American Planning Association Designates Gold Coast-Hamburg a Top 10 Great Neighborhood for 2011

APA Award Presentation - Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Neighborhood - Video

Neighborhood has spectacular vistas, handsome architecture, engaged citizens

Davenport, IA – The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the designation of Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2011 under the organization’s Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value. APA’s Great Places program is distinguished from the State of Iowa’s Great Places initiatives, of which the City of Davenport has also been awarded.

APA singled out Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District neighborhood for its striking views of both natural and manmade features, outstanding architecture, and diverse group of residents and organizations dedicated to enriching and strengthening the neighborhood fabric. Stately and grand, with panoramic vistas and a deep-rooted sense of history, within walking distance of downtown, this neighborhood is recognized as a community pacesetter.

Says Davenport’s Mayor Bill Gluba, “Beyond the incomparable architecture, Gold Coast-Hamburg exemplifies the characteristics we seek in all Davenport’s neighborhoods: diverse, committed citizens, effective public-private partnerships and solid planning that leads to an articulated, shared vision. We have already been named a ‘Great Place’ by the State of Iowa and have enjoyed the recognition and benefits of that program. We are equally proud to have the Gold-Coast Hamburg Historic District be named Iowa’s first Great Place by the American Planning Association.”

Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces – three essential components of all communities. These authentic places have been shaped by forward thinking planning that showcases diverse architectural styles, promotes community involvement and accessibility, and fosters economic opportunity.

APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live every day. Since APA began Great Places in America in 2007, 50 neighborhoods, 50 streets and 40 public spaces have been designated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“The dedication of residents in preserving and maintaining this incredible historic asset is to be commended,” said APA Chief Executive Officer Paul Farmer, FAICP. “Thousands upon thousands of hours have been logged up on these hills so that this and future generations may revel in the neighborhood’s architectural and natural splendor.

Situated on limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, the Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District neighborhood offers striking views of natural and manmade features – including the Centennial Bridge and Rock Island, Illinois – amidst equally inspiring residential designs. Davenport’s largest and most opulent houses, built here by prominent residents – many of them German, include Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Colonial Revival, and Queen Anne. Still, the district was not exclusive. Tucked in among the mansions are small, vernacular houses.

Rich in history, the neighborhood was home to the first Iowa College, established in the 1840s, in a building that is now a residence. The school eventually moved and today is known as Grinnell College. Even its street names are grounded in the past, bearing the names of military figures from the nation’s early wars.

The neighborhood thrived through the mid-20th century when the cost of maintaining large homes increased and the popularity of city living declined. Houses were converted to multi-unit rentals. Urban pioneers gravitated to the district in the 1980s initiating a period of revitalization. While some homes were lost, the Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District Association, individual neighbors and the city reclaimed the streetscape by limiting demolitions, moving a home within the district, and landscaping vacant lots. The neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Residents of Gold Coast-Hamburg have earned a reputation for community volunteerism and leadership, serving on city commissions and committees and, even, city council. Their activism made the neighborhood an ideal candidate for development of Davenport’s first neighborhood plan and their thousands upon thousands of volunteer hours have rescued dozens of historic buildings.

Recognizing that reuse is a cornerstone of smart growth, residents have diverted tons of materials from landfills. A recently rehabbed store serves as an architectural salvage shop. Sustainability drives choices, such as the recent decision to use energy-efficient, period lighting on a main thoroughfare.

The nine other APA 2011 Great Neighborhoods are: Highland Park, Birmingham, AL; Northbrae, Berkeley, CA; Ansley Park, Atlanta, GA; The Pullman Neighborhood, Chicago, IL; Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood, Hattiesburg, MS; Dundee-Memorial Park, Omaha, NE; German Village, Columbus, OH; Swan Lake, Tulsa, OK; and College Hill, Providence, RI.

For more information about these neighborhoods, as well as APA’s top 10 Great Streets, top 10 Great Public Spaces, and designations between 2007 and 2010, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces.

This year's Great Places in America are being celebrated as part of APA's National Community Planning Month during October; for more about the special month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.

The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning -- physical, economic and social -- so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit www.planning.org.