HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-24 HPC Agenda Packet
Thursday
March 21, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, March 21, 2024
City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30 p.m.
Agenda
A) Call to Order
B) Roll Call
C) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda
D) Certificate of Appropriateness
1. HPC24-0006: 435 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (garage alteration and new addition)
2. HPC23-0057: 410-412 North Clinton Street – Local Historic Landmark (rehabilitation plan)
E) City Park Pool Planning
F) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff
Certificate of No Material Effect –Chair and Staff review
1. HPC24-0010: 1031 East College Street – East College Street Historic District (roof shingle
replacement)
2. HPC24-0013: 504 East Bloomington Street – Local Historic Landmark (roof shingle replacement)
Minor Review –Staff review
1. HPC24-0004: 812 Church Street - Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (replacement of
vinyl windows with metal-clad wood windows)
2. HPC24-0008: 827 Dearborn Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (new front steps)
3. HPC24-0009: 921 Dearborn Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (new front step and
stoop)
Intermediate Review –Chair and Staff review
HPC24-0003: 1530 Sheridan Avenue – Dearborn Street Conservation District (new rear deck)
G) Consideration of Minutes for February 8, 2024
H) Commission Discussion
Final Annual Report
I) Commission Information
J) Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact Jessica Bristow,
Urban Planning, at 319-356-5243 or at jessica-bristow@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow
sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Staff Report March 18, 2024
Historic Review for HPC24-0006: 435 Rundell Street
General Information:
Applicant/Owner: Casey Kohrt, cjkohrt@gmail.com
District: Longfellow Historic District
Classification: Contributing
Project Scope: Replace overhead door with false door and add addition to rear
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.3 Doors
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
4.11 Siding
4.13 Windows
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
Property History:
This 1 ½ story gable roof house features the entrance off-set to the right on the front of
the side gable. A single car attached garage is original to the construction of the house.
This house has been attributed to Howard F Moffitt. The shed dormer with three
windows is a design element found on several of the Moffitt attributed houses, so it
appears to have been original rather than an addition. A massive brick chimney is
located on the south end of the house. This chimney is the proper size and shape to be
called a “Moffitt chimney” one of the key characteristics of his designs. This house had
synthetic siding that was removed. The owners received a Historic Preservation Award
in 2010 for the project.
Detailed Project Description:
This project involves work to the attached garage which is original to the historic house.
The garage will be incorporated into the living space of the house. The project will also
need to obtain a special exception from the Board of Adjustment to waive the parking
standards.
The project includes removing the overhead door and infilling with siding and trim
configured to look like the overhead door. This area of wall will be recessed from the
front plane of the garage similar to the position of the overhead door. The siding and
trim will extend to the concrete driveway similar to the existing door. The concrete
driveway will remain.
The project also includes a new rear addition behind the garage. The existing modern
porch in the area will be removed. The new addition will infill the L-shaped area behind
the garage and adjacent to the main body of the house. The addition will be set in 6
inches from the north side wall of the house. It will have a shed roof with a slope similar
to the shed-roof on the dormers. The eave overhang will tie in with the adjacent
overhang. The addition will have siding and trim matching the house, a north-facing
double hung window matching the others on the house, a rear door in a Craftsman style
and new wood steps. A landing is required by code at the top of the steps but is not
currently shown in the drawings. An alternate plan has been submitted showing the
door on the north side of the house with the landing on that side too.
Guidelines:
Section 4.3 Doors recommends:
• Adding new door openings that are trimmed to match other doors and windows in
the building.
Section 4.7 Mass and Rooflines recommends:
• Preserving the original roof pitches and spans.
• Preserving the original walls and vertical corners that define the massing of a
historic building.
Section 4.13 Windows recommends:
• Adding windows that match the type, size, sash width, trim, use of divided lights,
and overall appearance of the historic windows.
• Adding new windows in a location that is consistent with the window pattern of
the historic building or buildings of similar architectural style.
Section 5.1 Expansion of the Building Footprint recommends:
• Distinguishing between the historic structure and the new addition. This may be
accomplished easily by offsetting the walls of the addition from the walls of the
original structure.
• Matching key horizontal “lines” on the existing building, such as water table, eave
height, window head height and band boards, in order to provide continuity
between the addition and the historic structure.
• Using a palette of materials that is similar to that used on the historic structure.
• Placing building additions at the rear of a property, if possible.
• Constructing additions that are consistent with the massing and roofline of the
historic building. This requires that the wall areas and corners, as well as the roof
pitches and spans are all consistent with the existing building and have a
proportion that is similar to that of the existing building.
• Constructing the roof overhang, soffits and eaves of the addition so that they
match the roof overhang, soffits and eaves of the existing building. When the
eaves of an addition intersect the eaves of the existing building, care should be
taken to assure that the two eaves align properly. The trim details of a new eave
should match the eave details of the existing building.
• Applying siding to a new addition that appears similar in size, shape, texture, and
material to the existing siding on the historic building.
Analysis:
The property owners would like to add a first-floor restroom and additional space to their
kitchen in this small Moffitt house. Similar to other properties, they submitted an
application to convert the attached garage space to habitable space while retaining the
exterior garage appearance. This approach retains the existing historic appearance of
the front of the house. It does not alter the historic façade and therefore complies with
guidelines related to new and existing openings on the house. Replacing the overhead
door with a wall that is detailed with flat siding and trim to match the overhead door
would complies with the guidelines because it does not alter the historic appearance of
the house. While the overhead door will be removed, the wall infill will be detailed to
match it so there will be limited alteration to the area.
It should be noted that this type of conversion is not always possible. As a simplified
explanation: Code requires a 25-foot driveway (between garage and property line) in
front of the legal parking spot that is in the garage. It is typically not allowed by code to
have a driveway that leads to a habitable part of the house. For most properties with a
conversion, they incorporate the existing garage into the house, remove the driveway
leading to it and change the overhead door to a wall and window configuration that
matches the house. Then they provide a new garage and parking elsewhere. At 738
Rundell Street, the project was approved like this. The house at 435 Rundell Street
does not have the ability to add a garage and new driveway because of the narrow lot
and lack of alley. Instead, they will seek a Special Exception from the Board of
Adjustment to waive the parking standards, which they can do if the project is approved
by the Commission and helps “preserve the historic, aesthetic, or cultural attributes of
the property.” Staff finds that the type of conversion they propose retains the historic
character of the house.
In addition, they propose to enclose the space behind the garage as a new addition.
The addition is set in from the north wall of the house. The roof will be similar to the
shed roof on the dormers. The addition will match the eave condition and the connect to
the existing roof. The siding, trim, window and door will match the existing house. Staff
recommends approval of this part of the project.
Currently the proposed rear door faces west to the rear yard. It has been noted that
code will require a landing at this door. In order to retain space in the rear yard, they
have submitted an alternative proposal that would move the door to the north or side
wall of the addition and install a window on the rear of the house instead. Staff
recommends that the rear door is located on the rear of the house so that any required
railing and the door opening are not visible because in staff’s opinion that would match
the window and opening patterning on the house and better preserve the historic
character of the property.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 435
Rundell Street as presented in the application with the following conditions:
Window and door product is approved by staff.
The rear door, stair, and landing are located on the rear of the house.
435 Rundell Street- East façade
covered porch
garage
garage door
DH window
Existing Plan
435 Rundell St, Iowa City
Scale: 1/4" = 1'-0"
DW
living room
kitchen
N
front entry
DH windows
wood porch, stairs &
structure to be removed
Proposed Plan
435 Rundell St, Iowa City
Scale: 1/4" = 1'-0"
living room
kitchen
Replace garage door with exterior
panel assembly to match
appearance of garage door
DW
N
front entry
addition
New double-hung
window
Replace 2 DH windows
to match existing
New stairs
0'-6"
DH window
Staff Report March 18,2024
Historic Review for HPC23-0057: 410-412 Clinton Street
General Information:
Applicant/Owner: Jeff Clark, jeffmc1973@yahoo.com
District: Local Historic Landmark
Project Scope: Comprehensive exterior rehabilitation plan for the historic house at
410-412 North Clinton Street
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.2 Chimneys
4.3 Doors
4.5 Foundations
4.6 Gutters and Downspouts
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
4.8 Masonry
4.10 Porches
4.13 Windows
4.14 Wood
Property History:
412 North Clinton Street, built in 1865, is a two-story brick Italianate with a low-sloped
side gabled roof. Unlike typical Italianate houses where the brackets are part of an
elaborate cornice in this house the simple cornice is supported on paired brackets. The
full-width front porch has paired columns and decorative brackets composed of carved-
curling tendrils similar to the cornice brackets. The symmetrical façade includes a
classically detailed center entry with narrow sidelights and transom with deeply
recessed trim. Floor-to-ceiling 4-over-6 double hung windows are symmetrically placed
on the first floor. The second floor windows have heavy stone sills and lintels. The
central window is 4-over-6 like the first floor windows and the windows on each side are
smaller 4-over-4. The front façade also has original shutters.
Detailed Project Description:
This project is the exterior rehabilitation of the historic house as part of the development
project on this corner. The historic house was locally landmarked in January 2021. The
Commission also reviewed and commented on early design proposals. As a part of this
process, a rehabilitation plan for the historic house is required and reviewed for
approval by the Commission.
Staff and the owner visited the property and discussed the necessary work. Staff
provided the owner with a document that included photos of the property and the
associated guidelines with recommendations on the work. This document is attached to
the staff report as Attachment A. Photos of the property and associated guidelines can
be found in the document. The owner then provided a rehabilitation plan with a work
schedule at the end. The owner’s rehabilitation plan is attached to the staff report as
Attachment B.
Analysis:
In Staff’s opinion, the rehabilitation plan addresses the condition concerns noted by staff
during the review of the property. Exterior wood will be repaired, or replaced when
deteriorated beyond repair, with matching wood. The non-historic porch column
pedestals will be replaced to match the historic ones. This work will be finished
appropriately. The roof, chimney and internal gutters will be reviewed and repaired as
necessary. The windows and doors will be repaired.
As a brick structure from 1865, the masonry work on this property will require a mason
with experience in historic brick. For this reason, staff recommends further review of the
mason’s proposal, to ensure that the mortar and work will follow the guidelines. Staff
also recommends approval of any replacement brick.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 410-412
North Clinton Street as presented in the application with the following conditions:
The masonry proposal is reviewed and approved by staff
Any replacement brick match is reviewed on site by staff
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
1
Masonry
Masonry Guidelines (Section 4.8):
• Remove all vines and other plants in contact with the building.
• Remove deteriorated mortar by hand using hand tools to avoid
damaging the edges of the brick. Only a mason experienced in
historic masonry should use a grinder to remove mortar.
• Replace any deteriorated masonry units with matching units
• New mortar should match the historic mortar in composition,
color, tooling, and depth.
• Clean smeared mortar with a mild acid designed for this
purpose.
• Remove any staining with mild detergent and a soft bristle
brush. NEVER power wash historic masonry or wood
construction
Building Assessment and Recommendation:
• Wall condition generally good but have it reviewed by a mason
experienced with historic masonry to review cracks and prescribe
necessary work.
• Remove all plant material from contact with the building.
• Remove Portland Cement-based modern mortar where it exists
and replace with appropriate mortar avoiding application on the
stone or brick surface.
• Remove any caulk installed inappropriately throughout the wall.
• Review expansion joints including the one at the front porch.
Remove and staining or caulk on the brick face.
• Point (tuck point/repoint) stone or brick wall where mortar
missing or deteriorated.
• Remove staining from poorly install old mortar or other sources.
• Protect masonry from damage by ensuring that downspouts are
connected.
• Chimneys are stucco or parge-coated. Review integrity of the
coating and repair if necessary.
• A thumb held over a residential hose creates greatest psi allowed
on historic masonry or wood to prevent irreversible damage to
materials and to prevent water from being forced into wall
system.
• Mortar, paint, stains, or plant materials should be removed by
hand and hand tools or gentle scrub brushes instead of blasting
or using power tools.
• If any building-adjacent concrete needs replacement, please
include in rehabilitation plan.
This is an inappropriate pointing with mortar extending
beyond the joint. Remove past work like this and ensure
new work does not extend over the face of the brick.
This is an inappropriate mortar application, covering brick
and stone and leaving small areas of missing mortar.
Remove past work, repoint, and ensure new work does not
extend over the face of brick or stone.
This is an area that has sagged, enlarging the masonry
joints, and causing those above to fail. The impacted bricks
should be removed and cleaned for reinstallation. The lintel
should be replaced with one that is sized for the space and
the load and is supported appropriately. The brick should
be reinstalled with mortar joints that match the others
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
2
This photo shows an area under the window that has
been stained by mortar during an unprofessional repair.
Remove all staining. Remove modern mortar. Point to
match the area to the left of the windowsill.
This photo of the south side shows some areas where some inappropriate
mortar or caulk has been installed at the vertical joint between brick. This
material should be removed and replaced with appropriate mortar. Variations
in the color of the brick itself appears to be a part of this building.
This photo shows an expansion joint that has been improperly filled
with mortar or caulk staining the face of the brick. The brick should
be cleaned, and the joint filled with appropriate material. In modern
applications, caulk is used. Since historic mortar is soft, it may also
be appropriate. Consult with historic mason.
This photo shows an area of the foundation that needs
pointing. While the joints in a stone foundation such as this
will likely be deep to avoid large areas of mortar covering
the stone, the mortar is missing in many of these joints.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
3
This photo is acting as a diagram so that the parts of the porch roof can be labeled and described.
A= frieze board. This is also the “beam” that is supported by the columns. Notice that the boards on the inside and outside of the porch,
perpendicular to the ground cover the horizontal board that is parallel to the ground.
B= soffit. This is the flat projection, parallel to the ground around the roof edge. This material is smooth here (as opposed to the more
typical beadboard) and it butts up against the frieze board below.
C= crown molding. This lower piece of crown molding covers the joint between the frieze board and soffit.
D= fascia. This board is smooth and perpendicular to the ground. It covers the edge of the soffit and may extend about a ¼ inch lower than
the soffit to create a shadow line.
E= crown molding. This upper piece of crown molding covers much of the fascia and steps out to the roof edge. It is only covered by the
drip edge flashing from the roof.
F= scroll bracket
G=Sandwich bracket
Note that historically the brackets are installed to the outside of all these materials, not inset within them.
A
B
C D
E F
G
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
4
Wood Details and Trim:
Porch Guidelines (Section 4.10)
• Repair historic porches and conserve as much of the historic
material as possible.
• Replace badly deteriorated components with new ones that
match the historic components in design and material. Custom
fabrication of columns, brackets, pedestals, and moldings may be
necessary.
• Use vertical-grained Douglas Fir Porch flooring.
• Use wood steps for a wood porch.
Wood Guidelines (Section 4.14):
• Repair historic wood elements rather than replacing them.
• Using epoxy products, such as Wood Epox and Liquid Wood by
Abatron, to consolidate deteriorated wood components, and fill
or reconstruct missing wood.
• Duplicate and replace historic wood elements when they cannot
be repaired.
• Replace damaged wood components with new or salvaged wood
components that match the historic ones.
• Monitor wood surfaces for signs of excessive water damage, rot,
or pest infestation. Keep all surfaces primed, painted and
appropriately caulked in order to prevent wood deterioration.
• Eliminate excessive moisture problems such as leaky roofs,
gutters, and downspouts. The improper venting of baths,
kitchens, basements, and dryers may cause moisture problems.
Building Assessment and Recommendation:
• Replace missing scroll brackets (at porch). All existing wood trim
needs to be prepped properly and painted.
• Replace missing sandwich brackets (at main roof and porch) to
match the historic brackets.
• Replace missing porch skirting to match remnant historic skirting.
• Two historic column pedestals exist. The others were replaced
with non-matching pedestals. It is recommended to replace the
non-matching bases now as part of this project.
• Porch floor is full length tongue-and-groove Douglas Fir installed
perpendicular to the house. Any portions beyond repair may be
replaced with new floor installed to match the remaining historic
floor. They may also be repaired as possible with wood hardener
and epoxy. Porch floor paint is highly recommended.
This photo and the one below show the only two remaining
historic column bases or pedestals. These pedestals should
be repaired to match. It is recommended to remove the
non-historic column pedestals on the other columns and
replace them to match these.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
5
• Ensure that siding on the modern addition is painted at
the buildig connection to prevent deterioration and water
infiltration.
• Never spray paint wood adjacent to historic brick both to
avoid overspray damage and because spray painting will
provide inadequate coverage.
• Highly recommended to follow the painting guidelines:
o Follow lead-safe practices (refer to attached
guide)
o Verify wood moisture content correct
o Use oil based primer in one or two coats
o Top-coat twice
Much of the existing porch floor appears to be in good or
repairable conditions. Some of the floor such as this end could be
replaced if necessary. The new floor should follow the guidelines.
This porch steps out on each side of the door and that should be
retained (see area toward rear of photo).
The porch ceiling is in good condition. The central board is
sagging, likely due to the water damage from the internal gutters
in the porch roof. Once that source of water infiltration is
remediated, the porch ceiling can be reattached to the framing
members. Any material removed to facilitate repairs should be
reinstalled.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
6
The photo shows that the fascia and crown on the corner have been covered in metal that should be removed. The soffit on the right side
has been covered. The covering should be removed, and the soffit replaced as needed, retaining the proper relationship with the bracket.
The lower crown molding on the right has been deteriorated or broken and should be repaired. The top of the corner column is
deteriorated and should be repaired. A portion of the interior scroll bracket is also missing and should be repaired. A newer piece of fascia
at the far lower left corner of the photo is too wide (hangs lower than the existing) and the material is too thick, so it doesn’t align. New
materials should be the same size as historic materials. All butt joints between materials should be caulked and smoothed so they are not
visible.
This photo shows some recent work. The mitered corner at the new soffit is nice. The joint should be finished and smoothed so it is not
visible when painted. The lower crown molding should cover the joint between frieze board and soffit. The soffit should not butt up against
the crown molding (difficult to see if it is correct here) Any new fascia will cover the outside edge of this soffit material. If the white board
that is visible between the soffit and roof edge is the historic fascia board, the outside edge of the soffit should be covered by it. The
installation should not create a new condition and any new fascia should be the same size of the existing fascia (it should not be necessary
to install wider fascia. New upper crown molding will be installed. Several parts of brackets are missing on these columns. All exterior trim
should be constructed of Douglas Fir, Cedar, or Cypress. The internal gutters should be addressed. The nature of the deterioration of the
porch soffit, crown, and fascia would indicate leaking or failure of the internal gutters.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
7
Window and Venting Openings
Window Guidelines (Section 4.13):
• Preserve the historic windows by repairing sashes and frames.
• Retain historic window frames and replace badly deteriorated
sashes with new sashes that match the historic ones.
• Install traditional wood storm windows and screens on older
buildings. Storms should fit the opening exactly without the use
of spacers.
• Install wood-frame combination storm windows with screen that
resemble traditional wood storm windows. The use of metal-
clad, wood-frame combination storm windows is acceptable.
Storm windows must accept paint and should be painted the
same color as the sash of the main window, preferably black.
Building Assessment and Recommendation:
• The goal of the HPC will be to keep all original wood windows
• Any repairs for function can be made on an as-needed basis
• Ensure all original wood windows are protected by a functioning
storm or storm/screen window
• Consider having mason fill any unnecessary openings in masonry
or finesse coverings.
• Replace any missing storm windows on the first-floor front
windows with new wood to match the others
• While the Commission does not typically review storm windows,
a rehabilitation plan must necessarily include addressing them.
Typical flange-mount storm windows could damage or cover the
brickmold window trim or the window frame and should be
avoided. The rehab plan should address these issues.
• Paint all wood exterior elements to protect from damage
• Basement windows should be repaired to ensure operability if
allowed to open.
• Review drainage of window AC units to minimize water damage
and direct away from sills and walls as possible.
This photo shows a typical window with wood brickmold
trim, a screen installed, and a six-over-one historic double
hung window. All historic windows should be repaired. All
windows should retain their brickmold trim with any
damaged trim repaired and missing trim replaced with trim
that matches. All historic windows should have a storm
window installed. The storm window may be a historic
storm window, a new wood storm window to match the
existing, or a modern storm window that is flush mount and
black. All storm windows may be combination storm
windows. Double-hung storm windows are preferred to
single hung. Any bare aluminum storms should be replaced.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
8
The sill on this window is deteriorated. It is highly recommended that wood
sills are repaired with wood hardeners and wood epoxy as needed. Any sills
that require replacement should be indicated for approval. It is highly
recommended to use salvaged or reclaimed old growth wood that matches the
species of the historic sills for longevity of the material. All new sills must
match the dimensions of the historic sills.
This photo shows a typical basement window. This window
is in a repairable condition. It needs to be reglazed and
painted. A storm window should be installed. The grading
at the sill should be revised to keep water and soil out of
the window. Alternatively, a low brick or limestone window
well could help with any grading issues.
This photo shows some basement venting. The framed
screen should be removed. The opening on the left should
be covered with a louvered vent fit to the size of the
opening. The vent on the right should be enclosed with a
cover that approximately matches the louvered vent, fits
the opening in the brick yet allows the PVC vent pipe
through.
The plant material should be permanently removed from this opening. This
opening needs repainting and repair like the others, including making sure it is
not in contact with the soil. It is recommended that the upper half is a painted
panel (black) allowing the vents through.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
9
Due to the nature of the first-floor front windows, it is highly recommended
that the historic storm windows are repaired, rather than replacement with
new storm windows.
All three second-floor front windows have historic,
operable louvered shutters. One shutter is missing, and all
are in need of repair. The existing shutters are installed to
fit properly and be operable. The shutters may be repaired,
or they may be replaced if beyond repair. New shutters
must also be wood, louvered, divided vertically into two or
three sections as the historic ones are, sized to fit the
opening and installed to match the existing.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
10
Doors
Doors Guidelines (Section 4.3):
• Repair historic doors
Building Assessment and Recommendation:
• Historic door, transom, sidelights, and storm door in good
condition.
• Recommend repairs as needed (bottom edge of door and
sidelights for example) to prevent future deterioration.
• Recommend retaining storm door over replacement.
The historic door, transom, sidelights, trim, and storm door
are all in a good condition. It is recommended to repair
them as needed. Installing storm windows for the transom
and sidelights is recommended if needed to prevent air
infiltration.
410-412 North Clinton Street – Staff Summary of Site Visit and Guidance for Rehabilitation Plan
11
Roof:
Mass and Rooflines Guidelines (Section 4.7):
• Maintain metal roofs rather than replacing.
• Paint metal roofs dark colors, usually dull red or
green, or a natural metallic silver color
Building Assessment:
• Review roof condition for integrity
• Repair the metal roof as needed.
• If the roof is beyond repair, it could be replaced with
an appropriate, flat panel standing seam met roof
(with no ridges or striations between the seams.
• Some fascia and crown molding have been covered
by metal flashing. Remove metal from fascia and
crown and repair or replace to match original.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Gutters and Downspouts Guidelines (Section 4.6):
• Install metal downspouts placed vertically near the
corners. They should be painted to match the
background wall or trim color.
• Repair original built-in gutters. EPDM rubber sheeting
is an economical replacement material for the original
tin flashing.
Building Assessment:
• Internal gutter is an important feature for the house
and porch. Make any necessary repairs to ensure that
they do not deteriorate beyond repair (unless they are
already. Existing deterioration points to past problems
• Some fascia and crown molding have been covered by
metal flashing. Remove metal from fascia and crown
and repair or replace to match original.
This buiding has internal gutters. This photo shows damage of the soffit
that has been replaced before, and damage to the crown molding at the
fascia. The internal gutters should be repaired. It may be possible to
repair it with EPDM as mentioned in the guidelines but once the gutter
has been repaired so that the gutter is filled with EPDM, it will be
necessary to have the metal pans repaired or remade. Staff would
recommend that more extensive repair is made at this time so that the
gutters are working properly. Ensure the downspout fits properly to
avoid this type of corner damage, too.
The internal gutters on the porch are similarly deteriorated and
should be repaired in the same way prior to the repair of the soffit,
fascia, and crown molding.
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Memorandum
Date: March 18, 2024
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: City Park Pool update
At the Commission’s request, Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, will
present the Commission with an update to the City Park Pool project. A copy of her February
presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission is attached.
CITY PARK POOL
Project Update
2023-2025
Juli Seydell Johnson
Director of Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation Commission
February 14, 2024
PROJECT STEPS
1.Choose Project Consultant Team- Done!
2.Assess Current Condition of Pool – Done!
3.Council Presentation & Decision to Repair or Replace – Done!
4.Public Input – Phase 1 – Done!
5.Public Survey – Concept Designs – February 15 – March 8, 2024
6.Public Open House – Thursday, February 29, 2024
7.Concept Design Chosen by City Council – Likely May 2024
8.Construction January – December 2025
2
GOALS OF PROJECT
1. Provide community recreation experiences for a wide range of users.
2. Provide increased independent accessibility to all water experiences.
3. Provide shade in several areas of the deck and some in the water areas.
4.Provide design and operating efficiencies that support the City of Iowa City climate action
goals.
5. Maximize efficiency of lifeguards.
6. Promote the vision “Every child learns how to swim.”
7.Welcome users of all backgrounds with specific attention to facility entry patterns,
shower/changing and restroom design.
8. Evaluate the potential merging of the outdoor park restrooms and year-round recreation
programming space into the swimming pool facility.
9. Limit the construction area generally within the fence line/site plan of the current pool.
PROJECT PROMOTION & UPDATES
Icgov.org/jumpin
VISIONING EVENTS ATTENDANCE
Oct 27 – 2-4 p.m. at Mercer/Scanlon Rec Center
•35 People Attended – All White
•7 Ages 30-59/ 28 Ages 50+
•9 Male / 26 Female
Oct 27 – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Family Halloween Event
•460 People Attended
•57% White/43% Non-White
•225 Male / 230 Female / 5 Non-Binary
•216 Ages Under 13 / 16 Ages 14-19 /
42 Ages 20-29/ 163 Ages 30-49 / 23 Ages 50+
IDEA GENERATION OPEN HOUSES
ON-LINE VERSION – VISIONING SURVEY
On-line Version Available on Project Website
November 1-14, 2023
- 327 Online Responses Received
NOVEMBER FOCUS GROUPS
•327 Registrations Received
•227 People Selected to Participate
•14 Focus Groups
•137 People Attended a Focus Group
•44 People Complete On-line Version
PHASE 1 PUBLIC
INPUT -
PREFERENCE
SUMMARY
•Children’s Play Area
•Maintain Park Setting – Wide open, traditional, and trees.
•Multi-use. Multi-generational.
•Separate Activity Areas
•Zero Depth Entry – Increased Independent Accessibility
•Shade
•50 M Lap Lanes
•25 M Lap Lanes
•Diving Boards
Bath House – Initial Draft Concept
Included with all four options.
Mechanical/Filters move to separate
building
Small classroom sized Community Room
(733 sf)
COMPARISON FACTORS
Free Form Activity
Pool – Option A
Three Pools
Option B
“L” Shaped Pool
Option C
Original
Option D
Cost
Bather Load
Water Savings
Separate Program Areas
Accessible Zero-depth Entry
Children Activity Area
25 M Lap Lanes
50 M Lap Lanes
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*
Low + High Diving Boards
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing
Additional Shade
Minimal Tree Impact
Designed Within Current Fence Line
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building
*Except during youth swim lessons
ITEMS AVAILABLE WITH ALL OPTIONS *Except during youth swim lessons
Free Form Activity Pool Three Pools “L” Shaped Pool Original
Cost
Bather Load
Water Savings
Separate Program Areas
Accessible Zero-depth Entry
Children Activity Area
25 M Lap Lanes X X X ✔ Shared Open Swim
50 M Lap Lanes
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*
Low + High Diving Boards ✔✔✔✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔✔✔✔
Additional Shade ✔✔✔✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔✔✔✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔✔✔✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔✔✔✔
OPTION A – FREE FORM ACTIVITY POOL
Free Form Activity
Pool – Option A
Cost $18.39 M
Bather Load 975
Water Savings 34% Less
495,600 gallons
Separate Program Areas ✔
Accessible Zero-depth Entry ✔
Children Activity Area ✔
25 M Lap Lanes X
50 M Lap Lanes 6 Lanes
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*
Low + High Diving Boards ✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔
Additional Shade ✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔
*Except during youth swim lessons
OPTION B – THREE POOL
Three Pools
Option B
Cost $17.94 M
Bather Load 881
Water Savings 39% Less
458,555 gallons
Separate Program Areas ✔
Accessible Zero-depth Entry ✔
Children Activity Area ✔
25 M Lap Lanes X
50 M Lap Lanes 6 Lanes
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*
Low + High Diving Boards ✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔
Additional Shade ✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔
*Except during youth swim lessons
OPTION C – “L” SHAPED POOL
“L” Shaped Pool
Option C
Cost $17.25 M
Bather Load 825
Water Savings 41% Less
443,700 gallons
Separate Program Areas ✔
Accessible Zero-depth Entry ✔
Children Activity Area ✔
25 M Lap Lanes X
50 M Lap Lanes 6 Lanes
Lap Lanes Available All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*
Low + High Diving Boards ✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔
Additional Shade ✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔
*Except during youth swim lessons
OPTION D - ORIGINAL
Original
Option D
Cost $19.56 M
Bather Load 1,082
Water Savings 751,572 gallons
No water savings.
Separate Program Areas X
Accessible Zero-depth Entry X
Children Activity Area X
25 M Lap Lanes X Shared Open Swim
50 M Lap Lanes 8-9 Lanes
(3-4.5 hours per day)
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*X
Low + High Diving Boards ✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔
Additional Shade ✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔
*Except during youth swim lessons
COMPARISON OF OPTIONS
Free Form Activity Pool
– Option A
Three Pools
Option B
“L” Shaped Pool
Option C
Original
Option D
Cost $18.39 M $17.94 M $17.25 M $19.56 M
Bather Load 975 881 825 1,082
Water Savings 34% Less
495,600 gallons
39% Less
458,555 gallons
41% Less
443,700 gallons
751,572 gallons
No water savings.
Separate Program Areas ✔✔✔X
Accessible Zero-depth Entry ✔✔✔X
Children Activity Area ✔✔✔X
25 M Lap Lanes X X X X Shared Open Swim
50 M Lap Lanes 6 Lanes
(All 6 for 3-4.5 hrs/day)
6 Lanes
(All 6 for 3-4.5 hrs/day)
6 Lanes
(All 6 for 3-4.5 hrs/day)
8-9 Lanes
(3-4.5 Hours per Day)
50 M Lap Lanes Available All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*✔ 2-3 Lanes All Day*X
Low + High Diving Boards ✔✔✔✔
Deck Space for Chairs + Sunbathing ✔✔✔✔
Additional Shade ✔✔✔✔
Minimal Tree Impact ✔✔✔✔
Designed Within Current Fence Line ✔✔✔✔
New Bathhouse + Mechanical Building ✔✔✔✔
*Except during youth swim lessons
OPTION A - LIFEGUARD’S THOUGHTS
February 2024 Staff Meeting
“Option A -A current channel
would be nice for lessons and
accessible exercise. Separated
pools seem difficult for families to
be together.”
“Option A seems to be
coolest design.
B would be convenient for
each aspect of swimming.”
“Option A is a nice
option for ADA stuff,
plus it looks cool.”
“Option A fits many
people’s needs and wants.”“I like having the
diving boards
separate from the
main pool.”
“I like Option A because
it hits every age group
and most activities.”
(3 lifeguards said this)27 Lifeguards Participated
•14 –5+ years experience
•13 –Less than five years
experience
Option A –15
Option B –10
Option C –2
Option D -0
OPTION B – LIFEGUARD THOUGHTS
February 2024 Staff Meeting
“Option B because it is, frankly, it’s simply
annoying as a lap swimmer to have people
wander into your lane from the open swim
portion of the pool.”
“Option B because accidents will
close only one of the pools. It also
has safer, smaller guard coverage
zones.” “Easier zones for guards
to watch.”
“Option B because having the
pools separated will allow for
a higher degree of safety.”
“Option B because it has
lots of options that can be
used all at once.”
“Option B because
there is something for
everyone, so kids won’t
be getting in the way
of lap swimmers.”
FINAL NOTES
•Selected concept design will be further refined before bidding to
incorporate any additional direction from the City Council.
•Design Elements
•Budget Considerations
•Unknown Site Conditions
•Phase 2 Feedback will inform staff recommendation and City Council
selection of a preferred concept.
•Staff anticipates a joint Parks & Recreation Commission and City
Council work session to review Phase 2 Feedback prior to selection.
(Late spring)
•Public Survey – Two Groups – February 16 – March 8, 2024.
•QR Code on Postcard
•Survey Link on icgov.org\jumpin
•Public Open House – Thursday, February 29 5:30-7:30 pm Mercer
QUESTIONS
Juli Seydell Johnson
Parks & Recreation Director
JuJohnson@Iowa -City.org
319-356 -5104
FOCUS GROUP SELECTION
26
1.People who registered filled-out a questionnaire with several self-selecting questions. 327 Received
2.Demographic information was collected to allow for balancing of groups to reflect community demographics.
3.Selection committee of three staff, a resident and a P&R Commission member made group selections without
seeing participant names, addresses, phone numbers or emails. Non Iowa City residents marked.
4.All registrations meeting criteria for a certain group were separated from over-all group. Preference was first
given to non-white registrants up to 5 participants per group of 20. The remaining spots were filled by rolling a
dice, then using the number rolled to select every (number) person from eligible list. Group chosen was then
checked for gender, race and age distribution. Adjustments were made if gender, race and age were far from
targets. Most were very close to targeted representation.
5.After 9 groups were chosen, demographics of both the selected and not selected were checked. It was
determined by the selection committee that representation was lacking from people under the Age of 29. A new
group was chosen from younger adults. The last group was assigned as folks older than 70 years of age since
many requests had been made from the public to have a specific group for this age group.
FOCUS GROUP SCHEDULING
6.Self-reported availability was used to schedule the groups. Not all requests for certain times or dates were
accommodated.
7.227 Invitations were emailed with a request for an RSVP.
•65 Male / 157 Female / 4 Non-Binary / 1 Other
•33 Non-White / 175 White / 18 Prefer Not to Answer
•3 Teens / 18 Ages 20-29 / 104 Ages 30-49 / 62 Ages 51-69 / 40 Ages 70+
•Self Reported Swimming Ability – 55 Expert / 156 Casual / 16 Non-Swimmers
•Self Reported Primary Activity at Pool – 10 Aqua Fitness / 10 Haven’t Been Recently / 79 Open Swim
58 Lap Swim / 2 Special Event / 5 Sunbathe / 30 Supervise Kids / 1 Swim Team / 10 Lessons
•110 Have Iowa City Swim Pass / 107 Do Not Have an Iowa City Swim Pass
8.Requests for a different time/date were accommodated, if group space allowed.
9.People who were not selected for focus groups, or who declined their invitation were emailed on on -line version
of the Focus Groups Questions which may be returned until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
10.137 People attended a focus group session. 44 People complete on-line version of focus group questions.
TARGETED GROUPS FOR FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS
Passholder/regular user - Families
Passholder/regular user - Lap/Fitness Swimmers
Passholder/regular user – Aqua Fitness/ Water Walking / Water Jogging
Teens
Infrequent Users – Younger Adults
Disability community
Childcare Providers - Daycares and summer camps
Members and allies of LGBTQ+ community
Swim lesson participant families who used a scholarship for lessons
Parks & Recreation Commission Members
City Aquatic Staff - supervisors, maintenance staff & lifeguards
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 8, 2024 – 5:30 PM – FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Deanna Thomann, Andrew Lewis, Margaret Beck, Jordan Sellergren,
Nicole Villanueva, Frank Wagner, Christina Welu-Reynolds, Noah Stork
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Brown
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT: Gary Skarda, Ginalie Swaim, Bob Wise, Phil Beck, Susan Futrell, Nancy
Carlson, Tom Curtis, Marybeth Slonneger, Lou Tassinary, Lisa
Buckminster
CALL TO ORDER:
Sellergren called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
Public Hearing- Discuss Landmark designation for 302-316 East Bloomington Street (Slezak-
Holub-Skarda Building):
Bristow first noted the report that was included in the agenda packet had a map that has since been
switched out, originally included was the one that states it is the local Northside Historic District but
since the whole report is from the perspective of the National Register it was switched out with the
Gilbert/Linn Street Historic District that's listed in the National Register. The packet that goes on to
Planning & Zoning and City Council will have the corrected map. Bristow also want to point out that
she has received numerous emails about this agenda item and has emailed them to the Commission.
Those emails will be added to the packet that goes on to City Council. Anything that came in after noon
today or after this meeting will just move on to the Planning & Zoning meetings.
Bristow began by showing a map of all the historic districts and conservation districts in Iowa City as
well as the local landmarks. She pointed out the location of the subject building in the North
Marketplace, the north part of downtown Iowa City. Bristow stated she would talk very briefly about the
building and not cover the whole history as it's all in the report. The property is a group of connected
buildings that were begun in or about 1875 and built out by about 1880. They include the large Slezak
Hall, it had a dance hall on the upper floor and two grocery stores on the lower floor, the uses in the
back portion changed over time, sometimes it was a saloon and sometimes a dining hall. The building
is an Italianate structure with brackets and a wide eave overhang. She noted a lot of the details on the
building as well as the tall windows with the brick hood molds. With Italianate architecture there are tall
arched windows, but the top part was filled in when Joseph Holub remodeled that portion of the building
around 1930 and made the hall into apartments. On the Linn Street façade there have been very few
changes since the 1930s, the entrance area that might have been to the saloon and dining hall has
been filled, with the cornice and brackets remaining and another window was filled in too. The
apartment entrance behind the three-story Italianate structure has more elaborate hood molds and an
elaborate cornice that includes not only the brackets but triglyphs and metopes. In the back is a lower
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 2 of 12
two-story building that was a carriage house and laundry and had sleeping quarters over time. It was
remodeled into apartments with mid-century windows and doors. The laundromat and the main hall
building both have an ornate baroque pediment that reflects the Eastern European origins of this family
as immigrants. The laundry building was a stable and a feed barn at one point in time and also a
garage. Bristow showed a picture of the back of this building where there was a sliding stable door and
an upper door to potentially a hay mound or something like one would see with a stable or a barn.
Bristow next reviewed the history of the process being discussed this evening. The Commission has
long considered this building to be a potential local landmark. In 1996 when they designated the first
landmarks, they were already thinking about what the next group of landmarks would be and this
building was on that list. Nothing really happened with that list over time and in 2015 the Commission
reviewed potential landmarks in Iowa City and again this building was prominently on that list. At that
time they did not proceed with landmarks because of a major City Council change over that was
happening at the same time. Now after years of being owned by the same family the building went up
for sale and there were former commissioners, former staff members and members of the public who
addressed the Commission to proceed with a local landmark designation.
The Commission is charged with determining whether or not the property meets conditions for local
landmark eligibility. In order to be a local landmark in Iowa City a property must be significant to the
community architecturally or through its use, it must then also have integrity which always means that
its original or historic materials are still intact. In addition, aligning with National Register criteria, it must
meet one of the following four criteria.
1. That it's associated with events that are important to Iowa City’s history (C).
2. It could be associated with a significant person in the past (D).
3. It could also be significant because of a specific architectural style or a specific architect or
engineer (E).
4. It could be significant because of archaeology and what it tells about the history and prehistory
(F).
Once the Commission determined that they would proceed with local landmark designation the Friends
of Historic Preservation hired historian Jennifer Price to write the report, and she determined that the
property is eligible both in the category of events and for its architecture. The report summarizes the
cultural importance of the building to the Iowa City community because it is associated with both the
ethnic and commercial history of Iowa City's Northside Neighborhood. Price continues that the complex
of brick Italianate style commercial buildings at the corner of East Bloomington and North Linn Streets
was a one-stop shopping, dining, lodging, entertainment and cultural center for the ever-growing
Bohemian American community in Iowa City and northern Johnson County. The National Hall on the
second floor was home to Iowa City's many Bohemian fraternal and community organizations that used
the hall for their meetings and housed a comprehensive cultural library. Even by 1900 the building was
considered one of the landmarks of the City. Additionally, Price details in the report a very complex
history, all owned by one family. For instance, Joseph Slezak ran it for 25 years and then passed it on
to his son Joseph Holub. Joseph remodeled it again and as the National Hall wasn't being used
anymore, it became apartments and he was running the boarding house in the back, the three-story
building, as a hotel by 1920. The former stable garage became the laundromat in 1958 and Pagliai’s,
originally called Pizza Palace, moved in in 1969. In addition to being significant as an event, the fact
that this was used by the Bohemian immigrants and brought in others throughout the County to all of
the uses within the building it is also significant for its architecture because it is such a pristine example
of commercial Italianate architecture. One of the last remodels was 55 years ago when Pagliai’s came
in.
Bristow and Sellergren were able to visit the inside of this building and even though the interior is not
part of how they evaluate local landmarks, it has enormous integrity on the interior as well and has
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 3 of 12
been very well cared for over time. So based on the architecture and the fact that it's significant for
events, staff finds that it not only meets that criterion, A and B, but also C and E.
Staff’s recommended motion is to move forward with the local landmark based on the fact that it meets
criteria A B, C and E.
Gary Skarda (owner of the building and apartments) is the fifth-generation owner and his daughter,
Victoria, is the sixth generation. Skarda grew up in the business, he worked for his father helping with
all the maintenance that had to be done at the building. He has no siblings, so it was really upon him to
take over the business. He has worked for the government and has a degree in economics, but he was
meant to come back to manage the building. He grew up getting apartments ready and cleaning out the
furnace, he was a small boy and would crawl into the small furnace door and sweep out the debris.
Obviously, this building has been a big part of his life and he pointed out to the council that the
apartment building is privately owned, it's not owned by the City, it’s a private business and one of the
reasons why he had not put the building on the historic registry is because it would reduce the
marketability of the building. Skarda figured that one day when he obviously would be unable to do the
things he used to do he would need to sell. His father had opportunities to sell the building early on but
Skarda said he would operate it. He has people now helping, he has a maintenance man on the
premise and another man who collects the rent and so on. Skarda stated he doesn’t even make a dime
off of the building anymore since the pandemic, he had a squatter in one of the apartments who was a
drug addict and almost destroyed that apartment, so Skarda had to refurbish that apartment. Skarda
noted since the building is private owned, again it's been in his family for five generations, he doesn’t
think it's fair since he had not registered the building himself, that the City does. His offer to the City is
if they'd like to keep it the way it is they can buy it from him and then have their landmark here in Iowa
City. Skarda agrees it is a landmark certainly, but it does take a lot of maintenance. The University
could purchase the building because they have a need for one-bedroom apartments. Skarda
acknowledged he'd like to see whoever buys the building to keep it the way it is but for the City to tell
him he is unable to develop that area is wrong. Obviously, Skarda has talked to a couple of
developers, and they said it's doable in terms of developing in that area, as it’s half a square block, so
certainly that would be an alternative. He would rather have somebody take it over and keep it the way
it is but it's a building and it takes a terrific amount of maintenance and unfortunately, he is unable to do
what he once was able to do. It is certainly a landmark of Iowa City, but it's still private property and he
should make the ultimate decision in terms of what would happen to the building. Again, if the City
would like to buy it that would be perfectly fine with him and then they can keep it as a landmark. He
has not registered the building because he knew that would reduce the marketability of the building.
Sellergren acknowledged Skarda for being such a wonderful steward of the building noting it's truly one
of the most beautiful buildings in town and everybody is quite appreciative of the work he has done.
Bristow stated she should explain what a landmark designation means. The local landmark designation
is a zoning overlay that makes it subject to review of exterior changes, not interior changes, to the
property by the Commission or staff. It also makes it eligible for repair funding through the Historic
Preservation Fund and eligible for state tax credits for repair work. It would prevent the demolition of the
building and prevent changes that are not be approved by the Commission. Bristow noted that
Sellergren had asked the planning staff to come up with a development proposal as to what's possible
on the site and the site is limited because of parking. In fact, right now, it's grandfathered in as it doesn't
have enough parking for the apartments that it has currently, so adding more building to the lot wouldn't
be possible because of lack of parking. If the whole thing was taken down, of course it could be
redeveloped, but not likely as large as the building that's a block to the south because there would not
be enough room on the site.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 4 of 12
Ginalie Swaim (Friends of Historic Preservation) began by thanking the Commission for doing the
important work that they do all the way from doors and porches to things like districts and landmarks.
She also thanked Mr. Skarda for the incredible stewardship of this building, they have all admired this
building so much and for so long because of the work that his family and he has done in the last many
years. Swaim would like to venture tonight to say that this building represents more aspects of Iowa
City’s local history than any other single building in Iowa City. Swain addressed criteria, the events that
have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. That broad pattern being
immigration, ethnicity and assimilation. One could substitute any ethnic group that has come to the US
and see these steps. In this case, they're talking about the Bohemian immigrants who left Austria and
Habsburg Empire in the 1850s and by the 1870s many had put down roots between Iowa City and
Cedar Rapids and by 1912 Bohemians were one fifth of Iowa City’s population, the other two larger
ethnic groups being Irish and German.
A major part of that broad pattern is ethnic identity, the identity in Joseph Slezak’s Hotel quickly
became “the recognized headquarters for his nationality. Bohemian and social aid societies met there
in the upstairs hall.” These kinds of societies were a national phenomenon, they were meant to aid and
assist immigrants coming to Iowa City as one of our Iowa City favorite Bohemian’s, Shimek said, “the
dangers that confronted a stranger in a strange land”. So even if they are coming to a place where
other people of their ethnic group were already living, there still were so many unknowns and having a
social aid society being there to welcome them and help them was very helpful. It could teach them
about the new customs and the new laws and offer aid during illnesses and death and certainly
celebrate their ethnic roots. One example of that kind of celebration is when in the social hall there was
a play and a dance held to benefit the Herzegovina rebels, a Serbian uprising against the Ottoman
Empire, so already it's very clear that this is a part of the Bohemian culture and history and they're
proud of it. Now they're part of that broad pattern language to huge part of ethnic culture and everyday
life and persisted in Iowa City for a long time. East of Slezak Hall was Goosetown, a Bohemian
enclave, that Goosetown historian Marybeth Slonneger calls “a neighborhood of close ties held
together by their native language”. She writes that it took about three generations to lose the Bohemian
language. By the 1880s Iowa City had four newspapers and one was Bohemian which gives a sense of
how important that language was to the identity of Bohemian immigrants. Even into the 20th century
Bohemian language resonated, when Joseph Slezak's grave marker was put up in 1912 in Old St.
Joseph's Catholic cemetery the carving was all done in Bohemian. The top of the sign outside the
Bloomington building still said into 1912 národní sin which translates National Hall and affection for the
language persisted for decades, especially the phrase národní sin. When Irving Weber wrote in 1981
about the building, readers contacted him because he had misspelled národní sin so this identity with
this custom and language persisted. Even today you still see dozens and dozens of the same
surnames in Iowa City.
Another part of this broad pattern is becoming part of the social fabric, the social hall upstairs was used
for entertainment and for music. In 1878 the City directory called it a place to trip the light fantastic toe.
There was stage, stage scenery lights, chairs, occasionally decorations, fireman's balls were held in the
social hall. This was the era of community bands and there are actually laws allowing towns to have
community bands and the union band in Iowa City, all eight members were Bohemian. Well into the
20th century, the Jolly Club met there which was comprised of “German and Bohemian families having
weekly dances, costume parties, private parties”. So even though there are changes coming, they're
still hanging on to this identity and that is characteristic of the patterns of immigration. Another part is
becoming part of the local commerce. Iowa City was a market town and drew farmers from outlying
villages, Mr. Slezak knew what Bohemian farmers needed and if they were coming from Swisher or
Shueyville they probably needed a place to stay overnight, a place to park their buggies and their
horses, and a place to do their shopping. There was a reason he called it a farmer’s hotel and
advertised it early as the popular farmers stopping place. One could buy foodstuffs there certainly but
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 5 of 12
also crockery, tin, machine oils, nails. Grocery stores held far more than what is today, so it was a place
to stock up. His son-in-law, Joseph Holub followed this pattern to commercial success. In 1901 when
he became the proprietor, he'd become a local clerk at a store that apparently had made lots of friends
according to the paper, and then became the proprietor of “The National Hall, the Farmers Home, the
grocery store and all the other business ventures entered in the Slezak Hall”. Holub had “a fine outlook
for prosperity and fortune”. So this happy trajectory of the immigrant coming, making a stake and
making great success is seen in this story.
Then the final part of immigration is often, not always, assimilation and transition. In the history of this
building we see that in even simple things like the residential transitions, it's no longer hotel rooms now
it's apartments for university students, meaning when it became no longer needed as a hotel there was
a need for workers who wanted to walk to their jobs downtown because perhaps they didn't own a car,
then a transition in transportation caused the livery stables to become a garage, which was a very
common change from places that help service needs of the horse rider. Like many blacksmith shops
turned in to car mechanics shops so seeing this livery stable become a heated garage is also another
typical trait. The social transitions in the building were fun to watch. They're no longer having local
ethnic events but were having a 1925 basketball and dance between Williamsburg and the National
Guard at the hall. In 1930s they have seen the great hallmarks of American mainstream society, that
being a self-service grocery store that sold Jello in 1950s and a coin operated laundromat that by the
1960s is the mother lode of American mainstream culture, a pizza place that also sold T shirts. This
was not unique in Iowa City. In 1879 there were at least 11 other hotels, there were dozens of saloons,
dozens of grocery stores, other social halls, even other ethnic social halls. There were other livery
stables, other commercial successes, but what's unique in that this building served all of these
purposes. This one building follows the broad sweep of immigration and ethnic history in the US. This
building holds so many stories and so much meaning as a major part of American history and of local
Iowa City history.
Bob Wise stated he investigated the property and certainly respects Mr. Skarda’s position in where he's
at and what has taken place in his life. Wise was born in Iowa City in 1950 and stayed here until 1972
when he moved to Minnesota. He moved back in 2008 and has watched a lot of changes downtown.
He’s watched Iowa City lose a lot of buildings. He went to school here and high school here. He doesn’t
know how many people on the Commission were around in 1965 when this City Hall building was built
and as he will call it, destroyed the Town Hall and the original fire station which sat on Washington and
Linn. In looking at this property in question tonight, and certainly with everything that Swaim mentioned
he didn’t know growing up in Iowa City Washington and College and Iowa Avenue wasn't the original
plot. The original plot sets the north end being where this building is at. Although looking at it on the
map it didn't really come into that area until the Linn/Dubuque corridor was added. Taking the
architecture of that building, and the area that's around it, and look at what's now vacant, the parking lot
between George's and the Bluebird Café, the large structure which has been built where the Pearson
drugstore was when he was growing up, it really kind of looks like a sore thumb. So historically, if they
can keep some of those buildings landmarked as historical buildings connected to not only the culture
of the area, but the history of the area that's something that he thinks that they have to consider. If they
lose this building, they can put up a plaque and he’s seen it done throughout Minnesota towns where
he lived and left but then they'll have the Union Brewery, have John's Grocery and in all possibility with
the University having purchased Mercy that may get expanded and take over a larger area and what
was known as the original City plot will be lost to commercialization and the history will be forgotten, the
nationality will go away. Wise acknowledged the Commission has a hard decision to make but he
hopes it will be to consider this as a landmark property of historical value to the City.
Phil Beck has lived in Iowa City since 1975 and wants to thank the Commission for bringing this
proposal up for consideration. He is in great support of the idea of giving this property local historic
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 6 of 12
landmark status. It is a beautiful building and it's already been a landmark in the Northside
Neighborhood for a century and a half. It anchors that whole neighborhood on its northern side and to
tear it down would diminish the beauty and historic character of the entire block. Its architectural style
very well matches the strip of buildings on the east side of Linn Street. In addition, its past use as a
gathering place for the Bohemian and Czech community in Iowa City makes it a very important
monument to the diverse ethnic history of the City. As someone with Czech heritage in his own family
that is very meaningful to him. Finally, the fact that for the past 60 some years it's housed one of Iowa's
City's most popular and iconic restaurants, Pagliai’s ensures that this building, Slezak Hall, is important
not simply for its age, or its architectural character, but because it continues to serve as a vital part of
the business and cultural life of Iowa City. Wise thinks it must be preserved and enthusiastically
supports designating it a local historic landmark.
Susan Futrell lives in the Northside Neighborhood in Iowa City is a member of the Friends of Historic
Preservation and agrees with the arguments on behalf of this property on a historical basis and this
Commission’s charge of stewarding those resources seems pretty clear. She just wanted to add some
perspective about how she has been thinking about this building in terms of the future rather than the
past. A couple of other people have spoken in reference to the fact that having a building with this
beautiful architecture and the scale as well as the history is part of what makes all of the surrounding
parts of our town desirable and valuable and have character and Futrell thinks the City always has a
tough job to balance the places where development in the sense of tearing something down and putting
something new is appropriate. But there there's another path to building economic value in a piece of
property and developing it in a creative way that doesn't have to mean tearing down what was there
before. She can point to lots of places in Iowa City and other towns like the Englert Theater and the
brewery building where the James Theatre went, that was some creative thinking about how to develop
that property for the future and doing so here could really add value to all of the residential and
business properties in the surrounding area, including the downtown and really do justice to the
stewardship of the Skarda family and how beautifully they've taken care of that building. It would be an
opportunity to leave that legacy for future use and she just wants to encourage some future thinking as
well.
Nancy Carlson lives on Jefferson Street and came here in 1965 to go to school and never left. The
people who built this building and helped build Iowa City are gone. This building is an
acknowledgement of their existence and their contribution to Iowa City and by preserving this building
the City is acknowledging and honoring their contribution.
Tom Curtis wanted to just say this building should be saved. He has been in and out of Iowa City for 80
years and his wife and he just moved back to Iowa City from San Diego. People ask why they ever
would want to leave San Diego, it's paradise out there, but there's a charm in Iowa City. He was born
here and loves this community but what he’s seen is a creeping ugliness of buildings being torn down.
The thing that got him upset is the development aspect, Curtis really admires the stewardship of this
building and acknowledged it’s a real difficult decision to make, but once the building is gone
developers are just looking at how much money they can make from a property. Curtis hopes there's
some resolution that this gentleman can be awarded the financial settlement that he deserves.
Marybeth Slonneger stated every time she goes by this building she has to recall the 1990s when she
started interviewing elders from the Goosetown community that eventually led into a book she wrote
called Small, But Ours. She interviewed Marge Hayek and they had some wonderful visits together
and one of the things that she just brought up was her remembrance of all the wonderful evenings, the
dances, and social events that took part in this building. Hayek even brought out her collection of dance
programs and she was just delightfully reminiscent about the evenings in this building. So Slonneger
always thinks of Hayek and these people that were part of that community and how much they enjoyed
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 7 of 12
it. Slonneger also noted that at one time the Holubs were offering meals for 25 cents in this building,
and those 25 cent meals would have been cooked by Bohemian women that were known to be good
cooks. They also got a beer with each meal. They’ve lost that opportunity but hopefully they can save
this beautiful, beautiful building.
Lou Tassinary stated he wanted to offer a slightly different perspective. Looking at that building, he
doesn’t see just a historic structure, he sees an incredible amount of embodied energy and an icon of
adaptive reuse. To him that's almost enough. Regardless of what the criteria are they have to just be
thinking about that. The way that building over this stretch of time it's been around has served multiple
different functions sort of demonstrates that it can continue to serve multiple different functions and
should continue to serve multiple different functions. A challenge to the Commission is that with every
benefit, there's a cost and the current owner said he didn't designate it because it was going to reduce
the value. Tassinary personally doesn’t agree with that but does agree that it is incumbent upon them if
they're going to designate something as a landmark, that part of their charge is to help the owner find
the right buyer who values what that building is and doesn't just see it as a potential blank slate, but
sees it is more than that, and is therefore willing to pay the fair and appropriate price for the structure.
Lisa Buckminster has been a resident of Iowa City since she was born and is of Czech heritage. Her
mother would tell her stories about things that would go on at that building and when they would visit
Pagliai’s it was just such a great memorable experience to do that with her family. Buckminster feels
like they have lost a lot already, originally the plan was to try to keep buildings under a certain limit to
not affect the skyline and that sort of thing, but lately the builders are just out of control with the vision of
what was really originally wanted as a community. This building is so important, and she wishes that
they would try to take into consideration the historical aspect and try to save more of Iowa City rather
than just flattening it and building more sterile looking buildings.
Sellergren closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Wagner moves to approve the designation of 302-316 East Bloomington Street
(Slezak-Holub-Skarda Building) as a local historic landmark based on the following criteria for
local designation criteria, A, B, C, and E. Villanueva seconds the motion.
Thomann stated she lives a block from this beautiful building and it is an important landmark already
within the Northside community. She appreciates having a community that has opinions about historic
preservation and appreciates everyone coming out and sharing those thoughts. She again thanked Mr.
Skarda for his stewardship of the beautiful building. They have criteria here and it's very clear that this
building fits those criteria. It makes sense to say yes and to have this progress. As noted, this will have
to then go through Planning & Zoning and City Council so the ability to have open discussion will
continue and hopefully maybe find some arrangement that works for Mr. Skarda and his family. But just
thinking about the criteria, it fits and for this Commission it's very clear what they need to do. She does
like this idea of thinking about the future, particularly with the Northside. They are seeing so many
changes within the downtown, they’re seeing tall buildings and perhaps the community's beginning to
realize that tall buildings maybe don't belong everywhere within the City. There is a quaintness to the
Northside and this is giving a message as a community about how to move forward with that bit of
space. Maybe it isn't a space for the modern buildings and as also noted they need to think about
keeping these materials from the landfill and thinking about how to repurpose a building so that it
makes sense.
Sellergren noted she was born in Burlington, Iowa, which she thinks is one of the most beautiful cities in
the state. It is fairly well preserved but there's also a lot of beautiful old buildings that are neglected and
falling apart and may never be rebuilt again. She moved to Cedar Rapids when she was an elementary
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 8 of 12
school and witnessed St. Luke's just clear out a lot of the neighborhoods that are north of downtown,
and then saw the derecho destroy properties and trees which are as precious as buildings, a 150-year-
old tree can take a while to regrow. Then in Iowa City, she sees hungry developers scooping up what
they can and opportunistically taking down what they can and putting up spaces that do not embody the
same kind of historic spirit and don't serve the community in the same way, and they remain empty. To
some degree they provide housing but the spaces on the ground floor are empty and if they're not
empty now they might be empty in a year and stay that way for a year. She works at Little Village and
the building that went across the street from there where the Civil War era cottages were has never had
the ground floor level inhabited and that went up in 2018. She joined the commission because she
wanted to do one thing and that is to prevent developers from removing the history as it’s very
important. Designating this space as a landmark will not reduce its value, it increases its value and it
increases the value of the City and the community.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
HPC23-0083: 709 Oakland Avenue– Longfellow Historic District (front stoop and step replacement and
expansion):
Bristow began the staff report noting this house is in the Longfellow Historic District located on the
corner of Seymour and Oakland Avenues. It is a little cottage that might be a catalog home. The
project is to remove the existing stoop and step and to replace it with a new one. Bristow showed a
historic photo noting it shows that originally this house had a masonry brick and concrete stoop that
was removed by the current owner at some point in time. She noted some history in this property in the
fact that a few years ago the owner wanted to look into potentially putting a ramp because he is
sometimes in a wheelchair and sometimes with a walker and unfortunately the property lines are close
enough to the house that he does not actually have property to put a ramp in, partly because the house
is really high out of the ground. It is also not possible to put a ramp in the back as the kitchen steps
down to a landing to the door and then that has steps to go out. The proposal is to build a 7’x10’ entry
stoop. Bristow shared the drawings submitted and noted a few things, for instance it talks about the
decking being synthetic woodgrain and paintable, it talks about the new balustrade and handrails also
being a synthetic material with woodgrain.
Normally staff would review a front stoop and step replacement, but it must have a landing restricted to
approximately 5’x5’. Staff would have always recommended that it aligned with the brackets if it was
replaced with wood but if it was replaced with brick and concrete it would be configured similar to the
original, but with wood it would align with the brackets and that means that it was always going to be
about 10 ½’ wide. They have proposed to make it 7’ deep. The canopies are probably about 3’ or so
which is typical, staff review can go with five feet but the owner wanted seven because while it won't
provide the owner with accessibility to grade because it's not a ramp, it will provide him with an area
that he can get to by himself and be outside. There are other things that are in the front stoop and steps
guidelines such as the stoop will be supported on posts and piers that align with the corner posts in the
railing. There would be porch skirting for any exposed area underneath because it's on the front. All
wood elements are painted on the balustrades and handrails.
In section 4.14 it talks about handrails and how they can substitute materials for wood, and it is
disallowed to substitute material in place of wood that does not retain the appearance, function and
paint ability of original wood. It has been the practice to not approve synthetic materials with fake
woodgrain because historic wood on a house would be highly finished and smooth. The joints are
smooth so they're not as apparent and they have only approved smooth products. The drawings talked
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 9 of 12
about having a fake woodgrain as one thing that staff would recommend not approving. They do
propose to use a synthetic material for the floor like Trex and Trex mostly comes with a fake woodgrain
however it is also horizontal to the ground surface and only those who step on it would notice. Staff
has approved Trex-type material on some of those locations. Also in talking about porches, it talks
about leaving the support piers exposed below the columns and adding skirting so that those piers are
exposed. So the staff recommendation is to approve this project at the 10’x7’ dimension with the
following conditions: any composite material other than the floor has a smooth finish, the balustrade
skirting skirt board and risers are constructed of wood and the outer piers are revised to align with the
balustrade posts above and are exposed. Bristow noted the applicant has stated they accept all the
conditions.
Motion: Beck moves to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 709 Oakland
Avenue as presented in the application with the following conditions:
• Any composite material other than the floor has a smooth finish.
• The balustrade, skirting, skirt board, and risers are constructed of wood.
• The outer piers are revised to align with the balustrade posts above and are exposed.
Welu-Reynolds seconds.
A vote was taken and the motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN:
Bristow and Sellergren drafted the revised Annual Work Plan and the goals that are supposed to guide
their work. Bristow highlighted the three priorities discussed at the last meeting, the first was even
though the planning for Oak Grove Park is a few years out, the Commission wanted to get started on
working on that type of project and what it might mean. This would be something where presumably a
subcommittee would be involved. The second one was having a landmark district subcommittee and
that not only has to do with finding any potential individual landmarks such as what was discussed
earlier today, but also working towards whether or not there is ever going to be a local downtown
district to protect the downtown buildings. The third one was engaging with the public and City Council
and learning more about what the other City Commissions are doing. Maybe that's attending meetings
or it might just be that someone decides that they are assigning themselves to check up on the
agendas for a certain commission or something like that.
Next Bristow took the things that are ongoing and listed them separately. There are the Historic
Preservation Committee awards which will be in seven months so they need to start working on those
and identifying projects and properties. Other goals are the Historic Preservation Fund and the Summit
Street monument.
Motion: Wagner moves to approve the 2024 Historic Preservation Work Plan. Beck seconded
the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
REVIEW OF THE CLG ANNUAL REPORT:
Bristow reviewed the annual report noting it's a requirement to present it to City Council which she did
on Tuesday. The report is an online form and they've already added a category that they hadn't had in
the past so she will need to make revisions to the annual report. The recommendation is to basically
allow the final report to be approved by Commission Chair or staff. Bristow will distribute a copy of the
final report to everyone, the mayor signs it and it goes into the City Council information packet. Bristow
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
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stated it’s important to note that the annual report comes from the State and the State's biggest purview
is the National Register of Historic Places so they ask about National Register properties. Those are
the historic districts and some landmarks. They do ask about local designations and also some of the
local landmarks and then the conservation districts.
The general information required is the Commission consists of 12 seats, they had 12 meetings last
year, the budget mostly comes out of the City’s Neighborhood Development Services Department, the
budget is $450 for the annual mailing that is sent out every spring and then about $750 for training and
other expenses. Then there is the Historic Preservation Fund which is in a different part of the budget
and that had increased by $2,000 this year. The report asked about all of the National Register listed
properties that were altered, which is taken from what the Commission has reviewed. They do not
include certificates of no material effect or non-contributing garages, and that kind of stuff. There were
34 properties that were altered during this year. Of the locally designated properties, those in
conservation districts, there were 23 that were not just a certificate of no material effect. Then they
asked about any new local designations, and the City had one this past year when they locally
designated the Emma Goldman Clinic.
They asked about assistance provided on preservation projects and the staff work which Bristow
provides technical and design assistance to anybody who applies. Bristow also keeps track of how
many individual inquiries each year, they’ve had 241 inquiries this calendar year, that's on individual
different properties that resulted in 85 applications. Bristow also works with other areas of the City and
preserving their buildings, such as working with the Senior Center staff on figuring out how to do the
extensive exterior rehabilitation. The other assistance is the Preservation Fund, the City provides
$5,000 matching grants or no interest loans and to date they have funded 54 projects on 43 properties,
$165,000 worth of mostly grants, a few loans, and the total project costs were $404,000. Then it talks
about public education and outreach, this year it was mostly the awards and interviews every once in a
while. Issues, challenges and successes, are reported, as this Commission knows the rash of work
without a permit has been horrible. It has been not only without a building permit and historic review,
but sometimes just without historic review, but most often without both. Staff has done things with
internal processes to help make it not happen as much.
Sellergren noted regarding community outreach, getting education for contractors in the trades is a big
thing that they need to do because of the shortage of contractors.
Bristow stated other issues, challenges are the open positions on the commission occasionally make it
hard to meet quorum and if they had more positions filled, it would be better. The lack of available
contractors or even drafters for applicants, it also an issue. One good success is the fact that the barn
that used to be owned by the Wagner family at 1025 Woodlawn is getting a new foundation which it's
needed it for many years. One challenge is the fact that no work has proceeded yet on the house at
1011 Woodlawn.
Next are partnerships formed or continued. Bristow stated staff worked with The Housing Fellowship
and their architect to come up with a design that was then approved by the Commission. The
Commission had both the Climate Outreach Coordinator and Parks and Rec Director come to the
Commission to talk about their different areas, and as mentioned earlier working with the Senior Center
staff. Bristow stated if anyone has any suggestions or edits to the report to email her in the next week
or so.
Motion: Thomann moves to approve the 2023 CLG Annual Report for revisions to be approved
by staff and chair. Villanueva seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-
0.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 11 of 12
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Certificate of No Material Effect -Chair and Staff review
HPC24-0001: 722 Oakland Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (rangehood vent installation):
Bristow stated this one is installing a new rangehood that was going into a wall in the back of the house
on an addition.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 11, 2024:
MOTION: Wagner moves to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
January 11, 2024, meeting. Villanueva seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
COMMISSION INFORMATION:
Bristow noted the Preserve Iowa's Summit is June 6 through June 8 and it'll be in Mount Pleasant this
year. The City won’t necessarily be able to afford to send Commissioners but if interested let her know
and she’ll find out. Otherwise, she encourages anyone who can do it on their own to attend. Typically,
they have what they call a CLG round table at some point during the summit and it's where they can
learn from other commissioners in other communities, and the State can talk directly about things that
they want.
Lastly, Bristow reminded everyone they rescheduled the March meeting to March 21, the third
Thursday.
ADJOURNMENT:
Wagner moved to adjourn the meeting. Welu-Reynolds seconded. The motion carried on a vote
of 8-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 pm.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
NAME
TERM
EXP. 3/22 4/13 5/11 6/8 7/13 8/10 9/14 10/12 11/9 12/14 1/11 2/8
BECK,
MARGARET 6/30/24 X X X O/E X X X O/E X X X X
BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/23 X O/E X X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
BROWN,
CARL
6/30/26 X X O/E X X O/E X X O/E X O/E O/E
LEWIS,
ANDREW 6/30/26 -- -- -- -- X X X X X X X X
SELLERGREN,
JORDAN 6/30/25 O/E X X O/E X X X X X X X X
STORK, NOAH 6/30/24 X O/E X X X X X X X X O/E X
THOMANN,
DEANNA 6/30/26 X X X X X X X X X X X X
VILLANUEVA,
NICOLE 6/30/25 X X X X X X X O/E X X X X
WAGNER,
FRANK 6/30/26 X X X X O/E X X X X X X X
WELU-
REYNOLDS,
CHRISTINA
6/30/25 X X O/E X O/E X X X X X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a member
Date: February 27, 2024
To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager
From: Anne Russett, Senior Planner, Neighborhood & Development Services
Re: 2023 Certified Local Government Annual Report
As a certified local government, the City must submit an annual report to the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO). This memo pertains to the 2023 Certified Local Government
Annual Report [Attachment 1], which will be submitted to SHPO following review by the Historic
Preservation Commission on February 8, 2024 and signature by the Mayor.
An amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act in 1980 created the Certified Local
Government program. The creation of this program established a formal partnership between
federal, state, and local governments and encouraged local governments to undertake historic
preservation efforts. The program has four primary purposes:
1. Encourage historic preservation at the local level.
2. Encourage local governments to follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards &
Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation in the administration of local
historic preservation programs.
3. Provide technical assistance through SHPO.
4. Provide funding opportunities for preservation activities.
The annual report is a requirement for maintaining the City’s CLG status. The report
summarizes the previous year’s preservation activities, meetings, and trainings. In addition to
being reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, SHPO requires that the report be
presented to the City Council at a public meeting. The report also requires the Mayor’s
signature.
At the City Council’s work session on February 6, staff presented a summary of the 2023 CLG
Annual Report. The highlights of the report are as follows:
• Staff provided technical and design assistance for potential historic review applications.
• Staff processed 85 new applications for historic review.
• One property was designated as local historic landmark:
o 715 N Dodge Street, the Original Emma Goldman Clinic
• The 40th Annual Awards Presentation was held on September 28, 2023.
• Staff administered the Historic Preservation Fund, which funded 9 projects in 2023.
• Staff attended trainings on design review and cultural places.
• Staff mailed out letters to property owners within the City’s local historic districts,
conservation districts, and landmark properties explaining the City’s historic review
process for exterior modifications.
Attachment:
1. 2023 Certified Local Government Annual Report
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
https://iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com/#/Submission/confirmation/7225120 1/16
Bristow, Jessica 42107225120
Iowa Economic Development Authority
SHPO CLG Annual Report for 2023
Jessica Bristow
410 Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
319-356-5243
jessica-bristow@iowa-city.org
Submitted: February 26, 2024
* indicates a required field
Forms
SHPO Certified Local Government Annual Report
Under the CLG Agreement with the State, local governments and their historic
preservation commissions are responsible for submitting an annual report documenting
the commission’s preservation work and that they have met the requirements of the CLG
program.
This annual report is also an important tool for your commission to evaluate its own
performance and to plan for the coming year.
We look forward to hearing from each CLG this year!
1.
I am aware the submission of this report requires a signature from my communities chief
elected official.
The signature form is located here:
yes
2. Name of the city, county, or land use district:
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
https://iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com/#/Submission/confirmation/7225120 2/16
Please choose from the drop down list.
Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
3.
Did your commission undertake any survey, evaluation, and/or registration/nomination
projects?
CLG Standards are in your local government's Certified Local Government (CLG) Agreement
and the National Historic Preservation Act:
The CLG shall maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic and prehistoric
properties in a manner consistent with and approved by the STATE.
The CLG will review National Register nominations on any property that lies in the jurisdiction of
its historic preservation commission.
No
4.
Were any National Register of Historic Places properties in your jurisdiction altered,
moved, or demolished in this calendar year?
Yes
4.1.
Please identify the property or properties and the action (altered, moved, or demolished).
37 NRHP properties are known to have been altered in 2023, based on project approval by the
Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and/or staff. Most of these properties area located
within National register Historic Districts which are also local historic districts. The list does not
include small repair projects, interior alterations, or work on non-contributing outbuildings. Any
work that occurred in the Melrose Historic District or the Iowa City Downtown Historic District,
which are not locally designated historic districts, are not included here unless they are individual
local landmarks because they are not under the Commission’s purview.
10 Bella Vista Place – Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated historic garage demolition and
new garage construction)
430 Brown Street – Brown Street Historic District (skytube installation)
119 East College Street – Iowa City Downtown Historic District and Local Landmark (commercial
sign at second floor)
320 East College Street (Trinity Episcopal Church) – NR and Local Landmark (signage
replacement)
603 East College Street – College Green Historic District (street-facing door replacement)
811 East College Street – College Green Historic District (mini-split installation)
1031 East College Street – East College Street Historic District (alteration to earlier rear addition,
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
https://iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com/#/Submission/confirmation/7225120 3/16
roof shingle replacement, front step replacement, new rear deck)
325 North Gilbert Street – Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District, locally aka Northside Historic District
(roof shingle replacement)
420 North Gilbert Street – Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District, locally aka Northside Historic District
(step replacement)
828 North Gilbert Street – Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated garage and exterior stair
demolition)
737 Grant Street – Longfellow Historic District (front step replacement)
428 East Jefferson Street – Jefferson Street Historic District (stair replacement)
614 North Johnson Street – Brown Street Historic District (roof shingle replacement, radon
mitigation installation, and chimney repair)
821 North Johnson Street – Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated architectural retaining wall
demolition and new construction)
109 South Johnson Street – College Green Historic District (deteriorated window replacement)
420 North Linn Street – Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District, locally aka Northside Historic District
(front stair and railing replacement)
514 North Linn Street - Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District, locally aka Northside Historic District
(deteriorated attic window replacement)
721 North Linn Street – Brown Street Historic District (garage roof shingle replacement)
28 South Linn Street (Old Post Office) – NR and Local Landmark (full exterior rehabilitation,
cleaning, repairs, and reconstruction)
320 Melrose (Cannon House) NR and Local Landmark (windows and doors have been boarded
up and all surrounding structures in this University-owned area have been demolished- this
house’s future is unknown)
1324 Muscatine Avenue – Muscatine Avenue Moffitt Cottage Historic District, locally aka
Longfellow Historic District (deteriorated window replacement)
1328 Muscatine Avenue – Muscatine Avenue Moffitt Cottage Historic District, locally aka
Longfellow Historic District (roof shingle replacement)
607 Oakland Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (roof replacement, shingle to metal)
738 Oakland Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (rear stoop and step construction and
basement egress window and window well)
530 Ronalds Street – Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated siding replacement)
724 Ronalds Street – Brown Street Historic District (new primary building construction with lot split
in half)
515 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (siding and trim repair and replacement and rear
basement window replacement
707 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (overhead door replacement)
738 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (front window alteration and deteriorated window
and door replacement)
304 South Summit Street- Summit Street Historic District (north wall of rear addition rebuilt to
match existing)
331 South Summit Street – Summit Street Historic District (rear deck addition and front porch
reconstruction)
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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405 South Summit Street – Summit Street Historic District (roof shingle replacement)
430 South Summit Street – Summit Street Historic District (rear addition)
533 South Summit Street – Summit Street Historic District (roof and column addition for a side
porch)
1011 Woodlawn Avenue – Woodlawn Avenue Historic District (repair and reconstruction following
fire- work approved but not started)
1025 Woodlawn Avenue – Woodlawn Avenue Historic District (new foundation for barn and
chimney repair and reconstruction)
1047 Woodlawn Avenue – Woodlawn Avenue Historic District (new rear deck and repairs to earlier
addition)
5. Does your local government designate local landmarks or local districts?
IMPORTANT: Most local governments do not have a program for local designation. If you have
questions about whether you have a local designation program or not, please contact the CLG
Coordinator at historic.preservation@iowaeda.com before you complete this section.
Yes
5.1.
What properties did your community place on its list of locally designated historic
landmarks and/or historic districts?
Please attach a copy of the final designation nomination(s) and ordinance(s) for these
properties.
REMINDER: Before local districts are designated by your city council, you must send the local
nomination to the SHPO for review and comment. Please allow at least 45 days for review
before the nomination is scheduled for city council review. The SHPO review takes place after
your commission has approved the local district nomination and BEFORE it is placed on the city
council's agenda.
715 North Dodge Street, the Original Emma Goldman Clinic, is located in the Brown Street
Historic District and was locally landmarked because of its significance to women's history, social
history, and health and medicine at the local level.
5.2.
What properties did your community place on its list of locally designated historic
landmarks and/or historic districts? (Duplicate)
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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Please attach a copy of the final designation nomination(s) and ordinance(s) for these
properties.
REMINDER: Before local districts are designated by your city council, you must send the local
nomination to the SHPO for review and comment. Please allow at least 45 days for review
before the nomination is scheduled for city council review. The SHPO review takes place after
your commission has approved the local district nomination and BEFORE it is placed on the city
council's agenda.
715 N Dodge Emma Goldman Local Landmark.pdf
5.3.
Please identify the property or properties and the action (altered, moved, or demolished).
(Duplicate)
23 local designated properties are known to have been altered in 2023, based on project approval
by the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and/or staff. Most of these properties are
located within local Conservation Districts but there are also some local landmarks not listed in the
National Register. The list does not include repair projects that were issued a Certificate of No
Material Effect, interior alterations, or work on non-contributing outbuildings.
1034 Burlington Street – College Hill Conservation District (garage demolition and new
construction)
410 Church Street – Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (front step and balustrade
replacement)
439 Clark Street – Clark Street Conservation District (synthetic siding removal and wood siding
and trim repair, front and rear step construction)
103 South Governor Street – College Hill Conservation District (south porch reconstruction)
112 South Governor Street – College Hill Conservation District (synthetic siding removal and wood
siding and trim repair)
511 South Lucas Street - Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (window replacement)
533 South Lucas Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (window replacement and
egress window well installation)
640 South Lucas Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (rear porch reconstruction)
1033 East Washington Street – College Hill Conservation District (front step and handrail
replacement)
625 South Governor Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (construction of an 8
foot exterior wall)
804 Iowa Ave – College Hill Conservation District (redesign of balcony railing and replacement of
rear stucco)
813 Rundell Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (reconfiguration of roof on historic
screened porch)
521 South Governor St – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (vinyl siding removal and
historic siding and trim repair, installation of wood shutters)
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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610 N Johnson Street – Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (porch reconstruction)
614 Clark St – Clark Street Conservation District (new garage construction)
515 Clark St – Clark Street Conservation District (step replacement)
1033 E Washington St – College Hill Conservation District (historic outbuilding foundation repair
1030 Burlington St – College Hill Conservation District (mini-split installation and screening)
1603 Jackson Ave – Dearborn Street Conservation District (window and stucco repair and
deteriorated siding and trim replacement)
930 E College – College Hill Conservation District (5 foot decorative metal fence installation)
1211 Muscatine Ave – College Hill Conservation District (deteriorated dormer window
replacement)
1211 Burlington St – College Hill Conservation District (garage conversion to studio including new
floor and foundation, window addition, new overhead door, and mini-split installation)
225 North Gilbert Street – Local Landmark (deteriorated attic window replacement)
6.
Has your community passed ordinances that directly or indirectly impact historic
preservation during this calendar year?
Yes
6.1. Please provide a copy of the ordinance.
Ordinances 23-4914 and 23-4917.pdf
7.
Did your city, county, LUD or its historic preservation commission undertake any of the
following activities in this calendar year? Please think broadly about this question and
include any activity (small or large) that facilitated historic preservation in your
community. This is your opportunity to boast about your accomplishments and get credit
for the great work you do!
Please check all that apply!
CLG Standards found in CLG Agreement and National Historic Preservation Act:
1) The CLG will enforce all appropriate state and local ordinances for designating and protecting
historic properties.
2) The CLG shall provide for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation
programs.
a. Historic preservation planning. Examples include the development or revision of an preservation
plan, development of a work plan for your commission, etc.|b. Provided technical assistance on
historic preservation issues or projects. Examples include working with individual property owners,
business owners, institutions to identify appropriate treatments and find appropriate materials,
research advice, etc.|c. Sponsored public educational programming in historic preservation.
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Examples include training sessions offered to the public, walking tours, open houses, lectures,
Preservation Month activities, etc.
7.1.
Describe your communities historic preservation planning activities in this calendar year.
For the 2023 Calendar year, the work plan was again organized to align the Commission’s goals
and accomplishments with the Strategic Plan adopted by the City Council. This work plan includes
both continued goals and new projects with actions more fully developed so that progress can be
achieved. The current, 2024, work plan is reduced to three action items with the hope to make
progress on the reduced list. Ongoing work is included with updates as appropriate. Other goals
are combined in a long-term goal section.
7.2.
Describe your communities assistance with preservation issues or projects in this
calendar year.
Please be specific (address(es) of the property(ies), what was the issue(s), what assistance was
provided.
Planning staff provides technical and design assistance to applications for Historic Review. The
applicants are encouraged to meet with staff well ahead of time in the project planning process,
prior to submitting an application, to discuss their projects.
In 2023 the number of inquires continued at previous high levels despite the continued lack of
contractors to complete projects. In 2020 we had 248 inquiries, in 2021 a high of 274 inquiries,
246 in 2022, and in 2023 there were 241 inquires
From these initial inquires, in 2023 staff received and processed 85 applications plus four from the
previous years that had been on hold. Seven of these applications were eventually Voided as
duplicates or unnecessary, some following initial review. The number of applications is a decrease
from the all-time high of 118 for 2021 but equivalent with 2019, the last year prior to the COVID
pandemic.
Staff continued to implement the Preservation Fund which was launched July 1, 2017. The
Preservation Fund provides funding up to $5,000 per project as a matching grant or matching no-
interest loan to property owners for eligible exterior work on historic properties in Historic or
Conservation Districts or on Local Landmarks. The budget was increased by $2000 for the
FY2024 to $42,000 per year In the 2023 calendar year, 9 projects were approved. To date, we
have approved 54 funding projects on 43 properties and have paid out $165,000 on $404,000
worth of projects. We are currently under contract to provide $33,000 in funding toward $81,000
worth of work.
Staff provided assistance in early process review of an overall exterior rehabilitation project for the
Old Post Office, an NR and Local Landmark that serves as our Senior Center. Later, the work was
approved by the Commission.
Staff and the Commission provided a preliminary review of a potential project that would not be
possible due to some restrictive setback limitations in the Summit Street Historic District. This
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preliminary review occurred at a regular public meeting and provided the owner with valuable
feedback for the potential project.
Staff worked with the Housing Fellowship to review a new construction project for an infill lot in the
Brown Street Historic District that will provide affordable housing. The Commission provided initial
guidance at a regular meeting, staff helped navigate the review guidelines and worked with the
architect for compliance with the guidelines and so that the new house could be approved by the
Commission.
7.3. Please describe your community's public education programs in his calendar year.
Please provide specific details such as date of event, description of the event, how many people
participated, whether the commission partnered with other organizations.
The Commission held the 39th Annual Historic Preservation Awards on September 28, 2023.
During the presentation we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of both the awards and the
Commission through a video produced by our local Channel 4 that interviewed current and former
Commissioners and former staff. The Commission and Friends of Historic Preservation partnered
with the recently landmarked Highlander Hotel to hold the event in their ball room. We honored
residential and commercial projects from painting, to rehabilitation, to additions, and also
presented an award honoring the work of a local preservationist. The Johnson County
Commission also participated in the event and presented an award. While we did not count, we
estimate there were about 100 attendees. The anniversary video is located here:
https://youtu.be/SeVxP612GAQ
8.
Were there any issues, challenges or successes your preservation commission
encountered or accomplished this year?
One of the biggest challenges the Commission has had during this calendar year is a rash of work
completed without permits and the associated historic review. Typically, these projects are
reported to staff by the public. Then the Commission must review the work as if it was not already
complete. The owner or contractor either did not know they needed a permit and historic review for
the work or they knew but proceeded without them anyway. In most cases these projects have
resulted in violations and fines and in some cases, the completed work needed to be removed so
that it could be redone in compliance with the guidelines and Commission approval.
Several internal processes have changed this year. In order to improve timeliness of reviews,
several urban planners have been learning to review projects eligible for staff review. In order to
improve communication between staff and contractors/applicants, several response letters have
been adopted such as letters indicating whether or not an application is complete and to provide
comments on submitted applications. The letter template was adopted in lieu of sending an email
to this effect. In order to attempt to reduce the number of projects completed without historic
review, staff has worked toward increased communication with the building inspectors.
The property at 1025 Woodlawn in our Woodlawn Avenue Historic District includes a building that
may be the last remaining horse barn within the Original Town. The foundation has been
deteriorating over time and the floor was broken decades ago. The property recently changed
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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hands and the new owner is proceeding with a foundation replacement that was approved by the
Commission. At the same time, the neighboring property at 1011 Woodlawn suffered a fire in late
2022. While the work to repair it has been approved, the owner has not proceeded and the status
of the project is unknown.
The Commission has worked through an appeal to their denial for window replacement at 804
Iowa Avenue (with their denial upheld by the board of adjustment) and several open records
requests which have taken valuable time to accomplish.
Some historic signage that was installed as part of a recent Civil Rights grant was vandalized.
While multiple members of the public notified staff of the incident and it was reported, it is
assumed to be a random act and the sign was repaired.
9. What partnerships did your commission form or continue with other entities?
Examples include local main street office, local school, historical society, library, museum,
service club, etc.
If none, enter N/A
Staff worked with a student build group (through their architect and professional contractor) to
review a new construction project for an infill lot in the Brown Street Historic District that will
provide affordable housing through the new property owner, The Housing Fellowship. Staff helped
navigate the review guidelines so that the new house could be approved by the Commission. It
has been under construction this past fall.
In May, the City’s Climate and Outreach Coordinator addressed the Commission with an update
on the City’s Climate Action Plan. The Commission provided comments about their concerns with
landfill waste, the consideration of embodied energy and some concerns with the appropriateness
of some alterations to historic properties such as wall insulation installation.
Iowa City’s historic City Park Pool was a subject of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. At the
suggestion of several members of the public, the Commission invited the Parks and Rec Director
to a meeting to discuss this element of the plan. The Commission had a goal of retaining the
historic pool. While City Council approved a plan that will demolish the historic pool, the
Commission has continued the dialogue with the Parks Director to encourage a new pool that is
sympathetic to the historic pool.
In April a City Council member attended the Commission meeting to present about Council’s
strategic plan. Much of the meeting included discussion of the Commission’s work plan and how it
was aligned with Council’s strategic plan.
Staff continued to work with the Senior Center and Facilities staff in the rehab and Master
Planning of their building, which is the Old Post Office, both NR listed and a locally designated
landmark owned by the city.
10.
Did your historic preservation commission receive any grants (other than CLG or HRDP)
this year? If so, please describe. If none, enter N/A.
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N/A
11. Does your Historic Preservation Commission have a website?
Yes
11.1. What is the website address?
https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/neighborhood-and-development-
services/development-services/historic-preservation
12. Does your commission have social media accounts?
Yes
12.1. Please list any accounts your Historic Preservation Commission utilizes.
A Facebook Page
13.
List dates of public commission meetings held (please note these are meetings actually
held with a quorum, not just those that were scheduled).
CLG Standards found in CLG Agreement and National Historic Preservation Act: 1) The CLG
will organize and maintain a historic preservation commission, which must meet at least three
(3) times per year. 2) The commission will be composed of community members with a
demonstrated positive interest in historic preservation, or closely related fields, to the extent
available in the community. 3) The commission will comply with Iowa Code Chapter 21 (open
meetings) in its operations. 4) Commission members will participate in state-sponsored or state-
approved historic preservation training activities.
January 12, 2023; February 9, 2023; March 22, 2023; April 13, 2023; May 11, 2023; June 8, 2023;
July 13, 2023; August 10, 2023; September 14, 2023; October 12, 2023; November 9, 2023;
December 14, 2023
14.
Based on the work plan submitted last year for your commission please provide a self
assessment of the progress your commission made on the initiatives and programs that
were identified last year.
During 2023 the Commission made very little progress on their work plan. Staff moved forward
with a budget request for the Summit Street Monument and some internal process changes but
much of the Commission’s time was spent in reviews or preparing for the annual awards
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presentation. It is hoped that by reducing the work plan to specific action items that progress may
be more possible during this year.
15. Where are your official CLG files located?
If your commission also has digital file storage please note how those are being stored.
Neighborhood Development Services Department in City Hall, Iowa City
16.
In this calendar year, what was the dollar amount of the historic preservation
commission's annual budget?
We recommend that the local government provide the commission a minimum of $750 annual
budget to pay for training and other commission expense.
1230
17. Additional Budget information
This is an optional question, if there is any additional information you wish to share with the
State Historic Preservation Office regarding your community's budget.
The Neighborhood & Development Services Department budgets $450 for the annual mailing to
property owners in local historic and conservation districts. The Department also budgets $780 for
training opportunities. The Historic Preservation Fund of $42,000 per year for rehabilitation
projects is not part of the Commission's budget.
18.
Please list the names of the Historic Preservation Commissioners who served during this
calendar year.
Margaret Beck, Kevin Boyd, Carl Brown, Andrew Lewis, Jordan Sellergren, Noah Stork, Deanna
Thomann, Nicole Villanueva, Frank Wagner, Christina Welu-Reynolds
19. 2024 Work Plan
Each Commission should develop an annual work plan. Please include the project(s), initiatives
and programs your commission plans to begin or complete.
2024 Historic Preservation Work Plan.pdf
20. Commission Training Table
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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An important requirement of the Certified Local Government program is annual state-sponsored
or state-approved training undertaken by at least one member of the historic preservation
commission and/or staff liaison. In this table, please provide information about the
commissioners’ involvement in historic preservation training, listing the name of the conference,
workshop or meeting (including online training opportunities); the sponsoring organization; the
location and date when the training occurred. Be sure to provide the names of commissioners,
staff, and elected officials who attended.
Name of Event Sponsor
Organization Location Date Name of
Attendees
Design Review with
limited Resources NAPC Online 2/2/2023 Jessica
Bristow
Traditional Cultural Places NPS?online 2/9/2023 Jessica
Bristow
21.
Who of your commission members, staff, and/or elected officials attended the Preserve
Iowa Summit? If so, please provide their names.*
Please note this must be completed. If no one attended, enter none.
Now is also a good time to start planning to attend the 2024 Preserve Iowa Summit in Mount
Pleasant on June 6-8, 2024. If no one attended please mark N/A.
Jessica Bristow, HPC staff member
22. Suggestions for improvement
The CLG program is here to support the Historic Preservation Commissions across Iowa. Do
you have any suggestions for how we can improve our services to your commissions?
More regular communication and updates about what is going on within historic preservation.
23.
What training topic would be most helpful for your Historic Preservation Commission?
We will use this information to help design the CLG Roundtable at the Preserve Iowa Summit
and other training opportunities throughout the year.
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The shortage of appropriately trained contractors is one of the greatest obstacles for preservation
to overcome in our community. This is not a local-only issue. We need to develop solutions to this
issue and maybe discussing as a state-wide group would help.
One of the barriers to increasing the activity level of individual commissioners may be the
reluctance to commit to participating in projects that take time time and resources in short supply.
Working through ways to encourage involvement or dividing complex projects into discreet tasks
could be helpful.
24. Chief Elected Official
Did your communities Chief Elected Official (Mayor, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, or
President of LUD Trustees) change in 2023?
No
25. Has the contact information for your communities staff liaison changed?
If you have a new staff liaison please select yes.
No
26. Commission Members
Please include all commission members in this table.
If the commissioner represents a locally designated district please provide the district in their
role field.
If the commissioner doesn't have an email address please enter a phone number.
For any new commissioners please include the biographical sketch in the following question.
First and
Last
Name
Mailing
Address Email Address Term Role
Jordan
Sellergren
1729 N
Dubuque
Rd. Iowa
City, IA
52245
jsellergren@gmail.com until
6/30/2025
At-Large Rep
and
Commission
Chair
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Noah
Stork
529 E.
College
St. Iowa
City, IA
52240
noahstork@gmail.com until
6/30/2024
College
Green Rep
and Vice
Chair
Margaret
Beck
808
Caroline
Ave. Iowa
City, IA
52245
beck@uiowa.edu until
6/30/2024
At-Large Rep
(archaeology)
Carl
Brown
1214
Sheridan
Ave. Iowa
City, IA
52240
carlbrown0001@gmail.com until
6/30/2026
Longfellow
Rep
Andrew
Lewis
717 E.
Davenport
St. Iowa
City, IA
52245
andrew.taylor.lewis@gmail.com until
6/30/2026 At-Large Rep
Deanna
Thomann
208
Fairchild
St. Iowa
City, IA
52245
deanna.thomann@gmail.com until
6/30/2026
Northside
(Gilbert-Linn)
Rep
Nicole
Villanueva
431 S.
Summit
St. Iowa
City, IA
52240
niki.e.villanueva@gmail.com until
6/30/2025
Summit St.
Rep
Frank
Wagner
519 South
First Ave.
frankfwagnerphd@yahoo.com until
6/30/2026
At-Large Rep
2/26/24, 11:30 AM Iowa Economic Development Authority - SlideRoom - Submission
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Iowa City,
IA 52240
Christine
Welu-
Reynolds
619 Brown
St. Iowa
City, IA
52245
chriswelu@gmail.com until
6/30/2025
Brown St.
Rep
27.
Please attach biographical sketches for commissioners who were newly appointed in last
calendar year.
Please be sure newly appointed commissioners sign and date their statement.
Lewis Andrew - Biographical Sketch - Feb 2024.pdf
28.
Does your commission have any vacancies? If so, how many? If you have no vacancies
please enter N/A.
We have three long-term vacancies for representatives of three small districts.
29. Authorized Official Signature
https://iowa1.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/PublicShares-
SHPO2/EcePJQuBK9RCipXr8ZRhe14BH5rcwYDjytXB6YnB3LVGZg?e=oR0MoI
Elected Official Signature page.pdf
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Bristow, Jessica 42107225120
Annual report presentation slides
Printed February 26, 2024 11:30 CST/CDT
PORTFOLIO
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Memorandum
Date: August 2, 2023
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: 715 North Dodge, Original Emma Goldman Clinic
In an effort to tell a more complete history of Iowa City, and in conjunction with the upcoming 50-year
anniversary of the forming of the Emma Goldman Clinic, former Commission Chair, Kevin Boyd, and
representatives of the Clinic have proposed local landmark designation for the property at 715 North
Dodge. Staff contacted the owners of the property, Jennifer Glanville and Benton McCune, who have
expressed support for the designation and have provided the attached letter. Staff has submitted the
application for rezoning on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Designation of the property as an Iowa City Historic Landmark will require Commission approval of
any significant changes to the exterior of the building. Landmark status will also make the property
eligible for special exceptions that would allow the Board of Adjustment to waive or modify certain
zoning requirements and for State Tax Credit funding of rehabilitation work as well as funding through
our Historic Preservation Fund for eligible rehabilitation projects. Since the property is already
classified as a Key Property in the Brown Street Historic District, landmark designation will not change
how the property relates to the Iowa City Historic Preservation Ordinance.
As the attached site inventory form describes, this house is a gable-front house with some Craftsman
Style detailing built between 1920 and 1926. It is very similar to catalogue houses that were popular at
the time, and it may be a representative of this type. The house has a full front porch with a solid
balustrade and grouped, battered columns on tall piers. The house has narrow lap siding with corner
boards at the first floor. A mid-level band board at the level of the second-floor window sills
demarcates a change to shingle siding with mitered corners and a ribbon coursing pattern. On the
north side, the house has a single-story, square projecting bay with a shed roof. A full length shed roof
dormer punctuates the main gable roof on the north side. The house has five-over-one double hung
windows in pairs on the front façade and singles elsewhere. On the rear, an attached garage has a
shed roof and connects to an enclosed rear porch to the south.
The attached history of the home details its significance to women’s history, social history, and health
and medicine at the local level. In 1973, following the landmark ruling in Roe vs Wade, a group of
young women formed the Emma Goldman Clinic to provide feminist health care. They formed this
clinic in a neighborhood house to provide a new kind of healthcare, one that was welcoming and
unlike traditional medical offices. As they expanded, they acquired the home next door and then
expanded to the location on North Dubuque Street. The house at 715 North Dodge Street is
significant as the founding location for this pioneering organization in women’s healthcare.
Landmark Designation
The Commission should determine if the property meets criterion A. and B. and at least one of the
criteria C., D., E., or F. for local designation listed below:
a. Significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and culture;
b. Possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship;
c. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history;
d. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;
e. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; or
represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a significant
and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
f. Has yielded or may likely yield information important in prehistory or history.
Staff finds that the property is significant for its role in our local feminist history and women’s
healthcare. As the location of the founding of the Emma Goldman Clinic meets local Criterion A and
C. As an intact example of a Craftsman-detailed house from the 1920s, the property meets Criterion B
and in Staff’s opinion, Criterion E. Staff does not find that there is enough information to consider the
property meeting Criterion F at this time.
Based on the information provided, staff finds that the property meets criteria A, B, C, and E, and
therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. Attachments include Site inventory forms for
the property, a history of the property as the Clinic, a location map, and photos.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of 715 North Dodge Street (Original Emma Goldman Clinic) as an
Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria A, B, C, and
E.
Enclosures:
Letter of Support from property owners
Iowa Site Inventory form
Emma Goldman Clinic History
715 North Dodge Street – front façade (NE corner)
715 North Dodge Street – front façade (SE corner)
715 North Dodge Street – attached garage (NW corner)
Site Inventory Form
State Historical Society of Iowa
1012712005 Printed from Database
Inventory #: 52-01404
Opinion
Cont ri b uting in Di str i ct
Listed on NRHP
Source-Year
Co nsultant-1981
NPS-2004
Criteria Considerations
ABCD ABCDEFG
YNYN NNNNNNN
Contr ib uti ng in Di strict SNRC-2004 Y N Y N N N N N N N N
In District: 52 : 00002 Goosetown Historic District
52 : 00007 Brown Street Historic District
Review & Compliance #:
1. Name of Property NRHP Listed: 9/29/2004 Non -Extant: No Non-Extant Year:
historic name : House
other names:
2. Locati on
street & number: 715 N Dodge St
City: Iowa City
Legal Descripti o n:
Vicinity : No County: Johnson
(If Rural)
(If Urban) Subdivision: Block:32 Lot:8
5. Classification
Category of Property:
Building(&)
Number of Re so urces within Property
Contributing: Non-Con tributing :
1 Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Buildings
Sites
Structures
Objects
Name of related survey or MPS 1 Q Total
HADB: 52 • 012 Jacobsen, James E., 1981 • Goosetown Historic District Nomination
HADB: 52 • 028 Svendsen, Marlys A., 1992 • Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa
HADB: 52 • 029 Nash, Jan Olive, 1997 ·Survey and Eval uation of a Portion of the Original Town Plat of Iowa City,
Iowa: An Intensive Level Historical and Architectural Survey and Amendment to the Mu ltiple
Property Documentation Form "Hi storic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa"
6. Functi on or Use
Historic Functions
DOMESTIC/single dwelling
Current Functions
DOMESTIC/s ingle dwelling
7. Descripti on
Arc hite ctural Cla ssification
Late 19th & Early 20th Century American Movements: Bungalow/Craftsman
Materials
Fou ndation:
Walls: Metal / Aluminum
Roof: Asphalt
Other: Asphalt
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria
y A: Significa nt Events
~ B: Significa nt Persons
y C: Arc hitectural Characteri stics
~ D: Archaeology
(Y=Yes N=No M=More Research Recommended)
Area of Significance
Architecture
Community Planning and Development
Significant Person: Architect:
10. Geographic Data
UTM Refe rences:
Criteria Considerations
N A: Relig io us In stit utio n
N B: Moved
N C: Birthplace or Grave
N D: Cemetery
N E: Reco nst ru cted
N F: Commemo ra tive Property
N G: Less t ha n 50 Years of Age
Significant Dates
Construction Year:
1920 D Circa
Other Dates:
Builder
Photo/Slide: Roll/Sheet# Frame Slot
14
Year:
1981
Photo/Slide: Roll/Sheet# Frame Slot Year:
f 1540
Iowa City
Historic Preserva�on Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
2024 Historic Preserva�on Work Plan
Goals and Objec�ves for the Historic Preserva�on Plan (2007)
The 1992 Historic Preserva�on Plan for the City adopted goals and objec�ves to guide the work of the
Commission. The 2007 Plan update con�nued with the 10 original goals, though refocused to align with
new opportuni�es and to acknowledge completed goals. The Historic Preserva�on Commission annually
updates its work plan. The plan for 2024 iden�fies priori�es in rela�onship to Preserva�on Plan goals.
Goal 1: Iden�fy historic resources significant to Iowa City's past.
Goal 2: Con�nue municipal policy of protec�on of historic resources and implement this policy
through effec�ve and efficient legisla�on and regulatory measures.
Goal 3: Establish economic incen�ves to encourage the preserva�on of historic buildings and
neighborhoods.
Goal 4: Provide the technical assistance necessary to preserve and improve historic proper�es.
Goal 5: Heighten public awareness of historic preserva�on in the community and improve
preserva�on educa�on efforts for various audiences.
Goal 6: Maintain and strengthen preserva�on partnerships between municipal government,
state government, and federal agencies.
Goal 7: Establish and implement historic preserva�on objec�ves for the University of Iowa
campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
Goal 8: Establish and support heritage tourism efforts appropriate to Iowa City's historic
resources and community needs.
Goal 9: Conduct regular review and evalua�on of historic preserva�on ini�a�ves by the historic
preserva�on community.
Goal 10: Adopt strategies to preserve historic neighborhoods which reflect their organic
development, historical roles and tradi�ons, modern needs, and economic health and stability.
Commission Priori�es
Oak Grove Park (Goal 1, Goal 5, Goal 10)
Partner with Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Art Commission, Lucas Farms Neighborhood, and
other community organizations to make Oak Grove Park a public space that honors the site’s heritage.
The park, originally owned by the railroad, was home to many Mexican immigrants who lived in
company-owned housing, old boxcars. Many of those immigrants moved into the surrounding
neighborhood. When the City sold Elm Grove Park, near the Johnson County Administra�on Building, it
bought the land where Oak Grove Park now sits. The park is currently scheduled for major renova�on in
Iowa City
Historic Preserva�on Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
2026 or 2027 which provides plenty of �me for us to inves�gate outside funding sources and develop a
community plan that makes it a public space both for the neighborhood but also the City. While the
majority of the work for this park will occur in future years, the Commission has determined that it is a
priority to begin inves�ga�on and research into the history of the are now.
Landmark/District Subcommitee (Goal 1, Goal 2, Goal 3, Goal 7, Goal 9, Goal 10)
In 1996 the HPC designated the first local landmarks and immediately began a list of the next priori�es
for designa�on. In 2015 they revisited the topic and eventually moved forward with a small group of
landmarks in 2017. In 2001 the first downtown study resulted in two poten�al Na�onal Register districts.
The Commission immediately began work toward a local downtown district. None of these districts
moved forward. In 2016 the HPC hired a consultant to update the downtown study that has resulted in a
Na�onal Register listed historic district. While a few local landmarks have been designated the area, no
further local designa�on has happened. Work between the HPC and the IC Downtown District to develop
incen�ves for preserva�on were not con�nued by City Council. There are other large areas of town with
historic proper�es that have never been surveyed such as the Lucas Farms-Kirkwood Avenue area and
the Morningside neighborhood. The Commission will form a landmark and district subcommitee to
begin to address poten�al landmarks and poten�al districts.
Engage with the Public and City Council (Goal 2, Goal 3, Goal 4, Goal 5, Goal 9)
Recent work plans have included projects that involved the HPC working with the Downtown District and
the Parks and Recrea�on Commission do develop proposals that were taken to City Council but were not
picked up by Council for future work or discussion. As the HPC begins to work through landmark and
district designa�ons, engaging with both the public and Council will be instrumental to the success of
the work. The Commission will con�nue to foster rela�onships between organiza�ons and atend
mee�ngs and other public forums where they can address historic preserva�on issues as they arise and
propose solu�ons to incen�vize historic preserva�on.
Ongoing work
Annual Historic Preserva�on Awards (Goal 5, Goal 9)
The annual awards program highlights successful preserva�on work within the community and the
exper�se of contractors and consultants. As one of the Commission’s main forms of community
outreach, the awards are a high priority every year and atract an audience of about 100 people. We will
con�nue to partner with Johnson County Historic Preserva�on Commission.
Historic Preserva�on Fund (Goal 3, Goal 4)
With the implementa�on of the fund in FY 2018, the Fund has approved 28 grants or loans improving 25
proper�es. This is a popular program which has helped property owners maintain the historic character
of their proper�es and has helped keep valuable material out of the landfill. Recently the annual budget
was increased from $40,000 to $42,000.
Iowa City
Historic Preserva�on Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Summit Street Monument (Goal 1, Goal 5, Goal 8)
In 2019 the consultant, Atlas Preserva�on, completed the “Summit Street Monument Assessment and
Conserva�on Op�ons Plan” that was financed in part through a Cer�fied Local Government Grant.
Reloca�ng the monument inside and pu�ng a replica in its place was determined to be the best course
of ac�on to preserve this important piece of Iowa City History. Staff has requested funding for the 2025
Fiscal Year to complete this funding. Finding a permanent home for the monument is one part of the
process without a current solu�on.
Long-Term Goals
Landfill diversion through salvage and reduced demoli�on
One of the fundamental principles of historic preserva�on is to preserve, reuse, and adapt rather than
demolish and create waste. Our work and previous commission’s work has kept immeasurable tons out
of landfills. The Commission shall con�nue to advocate that embodied energy is worth valuing and
con�nue with educa�on efforts that energy efficiency, repair, and maintenance of older homes looks
different than modern structures. Homes built before WWII were designed to be naturally efficient.
Repair over replacement was priori�zed.
Iden�fying opportuni�es to highlight Iowa City’s history as a leader in the struggle for social jus�ce,
racial equity and human rights and preserve the stories and structures.
Iowa City’s history is rich with the long fight for these values. We should iden�fy those stories and
preserve structures that represent those efforts. Par�cularly as structures from the 1960s and 1970s
become historic.
Update of the College Green Historic District
In 2016, the Commission approved the reloca�on of the Houser-Metzger House from 422 Iowa Avenue
to 623 College Street where the contribu�ng structure had been damaged beyond repair by fire and
water. In order for the relocated house to be considered contribu�ng to the Historic District, an
amendment to the Na�onal Register-listed district is required as a first step. This amendment will be
reviewed by the Commission following revision by staff and the District representa�ve.
Update of the Iowa City Preserva�on Handbook Maps
The most recent version of the handbook was updated in 2010 and does not include several recent
changes and needs to be reviewed for accuracy. Since many proper�es have changed status (for
example, a non-contribu�ng property has become contribu�ng because of siding removal and porch
rehabilita�on) in the past ten years, the maps, which are the basis for review-type, applica�on of
excep�ons, and in some cases eligibility of the Historic Preserva�on Fund, are outdated. The full
Commission would review and approve updated maps. A plan was outlined with City staff but with
limited staff �me this has not moved forward.
Iowa City
Historic Preserva�on Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Develop a disaster preparedness guide for preserva�on.
As the effects of climate change manifest themselves in more natural disasters, we need to be prepared.
The 2020 derecho followed the 2008 floods and the 2006 tornado. The City earned na�onal awards for
its work around the 2006 tornado by helping the community to retain and repair its historic structures.
The commission and city staff should develop a playbook for when a disaster hits (because one will
again). The goal would be to provide support to those dealing with a disaster, provide advice on
temporary repairs and help property owners proceed through the permi�ng and historic review
processes quickly for permanent repairs.
2023 Annual Report
2023 General Information
•Commission consists of twelve seats,
three of which are open now
•12 Historic Preservation Commission
meetings
•Budget:
•NDS budget includes:
$450 for annual mailing to owners
$750 for training and other expense
Historic Preservation Fund: $42,000
(increase of $2,000 for this year)
NR listed properties that were altered
430 South Summit-
rear addition
All project reviews on NR-listed
landmarks or buildings in NR-listed
historic districts
37 properties were altered
Does not include our Certificate of No
Material Effect
Local designated properties that were
altered
All project reviews on local designated
landmarks or conservation districts
23 properties were altered
Does not include our Certificate of No
Material Effect
103 South Governor Street
South porch reconstruction
New Local Landmarks
Original Emma Goldman Clinic, 1920-26, 1973
715 North Dodge Street
Assistance provided on preservation projects
•Technical and Design
assistance from staff
•241 inquiries in 2023
resulted in 85 applications
•Work with other areas of the
City in preserving their
buildings
Senior Center/ Old Post Office
Comprehensive exterior rehabilitation
Assistance provided on preservation projects
Historic Preservation Fund
$5,000 matching grants or no‐interest loans to property owners
To date: 54 funding projects on 43 properties
$165,000 of grants and loans provided on $404,000 worth of projects
332 East Davenport Street- Emma J. Harvat and Mary E. Stach House
(masonry repair of all brick)
Before After
Public Education and Outreach
Work without permits
Open positions on the Commission
Lack of available contractors and
drafters for applicants
Historic Barn will get a new
foundation
Issues, Challenges and/or Successes
1025 Woodlawn Avenue
Historic horse barn
foundation replacement
1011 Woodlawn Avenue
Fire damage
Staff worked with the Housing
Fellowship, the student build
group and their architect on 724
Ronalds Street
Climate Outreach Coordinator
presented to the Commission
Parks and Recreation Director
met with the Commission about
City Park pool
Work with the Senior Center staff
on the preservation of the
building
City Channel 4
Partnerships formed or continued
724 Ronalds Street
New construction- student build