GRONEN PROPERTIES/GRONEN RESTORATION

GRONEN PROPERTIES/GRONEN RESTORATION. John GRONEN became interested in conserving historic buildings when his grandmother donated FOUR MOUNDS to the City of Dubuque. When it became possible that the buildings might be demolished, Gronen and friends organized the Four Mounds Foundation which took over a long-term lease to enable the historic buildings and grounds to be maintained and restored.

In 2001 John and Mary Gronen's first project was the Town Clock Building. John acted as the developer and project manager. It was in this work that they found historic tax credits could make restoring historic buildings financially possible. Their company, founded in 1989, was also the project manager of the Roshek Building restoration. Rehabilitation of six buildings in 1000 block of Main Street yielded fourteen historic store fronts including River Lights Bookstore, Jitterz Coffee and L. May Eatery. In the upper level of those buildings, Gronen created thirty high-quality apartments with the focus on providing attainable housing in the community. (1) In 2016 it was involved in the transformation of the former ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. (2)

The MILLWORK DISTRICT REVITALIZATION involved what had been known as the Warehouse Historic District and then the Historic Millwork District. Once a thriving area of manufacturing in Dubuque, the area had generally been ignored for decades. Its restoration had become a city priority, but no one wanted to start the work. Gronen began in 2021 restoring the CARADCO buildings which involved six buildings in an area the size of an entire city block. The Schmid Innovation Center / CARADCO Lofts became the address of many businesses and several local nonprofits. In 2015 the renovation of DUBUQUE LINSEED OIL COMPANY building led to the creation of ten rental units. DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION moved into the Dupaco Voices Building in 2020. (3)

In 2020, Gronen completed an overall assessment of the campus of ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL. Phase one began in 2021 included water mitigation and repairs including new concrete parking lots, new storm and sanitary, landscape design and the reconstruction of a limestone retaining wall. Phase two in 2023 included new roofs on all campus buildings, built-in copper gutters, copper components, masonry and window restoration, and a complete restoration of the steeple. Phase Three expected to be completed in 2024-25 included restoration of all rectory windows. (4)

For the members of FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Gronen business acumen meant the continuation of the church's existence at 10th and Locust. Initially concern was focused on the north wall of church being unstable. After further review, it was discovered that the floor of the church was sagging. Consultation with outside experts who had faced similar circumstances led Gronen to suggest a series of solutions which were approved by the congregation. For at least two years, the congregation was forced to move to St. Mary's Catholic Church for its weekly services. As work continued--a mosiac tile floor was found under a rug at the main entrance to the church on 10th Street, reinforcing rods were placed to ensure the structural stability of the building, and the sagging floor in the sanctuary and the ceiling in the social rooms downstairs were replaced. (5)

Gronen has also been involved in new construction. A $24.5 million nearly 253,000-square foot warehouse was constructed on Seippel Road with the Gronen Company acting as developer and project manager. In 2024 it was leased by Simmons Pet Foods.

In 2016 the Gronens were inducted into the JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS HALL OF FAME. (6)

The company was deeply involved in the renovation of GERMAN (GRACE) METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

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Source:

1. Nieland, Grace, "Gronen Celebrates 25 Years Restoring 'Historic Fabric' of Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, November 10, 2024, p. 8C

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Gronen. Online: https://www.gronen.com/st-raphaels-cathedral

5. Documents provided by First Congregational

6. Montgomery, Jeff. "Hoefer, Gronens to Join Junior Achievement Business Hall," Telegraph Herald, June 23, 2016, p. 3A

Families in Business. (magazine). Telegraph Herald, July 30, 2010, p. 28