Rally planned for Iowa City cottages

IOWA CITY - With Iowa City Council's official discussion on two remaining mid-19th century cottages only days away, local historic preservationists have planned a special rally to celebrate the cottages.

According to a Wednesday media release, officials with Friends of Historic Preservation will be hosting a Rally to Save the Cottages event Saturday from 2-3 p.m. on the 600 block of S. Dubuque St., where the cottages are located.

The rally will include speakers and give participants an opportunity to share their memories of the cottages.

Passionate discussion over the cottages has been ongoing - from committee meetings to social media - for several months since property owner Ted Pacha expressed interest in rezoning the site of three cottages at 608, 610 and 614 S. Dubuque St. in November.

Ultimately, arguments have boiled down to property owner rights vs. preserving historic properties.

The southernmost cottage at 614 S. Dubuque St. was torn down in December while legal battles between Pacha and his tenants have begun to take shape for the two remaining buildings.

On Tuesday the Iowa City Council will formally discuss Friends of Historic Preservation's application to have the two remaining cottages designated as local historic landmarks.