Bergman named to most endangered property list by Preservation Iowa

The August Bergman Inn was one of four properties designated to Preservation Iowa’s 2015 list of most endangered properties.

Preservation Iowa started the most endangered property program as a way to educate Iowans about the special buildings and historic sites that are slowly and gradually slipping away. Workers Cottages in Iowa City, the Winfield Smouse House in Washington and Bicksler Block in Salem were also named to the list.

Since its inception in 1995, more than 140 archaeological sites, churches, landscapes and a variety of other buildings have been named to the list. Through the program it hopes to introduce owners of endangered properties to preservation advocacy resources that can help preserve the historic property.

August Bergman is also on the National Register of Historic Places and the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the National Park Service have formally recognized the Bergman House as a significant example of the work of the pre-eminent Iowa architectural firm of Proudfoot and Bird. The Newton Historical Society has been lobbying the Newton City Council to purchase the property in order to start immediate stabilization.

The current purchase price of the property is $99,600 with a acquisition time not to exceed 18 months.

“Bergman did provide a little more detail, a little more factual understanding of what the costs would be for mothballing it, preserving it, those sorts of things. They did a pretty good job of providing more costs,” City Administrator Bob Knabel said. “Where it is — the council will discuss it in executive session next Monday night as to how we go about responding and answering.”

Knabel said at that time the council will provide some direction of how they want to approach the Bergman. They could move forward and take action, whether it be directing staff to do additional work or possibly set a date at the next council meeting to act.

The August Bergman is not the only property that has been brought before the council in recent weeks. The former Newton Seed Store has gained a fair amount of interest from citizens and several ideas for the property were brought before the council, including a restaurant.

After looking at costs related to restoration, the council did not make any moves toward refurbishing the building but moved toward the original intent of tearing it down.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com