Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1; Consulting Engineering Services RFQ AuthorizationCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 4.
Copyrighted
August 4, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1;
Consulting Engineering Services RFQ Authorization
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council authorization to
release a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant
to assist with the design of Central Avenue and White Street
Corridor Design Phase 1.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. 2025-07-29_CW_Corridor Design_P1_RFQ-Authorization_StaffMemo
Page 1217 of 1311
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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2017202019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1; Consulting
Engineering Services RFQ Authorization
DATE: July 29, 2025
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending City Council authorization to release a
request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to assist with the design of Central
Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Bryce Marifke, Traffic Engineer Intern
Justine Hull, Traffic Engineer
Dave Ness, Civil Engineer
Arielle Swift, Public Works Director
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Jeremy Jensen, Chief of Police
Steve Fehsal, Interim Parks and Recreation Director
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Ryan Knuckey, Transit Director
Page 1218 of 1311
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
DATE: July 29, 2025
Dubuque
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1; Consulting
Engineering Services RFQ Authorization
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request authorization to release a request for
qualifications (RFQ) for Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1.
BACKGROUND
In January 2021, the City of Dubuque regained control of Central Avenue and White
Street from the State of Iowa through a Memorandum of Understanding. This change
allowed the City to explore converting the streets to two-way traffic and incorporate
complete street principles and urban design strategies in support of the Central Avenue
Corridor Streetscape Master Plan. A corridor study completed in 2024 found that
Central Avenue, with 8,000 vehicles per day, and White Street, with 5,000 vehicles per
day, are key parts of the downtown transportation network. Instead of viewing them as
two separate roads, the corridor is better understood as 22 individual blocks whose
character can vary based on nearby land use. Additionally, freight traffic impacts can be
reduced by encouraging use of a defined truck route.
After evaluating several lane and traffic flow options with community input and data
analysis, the City selected the Multi -Modal Focused Alternative as the preferred design.
This option keeps the streets one-way but removes parking from one side to create
space for wider sidewalks, landscaping, and outdoor dining on Central Avenue, and a
two-way cycle track along White Street. This configuration preserves current traffic
signal coordination while enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Supported by residents and approved by the City Council, the design balances vehicle
traffic needs with a more welcoming, multi -use urban environment.
Page 1219 of 1311
DISCUSSION
The RFQ has been prepared with the input of various city staff members. The following
staff members will review the qualifications of those firms that respond and formulate a
recommendation-
1 . Justine Hull, Engineering (City Project Manager for project)
2. Duane Richter, Engineering
3. Bob Schiesl, Engineering
4. Brian Wulfekuhle, Public Works
5. Ian Hatch, Economic Development
6. Jason Duba, Planning
7. Scott Baxter, Police Department
8. Steve Fehsal, Leisure Services
9. Derek Paulson, Fire Department
10. Joey Lueck, Transit Department
The desired Droiect schedule is as follows:
City Council RFQ Initiate:
August 4, 2025
Design Service RFQ Advertise:
August 8, 2025
Questions Due:
September 9, 2025
Response Addendum Due:
September 11, 2025
Qualifications Due:
September 18, 2025
Committee Review & Shortlist:
September 22, 2025 thru October 3, 2025
Shortlist Interviews:
October 13, 2025 thru October 17, 2025
Recommendation to City Manager:
October 29, 2025
City Council Award:
November 3, 2025
Contract Scope Submittal:
November 21, 2025
Recommendation to City Manager:
December 2, 2025
City Council Approval:
December 8, 2025
2
Page 1220 of 1311
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend releasing an RFQ for the implementation of Central Avenue and White
Street Corridor Design Phase 1.
BUDGETIMPACT
The total project funding requested in the FY26 CIP budget is summarized as follows:
Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1 Funding
Fund Source
FY26
FY27
FY28
FY29
FY30
TOTAL
Greater
$ 1,400,000
$ 330,000
$ 0
$ 0
$ 0
$ 1,730,000
Downtown TIF
G.O. Debt
$ 0
$ 0
$1,760,000
$1,780,000
$2,900,000
$ 6,440,000
(GDTIF)
TOTAL
$ 1,400,000
$ 330,000
$1,760,000
$1,780,000
$2,900,000
$ 8,170,000
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request approval to release an RFQ to hire a consultant to assist with the
design of Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Design Phase 1.
Prepared by Bryce Marifke, Traffic Engineer Intern
cc: Justine Hull, Civil Engineer
Dave Ness, Civil Engineer
Arielle Swift, Public Works
Jill Connors, Economic Development
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Jeremy Jensen, Chief of Police
Steve Fehsal, Leisure Services
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Ryan Knuckey, Transit Director
3
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