Set Public Hearing on Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project and Initiate Public Improvement Bidding ProcessCity of Dubuque
City Council
Copyrighted
November 3, 2025
ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Set Public Hearing on Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project and Initiate Public Improvement
Bidding Process
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council preliminarily
approve the construction plans and specifications with an
estimated construction amount of $3,376,900.00, adopt the
resolution, initiate the bidding process, set the public hearing
for November 17, 2025, and advertise bids for the Comiskey
Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project.
RESOLUTION Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment
Project: 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
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for
DISPOSITION: November 17, 2025
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. Resolution
4. Notice of Public Hearing
Page 405 of 525
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Set Public Hearing on Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
and Initiate Public Improvement Bidding Process
DATE: October 28, 2025
Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Kalcevich is recommending City Council
preliminarily approve the construction plans and specifications with an estimated
construction amount of $3,376,900.00, adopt the resolution, initiate the bidding process,
set the public hearing for November 17, 2025, and advertise bids for the Comiskey Park
Phase 2 Redevelopment Project.
The City Council approved the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP)
application for Reimagine Comiskey Phase 2 at their March 4, 2024 City Council
meeting and approved the grant agreement after grant award at their September 15,
2025.
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) funding will support recreational
improvements at Comiskey Park in Dubuque, Iowa. National Park Service (NPS)
resources will benefit people who live in Census Tract 19061000500, with 24.1 %
poverty (compared to 12.5% nationally), a median household income of $37,952 (less
than the national level of $75,149), and a significant minority population (23.7%).
Federal investment will support:
• Construction of two additional full-size basketball courts-,
• Development of new shaded picnic areas;
• Replacement of an older basketball court, skate spot, and tennis court with a multi-
use playing field-,
• Building trails throughout the park;
• Establishment of a new park entryway;
• Creation of a 53-stall parking lot; and
• Additional landscaping including trees and native plantings
The City Council approved $1,697,000 in G.O. Debt funding (Greater Downtown TIF) for
the Comiskey Park Phase 2 redevelopment in the current FY 26 budget. The FY 26
budget amendment #1 contained $6,848 needed to match the final grant award. CDBG
funding in the amount of $276,851 has been used for planning and design with
expenses retroactive to the project. This allowed the fast turnaround from receiving the
Page 406 of 525
grant agreement. The city funding is being used to match the $1,980,699 National Park
Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant.
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
Matthew Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
Marie Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
2
Page 407 of 525
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Matthew K. Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 27, 2025
RE: Set Public Hearing on Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
and Initiate Public Improvement Bidding Process
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum requests the City Council set the public hearing and initiate the bid
process for the Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project.
BACKGROUND
Reimagine Comiskey Phase 1 project included a new playground, splash pad, a
basketball court, walkway additions, seating walls, park amenities like litter
receptacles, bike racks, picnic tables, etc., one small and one larger shade picnic
shelters, trees, landscaping, bioswale, native seeding, and other improvements. June
29, 2023 Reimagine Comiskey Park Phase 1 opened to the public.
The Phase 1 project had a variety of funding sources. The City of Dubuque was
awarded a $508,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy
Partnership Program grant from the National Park Service to expand outdoor
recreational opportunities in the park. That grant was matched with City of Dubuque
capital improvement funding in the amount of $1,393,545 and Housing and Urban
Development Community Development Block grant funding in the amount of $429,480.
The Wellmark Foundation awarded the project $100,000 as a part of Wellmark's Large
MATCH Grant Program, used toward the addition of a splash pad and expansion of
basketball courts at the park and a $25,000 America In Bloom/CN EcoConnexions From
the Ground Up grants for trees, native forbes, and grass seed, shrubs, and flowers. The
total project cost of Phase 1 was $2,456,025.
During Phase 1 construction staff began searching for grants to assist with Phase 2
funding. The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program assisted in
funding Phase 1. Prior to round 7 funding, communities were not eligible to reapply for
a second grant on the same property. The round 7 Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO) for ORLP was changed to allow this, making it a grant that could be sought
1
Page 408 of 525
again. The City Council approved the ORLP application for Reimagine Comiskey
Phase 2 at their March 4, 2024 City Council meeting and approved the grant agreement
after grant award at their September 15, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) funding will support recreational
improvements at Comiskey Park in Dubuque, Iowa. National Park Service (NPS)
resources will benefit people who live in Census Tract 19061000500, with 24.1 %
poverty (compared to 12.5% nationally), a median household income of $37,952 (less
than the national level of $75,149), and a significant minority population (23.7%).
Federal investment will support:
• Construction of two additional full-size basketball courts;
• Development of new shaded picnic areas;
• Replacement of an older basketball court, skate spot, and tennis court with a multi-
use playing field;
• Building trails throughout the park;
• Establishment of a new park entryway;
• Creation of a 53-stall parking lot; and
• Additional landscaping including trees and native plantings
Rehabilitation of Comiskey Park will complete the transformation of this well -loved and
well -used public space. The proposed improvements are a result of the extensive "Re -
Imagine Comiskey" community engagement process (supported with a previous ORLP
grant) that involved input sessions, focus groups, community surveys, and a music -
infused Hip Hop PARKitecture workshop designed for children ages 10-17. Key
planning participants included local neighborhood associations, the Dubuque
Community School District youth, youth organizations, and non-profit community
partners.
Community Development Block Grant funding was used for the work by the
architectural and engineering consultant to prepare the bid specifications. These funds
are administered by the Housing and Community Development Department.
Saiki Design has prepared 100% plans and specifications for the park redevelopment.
The plans and specifications have been reviewed and approved by the City's
Development Review Team.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Initiate Public Bidding Process and
Publish Notice to Bidders, Advertise for Bids November 3, 2025
Notice of Public Hearing on Plans and Specs November 4, 2025
Public Hearing on Plans and Specs November 17, 2025
Receipt of Bid Proposals November 24, 2025
2
Page 409 of 525
Award Construction Contract December 1, 2025
Project Completion Date September 30, 2026
BUDGETIMPACT
The City Council approved $1,697,000 in G.O. Debt funding (Greater Downtown TIF) for
the Comiskey Park Phase 2 redevelopment in the current FY 26 budget. The FY 26
budget amendment #1 contained $6,848 needed to match the final grant award. CDBG
funding in the amount of $276,851 has been used for planning and design with
expenses retroactive to the project. This allowed the fast turnaround from receiving the
grant agreement. The city funding is being used to match the $1,980,699 National Park
Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant. The estimate of probable cost prepared by
Saiki Design for the construction portion of the project is as follows:
Construction Estimate $ 3,376,900
The total current project budget available for construction and design, engineering and
construction inspection costs is as follows:
Project Number 3049900001 $3,961,397
Relmagine Comiskey Development
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council preliminary approval of the construction
plans and specifications, adopt the resolution, initiate the bidding process, set the public
hearing for November 17, 2025, and advertise bids for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project.
Prepared by Marie L. Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
3
Page 410 of 525
Prepared by Marie Ware, Acting Proiect and Facilities Manager, 2200 Bunker Hill Road Dubuque IA. 52001 (563)589-4263
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque, 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 354-25
COMISKEY PARK PHASE 2 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
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
Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project in the estimated construction amount of
$3,376,900.00, 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 17th day of November, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in
the Historic Federal Building Council Chambers 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 Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project 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 Acting Project & Facilities Manager 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, 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 24th day of November 2025. Bids shall be opened and read by the Acting
Projects & Facilities Manager at said time and will be submitted to the City Council for
final action at 6:30 p.m. on the 1 st day of December 2025, in the Historic Federal Building
Council Chambers 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, adopted and approved this the 3rd day of
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
November 2025.
.• M. Cav•
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a public
hearing on the 17th day of November, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal Building,
350 W. 6th Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, at which meeting the City Council will consider
the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the Comiskey
Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project. Said proposed plans, specifications, form of
contract and estimated cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk.
The scope of the project is as follows:
The extent of the work involved is demolition of existing features, site grading, erosion
control, sidewalks, HMA pavement parking lot with curb and gutter, decorative and
functional pavement marking, basketball courts, lighting, electrical wiring including
conduit, storm sewer, water service and drinking fountains, existing park shelter new roof
and downspout modifications, new entry canopy for park shelter, existing fence
modifications, landscape plantings, new park shelters, site furnishings, new park entry
signage, and seatwalls.
At the meeting, the City Council will receive oral and written comments from any resident
or property owner of said City to the above action. The official agenda will be posted the
Friday before the meeting and will contain public input options. The City Council agenda
can be accessed at https://citvofdubugue.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/ or by
contacting the City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org.
Written comments regarding the above public hearings may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office via email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org or by mail to City Clerk's Office,
City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, before said time of public hearing. At said
time and place of public hearings the City Council will receive any written comments.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearings are on file in the City Clerk's
Office and may be viewed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals with limited English proficiency, vision, hearing, or speech impairments
requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100,
ctyclerkC@-cityofd u bug ue.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 4th day of November 2025.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Page 412 of 525