Join us for our December YP Monthly Luncheon featuring John Gronen, President of Gronen, on December 15th from 11:45 am – 1 pm at the Holiday Inn.
Gronen, in Dubuque, Iowa, is a company specializing in historic rehabilitation projects seldom approached by other developers. Adaptive re-use of classic but neglected buildings has been the main focus, although they are very experienced in new construction as well. Since the formation of the company in 1999, Gronen has restored over 1,500,000 square feet of commercial and residential space in Dubuque, with development costs in excess of $200,000,000. The firm also manages approximately one hundred sixty residential units; a mix of Affordable Housing, Workforce Housing and Market Rate Housing. As well, they offer upwards of one-quarter million square feet of commercial space in these redeveloped buildings. The completed projects have brought new life into the urban areas they inhabit, creating historic storefronts filled with eating establishments, retail and office space, as well as providing space for non-profit organizations that serve the downtown community. These projects have truly been catalytic for Dubuque’s urban core.
The company uses an integrated project management approach. This involves close coordination amongst all teams – architectural/design, construction management, engineering, accounting/legal and property management – for a well-planned, high-quality, seamless delivery. This process has proven extremely effective, and has resulted in projects coming in on time and on budget.
The company’s redevelopment of historic structures is accomplished through the use of creative, though complicated, funding sources. Gronen specializes in the layering of various rehabilitation tax credits, Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, and other private and public incentives.
Gronen has garnered numerous awards over the past 25+ years on the local, state, and national levels. These awards range from their first award (Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Award) for their restoration of 2015 Washington Street, to the prestigious Tony Goldman Award | National Trust for Historic Preservation for the transformation of the Schmid Innovation Center | CARADCO Lofts.
The Gronens have added tremendous value to the Dubuque community with their involvement in the Four Mounds Foundation. John was one of the Founders and still serves as its President. Created in 1987 as a way to support and maintain the century-old gentleman’s farm known as Four Mounds, this non-profit organization has: preserved and restored the five homes, twelve outbuildings, and 56-acre grounds; developed an Inn/Conference Center; acquired a 40-acre farm for youth education and community gardens; and partnered with the City, school district, and others to develop the Housing Education And Rehabilitation Training (HEART) program. This program gives at-risk youth the opportunity to provide quality, affordable housing in downtown Dubuque, through hands-on experience in historic rehabilitation. The HEART program has been transformational both for its participants and for the neighborhoods where they have worked.
Young Professionals of Dubuque (YPD) luncheons feature a presentation on professional, personal, or community development.
