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Letter from the Editor
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By SHA Executive Director Sandra Neff
T his year, we celebrate the
Association's 25th anniversary, and we need your help to
make the walking tour better than ever.
How can you help?
Spruce up for the hundreds of guests that will tour our neighborhood: mow, pick up the yard, trim the hedges, and help your neighbors do the same!
Lend a hand! Nelda Mickle, 515-282-0396, is volunteer coordinator. Call her and let her know how much time you can donate. There is a 2-hour minimum!
Invite friends, family, and coworkers to take the tour with you.
Greet our guests with a smile!
Homes On Tour
Already, Sherman Hill neighbors have agreed to open their
homes for the walking tour. To date, the tour includes homes
on Center Street, Woodland Avenue, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th
Streets.
Watch for more details, and get involved. Relish this
opportunity to celebrate our Silver Anniversary!
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
Hillside Apartments Rehabilitated with Public Funds
S HA acquired the Hillside
Apartments at 19th and Woodland several years ago after a
fire greatly damaged the building. The SHA acted in order to
stop the city from condemning and tearing down the building.
Public funds were leant to the SHA to rehabilitate the
property under the condition that the SHA rent 60% of the
units to Section 8 housing for several years. If we continue
to rent the units as Section 8 housing for the next two
years, our lender will forgive a large portion of the
interest on the loans.
Problems with the Boiler
The boiler used for the steam radiators in the Hillside is
leaking and became mostly unusable this last spring. The SHA
Board has asked Property Manager Jim Shippley to gather bids
for replacing the current radiator system with individual
heating units for each apartment. Renters will be required to
pay for the cost of heating their own apartment rather than
having the cost included in the monthly rent. Low-income
renters are entitled to public funds to pay for heating,
while similar funds are not available to the SHA as owner of
the property. If SHA were to pay for replacing the boiler and
charge the true cost of heating, instead of putting
individual heaters in place, SHA would have to raise rents
well above the level required by the loans. Individual
heating units will also increase the value of the Hillside
should the SHA decide to sell the property. The SHA Board
will consider approving a bid for putting individual heating
units into the Hillside at the next SHA Board Meeting, August
21.
Hillside Management
Alliance Realty, Jim Shippley, 277-0000, manages the
Hillside for the SHA Board. The SHA Board has received
complaints from tenants and neighbors about problems reaching
the property manager outside of normal business hours. SHA
President Randa LeJeune asks that tenants and neighbors
contact her and Mr. Shippley to report any more problems. The
Board accepted responsibility for a report of minor vandalism
to a neighbor's property in part due to an inadequate
process for reporting and resolving issues.
The Board has discussed improving management of the
apartments several times this year. Similar discussions are
likely in future board meetings.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
T he original intent of the SHA was
to save the Hillside from demolition, and then rehabilitate
the building. It is unclear whether the SHA members would
like to continue running the building in the long term.
One idea heard discussed would be to turn over the property
to a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of
owning and managing the property. Several Sherman Hill
neighbors created the Neighbor Investment Corporation to
handle the 15th and Woodland Avenue Apartments project
championed by State Representative Jack Hatch. The SHA Board
is considering using a similar non-profit organization for
acquiring 1620 Pleasant Avenue from Polk County. One
naturally wonders if such a structure is good for handling
1620 Pleasant, why not use the same kind of structure for the
Hillside?
Another idea discussed by some SHA members would be to sell
the property after the SHA repays the loans of public money
in a few years. The people who own and love their houses
rehabilitated most of the properties in Sherman Hill. The
dramatic improvement of the Loheed's apartment building
at 20th and Pleasant is a stark contrast to the stagnation of
the Hillside in recent years. The improvements of the
Portwell and Wellsport Apartments made by Jack Hatch and
Sonia Roberts across the street from the Hillside draw a
clear contrast as well.
Finally, some SHA members have expressed an interest in
raising rents on the Hillside after the SHA pays of the
current loans that require Section 8 housing. These members
believe the SHA should attempt to run the property at a
profit to generate revenue for other projects.
There are currently no resolutions before the SHA Board to
change the ownership or operation of the Hillside. However,
the SHA will soon pay off the loans requiring low rent
housing; many people are frustrated with how the Board
manages the building, and we are discussing how to handle
other properties in the neighborhood. Chances are the Board
will soon discuss what to do with the Hillside.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
N ow that the courts have decided
that Polk County could not lease 1620 Pleasant Avenue to
PACE, Polk County approached the Sherman Hill Association to
ask if we would like to put in another bid for purchasing the
property. In the last quarterly meeting of the Sherman Hill
Association, SHA members voted to have the SHA Board of
Directors pursue acquiring 1620 Pleasant if we can, and to
consider creating a non-profit organization for the purpose
of owning and operating 1620 Pleasant as a commercial
property. The SHA would be the majority owner of that new
non-profit organization.
Sherman Hill Association Board member Bob Mickle has
prepared a status report based on the work of the SHA 1620
Pleasant Avenue committee, including a brief discussion of
current resolutions before the SHA Board. You can read his
report in this newsletter to get an account of what SHA is
doing to acquire the property.
Active SHA members are well versed in the history of 1620
Pleasant Avenue. Probably no other issue has drawn as much
attention or effort from the neighbors, including a few court
cases that required donations of a bit of money. Neighbors
new to the issue will need a bit of background to understand
the issues before the SHA regarding acquiring the
property.
Polk County and PACE
Polk County purchased 1620 Pleasant Avenue over ten years
ago when the Jewish Retirement Home moved out to the suburbs.
Polk County struggled to find an appropriate use for the
building for many years, but eventually decided to solicit
bids for purchase of the property. The SHA put together a
Business Plan and lined up several investors to create a
corporation owned by SHA and the investors to purchase 1620
Pleasant for about $200,000(?) in late 1998. That winter,
Polk County scheduled a hearing to consider bids to buy the
property. The supervisors decided not to sale the property,
but instead to lease it for $1.00 a year to PACE.
PACE is a non-profit organization affiliated by Orchard
Place and the City of Des Moines dedicated to providing youth
rehabilitation services. Some of those programs are for youth
referred by the Polk County courts.
While most of the Sherman Hill residents applaud and support
PACE's efforts, many neighbors were concerned about the
concentration of social services in Sherman Hill. Other
neighbors were alarmed that the County leased the property
for under market value while the county had a much higher bid
from SHA for purchase of the property.
Court Cases
The SHA helped organize a group of residents who donated
money towards a few legal cases to sue Polk County for
leasing the property improperly. The courts decided in favor
of the neighbors. The courts decided that Polk County cannot
give valuable public property away, even to well deserved
non-profit organizations: the County has to lease or sale the
property for market value. The courts also decided that Polk
County violated public notice laws by advertising a meeting
for selling 1620 Pleasant, and then deciding to lease the
property.
SHA Board Concerns
Many of the SHA Board members are concerned that Polk County
not repeat the same mistake by giving the property over to
SHA at under a fair value. PACE has invested thousands of
dollars into renovations in 1620 Pleasant and then lost their
lease on the property due to the county's mistake. The
Board is also concerned that whatever course we take, that we
limit the liability to SHA members and provide for good
stewardship of the property.
By SHA Board Member Bob Mickle
O n June 19, there was a special SHA
membership meeting to hear a County proposal for possible
ownership of the property by SHA.
Consensus was that the Sherman Hill neighborhood seek to own
the property if possible and indicated possible users such
as:
Continuation of the PACE youth rehabilitation program (but excluding those assigned by the Judicial system);
Artists' cooperative;
Small professional and business offices; and
Office meeting space for the SHA's community center for the neighborhood.
A preliminary committee of Jack Hatch, SHA President Randa
LeJeune, Dave Mowitz, Jack Porter, and SHA Board member Bob
Mickle is working on this issue.
Present Status on 1620:
The SHA hired a building inspection firm, The Building Inspectors, to determine general condition of the building and any major problems with the property. The Inspector's report indicates the building is in good condition, the cost of repairs are minimal, and have given preliminary cost estimates for undergoing remodeling to have larger office space and removal of unneeded plumbing.
The committee is in process of finalizing a business plan to determine potential gross income versus expenses to see if ownership and operation is feasible.
Committee members met with representatives of PACE and Polk County to get information on the proposed use of the lower floor by PACE and to determine method for establishing the fair market value of the building. SHA may offset cost of the building by using 50% of the building for public purpose uses under a lease for a specific period to Polk County for uses approved by the Sherman Hill Association as owner.
The Sherman Hill Association Board discussed if a separate non-profit group could own and manage the property with Sherman Hill Association as the majority owner of that group in the July monthly meeting.
Information was given by Board members in the July meeting about a newly formed non-profit group from Sherman Hill that was formed to be the owner and manager for the new apartment building project to be built at the corner of 15th and Woodland. The Board discussed whether the non-profit group could be used to acquire and manage 1620 Pleasant, or whether the Sherman Hill Association should form a separate non-profit organization.
The State of Iowa approved the newly formed Neighborhood Investment Corporation as a non-profit development group. Present Directors are Bob Mickle, President, Jack Porter, Secretary/Treasurer, Dave Mowitz, and two more directors yet unnamed.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
O n August 6, the City Council
unanimously approved a measure to tear down the long deserted
Celebrity Care building at 711 16th Street. The city will
tear down the building within a few months.
Many SHA members are concerned that squatters often use the
empty property and put the neighborhood at risk for crime and
accidental fires. A homeless squatter started the blaze that
burnt down several properties at the intersection of Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Crocker Avenue last year.
After the building is gone, the city plans to give the
property to the SHA for use as lots for one or two house
moves to save properties in the path of the MLK Jr. Boulevard
expansion.
The SHA members voted to approve a letter to the City
Council in favor of tearing down the property in the last
quarterly meeting.
The SHA has been reluctant to support condemning properties
in the neighborhood. The SHA helped condemn properties in the
past after fires made the properties unsafe. Celebrity Care
is unsafe because of the property owners' neglect.
16th Street neighbors look forward to having new neighbors
at the site later this year.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
T he SHA Board considered a
resolution to vacate a portion of 19th Street in the July
Board of Directors meeting. Residents on High Street have
asked the SHA Board to support their efforts to close half a
block of 19th Street from High Street to the alleyway behind
the Hillside and Meyrock apartments on Woodland Avenue.
The Board was not able to come to a consensus on the issue.
Board members are concerned about the misuse of the one-way
portion of 19th Street, especially so close to many
apartments with small children. Board members are also
concerned that we have adequate southbound thoroughfares out
of the neighborhood once the Martin Luther King Jr. expansion
project begins.
Because some Board members feel the discussion on the
resolution was cut off prematurely, the resolution will
likely be put before the board again in the near future.
The Board has often flirted with asking Iowa Methodist
Hospital Center and the City to close down Woodland at 15th
Street in order to cut traffic coming through the
neighborhood at night from downtown eateries and bars.
Decorum requires that we consider the closing of 19th Street
fully before asking SHA members to support closing a major
entry into the neighborhood.
Following is the text of the resolution put before the
Board:
Resolution
Whereas the one-way designation for Nineteenth Street
between High Street and Woodland Avenue is routinely ignored
by drivers seeking a short cut from downtown and the south
side of McVicker Freeway and north side neighborhoods,
and
Whereas the one-way designation for Nineteenth Street
between High Street and Woodland Avenue is not enforced and
is unenforceable, and
Whereas such illegal traffic on Nineteenth Street creates a
serious hazard as it traverses the intersection of Nineteenth
Street and Woodland Avenue which is not signed for northbound
traffic, and
Whereas there is now a large plot of vacant land bordered by
Nineteenth Street, Ingersol Avenue, Martin Luther King
Boulevard and High Street which will undoubtedly be developed
for destination retail use, and
Whereas such destination retail use will dramatically
increase cut through traffic driving the wrong way on the
one-way designated portion of Nineteenth Street, and
Whereas any increase in illegal traffic will increase the
hazard at Nineteenth Street and Woodland Avenue, and
Whereas southbound cut through traffic routinely uses
Nineteenth Street to avoid two left turns and two traffic
lights in passing from north side neighborhoods and the
McVicker Freeway to downtown and the south side, and
Whereas southbound cut through traffic will increase during
reconstruction of Martin Luther King Boulevard as drivers
seek to avoid the construction areas west of the Sherman Hill
Neighborhood, and
Whereas the present cut through and illegal traffic on
Nineteenth Street north of Woodland Avenue disrupts the
residential character of the street, and
Whereas increased cut through and illegal traffic will
disrupt the neighborhood's character even more, and
Whereas further disruption of the residential character of
the neighborhood will lead to diminishment of property
values, and
Whereas drivers seeking an alternative route, should
Nineteenth Street be unavailable for cut through traffic
between Woodland Avenue to High Street, would likely properly
resort to use of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Fifteenth
Street thus reducing overall cut through traffic in the
neighborhood, and
Whereas the unavailability of Nineteenth Street to residents
of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood would result in minimal
disruption, and
Whereas making Nineteenth Street unavailable to drivers
seeking a shortcut would enhance the Sherman Hill
Neighborhood and the City of Des Moines, and
Whereas awaiting reconstruction of Martin Luther King
Boulevard does not guarantee a resolution of the problem and
may result in irreparable harm to the Sherman Hill
Neighborhood in the interim, Therefore, be resolved that the
Board of Directors of the Sherman Hill Association, request
that the appropriate authorities in the Government of the
City of Des Moines, Iowa, take those actions necessary,
acting with all possible dispatch, to vacate that portion of
Nineteenth Street south of the alley located between Woodland
Avenue and High Street and deed the vacated property to the
adjoining landowners.
By SHA President Randa LeJeune
A s the Chair of the Des Moines
Historic District Commission, I receive numerous calls from
homeowners who are not familiar with the application for a
Certificate of Appropriateness, or why they even have to
apply for such a certificate. I will try to clear up any
misconceptions people have about the process.
The Historic District Commission is not a part of the
Sherman Hill Neighborhood Association. The City of Des Moines
formed the commission as an advisory board. The City of Des
Moines appoints members of the commission based on the
member's background and knowledge of historic
preservation. The majority of the commission consists of
people who live in two local historic districts, Owl's
Head and Sherman Hill.
The commission reviews local buildings and landmarks that
may be in need of repair or are in danger of demolition and
gives advice to the City on what actions to take. The
commission reviews local buildings and landmarks for
nomination to the national or local historic register. Once a
year, the commission gives out awards to homeowners and
professionals for outstanding efforts and achievements in
preservation and restoration.
The commission's main function is design review in the
two local historical districts, Owl's Head and Sherman
Hill. The commission makes informed decisions based on local
guidelines taken from the Secretary of Interior's
National Guidelines on Historic Preservation.
What this means is that if you choose to make a change to
the exterior of your property in Sherman Hill, you must apply
for a Certificate of Appropriateness. On the application, you
must explain what changes you will make, and what materials
you will use. Materials used must be as close to the original
materials as possible. The commission does not control paint
color.
When a homeowner makes an application, a Commission staff
person will read the application and take pictures of the
site. Then the staff member talks with the homeowner,
explains the guidelines, and makes a recommendation to the
Commission to approve or deny the application.
Next, the matter is set for hearing before the Commission,
which meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The
Commission looks at the application and asks questions of the
homeowner.
The commission rarely denies an application. If the
commission disapproves of the design or materials, the
commission prefers to have staff work with the applicant to
reach a mutual agreement. The homeowner resubmits the
application and the commission approves the new application
with the changes.
If the commission still cannot approve the application, the
homeowner can appeal the decision to the City Council.
Many of you are wondering why you have to through so much
trouble to change your property. If these rules were not in
place, you and your neighbors could remove historical
architectural features from your houses. You could put up
chain link fences, or any kind of fence, with no height
restrictions. You could put communication towers on your
roof. You could modify or destroy the historical value of a
house. If homeowners change a certain percentage of
structures in a historic district from their original state,
the district loses its historic designation, and is in danger
of deterioration or extinction.
We are caretakers of what are not just houses, but are
pieces of American history. We will never again be able to
build a Victorian house because some of the woods are extinct
and the artisans are long gone.
I hope that if you need to apply for a Certificate of
Appropriateness that you can now do so without apprehension,
but with a sense of pride that you are preserving
history.
For more information, call the Historic District Commission
at 515-283-4581.
Drawn by Charles F. Wilcox
Reprinted here is a copy of a drawing of a specteral
phenomena popular in 1894.
The drawing was published in the The Saturday Review with
this caption:
'The illusion most visible between the hours of 11 and 3
o'clock on bright days, has attracted hundreds of people
during the past few weeks. Its appearance is that of a solid
body of water extending from Pleasant on the south to a
little beyond Center street to the north. Carriages,
street-cars, people and animals traveling upon or across the
street have the appearance, so to speak, of "walking on
water," their shadows being clearly mirrored on the
surface.'
By SHA President Randa LeJeune
I have been asked by the Des Moines
Woman's Club to put together a program called "The
Ghosts of Sherman Hill" for their October meeting. If
you have any tales of paranormal activity in your house,
please call and share your story with me. You may remain
anonymous if you choose. So far, this has been a fascinating
project and I will share the stories with the neighborhood
when the project is complete. Call Randa LeJeune,
515-244-3918 by September 1st.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
Lynn Loheed appeared before the SHA Board Directors during
the July Board meeting to share with us the Loheeds'
plans for restoring completely 702 20th Street. The Loheeds
will receive assistance from the city for the work, and will
be required to rent a percentage of the units to low-income
households. The City will require the Loheeds to either tear
down the Green Duplex at 2003 and 2009 Pleasant Avenue, or
completely restore the duplex as a condition of funding the
restoration of the 702 20th Street Apartments. Because
tearing down buildings in Sherman Hill is controversial; the
city will want feedback from the SHA about the project before
work can begin. Lynn informed the Board that they are not
ready to ask for the SHA's support for the project at
this time, but the Loheeds will ask for the SHA's support
once NFS approves the funding.
Feedback from the Board was generally favorable. The
Pleasant Avenue duplex is directly adjacent to the MLK Jr.
Boulevard expansion project and is in very poor condition.
Tearing down the duplex appears acceptable to neighbors in
order to save the 702 20th Street Apartments. By restoring
the 702 20th Street Apartments, the Loheeds are tackling one
of the last dangerous, large apartment buildings in Sherman
Hill. The consensus in the neighborhood is that Lynn and Hugh
Loheed have admirably improved the condition of the
apartments, but restoring individual units is too costly and
a large influx of capital is required.
The SHA newsletter interviewed Lynn at her home a few
Saturdays ago to flesh out details about the Loheeds
plans.
The 702 20th Apartments originally had 24 efficiency
apartments in 1901. The apartments were too small for renters
and previous owners converted the building to 15 units over
the years. The Loheeds purchased the 702 20th Street
Apartments as a parcel with the green duplex at 2003 and 2009
Pleasant Avenue, and the 708 20th Street house. The Green
duplex at 2003/2009 Pleasant currently has four apartments.
The house at 708 20th Street was originally a single-family
home, but now has three units. Previous owners built a garage
behind the 708 20th Street house, on the alleyway between
20th and MLK Jr. Boulevard.
The Loheeds plan to reduce the number of units in the 702
20th Street Apartments from 15 units to 12 units. Nine of the
units will be single bedroom apartments for couples (the
Loheeds have a strictly enforced policy on the number of
people in a unit and rent the units on a one-month lease).
The other three units will be two bedroom apartments for
working families.
The Loheeds will tear down the green duplex on Pleasant
Avenue in order to reserve capital for restorations at the
702 20th Street Apartments.
The Loheeds will remove several additions to the house at
708 20th Street, and plan to tear down the garage in order to
create a backyard and convert the house back to a single
family home. The house will require a new foundation, and the
Loheeds may decide to build a new garage on the alleyway.
The Neighborhood Finance Corporation and by the City of Des
Moines will provide financing for the project. The Loheeds
sought financial backing without using public funds, but
could not get loans due to the current condition of the
property.
The Loheeds currently provide renters with one-month leases.
After the restoration is completed, the Loheeds may use
longer leases. The 702 20th Street Apartments will have on
site management.
The project will completely restore the inside of all of the
units. The Loheeds will restore three apartments at a time
stacked vertically. The Loheeds will have to move some tenets
around the building during the restorations. The Loheed will
convert the building to individual heating units for each
apartment. Tenants will be responsible for paying their own
heating costs.
The City will require the Loheeds to rent the bulk of the
units to low-income households. Ironically, the restorations
will make it possible for the Loheeds to raise the rents on
individual apartments and still meet the City's
requirements.
A tenant started a cooking fire on the third floor last
October 3, 2000. The fire damaged several apartments on the
third floor. Those units stand empty, waiting for repairs.
By SHA Board Member Greg Wells
Carlton Salmons resigned from the board following the July
Board of Directors meeting. Carlton serve a valuable function
keeping a clear and complete record of Board Meetings as
Secretary, and provided valuable insight into some of the
pitfalls the Board often flirts with in our enthusiasm to
improve the neighborhood. Many of us on the Board will miss
his input, and continue to ask his advice on a number of
issues.
The Board has had some difficulty with turn over in the
recent past. Scott Slaughter and Todd Schroder both left the
Board because of changes in work schedules. Todd never
officially resigned, and is no longer working nights. Todd
may return to the Board. Greg Wells replaced Scott late last
year.
The Board currently has one or two Director positions open
going into the August quarterly meeting. If you are
interested in filling a Director position, please contact SHA
President Randa LeJeune either before or at the quarterly
meeting.
Dear Randa,
It was nice talking with you the other day about the art
auction the Beacon would like to have in conjunction with the
Sherman Hill Walking Tour this year. I talked with Walter
from Chat Noir and he was very supportive of the idea. I
think it is going to be a great collaboration and benefit
everyone involved. I talked with Ruth Hardin and some other
board members, and they are all very excited. Below are just
a few initial ideas and plans we have for the walking
tour/art auction collaboration:
- Various pieces of artwork would be displayed at the Chat
Noir. Board members, residents, and other Beacon volunteers
will coordinate and assist with the auction.
- With the homeowner's approval, certain pieces of
artwork would be displayed in homes during the tour.
- Local artists will be found either through local community
connections or through the Metro Arts Alliance - our current
board president, Gina West, is also a member of their board
of directors.
- We are hoping to get some good media coverage. A media
campaign is planned through press releases distributed to
local radio and television stations and newspapers. I see our
media campaign being a collaborative effort with the Sherman
Hill Walking Tour committee. We would also like to put up
posters through out the city to advertise this event.
I will be on vacation starting August 2 through August 13.
Another board member will be calling you soon to set up a
meeting with you and Walter Jahncke to discuss some initial
plans. I know you have a meeting with neighborhood residents
this Sunday. I am anxious to hear what they think of this
plan! I will also call you when I get back from vacation. If
you have any questions or comments, feel free to call Ruth at
the Beacon at 244-4713. I am really excited about this Randa
- we appreciate your support of the Beacon, and we'd love
to help out any way we can with the walking tour.
We'll be in touch soon!
Sincerely,
Deanna Ingebretsen,
Board Member, Beacon of Life
Dear Sherman Hill Neighbor,
Hope you've noticed all the activity on the Hill - Street Lights, flowers, NFC,628 20th Street, MLK Jr Expansion.
A strong Association is critical for the health of the neighborhood as a whole. Communication does cost money. If you can, won't you please renew your membership today? Fill out this form and mail it to the
Sherman HillAssociation, 756 16th, Des Moines, IA 50314.
Thanks for your continued support. Remember, your dues payment is tax deductible.
Sandra Neff, SHA Executive Director, 756 16th Street, Des Moines, IA50314
Dues Are Due!!!
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Sherman Hill News is a
publication of the Sherman Hill Association, Inc., a
non-profit corporation with offices at 756 16th St.,
Des Moines, IA 50314. The Association is dedicated to
the restoration of the Sherman Hill Historic District,
enhancement of the district's social environment
and commitment to the district. |
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