Encyclopedia Dubuque
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WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION: Difference between revisions
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The geographical boundaries of the corporation were Pine, 20th, White and 12th streets. Once known locally as "St. Mary's neighborhood," the area was zoned industrial in Dubuque's first comprehensive zoning ordinance established in 1934. Truck routes were planned through the neighborhood as industries developed. Many residents moved out. | The geographical boundaries of the corporation were Pine, 20th, White and 12th streets. Once known locally as "St. Mary's neighborhood," the area was zoned industrial in Dubuque's first comprehensive zoning ordinance established in 1934. Truck routes were planned through the neighborhood as industries developed. Many residents moved out. | ||
In 1966 [[SIGWARTH, Anthony (Monsignor)|Anthony SIGWARTH (Monsignor)]], [[WALTZ, John J. "Hank"|John J. "Hank" WALTZ]] and others formed the Washington Neighborhood Council. | In 1966 [[SIGWARTH, Anthony (Monsignor)|Anthony SIGWARTH (Monsignor)]], [[WALTZ, John J. "Hank"|John J. "Hank" WALTZ]] and others formed the Washington Neighborhood Council. In one of the early actions, the group established the Washington Opportunities Center in a building donated by Catholic Charities. This was followed by a successful two-year legal battle that went to the Iowa Supreme Court re-designating the area from industrial to multi-family residential. The Council then challenged the Iowa Highway Commission on the location of the north-south freeway which would have gone through the area displacing residents. In 1975 the Council succeeded in having the [[WASHINGTON STREET DIVERTERS]] installed. The Washington Neighborhood Improvement Corporation was to work closely with the Washington Neighborhood Council, a part of the River Valley Community Action Program. | ||
The president of the corporation was [[LUNDH, Alvin Emil|Alvin Emil LUNDH]]. Vice-president of the corporation was Rev. Sigwarth, pastor of [[SAINT MARY'S CHURCH]]. The board of directors was to be primarily composed of neighborhood residents. Subcommittees of area residents would carry out responsibilities for specific tasks. | The president of the corporation was [[LUNDH, Alvin Emil|Alvin Emil LUNDH]]. Vice-president of the corporation was Rev. Sigwarth, pastor of [[SAINT MARY'S CHURCH]]. The board of directors was to be primarily composed of neighborhood residents. Subcommittees of area residents would carry out responsibilities for specific tasks. | ||
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All the leaders of the corporation, except Lundh, were once opponents of the north-south freeway. The highway planners' cooperation with the area's residents and the eventual relocation of the highway east and south of the neighborhood led to further cooperation. | All the leaders of the corporation, except Lundh, were once opponents of the north-south freeway. The highway planners' cooperation with the area's residents and the eventual relocation of the highway east and south of the neighborhood led to further cooperation. | ||
Long-term goals of the organization included improvement of existing housing, a new park-playground complex with a swimming pool, street planning, and establishment of new family and elderly housing. Plans also included a tool lending library, greenhouse, nursing home, day-care center, and an arts and crafts center. Whenever possible, existing structures | Long-term goals of the organization included improvement of existing housing, a new park-playground complex with a swimming pool, street planning, and establishment of new family and elderly housing. Plans also included a tool lending library, greenhouse, nursing home, day-care center, and an arts and crafts center. Whenever possible, existing structures were to be rehabilitated using local non-governmental funds. | ||
See: [[WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD TOOL LIBRARY]] | See: [[WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD TOOL LIBRARY]] | ||
Revision as of 05:08, 14 January 2014
WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION. The non-governmental, non-profit corporation was announced to the media and city council on June 8, 1972. The purpose of the organization was to rehabilitate and preserve one of the oldest parts of the city.
The geographical boundaries of the corporation were Pine, 20th, White and 12th streets. Once known locally as "St. Mary's neighborhood," the area was zoned industrial in Dubuque's first comprehensive zoning ordinance established in 1934. Truck routes were planned through the neighborhood as industries developed. Many residents moved out.
In 1966 Anthony SIGWARTH (Monsignor), John J. "Hank" WALTZ and others formed the Washington Neighborhood Council. In one of the early actions, the group established the Washington Opportunities Center in a building donated by Catholic Charities. This was followed by a successful two-year legal battle that went to the Iowa Supreme Court re-designating the area from industrial to multi-family residential. The Council then challenged the Iowa Highway Commission on the location of the north-south freeway which would have gone through the area displacing residents. In 1975 the Council succeeded in having the WASHINGTON STREET DIVERTERS installed. The Washington Neighborhood Improvement Corporation was to work closely with the Washington Neighborhood Council, a part of the River Valley Community Action Program.
The president of the corporation was Alvin Emil LUNDH. Vice-president of the corporation was Rev. Sigwarth, pastor of SAINT MARY'S CHURCH. The board of directors was to be primarily composed of neighborhood residents. Subcommittees of area residents would carry out responsibilities for specific tasks.
All the leaders of the corporation, except Lundh, were once opponents of the north-south freeway. The highway planners' cooperation with the area's residents and the eventual relocation of the highway east and south of the neighborhood led to further cooperation.
Long-term goals of the organization included improvement of existing housing, a new park-playground complex with a swimming pool, street planning, and establishment of new family and elderly housing. Plans also included a tool lending library, greenhouse, nursing home, day-care center, and an arts and crafts center. Whenever possible, existing structures were to be rehabilitated using local non-governmental funds.
See: WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD TOOL LIBRARY
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Source:
Bulkley, John. "Neighborhood Improvement Group Debuts," Telegraph Herald, June 9, 1972, p. 1. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bg9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BsQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6921,4169609&dq=washington+neighborhood+tool+library&hl=en
Fyten, David. "Our Neighborhood," Telegraph Herald, November 12, 1975, p. 1. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MvZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Qb4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6812,1902385&dq=washington+neighborhood+tool+library&hl=en