Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project -Bid Package No. 1 (Site Demolition & Mass Grading) - Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for Public HearingCopyrighted
September 16, 2024
City of Dubuque Items to be set for Public Hearing #
City Council Meeting 01.
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project - Bid Package No. 1 (Site
Demolition & Mass Grading) - Initiate Public Bidding Process and
Setting Date for Public Hearing
City Manager recommending City Council authorize initiating the public
bidding process and set a public hearing on October 7, 2024, and to
approve the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of
$1,018,000.00 for the Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid
Package No. 1 through the adoption of the attached resolution.
RESOLUTION Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project— Bid
Package No. 1 (Site Demolition & Mass Grading): preliminary approval of
plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost; setting date of
public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated
cost; and ordering the advertisement for bids
SUGGESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for October
DISPOSITION: 7, 2024Suggested Disposition:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Resolutions
Notice of Hearing Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
AIFberka city
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project
Bid Package No. 1 (Site Demolition & Mass Grading)
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for Public Hearing
Project Code: 5575000022, 3049900010
DATE: September 12, 2024
Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl is recommending City Council authorize initiating
the public bidding process and set a public hearing on October 7, 2024, and to approve
the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of $1,018,000.00 for the
Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid Package No. 1 through the adoption
of the attached resolution.
The Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project will be bid as two separate contracts.
• Bid Package No. 1 (Demolition and Mass Grading)
• Bid Package No. 2 (Utilities, Paving & Amphitheater Stage)
Bid Package No.1 includes the demolition and removal of existing structures including
the dog kennel buildings, site clearing and mass grading for the amphitheater.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Chris Lester, Water Department Director
Max O'Brien, Civil Engineer
Tracy Schadle, Confidential Account Clerk
Alex Dixon, President & CEO, Q Casino & DRA
2
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
DATE: September 10, 2024
RE:
Dubuque
brittild
All -America City
1I �
III
2007.2012*2013
2017*2019
Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project
Bid Package No. 1 (Site Demolition & Mass Grading)
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for Public Hearing
Project Code: 5575000022, 3049900010
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum requests the City Council authorize initiating the public bidding
process and set a public hearing on October 7th, 2024 for the Iowa Amphitheater on
Schmitt Island Project - Bid Package 1.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque has previously applied for and been awarded a Destination Iowa
Outdoor Recreation Fund grant administered by the Iowa Economic Development
Authority (IEDA). Prior to the grant being awarded, city staff received an IEDA request
to consider a singular focus for the grant. Several outdoor recreation amenities were
included in the original grant application. City and Dubuque Racing Association (DRA)
staff chose to update the application with a singular focus of the outdoor amphitheater
(now called the Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island) as staff and the DRA felt it best
met the criteria of the Destination Iowa Outdoor Recreation grant program and would
produce the strongest application in a very competitive pool of applications. On March
10, 2023 the City was notified of the grant award by IEDA and that the amount of grant
funding would be $3,000,000 with a local match of $12,442,961 for a total project cost of
$15,442,961.
Funding for the local match in the required amount of $12,442,961 is as follows:
G.O. Debt (Greater Downtown TIF): $8,784,961
DRA contribution: $3,658,000
The project vision is to create Schmitt Island as "Dubuque's Gateway to Entertainment
and the Mississippi" and was set forth in a Schmitt Island Master Plan developed in
2014 and updated in 2017 and also in the Schmitt Island Placemaking &
Implementation Plan adopted in June 2017. The mission adopted for this exciting
project is to create "a connected island that welcomes visitors and the community to
recreation, entertainment and the outdoors." The City of Dubuque and the Dubuque
Racing Association (DRA) are partnering on this impactful project to create a unique
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and exciting gateway into Iowa that will help grow the economy across the State, build
upon current outdoor recreational amenities already on the island, connect people to
new economic opportunities, and attract tourists from all over the nation.
The overall project addresses the master plan, creative placemaking goals, and a top
priority of the Dubuque City Council: increase foot traffic on Schmitt Island; build a
recreational landmark and create a gateway and the "front door" to Iowa and Dubuque;
bring people to Schmitt Island; leverage island programming for economic development;
connect the island to Dubuque and the region; create a year-round destination; and
create opportunities for education.
The open-air performance amphitheater will attract "A" and "B" national acts, as well as
be a venue for local symphony, college and university performing groups, nonprofit
events, and regional performances. The stage will be constructed with an "artful" stage
canopy that will help create a sense of place, enhance acoustics, and protect
performers from sun and weather. The amphitheater is planned as a versatile space to
host varied audiences and sized for regional acts of up to 2,500 people and for national
acts of 5,000 to 8,000 people.
The amphitheater will be accessed by ADA-compliant paths and trails connecting from
other places on the island. The amphitheater will be constructed to allow the City and
DRA to provide assistive technologies including I -Caption units (handheld closed
caption devices), assistive listening devices (headphones that amplify the sound on
stage), closed captioned performances, sign language interpreted performances, and
D-scriptive audio devices that provide a detailed account of all onstage activity.
The three main components of the outdoor amphitheater are:
• Open air shelter with stage that will accommodate varied audience sizes from
regional events of up to 2,500 people to national acts of 5,000 to 8,000 people
with built in flexibility that will open up the facility for a variety of events and
destination activities.
• Flexible open space to utilize the amphitheater for local events and activities in
addition to a concert series with the ability to host local food trucks and
experiential activities such as regional poetry events, arts and crafts festivals,
sidewalk chalk competitions, etc.
• ADA-compliant outdoor amphitheater with ADA compliant connecting spaces
leading to the amphitheater from other areas on the Island.
DISCUSSION
The Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project will be bid as two separate contracts.
• Bid Package No. 1 (Demolition and Mass Grading)
• Bid Package No. 2 (Utilities, Paving & Amphitheater Stage)
Bid Package No.1 includes the demolition and removal of existing structures including
the dog kennel buildings, site clearing and mass grading for the amphitheater.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
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The schedule for Bid Package No. 1 is as follows:
Initiate Public Bidding Process
Publish Notice to Bidders, Advertise for Bids
Publish Public Hearing Notice on Plans & Specs
Public Hearing on Plans & Specs
Receipt of Bid Proposals (Bid -Letting)
Award Construction Contract
Project Final Completion Date
September 16, 2024
September 20, 2024
September 20, 2024
October 7, 2024
October 10, 2024
October 21, 2024
January 30, 2025
Bid Package No. 2 is anticipated to be initiated for public bidding on the November 4th,
2024 council meeting and awarded at the December 16th, 2024 council meeting. The
destination Iowa Grant requires that all work be under contract by December 31st, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend preliminary approval of the proposed plans, specifications, form of
contract and construction estimate for the Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project -
Bid Package No. 1. I further recommend establishing the date of the public hearing and
authorizing the Engineering Department to advertise for bids for the project.
BUDGET IMPACT
The current estimate of probable cost for Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project —
Bid Package No. 1 is as follows:
Description
Cost Estimate
Construction Contract (Bid Package No. 1)
$ 1,018,000.00
Contingency (10%)
101,800.00
Consultant Design Services
290,400.00
Construction Admin, Engineering & Inspection
62,000.00
Total Project Cost Estimate
$ 1,472,200.00
The anticipated funding for Bid Package No. 1 is as follows:
Project No.
Fund Description
Fund Amount
3049900010
5575000022
G.O. Debt (Greater Downtown TIF)
$ 422,200.00
DRA Contribution
1,050,000.00
Total Project Funding
$ 1,472,200.00
The Destination Iowa Grant funding is not paying for the Bid Package No. 1 (Demolition
& Mass Grading) work because it is included in the local match required for the overall
Iowa Amphitheater project.
The current estimate of probable cost for the entire Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt
Island Project is as follows:
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Description
Cost Estimate
Construction Contract (Bid Package No. 1)
$ 1,018,000.00
Construction Contract (Bid Package No. 2)
9,503,078.18
Remaining DRA Local Match1
2,108,000.00
Contingency (10%)
1,052,107.82
Consultant Design Services
1,451,775.00
Construction Admin, Engineering & Inspection
310,000.00
Total Project Cost Estimate
$ 15,442,961.00
The project funding is summarized as follows:
Project No.
Fund Description
Fund Amount
000 5575000022
5750
State Grant — Destination Iowa
$ 3,000,000.00
G.O. Debt (Greater Downtown TIF)
8,784,961.00
DRA Contribution
3,658,000.00
Total Project Funding
$ 15,442,961.00
In accordance with the Destination Iowa Grant Agreement, the Dubuque Racing
Associate (DRA) contribution of $3,658,000.00 is part of the local match for the overall
project. The items associated with the DRA local match funds include deconstructing
the current dog track and kennels to provide the location where the new amphitheater
will be constructed (Bid Package No. 1). In addition, the DRA will be revamping its
surface parking and striping to accommodate the additional parking demand created by
the new outdoor amphitheater and tourists visiting Schmitt Island. A portion of the
parking lot work will be incorporated into Bid Package No. 2.
The use of remaining DRA funds associated with the local match are to be used in the
vicinity to enhance the overall amphitheater project.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request the City Council authorize initiating the public bidding process and
set a public hearing on October 7, 2024, and to approve the plans, specifications, form
of contract and estimated cost for the Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid
Package No. 1 through the adoption of the attached resolution.
Prepared by: Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Manager
Chris Lester, Water Department Director
Max O'Brien, Civil Engineer
Tracy Schadle, Confidential Account Clerk
Alex Dixon, President & CEO, Q Casino & DRA
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Prepared by Nathan Steffen P.E., City of Dubuque Engineering, 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque, 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 294-24
IOWA AMPHITHEATER ON SCHMITT ISLAND PROJECT — BID PACKAGE NO. 1 (SITE
DEMOLITION & MASS GRADING)
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATED COST; SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST; AND ORDERING
THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
The proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Iowa
Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid Package No. 1 (Site Demolition & Mass
Grading) in the estimated construction amount of $1,018,000.00, are hereby preliminarily
approved and ordered filed in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
A public hearing will be held on the 7th day of October, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic
Federal Building Council Chambers (and/or by virtual means) 350 W. 6th Street, Dubuque,
Iowa, at which time interested persons may appear and be heard for or against the proposed
plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of said Project, and the City
Clerk be and is hereby directed to cause the attached notice of the time and place of such
hearing to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, which notice shall be published not less than four days nor more than twenty days prior
to the date of such hearing. At the hearing, any interested person may appear and file
objections to the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, or estimated cost of the
Project.
The Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid Package No. 1 (Site Demolition
& Mass Grading) is hereby ordered to be advertised for bids for construction.
The amount of the security to accompany each bid shall be in an amount which shall
conform to the provisions of the Notice to Bidders hereby approved.
The City Engineer is hereby directed to advertise for bids for the construction of the
improvements herein provided, by publishing the Notice to Bidders to be published on the
City of Dubuque website and a contractor plan room service with statewide circulation, which
notice shall be published not less than thirteen but not more than forty-five days before the
date for filing bids before 2:00 p.m. on the 10th day of October 2024. Bids shall be opened
and read by the City Clerk at said time and will be submitted to the City Council for final action
at 6:30 p.m. on the 21st day of October 2024, in the Historic Federal Building Council
Chambers (and/or by virtual means) 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, adopted and approved this the 16th day of September 2024.
Atte t:
(5-v
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE IOWA AMPHITHEATER ON
SCHMITT ISLAND PROJECT — BID PACKAGE NO. 1 (SITE DEMOLITION & MASS
GRADING)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa will
hold a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and
estimated cost for the Iowa Amphitheater on Schmitt Island Project — Bid Package No. 1
(Site Demolition & Mass Grading) in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 26, Code
of Iowa, at 6:30 p.m., on the 7th day of October 2024, in the Historic Federal Building
Council Chambers (and/or by virtual means), 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa. Said
proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost are now on file in the
office of the City Clerk. At said hearing any interested person may appear and file
objections thereto.
The scope of the Project is as follows: The demolition and removal of existing
structures including the dog kennel buildings, site clearing and mass grading for the
amphitheater.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearing are on file in the City Clerk's Office,
City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, Iowa. Documents can be viewed at
https://www.cityofdubuque.org/Agendas or by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 563-
589-4100.
Written comments regarding the above public hearing should be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org, on or
before said time of public hearing. At said time of public hearing all interested citizens and
parties will be given an opportunity to submit online written comments for or against said
proposal.
Individuals with limited English proficiency, vision, hearing or speech impairments or
requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100,
TDD/TTY (563) 690-6678, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org as soon as feasible. Deaf or hard -
of -hearing individuals can use Relay Iowa by dialing 711 or (800) 735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 16th day of September 2024.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk