Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project Public HearingCity of Dubuque
City Council
PUBLIC HEARINGS # 4.
Copyrighted
November 17, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project Public
Hearing
SUMMARY: Proof of publication on notice of public hearing to consider
City Council approve the construction plans and
specifications, estimated cost of $3,376.900.00 for the
Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project, and adopt
the attached resolution, and City Manager recommending
approval.
RESOLUTION Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment
Project: Approval Of Plans, Specifications, Form Of Contract,
And Estimated Cost
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. Resolution
Page 494 of 750
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
DATE: November 10, 2025
Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Kalcevich is recommending City Council
approve the construction plans and specifications, estimated cost of $3,376.900.00 for
the Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project, and adopt the attached resolution.
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
grant agreement. The city funding is being used to match the $1,980,699 National Park
Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant.
Page 495 of 750
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 L. Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
2
Page 496 of 750
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All -America City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Matthew K. Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: November 6, 2025
RE: Public Hearing - Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project
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This memorandum requests the City Council conduct a public hearing 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
again. The City Council approved the ORLP application for Reimagine Comiskey
Page 497 of 750
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
Award Construction Contract December 1, 2025
2
Page 498 of 750
Project Completion Date
BUDGETIMPACT
September 30, 2026
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 are as follows:
Project Number 3049900001 $3,961,397
Relmagine Comiskey Development
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council conduct the public hearing, approve the
construction plans and specifications, estimated cost for the Comiskey Park Phase 2
Redevelopment Project, and adopt the attached resolution.
Prepared by Marie L. Ware, Acting Project and Facilities Manager
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Attachment: Resolution
3
Page 499 of 750
Prepared by Marie L. Ware, Acting Project 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. 375-25
COMISKEY PARK PHASE 2 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATED COST
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the attached plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of total cost
for the Comiskey Park Phase 2 Redevelopment Project, in the estimated construction
amount of $3,376,900.00, are hereby approved.
Passed, adopted and approved this the 17th day of November 2025.
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder`, City Clerk
. • MW -RiMayor
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STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
11/07/2025
and for which the charge is 46.72
i
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 7th day of November, 2025
t� pa"�
Notary li in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
�,inL s JAFiET K. PA'PE
59
a� . Ff Commission Number 1996
My Commission Eypires
�* 12/11 /2025
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Ad text
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://dubuqueia.portal.civicclerk.com/ 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,
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 3rd day
of November 2025.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 11/7