Deadline to move Deutsch House likely to be extended

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By Tory Brecht | Friday, May 2, 2008 7:11 PM CDT | () comments

The Deutsch House, 2101 Main Street. (Quad-City Times file photo) Buy this Photo

St. Paul Lutheran Church leaders appear willing to grant a time extension to a group seeking to save a historic house on church property, but they want proof that the preservationists have the money to accomplish the task.

Friends of the Deutsch House wants to take possession of the house at 2101 Main St. in Davenport from the church, which sought demolition of the house, citing the high cost of renovation. In early March, the Davenport City Council overrode the historic commission’s recommendation to halt demolition, but did grant a 60-day window for those wishing to save the house to find a solution.

In a letter sent to members of the Friends of the Deutsch House, congregation president David Schroeder wrote that if the church is “to consider any extension of the 60-day grace period, the following information must be provided in writing.”

The request included the name of an anonymous donor who has offered to pay the house-moving expenses and the specific dollar amounts committed to the relocation project, the cost of the move and an estimated timetable.

The letter stated that a response in writing had to be delivered by April 28, or the church would move ahead with demolition plans.

The Friends group responded on April 28 and attempted to address the issues except for the identity of the anonymous donor. Instead, the group included a letter from the donor’s attorney, Clemens Werner Jr., who is a member of the St. Paul congregation.

“Our firm represents the anonymous donor who is interested in preserving the above referenced property,” Werner’s letter stated. “Please be informed that this donor has sufficient resources to cover the cost of relocating the home from its current location.”

Previously, members of the Friends group said the anonymous donor also is a member of the St. Paul congregation.

Fritz Miller, a member of the city’s historic preservation commission who is part of the Friends group, said the rest of the financial issues have been addressed.

The group has received a bid from Goodwin House Movers of Washington, Iowa, to move the house to one of two central city lots for a cost of $125,000 to $150,000. The anonymous donor has agreed to cover that cost.

In addition, The East Davenport Development Corp. — which assists with rehabilitations and infill development in areas south of Locust Street and east of Main Street — has offered $225,000 toward renovation costs once the house has been moved.

Two lots are still being considered, one at Kirkwood Boulevard and Grand Avenue and the other at 13th Street and Grand.

Brook Upton of Neighborhood Housing Services said both lots are available and could be used as the future home of the Deutsch house.

Miller said the Friends group has not heard back from the church since responding to the last correspondence. However, he is hopeful the church is satisfied with the group’s efforts so far.

“We have our ducks in a row, but there are still some things we need to deal with, including siting, clearing the route and dealing with utilities,” he said.

The Rev. Peter Marty of St. Paul could not be reached for comment Friday.

Tory Brecht can be contacted at (563) 383-2329 or tbrecht@qctimes.com.