Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
URBAN RENEWAL
This entry is in the process of being written.
URBAN RENEWAL. In 1965, a 15-square bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Locust and Central was proposed for urban renewal. (1) In August Cyril FERRING met with a group of members of the Chamber of Commerce to urge "a retention--but a modern one--of what you have." (2) Ferring, a resident of Chicago, had participated in that city's refurbishing of the Old Town Triangle.
"Practically no one has what you have here, most of it has been
destroyed." (3)
Locally he pointed to the loss of the Langworthy house at Third and Alpine as an example.
Tom Loosbrock, an architect, agreed with Ferring. "Too often there is a tendency to look at the lower floors and solve the immediate problems and not pay attention to the upper floors. Loosbrock listed six qualities of Dubuque architecture: masonry, simple, people oriented, no large expanse of glass windows, lots of vertical elements, and arched openings. (4)
Robert Sullivan, a downtown businessman, suggested that new buildings and remodeling in the renewal area and surroundings should have a general motif or theme. (5)
City Planner Clyde Cook said it would be possible to ensure an architectural style for the area. Specifications or qualities could be set out in an ordinance for the renewal area and the sections surrounding it. (6)
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Source:
1. Thompson, Dave. "Chamber Told to Keep Dubuque Style, Charm," Telegraph Herald, August 20, 1965, p. 1
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.