Path's to Success Social

Mary Gronen is highly motivated community member with a passion for preserving local history and

invigorating the downtown and the Greater Dubuque area.

Mary and her husband John are the founders of Gronen Properties.  A company that specializing in historic rehabilitation projects seldom approached by other developers. Adaptive re-use of classic but neglected buildings has been the main focus.  Since the formation of the company in 1999, Gronen has restored 1,500,000 square feet of commercial and residential space in Dubuque, with development costs in excess of $200,000,000. The firm also manages approximately one hundred sixty residential units; a mix of Affordable Housing, Workforce Housing and Market Rate Housing. As well, they offer upwards of one-quarter million square feet of commercial space in these redeveloped buildings.

The completed projects have brought new life into the urban areas they inhabit, creating historic store fronts filled with eating establishments, retail and office space, as well as providing space for non-profit organizations that serve the downtown

community, including a federally-qualified community health clinic. These projects have truly been catalytic for Dubuque’s downtown.

The Gronens have added tremendous value to the Dubuque community with their involvement in the Four Mounds Foundation. Created in 1987 as a way to support and maintain the century-old gentleman’s farm known as Four Mounds, this non-profit

organization has: preserved and restored the five homes, twelve outbuildings, and 56-acre grounds; developed an Inn/Conference Center; acquired a 40-acre farm for youth education and community gardens. In addition, they have partnered with the City, school district, and others to develop the Housing Education And Rehabilitation Training (HEART) program. This program offers at risk youth the opportunity to provide quality, affordable housing in Dubuque’s Washington Neighborhood, through hands-on experience in historic rehabilitation. These completed projects are then sold to first-time homeowners, thereby reducing the number of landlord owned residences. The HEART program has been transformational

both for its participants and for the neighborhoods where they have worked.