Hodgdon St Steps petition Hodgdon Street Steps
also known as
Jackson School Steps or West Locust-Clarke Drive Steps
Reasons to Keep
· Utilitarian
o Stairs used regularly by some for ~commuting"
o Foye Street/Merchants Lane/Gold Street not safe for pedestrians
o Distance between access points ~om Clarke Drive and West Locust is t.3
miles (Senior High School to Madison Street).
· Historic/Aesthetic
o City steps compliment architecture and help make city interesting
o "It's part of what makes Dubuque, Dubuque"
o Paintings and old photographs feature city steps (e.g. Madison steps)
o Stairs used by some for exercise, "walk in the woods"
o Clarke College & Lores College students (training & exercise)
· Ecological
o Encourage people to walk instead of drive
o More pedestrlam = fewer cars = less wear & tear on streets (Sidewalks &
stairs cheaper than streets)
Fairness/Consistency
o Homeowners are fomed to keep sidewalks in good repair (sidewalk
inspection program) - why shouldn't same rules apply to city?
o Do homeowners have the option of posting "sidewalk closed" sign instead
of repairing?
Staff Support
o City applied for grant to help fund step construction- proposal supplied
rationale for application
o Source of funding shouldn't change reasons for step construction
Reasons for Immediate Action · Stairs used regularly
· Analogous street situation
o A section of University Street was washed away between Van Buren and
o City's (proper) reaction - repair immediately - not close University
Cost/Benefit
· Need modest specification
o Bicycle, not Lamborghini
o $2000/step not reasonable
· Derive Economic benefit by featuring steps
o e.g. marathon
o "Come home to Dubuque"