402 E. 4th Street
Total Investment: $7 million
Public Funds: $842,443 in state investment tax credits and sales and utility tax rebates
Private Funds Leveraged: $6 million
Status: Ongoing
New Housing Units: 45

The second-largest, and arguably highest-profile and most visible of Davenport's Warehouse District buildings, is at long last undergoing a massive renovation, adding 45 more apartments to the burgeoning residential neighborhood on downtown's eastern edge.

The project is another by developer Joe Erenberger and partners Y&J Properties, who recently renovated the Peterson Paper Company building on 2nd Street.

Like the Peterson building, the Halligan Coffee Company Building - constructed in 1907 - was long under-utilized for commercial purposes and was falling into serious disrepair. But the bones of a fantastic building are still evident, from the tall multi-hung sash sets and brick arches, vast 22-foot ceilings, carved stone decorative panes in the building entrance to the stained kiln bricks on the upper floors where coffee was roasted.

Erenberger said converting the 60,000 square-foot, century-old Classical Revival Style factory and office building into a modern loft apartment complex is among his most challenging and ambitious projects yet. But the work he's done downtown so far has led him to learn a lot.

"We're moving faster than we ever have before," he said, adding that leasing could begin in as little as seven months from now. The building will feature seven units per floor - with one, two and three bedroom configurations - and will range in price from $900 to $1,500 per month. All units are market rate. They will also include cable, internet and access to public gathering areas inside and outside as part of the rent. He expects the building to be attractive to young professionals, corporate transplants and empty nesters alike.

One of the other unique challenges to the project has been cleaning up and improving the exterior of the property - both on the building itself and the surrounding lot. Erenberger partnered with the YMCA - which owns the adjacent land to the east of the building - to clear out dozens of invasive trees, weeds and other unwanted plants. In addition to tuck pointing brick and re-painting the historic commercial messages on the outside of the building, he plans on turning the concrete-heavy lot to the southeast of the building into a park-like public area. The outside space is challenging because it once served as the footings of a railroad spur servicing the Warehouse District.

Erenberger said he's enjoyed learning about the history of the Halligan building - and the regional coffee company that was a big part of Davenport's early development - as work has progressed. The company was begun by Thomas Halligan and partners in 1884 and quickly expanded as a distributor of coffee, tea, spices and other food stuffs throughout the upper Midwest. The company grew to more than 100 employees by the early 20th century, necessitating the building of the Halligan Coffee Company Building in 1907. The company ceased operations in 1952 due to global competition from larger distributors.

There will be quite a few nods to the coffee company's history throughout the building, including the possibility of a commercial connection at some point, Erenberger hinted.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Committee of the Whole - 8:00 am

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Minard, Sunderbruch, Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock

Presentation

2. Presentation of PRIDE recognition for years of service. (Item 2) .....9:00 a.m.

3. Recognizing Kathy Hall's retirement from the Treasurer's Office. (Item 3)

4. Recognition for those in the Leadership Summit Recertification Program. (Item 4)

5. Presentation of PRIDE Recognition for Employee of the Quarter.

Facilities & Economic Development

6. Award of bid for security system components to Stanley Convergent Security Solutions in the total amount of $22,805.00. (Item 6)

7. Award of bid for fine paper to Midland Paper in the amount of $15,119.75. (Item 7)

Human Resources

8. Discussion of replacement for Taxation Deputy position. (Item 8)

9. Collective bargaining agreement between Scott County and AFSCME. (Item 9)

10. Staff appointments. (Item 10)

Finance & Intergovernmental

11. Jail contract renewals for Jail Commissary and Jail Inmate Phone Services. (Item 11)

12. Purchase of Numera Software Maintenance and Support. (Item 12)

13. Contract with Kuchera for acquisition of 3" digital orthophotography. (Item 13)

14. GIS Software Maintenance Renewal with ESRI, Inc. (Item 14)

15. 2014 Slough Bill Exemptions. (Item 15)

16. April 2014 - National County Government Month "Ready and Resilient Counties: Prepare. Respond. Thrive." (Item 16)

17. Board Appointments. (Item 17)

Other Items of Interest

18. Recognizing the dedication of Thomas A. Garside M.D. to the mental health community, and his retirement from practice. (Item 18)

19. Recognition of Dan Schurr's years of service on the Benefited Fire District #1. (Item 19)

20. Consideration of appointments with upcoming term expirations for boards and

commissions.

o Benefited Fire District #6, Mary Friederichs 6/30/14

o Public Safety Authority, Wilma Drummond (Davenport's Appointment) 6/30/14

o Quad City Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Tim Huey 6/30/14

21. Adjourned.

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____

Ayes

Nays

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Regular Board Meeting - 5:00 pm

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

House File 2131: an Act modifying applicable to the recording of a mortgage or deed of trust executed by a transmitting utility.

House File 2172: an Act providing for the use of an electronic filing and notice system by the Public Employment Relations Board.

House File 2216: an Act concerning the definition of off-road utility vehicle for purposes of regulation by the Department of Natural Resources. 

House File 2170: an Act relating to school instructional time.

House File 2130: an Act relating to matters under the purview of the Banking Division of the Department of Commerce.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) recently met with representatives from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. Capitol. Harkin and local leaders discussed a wide variety of issues, including the Rock Island Arsenal and efforts to expand the local manufacturing industry. The group also discussed progress for several infrastructure projects in the community, as well as the growing popularity of the Quad City health centers.

Each year, Harkin meets with leaders from throughout Iowa to discuss topics ranging from health care to transportation to appropriations funding. This actuality is available on the web at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sdmc-media.senate.gov/Harkin/030714_HARKIN_1_RADIO.mp3

A fact sheet highlighting Senator Harkin's work with community leaders from the Quad Cities can be found here.

A photo from the meeting can be found here.

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