What began in 2001 with the renovation of two historic buildings in the tri-state area of Iowa/Illinois/Wisconsin is today Sustainable Neighborhood Builders, Inc.—a company with the vision and know-how to rescue and revitalize forgotten neighborhoods and underutilized buildings.

 

SNB founder and president Bob Johnson was the developer of the Captain Merry Inn and Harmony Salon & Spa (www.captainmerry.com) in East Dubuque, IL, along with Merry on Main (www.galena.org) in Galena, IL. Over the years he has overseen the relocation and restoration of 11 homes to prevent their demolition, and most recently developed Restoration Warehouse—an architectural salvage materials business (www.restorationwarehouse.net) located in Dubuque, IA.

 

Next on the agenda for Sustainable Neighborhood Building is the redevelopment of a block of buildings located in the former millwork district in downtown Dubuque. Originally known as Novelty Iron Works; then Carr, Adams, & Collier; then Caradco and most recently Eagle Window & Door (www.eaglewindow.com), we plan to transform this former industrial factory into a multi-use facility (www.warehousetrust.com) that provides an eco-friendly living environment within an existing urban area.

 

The overall plan is to create a vibrant Historic Millwork District that provides a diverse, user-friendly environment for residents, businesses, workers and visitors. The district will enhance the quality of life in the Dubuque area, creating an active, spirited neighborhood and cultural destination for the city, its residents and visitors.

 

Already located in this district is Sustainable Land Development Inc. (www.sldtonline.com), a publishing house that puts out national magazines designed to serve individuals and organizations involved in the professional fields that comprise the land development industry. Editorial content in Sustainable Land Development Today (SLDT) is centered on sustainable objectives that help provide a balance to the triple-bottom line approach (people, planet, and profit).

 

Thus far the district also contains an interactive art museum (www.voiceswarehousegallery.com), a home interiors business (www.resajameshome.com), a recycling facility (Center Redemption) and a fitness center (www.thegymdubuque.com).

 

The first project in our particular block of buildings, at 1079 Elm Street, will contain upscale market-rate loft condos, corporate apartments, offices and a retail mix that includes an Italian restaurant, a winery/brewery, a café and a salon/spa.

Warehouse Art Gallery, founded in early 2009 by a group of art enthusiasts in the community, will feature a rotating mix of exhibits in a portion of the former warehouse.

 

The City of Dubuque is uniquely positioned to help our project. As part of the city’s Envision 2010 project (www.envision2010.org), community members voted the Warehouse District (now know as the Historic Millwork District) one of Dubuque’s Top 10 projects for the immediate future.

 

 

In 2007 the city of Dubuque was named an All-American City by the National Civic League, one of only 10 cities to receive the designation that year. Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Civic Engagement, it is the oldest and most prestigious civic recognition competition in the nation, based on engaging youth, business leaders, elected officials, city staff and nonprofit groups in civic dialogues leading to tangible results.

 

In reality, the community has been investing in its history, its environment, its people and its neighborhoods for decades. One example: The new Port of Dubuque area along the Mississippi River includes a huge new addition to the Diamond Jo Casino, the posh Grand River Hotel and Event Center, the National Mississippi River Aquarium, the new regional headquarters for McGraw Hill Publishing—along with a multi-use facility currently being constructed that will offer residences, offices and retail uses.

 

Next up for becoming a national model for development is the Historic Millwork District, located just inland from the Port of Dubuque. The city’s Envision 2010 planning process named this district one of the Top 10 projects on the community’s radar, and as a result the historic redevelopments in the District have the full backing of the city.

 

The Master Plan for this District shows the conversion of existing warehouse buildings into multi-use structures containing businesses, restaurants, shops and residences. The city has budged more than $4 million toward infrastructure improvements, such as street and sewer updates, through 2013. Reconstruction of 10th Street, on the south side of our building, is slated to begin the summer of 2009.

Current Gallery Committee: Jeff Styles, Ronald Tigges, Paula Neuhaus, Jennifer Tigges