered the ratio of land to total property value. A common ratio for similar projects indicates that developers are typically willing to pay 20% of total project value for the land. This would suggest the following. River Crossings Hodge Proposal Stabilized Value Based on Income $3,621,700 $14,158,592 20.00% 20.00% Land Value at 20% of total Value $724,340 $2,831,718 Land Value per SF $16.10 $62.93 It is important that the market expectations are generally in line with the land extraction technique as it applies to the Hodge Proposal. The market expectation would indicate a value of approximately $62.93 per SF as compared to the land extraction technique which indicates a value of $57.42 per SF. Property Tax Ramifications: This analysis would not be complete without some mention of the impact on future property taxes. The following table summarizes current assessments and property taxes for the subject property. When seeking TIF funds, developers have to make the case that the cost of the project exceeds the fair market value and that there is a public good to be derived from the project. In effect, the developer must demonstrate that the project could not be built without the additional advantage of public support based on TIF financing. Address 602 S Dubuque 604 S Dubuque 608 S Dubuque 610 S Dubuque 614 S Dubuque 620 S Dubuque 628 S Dubuque Subtotal Land AV $50,000 $40,000 $40,000 $42,000 $42,000 $96,000 Taxable $224,090 $63,174 $88,790 $96,000 $74,140 $231,190 $96,000 $251,790 $406,000 $1,029,174 The taxable assessment of the property is $1,029,174. Using this amount as a base assessment, it is instructive to consider the difference between the Hodge Proposal and the River Crossings Plan in terms of how the tax base is affected. ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP October 2, 2013 Mr. Pacha Page 9 The following table summarizes this information. Land Value Per SF Land Value total Improved A.V. Base Assessed Value Increase in A.V. *Taxable Increase Levy Tax Increase *Assumes all residential Hodge Crossings Plan difference $60 $15 $45.00 $2,701,800 $675,450 $2,026,350 $14,158,592 $3,621,714 $10,536,878 $1,029,174 $1,029,174 $0 $13,129,418 $2,592,540 $10,536,878 $6,564,709 $1,296,270 $5,268,439 $38.6386 $38.6386 $253,651 $50,086 $203,565 In making this analysis, it is important for the City staff and the Council to pose the question. Is it worth it? In other words, are the ideas and plans included in the Riverfront Crossings plan worth giving up over $200,000 in new taxes? While the City can provide some tax increment financing to subsidize some of its planning goals there is a huge difference between the two projects. As a practical matter, the Hodge proposal is financially feasible. No TIF credits would be necessary since the value exceeds the cost. Moreover, the land owner can expect a reasonable return on the land which he has held and assembled over the past 25 years that is in line with market expectations. At the same time the City will realize added revenues that exceed $200,000. Most importantly, we would advise simply not sell the property if the only development alternative is based on the City Plan. The result is that the primary goals of the plan would never be realized on the land owned by you. I look forward to discussing this analysis with you and with the City Staff. We appreciate the opportunity to provide this real estate service. Respectfully, Cook Appraisal, LLC KyAn J. 96ok, MAI KJC/rcc 2013241 ook ppraisal COMMERCIAL VALUATION RESEARCH GROUP