Dubuque City Council removes Big A Auto property from conservation district, refers neighboring building to preservation commission

Dubuque City Council on May 4 voted to remove 2311 Central Avenue — the Big A Auto building — from the Broadway Street Neighborhood Conservation District and referred a neighboring property, 2327 Central Avenue, back to the Historic Preservation Commission for further review.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance to remove 2311 Central from the conservation district after a lengthy public discussion and roll-call vote that passed 6–0. Council then voted 5–1 to send 2327 Central to the Historic Preservation Commission for a formal economic non-viability evaluation; Council Member Staver cast the lone dissenting vote.

The decision came after property owner Dan Reavis told the council he needs to expand Big A Auto’s shop to accommodate larger fleet vehicles and said the structures in question are not economically viable to rehabilitate. “I’m not a person about taking old buildings down,” Reavis said, but described the front building at 2327 as too altered and the rear portion as deteriorated, saying he cannot invest the sums required to make the property safe and usable.

Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont outlined the council’s options — approve removal of one or both buildings, set a public hearing, or refer the matter to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Wernimont and the HPC’s earlier review found the Schmid Brothers Beer Hall (2327 Central) to carry architectural and historic significance tied to local brewing history; the HPC previously approved removing a rear addition but had not reviewed the main frontage portion now under discussion.

Council members were split on process and preservation. Council Member Staver urged immediate approval for both properties to remove regulatory hurdles for the business, calling the front building “way too far gone” and saying requiring a costly economic study would be unfair to the owner. “This is a project he’s ready to go on. It’s construction season,” Staver said.

Other members, including Council Member Roussell and Mayor Brad M. Cavanagh, argued for following the established review steps and using HPC expertise before final action on historically significant properties. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” Roussell said, urging referral to HPC on 2327 to allow a 60-day review of economic non-viability and structural reports.

The first motion — a waiver of additional readings and final passage for 2311 Central — passed after council suspended the requirement for multiple readings and approved final consideration by roll call. The referral motion for 2327 required a separate vote; it passed 5–1, sending the matter back to the Historic Preservation Commission for a formal determination and a recommendation to council.

Next steps: the city clerk will publish ordinance actions for 2311 Central as passed, and the HPC will consider an economic non-viability application for 2327 Central and must return a recommendation to council within the statutory timeframe. The council’s action preserves its authority to review any HPC recommendation when it next appears on the council agenda.