During the latter part of the 20th Century, the Dubuque downtown area needed a boost. Homeowners and businesses alike were leaving for other parts of Dubuque in search of newer, more modern buildings and amenities. Vacancy increased, thereby inviting blight and crime. John and Mary Gronen were compelled to address some of these vacant and neglected buildings. In the early 1990s, they built a strong team of skilled construction and masonry craftspeople and began rehabilitating homes in the Washington Neighborhood. This group of talented individuals eventually became Gronen Restoration. This was followed by: Gronen Properties (manages both commercial and residential properties), Gronen Development (guides each client through the all-important early stages of every project), and DBQ Property Group (Real Estate Division). The Gronen team takes pride in building community and leading the way in revitalization of Dubuque and the region.