Marion Meginnis and Jack Haberman were our hosts this month. They are the leaders of the Gateway Redevelopment Group (GRG), a non profit organization that is dedicated to saving architectural artifacts from historic buildings. Saving pieces led to the major tasks of savings entire buildings. We started at 6 pm with a tour of the nearly restored home at 822 Gaines Street in Davenport, which had been slated for demolition. When GRG received the building, there was virtually nothing left of the interior, and what was there was structurally in poor condition. Using a great deal of salvaged materials, donations of labor and money, the home is now approaching completion. Marion led the group through the house and was accompanied by some of the folks who were volunteers.
We then moved to the former Christian Jipp grocery building (some remember it as a Laundromat in the 1980s) at 730 Gaines. After a brief business meeting, Jack Haberman took over and described the work and ambitions of the GRG organization, which is intended to be available to anyone in the Quad-Cities. He noted there is a discount on architectural salvage purchase for members – and membership is either $100 a year OR 20 hours of volunteer labor. He also said items are additionally discounted AFTER they are installed in a Quad City home. This is intended to ensure that things are not purchased for resale outside the area. Please check the website and look at all the photos. http://www.grgdavenport.com/
Jack also said that Madison WI now permits and encourages “deconstruction.” Buildings are taken down in the reverse of their building so that nearly everything is salvageable. It costs a little more than simple demolition, but provides a great deal of reusable material and keeps landfills from filling up. Tax benefits are also available because the salvaged material has a donation value, which makes the cost even more competitive.
Business Meeting:
President: Linda Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:05.
Secretary: Diane Oestreich emailed the December minutes.
Vice President: Pam Saunders noted that we need meeting locations for February 19th (elections), March 18th (award candidates), and April 15th in time for publication in the February quarterly newsletter. Pam will check the Voss Brothers Lofts, 2125 3rd Avenue (309.788.7940) for February. We will ask Daryl Empen if he can host the March meeting at the Gas & Electric Credit Union. Clayton Peterson volunteered his home for the April meeting. Gene and Jody Zwiefel offered to host the May meeting.
Linda also encouraged everyone to attend the joint meeting sponsored by the Scott County Preservation Society on February 14. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Front Street Brewery in downtown Davenport, in a lower level conference room. No advance reservations are required, and ordering of food and beverage will be from the menu. The program will feature a speaker on historic Quad City breweries. It is an opportunity to get acquainted with preservationists throughout the Quad Cities.
Treasurer: Daryl Empen had a time conflict this evening so was not present. However we voted on a motion by Jaan Sturgis, and seconded by Clayton, to renew our membership at the $50 level in both Landmarks Illinois and RI County Historical Society. Linda reviewed the activities of both organizations noting that Landmarks Illinois is the only dedicated statewide preservation group and is a continuing resource for us.
Corresponding Secretaries: Martha Dismer will need material for a February newsletter. Diane will ask Martha if we can include a second page with membership renewal requests in the newsletter. This will save postage and copying costs, as well as a great deal of time doing the actual mailing.
Committee Reports/Business
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Nominating committee for February elections:
Linda said that Diana Alm, Jeanie Dasso and Clayton Peterson would serve on that committee. Five officers will be elected. If you are interested in serving, contact one of those on the nominating committee.
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Membership mailing:
Diane will contact Old House Journal to see if we can still offer a discounted subscription and will also ask Martha if we can include the membership sheet in the next newsletter.
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RIPS website:
Diana Alm noted that we had purchased a two-year subscription for our website which will be up for renewal next December. Diane O. noted that our website, including meetings and agendas, shows up on Google.com regularly. Diane also said that there is a “beta” audio of the brochure introduction on our website with the Watch Hill Tour. Right now, pictures of entire booklet download with the audio, but this will be refined.
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Endangered Buildings; Preservation Projects:
Linda noted that the Highland Park Historic District is working to minimize the impact of traffic and parking of a new school planned for the Villa property. Physical impact on the historic brick streets is of special concern. She said that Alan Carmen will speak to the neighborhood group about the ramifications of a Planned Unit Development.
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Hauberg Landscape Walking Tour:
No action
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Awards – chairman needed:
Suggestions for awards are needed right now. We only have a few for this year. Diane will email some neighborhood representatives asking for suggestions.
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Neighborhood Partners:
Diana reminded everyone to attend the Thursday, January 24, informational meeting on the proposed school bond referendum at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue. Neighborhood Partners does not take any stand on the issue but offers the meeting so that the electorate can be informed.
Diana also reminded everyone that the FREE Neighborhood Partners newsletter is available to anyone by contacting Jill Doak. Jill.doak@rigov.org There is also a short “Enews” update as needed, also by request to Jill.
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Announcements & General:
Henry Farnam Dinner will be held on February 22, featuring a speaker who is an experienced riverboat captain.
Adjourn by consensus to treats provided by Marion & Jack.
