News and Action

Des Moines' Seven Most Endangered Buildings

RenovateDSM — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:24:23 -0700

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club publishes an annual list of Des Moines' Seven Most Endangered Buildings. This annual list draws attention to buildings in danger of demolition or abandonment before they are irrevocably destroyed.

Rehabilitation of Historic Flood Damaged Structures

RenovateDSM — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:20:32 -0700

In the summer of 2008, floods ripped through towns and cities along major Iowa rivers. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed. Among those structures were many historic buildings that are now in eminent danger of demolition.

Within the next few days (as of September 23, 2008), Congress is considering a supplemental appropriations bill to assist flooded communities. Please take a few minutes to write to your representatives an stress the importance of preserving and repairing historic buildings.

2008 Most Endangered Building Nomination Form

RenovateDSM — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:34:48 -0700

THE 2008 NOMINATION PERIOD HAS CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SENT IN NOMINATION FORMS.

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club is seeking nominations for the first annual Des Moines Seven Most Endangered Buildings List! The nomination deadline is September 22, 2008.

This annual "Most Endangered Building List" will draw attention to buildings in danger of demolition before they are irrevocably destroyed.

There are currently 25 buildings on the City of Des Moines "Demo List" - These are buildings that are in a state of disrepair such that the City has decided they are a danger to the public health and safety. Many more buildings are listed as "public nuisance" properties. If the conditions that caused a public nuisance action are not corrected, a public nuisance building may be demolished.
Many other buildings are simply vacant and abandoned - If these buildings are not adequately secured from vandalism and weather, it is likely they will eventually end up on the demo list.
Some of the buildings that are actively demolished could be rehabilitated - The "nuclear option" is used before all other options are exhausted.
Demolition of "rehab-able" buildings is a waste of natural resources and energy - Rehabilitation of existing buildings is a "green" option compared to demolition. Reusing an existing building saves waste from landfills. Older buildings were often built to take advantage of natural ventilation, and can be made energy efficient.
Buildings (even those in good condition) that stand in the way of new developments are demolished – The community can work with developers to save notable or historic structures. There are examples across the city of substantial buildings standing in the way of proposed projects.

State Historic Tax Credit - Proposed Rule Changes

RenovateDSM — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:51:29 -0700

[UPDATE June 25, 2008 - The final rule changes did not include the initially proposed five year holding period requirement. Thank you to everyone who helped highlight the negative impact of the proposed rule change.]

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGES - Note: the final rule changes did not include the following passage. However, this is an indication of how we must all be conscious of legislation and administrative rules concerning historic rehabilitation.

One change in particular concerned me greatly:

New Rule: 48.10A(303,404A) Repayment of tax credit certificates.
48.10A(1) The owner must retain ownership of the project building for five full years after completion of the rehabilitation or pay back the credit. If the building owner disposes of the project building within one year after certification of the project and award of the tax credit, the owner shall repay 100% of the tax credit. For properties held between one and five years, the tax credit repayment amount is reduced by 20% per year.

In practical terms, this rule would prohibit developers from utilizing the Historic Tax Credits to renovate otherwise qualifying historic single family homes - no developer could afford to hold a building for five years.

Student Renovators

RenovateDSM — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:36:02 -0800

The Des Moines Register gives some more love to renovation on February 5, 2008, with an article about Central Campus students working on a renovation project:

Students at Central Campus are working together to flip a house without the rush and glamour of some reality shows.

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Rehabbing the House Next Door

RenovateDSM — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:21:17 -0800

Being Neighborly Part of Plan - Des Moines Register article, February 7, 2008.

The Des Moines Register published a wonderful story about Jack Daugherty's renovation project in the Union Park neighborhood. Daugherty, a project manager with Koester Construction, purchased and renovated the house next door to the one he and his family live in.

Historic Sherman Hill Church Threatened By Demolition

RenovateDSM — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:29:12 -0800

From the Tuesday November 27, 2007, Des Moines Register, staff writer Melissa Walker reports on the Kingsway Cathedral:

Owners of the century-old church at 901 19th St. will again ask for permission to demolish the building, which the city ordered closed in early 2003 because of structural problems.

Congregation members said then that the problems were caused by vibrations from the Interstate Highway 235 reconstruction work.
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Get the Lead Out!

RenovateDSM — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:44:24 -0800

Lead paint can be found on almost any surface of your historic home: windows, walls, ceilings, siding, cabinetry, and trim. Lead is a poison and can affect both humans and pets. Children are particularly susceptible. Contact the Polk County Health Department for more information on lead paint law, lead poisoning symptoms, and how to rid your house of lead.

Lynn Simmons
Program Specialist
Polk County Health Department
1907 Carpenter Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314

Phone: 515-286-3596

e-mail: Lsimmon@co.polk.ia.us

Press Release - Inaugural Meeting

RenovateDSM — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:47:41 -0700

NEW GROUP PROMOTES RENOVATION OF HISTORIC HOMES

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club is a new organization providing support and encouragement for people who are undertaking renovation tasks of all types, from repairing a plaster crack all the way through a gut renovation or full restoration project.

Pioneer Park Application Approved

RenovateDSM — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:21:02 -0700

At tonight's meeting, the Pioneer Park application for recognition was approved by the Neighborhood Revitalization Board. Questions were asked regarding the spatial distribution of neighborhood organization board members (most of them live on one side of the neighborhood) and some specifics about membership voting rights.

The motion to approve passed unanimously after a couple minutes of discussion.

Congratulations Pioneer Park!

Pioneer Park to Become 51st Neighborhood

RenovateDSM — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:08:37 -0700

An update from the Des Moines Register on the previous Pioneer Park article. Pioneer Park is moving forward in its bid to become Des Moines' 51st "recognized" neighborhood.

Pioneer Park Neighborhood Seeks Recognition

RenovateDSM — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:54:48 -0700

The Des Moines Register reports that the Pioneer Park neighborhood association has selected officers and will be petitioning the Neighborhood Revitalization Board for recognition as early as the August 1 meeting.

Angie's List Opens Des Moines Chapter

RenovateDSM — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:29:11 -0700

Angie's List, a popular subscription-based contractor rating service, has opened a Des Moines chapter. For the time-being, they are offering a free one-year membership to new users. Angie's List members can post feedback on contractors they have used and search other members' comments. Right now, there don't appear to be many "rated" contractors but that will change as the membership grows.

From the Angie's List web site:

We opened our DES MOINES chapter of Angie's List on 1/11/2007. While we're getting started in DES MOINES, you can join Angie's List for one year free. This offer will expire in a few months. At that time, you can sign up for a monthly membership for $5.95 or an annual membership for $51.

Fighting Crime in River Bend

RenovateDSM — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:08:21 -0700

The Des Moines Register has published an in-depth story of River Bend neighborhood residents' fight to reduce crime.

Troubled by the high number of renters and multi-family homes in the area, Jenison said her association has lobbied for zoning changes.

"We would like to swing the balance over more toward homeowners because of the investment they make," Jenison said. "Homeowners are vested in the neighborhood."

[Read more on DesMoinesRegister.com]