A record number of guests made our High Tea very successful! According to Steve Andrews, event chair, over forty guests were comfortably seated in this spacious mansion. Seats were sold out early with many placed on a wait list in hopes that a seat might become available.
The courses were served with efficiency and the guests enjoyed a bounty of delectable treats and melodic entertainment.
Davenport Neighborhood Welcomes Prospective Homebuyers September 15th, 2013 from noon-4pm – (Sept 4, 2013 update)
As of 9/4/13 the following homes will be open – these may be subject to change before the Sept. 15 Open House as homes go on or off the market:
412 W. 6th St.
729 W. 6th St.
816 W. 6th St.
606 W. 8th St.
819 Gaines St.
813 Warren St.
820 Ripley St.
Homes in the Gold Coast that are for sale but not open for the event are 703 Ripley, 716 Ripley, 721 Vine, 803 W. 7th St.
The event is free. Participants are welcome to make contributions to the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association.
For further individual information on the homes, see Available Properties, then For Sale on this web site. Information on houses and Gold Coast area maps will be available at each home. The Café d’Marie, 614 W. 5th St. will also be open for business from 11:30-2:30 with unique paninis, homemade soups, fresh garden salads, coffees, smoothies. The Jipp architectural salvage center at 732 Gaines St. will be open and has restroom facilities.
For further information, contact Mike Schroeder, 563-324-4856, [email protected] or PJ Slobojan, 563-326-2894, [email protected]
Davenport Neighborhood Welcomes Prospective Homebuyers September 15th, 2013 – (July 16, 2013)
People living in Davenport’s Gold Coast know their neighborhood is a pretty special place and has been since Antoine LeClaire included many of its streets in his plat of the new town of Davenport back in 1836. That’s why they are inviting homebuyers to join them for a homes-for-sale open house on Sunday, September 15 from 12N-4PM.
“Gold Coast Homes for Sale Open House” will feature a number of residences currently for sale in Davenport’s Hamburg Historic District, popularly known as the Gold Coast, whose boundaries are 5th to 9th and Ripley to Vine Streets. Several properties are scheduled to be open for review. The event is being sponsored by the Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Association and is the second public homes-for-sale open house sponsored by the group.
The Gold Coast neighborhood, located on the hills above downtown Davenport, features spectacular Mississippi River views, as well as homes varied in historical style, square footage and price range. In 2011, it was designated as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods by the American Planning Association. The program honors places of “exemplary character, quality and planning.” It is the first neighborhood in Iowa to receive this award.
Volunteer members from the Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Association will be on available during the Open House to provide directions for visitors, and to answer questions about the neighborhood and our association. We will provide a map and information sheet, available at any of the participating homes.
The Henry Lischer House
The Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Home Tour, held in September 2014 was the most successful in the history of this biannual recurring event. Over 900 visitors came to the neighborhood and enjoyed a great tour that featured spectacular homes in a broad range of styles and ages. The weather cooperated nicely and the beautiful day, combined with beautiful homes and gracious hosts made for a splendid experience.
The Daniel Gould House
The William Petersen House
The “Castle”, The Henry Struck, Jr. House
The Friedholdt Family Double House
A red maple tree was planted at the Gold Coast Park June 27 by Aunt Rhodies Landscape Co. The new tree behind and to the left of the gazebo is a “sister” to a golden maple planted 2 years ago to the right of the gazebo. The funding for the tree came from GC-HHDA funding as well as donations from neighborhood residents. These maples help to replace diseased fir tree that have been removed in the past few years, adding balance and beauty to the park. At this writing peony season has just finished at the park, and lilies are beginning to blossom. Come visit our great park at 8th and Ripley.
Through a Davenport city program, teens from across the nation descended on Davenport the week of June 23, 2013. The teens paid their own way to give of their time and talent to help qualified homeowners by painting their homes. These participating volunteers were housed at Smart Intermediate School. Paint for the project was provided by the city and volunteers throughout the area helped by lending ladders, supervising, cookie baking, and a number of other tasks. The Gold Coast neighborhood benefitted in this program as 2 Gold Coast houses were part of the project. 607 W. 8th St. and 728 Warren are proud recipients of new paint jobs thanks to the teens, the area volunteers and the city of Davenport.
The GC-HHDA welcomed new neighbors at a cook-out on June 22, 2013 with Jeremy Keninger hosting. Approximately 50 people were in attendance setting out the welcome mat for 5 new families to the Gold Coast. Brats, hamburgers, side dishes and Whitey’s Ice Cream were a big hit. Good conversation ensued and kids had a fantastic time with a Bouncy House from Jumpin’ Joey’s.
Winners of the HGTV and Zillow.com Doory awards were announced June 5, 2013. The iconic “Overview Mansion” at 412 W. 6th St. in Davenport, Iowa and presently for sale, won in the “DIY Dream House” category of the contest.
Alex Wolking, listing agent with Keller Williams, says the following: “The Doory Awards are a celebration of America’s best homes for sale. The ultimate goal is to give unique, interesting properties a leg-up on any competing listings, and expose the home to an audience who would not normally look for homes like these.” Mr. Wolking also noted that the publicity generated by the contest brought approximately 10 times the number of search result views and double the number of page views.
For further information on the contest, visit http://www.frontdoor.com/doory/diy-dream-homes. You can also visit Available Properties on this web site for further information on the listing.
The Gold Coast Park on the 700 block of Ripley St. is considered a gem by both residents and visitors. In order to keep this gem sparkling, GC-HHDA members consistently get involved with park projects. Saturday, April 20, 2013 was such a day with projects of shoring up a portion of the retaining wall that had fallen, taking down a dying tree and general clean up of the area. 15 neighbors participated and made short work of the tasks. This was the fourth repair job of the wall, and there are now only 2 fir trees left of the original planted about 17 years ago. The Beautification Committee is working on replacement trees to shelter and beautify the area.
Amidst chilly temperatures for onlookers and great temperatures for runners, the 2013 Project Renewal Run for Renewal was held Saturday, April 20, 2013 with enthusiastic and energetic participants completing the 1/2 mile Kid’s “Treat House Trot” or the 5K Run/Walk. The GC-HHDA encouraged runners at the top of the “Ripley Rise”, the very steep hill rising from 6th St. Prize packages from the GC-HHDA were awarded to the first man and first woman to reach the “rise”.
The City of Davenport has just launched a city-wide neighborhood newsletter in April 2013. The purpose of this newsletter is for neighborhoods to share their news and events with other neighborhoods. The newsletter will be published quarterly. To get more information or to submit an article to the newsletter, contact [email protected]. You can read the first issue of the NEWsletter by clicking on the following link or by entering the URL text into your web browser:
http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1366294331_111755.pdf
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United Neighbors has awarded two beautification grants for 2013 to the GC-HHDA. One of the awards is for annual planting in the Gold Coast Park. Along with many perennials that adorn the park, these annuals add color and beauty to this pocket park. The second grant is for the purchase and distribution of yard waste bags, and the UN grant this year if for $250. Any Gold Coast resident can get yard waste bags as long as the supply lasts and do their personal yard clean up at no cost. An added advantage is the free city pick-up of these materials the first 2 weeks in April and from mid-October through November. At other times of year, residents must purchase stickers to attach to the yard waste bags.
One of the major goals of the GC-HHDA in 2013 is down zoning, a change in city zoning regulations that will help bring homes back to their original single family status. Through the mid-1900’s, many homes were divided into any number of rental units. As families began to move back into the Gold Coast-Hamburg District, the cry went out to return to the first purpose of these homes – single family. In 1992-93 the Association began this down zoning process, and many wonderful historic homes in the Hamburg Historic District, through city re-zoning, have been returned to the single family or duplex status. There are remaining pocket areas that remain zoned for multi-dwellings, and the goal for the year is to re-establish more properties to single family homes. Dave Cordes chairs this committee.
Project Renewal is announcing its annual 5K Run/Walk “Run For Renewal” and 1/2 mile “Treat House Trot” on Saturday, April 20, 2013. All proceeds go to Project Renewal youth program. You may register online at www.projectrenewal.net or print out a form to mail in registration. This is a great opportunity for our neighborhood! It has really livened up the spirit of many of our neighbors and families when they participate, whether it is running, walking, or volunteering. We have some that do both! Having a positive event and positive publicity in our area is very important and makes a great difference. We need your support!
For many children, struggling with everyday issues, Project Renewal is one of the few anchors in their lives. Project Renewal provides educational and recreational activities for children during the school year and summer in a safe, loving environment. Staff and volunteers are positive role models for the children, reinforcing values needed in order to live healthy and productive lives. Project Renewal is an important organization in our community which can deeply impact the life of a child and is very rewarding personally for those who volunteer or provide financial support.
Returning this year:
Traveling Church Trophy competition. How it works: friendly competition between churches, when registering for this event note on your registration form which church you belong to, whoever has the fastest time from all the churches represented gets the trophy. Not just one, but another trophy will go to the church with the most representation of runners and walkers in the 5K Run For Renewal. Next year they are up for grabs again to see who gets to take it “home.”
Ripley Rise Prize for the first participant up “Ripley Rise.” The first male and female to make it to the top of the short hill on Ripley Street will be awarded a special prize at the award ceremony following the events. This prize is sponsored by the Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Association, recently awarded the “Great Places in America” award for neighborhoods from the American Planning Association.
Traveling P.D. Trophy for the Davenport Police Department. Fastest officer to complete the 5K wins the trophy. This year it will be up for grabs again for one speedy officer to take “home.”
If you would like to volunteer or help Project Renewal in another way, please call 563-324-0800.
The Gold Coast bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River present a unique setting for walks, steps, and lighting. Previously the Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Association (GC-HHDA) has been instrumental in the planning and fund raising for the Ripley St. and the Western Ave. streets and steps. These areas have been adorned with decorative lighting, period railings and entries and plantings. The Scott St. hill is now the focus of a similar project.
The first phase of the Scott St. Hill project was the entry at the top of the steps at the alley between W. 6th and W. 7th St., completed in 2011 through grants from the Davenport Alderman’s Beautification funds and United Neighbors. The entry includes a decorative concrete base designed as limestone topped by a period iron railing. Though similar to the Western Ave. entry, the base and railing are shorter and wider to adapt to the topography of the area, and there is no arch. Kelly Construction and Boyler’s Ornamental Iron are responsible for building the entry.
The second phase of the project is the decorative railing, again similar to the railings on Western Ave. and Ripley St. The lower railing was completed in 2012 through a grant from Davenport’s Community Partnership Program. In the fall of 2012, the GC-HHDA was awarded a grant from the Riverboat Development Group (RDA) and work is now completed on the upper half of the railing by Boyler’s Ornamental Iron.
One of the GC-HHDA goals for 2013 includes completion of the Scott St. project, decorative LED lighting. Grants are presently being written for completion of this third phase.
The GC-HHDA conducted its annual goal setting meeting on January 20 2013 at 624 W. 6th St. The group determined goals that would improve the infrastructure of the District, as fixing retaining walls, improving brick sidewalks, removing weed trees, improving the Brown St. and Scott St. hills. Goals dealing with housing were also addressed to update the historical survey of the District, further down zone the area, address negligent properties, encourage residents to apply for local landmarking. Included also are goals to promote within and outside the neighborhood, better identify boundaries, update the walking tour brochure, host a High Tea and find further revenue sources. Members are encouraged to volunteer for projects of interest to them.
The American Planning Association Iowa Chapter will be holding its Annual Meeting in Ames, IA Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2012. This national group awarded the Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Association “Great Neighborhoods in America” in 2011, the first neighborhood award in Iowa. One presentations at the meeting will be “New Challenges in Neighborhood Planning” that includes a panel of local Davenport people. These are Matt Flynn, AICP, and Roy DeWitt, Neighborhood Services Coordinator with the City of Davenport; Bill Boom, Davenport 3rd Ward Alderman; PJ Slobojan, Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Association President. The following is the introduction to the presentation:
“With the adoption of its award-winning Comprehensive Plan in 2005, the City of Davenport established a stronger commitment to Neighborhoods. This Goal led to the Davenport Neighborhood Empowerment and Wellness initiative, launched in 2008. A key component of this initiate was to develop 13 sub-area, or neighborhood plans for the entire City. To date, two plans have been completed and a third is underway. Following an overview of Davenport NEW and the neighborhood planning process, the team from the City of Davenport proposes an interactive session where panelists will provide some insight, but ideas are shared among all participants.”
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The Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Association proudly invites you for a day to remember in the Gold Coast in Davenport, IA. If you would like to participate or have some of your friends, co-workers and/or employees enjoy a holiday in our historic neighborhood, we’d love to host you. The Gold Coast is Davenport’s First Neighborhood, settled by German Immigrants in the 1850’s. Renovation is continuing today to bring all the homes back to their former glory. The Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Association presents:
“A Holiday High Tea”
Saturday, December 8, 2012
A Day at one of three Elegant Homes in the Gold Coast
• 703 Ripley, Henry Struck Home, Queen Anne style in free classic mode.
• 624 Western Ave., the Captain Mays 1864 vernacular home.
• 911 W. 7th St., the Italianate Hans Stoltenberg Home.
The Struck and the Mays homes have been “tea homes” that you may have previously enjoyed, and the Stoltenberg home was on the 2011 Gold Coast Home Tour. Each house will be seating about 16 guests and you’ll have a chance to see the wonderful holiday decorations on the first floor of the home you are attending. This is a fundraising event of the GC-HHDA to further education for people of all ages to our historic district. A portion of the ticket price is also tax-deductible.
Entertainment will be provided by members of the Barley House Band
General admission price for the event is $35. Early Bird Reservations by November 2, +60 Club members, and Red Hat Society members pay $32 — $20 of this amount is tax deductible, and you will receive written verification of the deduction. You may contact us with your response or questions. Please fill out the accompanying form and return with your reservation. Seating is limited so a prompt response will assure your seating.
Please remember in the true tradition of a High Tea, this will be a full meal! Here’s the menu:
2012 High Tea Menu
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Holiday Bake
Cranberry relish
Scones
Spiced apple bread
Tea sandwiches
Jam, clotted cream
Chocolate mounds bars
Snickerdoodles
Surprise pudding
Choice of 3 teas with milk, sugar, lemon
Also, in order to help us out with our preparations, it would be helpful to us if you arrive no earlier than 15 min. before the event.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you at High Tea.
Please check which site you’d like to attend:
Saturday, December 8, 2012
___ 703 Ripley, the Henry Struck Home at 11:30 am
___ 911 W. 7th St., the Hans Stoltenberg Home at 12:15 pm
___ 624 Western Ave., the Captain James May Home 1pm
Please reserve seating for _____people.
Enclosed is _____ at $35 per person (checks to GC-HHDA).
(Early Birds by Nov. 2, Plus 60 Club, and Red Hat Society members, $32 per person).
We cannot accept credit or debit cards at this time. Please send reservation form and payment to:
Gold Coast High Tea
% PJ Slobojan
623 W. 6th St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-326-2894
[email protected]
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Please let us know of any dietary needs/allergies, such as vegetarian, nuts, gluten, etc Also note the main entrée contains ham.
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I (we) cannot attend, but would like to donate $________to the GC-HHDA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 historic neighborhood organization, for their historic education program.
Name ______________________________ Co., Org., etc. __________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
City State Zip
Email ________________________________________ Phone ________________
“Calling the Gold Coast Home” Open House held on a beautiful September 23, 2012 day was a hugh success. The event featured eight “for sale” homes in the Gold Coast district in a 4 hour open house by realtors and homeowners. The GC-HHDA also set up an information center for guests to learn more about the homes, mortgages, special home programs, and even a chance to relax with lemonade and cookies. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to homes for sale in the neighborhood as well as promoting the Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District. The Open House was free, sponsored by the GC-HHDA, and attended by approximately 400 guests.
