Letter of Support for Silos & Smokestacks Grant Copyrighted
September 18, 2023
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 06.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Letterof SupportforSilos & Smokestacks Grant
SUM MARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the attached letter
of support for the National Mississippi River Museum &Aquarium's grant
application to the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area's Large
Grant Program. No City commitment is included in the letter of support.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File;Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
cover memo Staff Memo
Itr of support Staff Memo
Dubuque
THE CITY QF �
All-Meriea Ciry
DLT B E ; . � . �
�� � �
MaSt� Z�C� aYd t�Q Mt55ZSSZ Z zoa�•zoiz•�ai3
YP pp za��*zai�
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Grant
Application to Silos & Smokestacks
DATE: September 14, 2023
Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach is recommending City Council approval of the
attached letter of support for the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium's grant
application to the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area's Large Grant Program.
No City commitment is included in the letter of support.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
All•America Cily
DuB E r1�:.�k��ti�
���� �m,
I I
Maste iece on the Mississi i z°°''Z°iZxz°13
�P pp za1�*zoi9
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
DATE: September 14, 2023
RE: Letter of Support for National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Grant
Application to Silos & Smokestacks
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request City Council approval of the attached letter of
support for the NMRMA's grant application to the Silos & Smokestacks National
Heritage Area's Large Grant Program. No City commitment is included in the letter of
support.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION
The NMRMA is applying to the Silos & Smokestacks large grant program for the
Mississippi River as an Artifact — River Discovery Center 2.0 project. The project will
introduce ten new exhibits, a refreshed interpretation grounded in environmental history,
advance the integration of living and historic collections, and move the needle on the
Museum's conveyance of the interconnectivity of the human relationship with the water
that runs through our daily lives. The need to re-imagine and update the River
Discovery Center aligns with the NMRMA's mission and strategic plan to be the nation's
premier center to interpret and preserve the Mississippi River's natural and cultural
environments, inspire a global audience, and create more knowledgeable and engaged
citizens.
The total project budget for this project is $1.4 million, and the project would begin work
late this fall with Phase I intended to open in December 2024 and Phase 2 in May 2025.
There is no City match or commitment associated with this letter of support.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I respectfully request City Council approval of the attached letter of support for the
NMRMA's grant application.
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �+
All•Merie�ci�
Nn�iK:Yv�I�rvx:u_.¢.r�1
UF E ' I I�'
� �
2047•2012=2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2oi�*zoig
September 6, 2023
Kurt Strand, President& CEO
Dubuque County Historical Society
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
350 E. 3rd Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for The National Mississippi River Museum &Aquarium's application
to the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area's Large Grant Program.
Dear Mr. Strand,
I am pleased to provide this letter of support on behalf of the City of Dubuque in support of the
National Mississippi River Museum &Aquarium's application to the SSNHA Large Grant Program
for your River Discovery Center—The Mississippi River as an Artifact new exhibits and renovation
project.
The NMRMA, operated by the Dubuque County Historical Society, was one of the first
developments in the Port of Dubuque and continues to be an attraction for residents and visitors
alike. The refresh of exhibits and update to programming described in this grant application is key
to the NMRMA continuing to offer engaging, relevant content that supports tourism, economic
development, and sense of place in our community.
The NMRMA is a key partner in the City's sustainability efforts, both in offering community
education and engagement on the topic and in leading work to protect the environment. The City
partners with the NMRMA to offer educational programming on their campus for Dubuque and tri-
state schools, and brings the programming to them in a number of ways. Notably, the NMRMA has
formed a strong partnership with our Multicultural Family Center's youth and teen programs to
ensure that those in our community who may not have every experienced the Mississippi River
have the opportunity to do so in meaningful ways that will make a difference in their relationship
with the land and water throughout their lives.
The River Museum's strong and varied environmental education programs provide the Dubuque
community with invaluable informal learning opportunities, promote stewardship, and expand
conservation education in the region.
Sincerely,
��a Cavanag .
Mayor
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork