A CALL TO ACTION – SAVE THE SLEZAK!

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Speak Up to Protect this 1870s Iowa City Icon!

Saving Iowa City’s Slezak National Hall – 302-316 Bloomington Street – Iowa City. As was reported earlier, the iconic building that houses Pagliai’s Pizza is for sale. The property is advertised as “PERFECT FOR REDEVELOPMENT.” Can you imagine a new structure occupying this block?

The first official step to protect this iconic building was a public hearing where the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission agreed to send their proposal to the Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission. Now, the P&Z Commission needs to approve the proposal – sending it on to the Iowa City City Council. We need your support in attending that P&Z meeting:

Wednesday, February 21 – 6 pm – Emma Harvat Hall in City Hall – 410 E Washington Street – Iowa City

The commission will vote whether to designate 302-316 Bloomington Street in Iowa City as a local historic landmark. Did you know the building that houses Pagliai’s Pizza is called the Slezak Building, after the original owners? Please join our effort to call the building by its true name. Read more about this historic building here.

The Planning & Zoning Commission will help determine what makes sense for Iowa City: preserving Iowa City’s Czech/Bohemian cultural heritage and this 1870s architectural icon or allow the property to be redeveloped with a new building.

What we are asking you to do:

SPEAK UP & SHOW UP….

  • Please show up in person – at the Planning & Zoning public meeting. Wednesday, February 21 at 6:00 PM in Emma Harvat Hall in City Hall. The commission needs to hear why this building matters to Iowan Citians. You can learn more about the history of the building at this link (Slezak building description starts on page 3):  https://www.iowa-city.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=2190301&dbid=0&repo=CityofIowaCity The hearing is open to the public and the commission wants to hear from Iowa Citians. If you care about the building, step up and say so. Comments should be brief.
  • Write in support of preserving the Slezak building (if you haven’t already written). Spread the word and send your email message by noon on Wednesday, February 21 to the P&Z Commissioners in care of Anne Russett at arussett@iowa-city.org

A hearty thanks to everyone who supported the effort to landmark the Slezak* building last week. It was effective and we NEED YOU TO CONTINUE for two more PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Thank you for taking part to help convince Iowa City leaders that preserving important historic architecture and cultural heritage matters greatly! Please stay tuned for a message announcing the final public hearing to landmark the Slezak building. We will need a super majority of City Council members to vote yes.

  • Thank you for adding momentum and showing you care about protecting this neighborhood anchor and important piece of Iowa City history.

PLEASE PASS THE WORD! Let’s SAVE THE SLEZAK!

Good news! The P&Z committee approved the plan on February 21, 2024, 6-1 voting. The plan now goes to the Iowa City City Council in April, 2024. More info coming soon!

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