Settlement reached for one of two remaining Iowa City cottages

IOWA CITY - A court settlement has been reached for one of the two remaining mid-19th century cottages on Dubuque Street.

Local attorney Rockne Cole, who is representing Will Ingles, tenant at 608 S. Dubuque St., and Susan Hultman, 610 S. Dubuque St., said a Sixth Judicial District of Iowa judge ruled Monday on a settlement between Ingles and property owner Ted Pacha of Theo Resources.

Cole said the ultimate goal of maintaining Ingles's tenancy until the end of July was not reached, and added that Ingles will have to vacate the property - where he lives and operates The Book Shop - by noon March 15.

'Feelings ran strong in the beginning and we're grateful we were able to resolve this as community members,” Cole said. 'Of course it's really sad to see that we weren't able to stay until the end of July as we had hoped, but we're appreciative that we were able to resolve this.”

Details of the settlement are confidential, Cole said.

Earlier court documents indicate that Pacha had offered Ingles $20,000 to vacate the premises and it had been noted at an initial court appearance that The Book Shop owner had close to four years in unpaid rent - valued at more than $16,000 - owed to Pacha. It is unknown whether or not a payment to Ingles, or his missed rent payments, were included in the settlement.

A settlement between Pacha and Hultman regarding the cottage at 610 S. Dubuque St., the location of Suzy's Antiques and Gifts, had not been reached as of Tuesday. Cole said Hultman's lease currently ends at the close of July, but noted that a settlement might bring that date earlier.

'The expectation would be that sooner better than later,” Cole said.

Pacha's attorney, James McCarragher, did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.

The third cottage at 614 S. Dubuque St., former home of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu studio, was demolished Dec. 26.

Pacha still faces three $250 municipal infractions for maintaining structurally unsound buildings and is scheduled for an initial appearance Feb. 5.

The main storyline on the cottages, whether or not the Iowa City Council will deem the structures historic landmarks, still is unfolding.

The council voted last week to defer a vote on an application for historic landmark status from Friends of Historic Preservation to consult with the city's planning and zoning commission - the decision was made when it appeared the council would vote to the contrary of the commission's recommendation to approve the historic preservation.

With Pacha opposing the recommendation, the resolution requires a supermajority vote to pass.

The council will hold the consultation at the Feb 9 work session, with a formal vote slated for the formal meeting immediately after.

As a rezoning matter, the resolution requires three readings and votes by the council.