Dubuque Main Street Report 9 15 08
Downtown Dubuque
:..it's a great time.
]n order to keep City Council and staff, as well as Dubuque
Initiatives, informed of the activities of Dubuque Main Street
(DMS), as it relates to our Purchase of Service Agreement with the
City of Dubuque, in effect July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, we
submit the following report on our progress:
Main Street continues to administer, help administer or act as a
liaison for the following assistance programs:
• The DMS Private Loan Pool (Program has over $2.8 million
in outstandings for the last round of funding -Three closed
this period.) With TIF funding committed years out, the five
downtown banks committed another $2.5 million beginning in
March 2008 for a shorter dormant period this year.
• DMS The Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant -final payment
on the $43,000 grant to the Old German Bank (Silver Dollar)
was awarded this quarter); on behalf of the Fischer Cos.,
another $25,000 will be awarded; work underway on interior
and complete fades of three 900 block of Main is underway.
Another round due in early 2009. The other two projects in
this program (Entrepreneurial Neighborhood in Wilmac
Warehouse & Upper Main Development) are completed.
• Main Street Design Assistance Program (3 facade drawings
produced this period; 23 projects have drawings complete and
pending completions. Next visits -Rescue Mission, Denlinger
Ins. & one in Upper Main scheduled this fall.)
• The ZO percent (or 10 percent) Federal Rehab Tax CREDIT
for National Register of Historic Places buildings. (14, up
from 13 last quarter, entities in Dubuque are in some phase of
obtaining these credits.) Working on expansion to a 40%
credit for small projects.
• A 25 percent State Rehab Tax CREDIT - up to $IOM in '08,
$15M in '09, $20M in ' 10. Now working on further expansion
in special session this fall or in the regular session beginning
in January 2009.
• Another 50 percent potential Federal Tax Credit & other
grants for work making an historic property ADA compliant.
• Enterprise zone incentives promoted. Two projects
recommended (approved locally) in this quarter and two to
appear in 1 ~ quarter fiscal 2009.
• City property tux rebate for SHIPO-approved historic
preservation projects.
• The Historic Site Preservation, Nat'l Trust loan pool, Cynthia
Woods Mitchell Fund & Johana Favrot Fund Grants.
• Working on bringing New Markets Tax Credits to Dubuque.
National Trust & US Bank making credit visits this quarter.
• Working with Iowa Dept of Cultural Affairs as the local
clearinghouse/ liaison for state cultural grants & event
enhancements. Attempt to add Warehouse District this quarter.
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D U B U Q U E
Dubuque Main Street, as an affiliate of Main Street Iowa -Iowa Department of Economic
Development, reports the following statistics, as it relates to downtown Dubuque:
4th Quarter - Fisca12008
DESIGN
• Facade Renovations $447,250
• Building Rehabilitations $1,397,699
• New Construction Projects 2,835,000
• Real Estate Sales $2,985,400
• Public Improvement Projects $990.000
Total Reported Investments $8,655,349
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
• New Businesses 7
• Relocation to Main Street Districts 0
• Space Expansion 1
• Moved Out of Main Street District -0
• Businesses Closed -1
Net Business Space to Districts +7
Net Gain (Loss) in Employees to District +74
Fiscal Year End 2008 (July thru June)
DESIGN 2007 2008
• Facade Renovations $1,284,660 $684,860
• Building Rehabilitations $6,677,416 8,222,416
• New Construction Projects $6,105,000 38,298,242
• Real Estate Sales $6,819,874 6,368,907
• Public Improvement Projects $3,252,668. 7.750.600
Total Reported Investments $24,139,618 $61,325,025
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
• New Businesses 34 29
• Relocation to Main Street Districts 8 2
• Space Expansion 9 9
• Moved Out of Main Street District -IS -2
• Businesses Closed -9 -5
Net Business Space to Districts +27 +33
Net Gain (Loss) in Employees to District -105 +584
Cumulative Totals since 1985 & Percentage of that since 2000:
Facade Building New Real Estate sales Public Net new
renovation $ rehabilitation $ construction $ $ improvement $ Jobs
~ $8,185,641 $92,284,067 $162,923,905 $104,887,515 $46,338,079 +2,297
64% 63% 88% 57% 84% 51%
Net new business (including space expansions) since documentation of this category started in 1990 = 315
Dan LoBianco has attended and/or presented at the following meetings at least once this quarter:
• The Main Street Iowa (new) Economic Development Specialist Planning Session
• Main Street Iowa (MSI) Design Assistance Visitations
• MSI Awards Banquet
• MSI Urban Neighborhood Program Planning Session
• The Nat'l Trust for Historic Preservation Financial Assistance Team Visit
• City Housing Initiative Implementation Committee
• City's Economic Development Roundtable
• Dubuque Initiatives
• The City's UDC Task Force
• The City's Bluffland Advisory Committee, including Council Work Session
• Dubuque Ent~~y~~se Zone Commission
• the Warehouse District Planning Committees; Warehouse Stakeholders Strategic Planning Task
Force; Envsl0n 2010 Warehouse Committee
• Canadian-Pacific Railroad Expansion Exploration/City of DBQ Delegation
• Dubuque Historic Walking Tour Brochure Planning Committee
• Biomass Workshop Planning Committee
• Nat'l Main Street Conference (Philadelphia)
• Water Pollution Control Meeting
• Cable Car Square Association
• Speaker -Dubuque Arts Council Elisha Darling Awards Banquet
• Presentation on the Past, Present & Future of Residential Living in Downtown Dubuque
• Presentation -Dubuque Noon Lions
• the Dubuque Cultural Alliance
• Dubuque Kiwanis Board
• The City's Downtown Parking (Walker) Consultant Advisory Team
• Dubuque Fire Safety Center Open House
• Business Accelerator -Angel Fund Development Program
• Chamber Gov't Affairs Committee
• The City SDAT Task Force
• (new) Field Day Youth Event Planning Session
• Grand Opera House Hall of Fame Banquet
• Tour of Minneapolis City Millwork Warehouse Conversion
• Butterfly Fitness Ribbon Cutting
• Liberty Bank Ribbon Cutting
• Isabella's on Main Ribbon Cutting
• Community Circle of Care Ribbon Cutting
• Exhale Day Spa Open House
• 180 Main Ribbon Cutting
• Nat'l Mississippi Museum Duck Exhibit Grand Opening
• Silver Dollar Cantina Ribbon Cutting
• Annie's Mega Candy Shop Ribbon Cutting
• Durrant Ribbon Cutting
• Northwest Airline Ribbon Cutting
• La Espiga Bakery Ribbon Cutting
• America's River Festival Media Conference
• Hempstead Student Tour of Old Main & Port
• ADA Tours & Steamboat Days -Burlington Iowa
• Marshalltown Main Street Program Visit
• Flood Relief Concerted Effort Planning Mtngs.
• Cedar Rapids & Parkersburg Relief Supply Delivery & Tour
• New City Event Grant Program Planning
• KCRG-TV 9 Interview
• TH Interviews
Dubuque Main Street staff worked/is working on the following initiatives:
• DMS Annual Meeting
• Our New Economic Development/Image Logo Campaign
• Cultural Corridor
• Farmers' Market, including new Winter Market
• The Downtown Business PM
• Dubuque & All That Jazz
• The Warehouse Strategic & Historic District Planning
• Architecture Days
• Downtown Dubuque Clean-up
• Puttzin' Around Downtown
• (New) Cultural Corridor Culture Night (Fall into Art)
Existing Business/Retention & Recruitment Calls made by DMS last quarter included:
180 Main/Busted Lift, 5 6 7 8 Studios, American Trust, Annie's Mega Candy Shop, Appolonia's,
Avery Railings, Behr Funeral Home, Butterfly Life Fitness, Butt's (200 Block of Main) Residential
Project, The Calico Bean Market, Community Circle of Care, Community Foundation- Not-for-Profit
Center, Dark Slide, Davinci's, Denlinger Insurance, Diamond Jo, DB& T, Dubuque Community
Schools, Dubuque Drum Circle, Dubuque Jaycees, Dubuque Postal Annex, Dubuque Soil
Conservation Specialist, Durrant Group, Exhale Day Spa, Fenelon Place Elevator, Fischer Bowling
Lanes, Four Mounds, Friedman Insurance, Gin Rickies, The Grand Opera House, Heer Chiropractic,
Holiday Inn, Hotel Julien Dubuque, The Hub, HyVee, Isabella's Clothing Boutique, Isabella's Lounge
(the Ryan House), Ken Lin Properties, Kintzinger Law Firm, Klauer Construction, L May, La Espiga
Bakery, Liberty Bank, The Lofts at Cathedral Square, McKesson Group, Morrison Brothers, National
Mississippi Museum & Aquarium, NICC, O'Connor Thomas Law Offices, O'Toole Office
Supplies/Warehouse, Outside the Lines Gallery, Plastic Center Inc., Prudential Financial, Radio
Dubuque, River Lights-Second Edition, St. Luke's United Methodist, Salsa's Restaurant, Salvation
Army, Jim Schaffer Photography, Silver Dollar Cantina, SLDI, SMG/Five Flags, Sunshine Restaurant,
Superior Welding, Thom's Accounting, Toys Done Right, US Bank, Wilmac Properties, W S Live,
and Yellow Freight.
In relation to the comprehensive Downtown Master Plan, Dubuque Main Street is involved in
implementing the following initiatives, with most recent quarter's information detailed after the
bullets:
Element la: Commerce -Business
Investigate and pursue grant applications (i.e. EDA) which administer dollars for economic diversity and
sustainability
• Last draw of $43,000 toward the restoration of the Silver Dollar Cantina in and distributed.
• EDA for Warehouse Master Plan, feasibility study and conceptual drawings officially granted.
• First set of New Market Tax Credits to a downtown Dubuque project is achieved for the Hotel Julien Dubuque .
..Knowledge of procedure in place for use withWarehouse District projects, to include three other CEDs.
• DMS hosted representatives from the National Trust & Federal Home Loan Bank to look into at least two
buildings and the new Trust low interest loan program and other possible programs. Potential projects in Old
Main & the South PortlMiller Warehouse/former Higley Chemical Building.
Ensure City's enterprise zone boundaries to include key employment areas Downtown in an effort to "level the
playing field" for business growth
• New Enterprise zone application for Morrison Bros. accepted & forwarded to state, & exploration for two other
downtown projects (Greenfield Apartments & Cathedral Square Residential Project) underway.
Establish an organization, or expand an existing one, to market downtown for business location and expansion
• GDDC has retail recruitment report from Buxton group ...More applicable to Westside development. Main
Street to re-emphasize micro-retail recruitment & form a retail committee.
Work with DMS and Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce to identify key target industries, which could be
accommodated Downtown -develop marketing materials and implement a program for business attraction
• New development marketing binding equipment purchased at Dubuque Main Street & starting to put targeted
packages together for micro-recruiting efforts for successful entities smaller than Buxton typically works with.
Support (regulations, financial incentives, marketing assistance) signature development and redevelopment
projects, which would promote the attraction of primary and targeted business to Downtown
• Next phase in DMS & City advocacy for a further increase in (or removal of) the state cap in historic tax credits
is reaching full steam. Raising state cap being pushed for special fall session (or for sure next Jan.).
• Encouraging increase to 40% the federal credit for small projects. Two one-page summary sheets sent to reps in
Washington.
• A renewed attempt with the state Great Places staff to find assistance in the Warehouse District is being
sought/has not yet been abandoned.
Promote creation of a Business Accelerator downtown
• Accelerator is at full speed at this point. Genuine Genius has joined SLDI is in the warehouse district
• A minimum of monthly lunch meetings occurs between the directors of DMS & the Accelerator to keep
downtown at the top of location lists and to advocate for the local angel fund that is underway. Accelerator is
now trying to establish Angel fund to capitalize entrepreneurial projects.
Work with local lenders to develop revolving loan funds and various grant programs to strategic downtown
development and redevelopment projects
• DMS and the five downtown banks committed another $2.5 million in the "DMS loan pool" earlier this year.
Economic downturn has reduced use this period.
Element lb: Commerce -Retail
Access/expand fagade maintenance program from local, state and federal sources, which offers low-interest loans,
grants, and matching funds for building enhancement
• See varies areas of Element 1 a - &DMS conducted three design assistance/drawing visitations in April &
delivered three completed drawings and recommendation information packets on visitations conducted in Feb.
(one on Central, one Warehouse structure & one in the Upper Main district) with MSI. Currently 23 property
owners now have plans, two plans implemented this quarter and task force members are encouraging property
owners to implement the other plans. Three more property owners have expressed interest in additional
drawings.
Retain the services of a national retail broker/developer representative to solicit the interest of commercial
businesses, which are consistent with the community's vision for Downtown. Have the individual work with a local
"recruitment team" to fill vacancies and manage retail concentrations
• As previously stated, DMS is looking to expand the micro-recruiting initiative soon.
• Full, existing downtown retailer survey being distributed as part of the Warehouse Master planning work.
Maintain flexibility in City regulations to accommodate commercial businesses -building set-backs; zoning;
landscaping; etc. -ensure quality through design guidelines
• DMS director is a member of the UDC Citizens' & Bluffland Advisory Committee on a unified code, led by
JEO, the consultant hired by the City. Monthly meetings are conducted to wend through the entire code with
early emphasis giving to areas of the code in need of immediate examination.
• Overall downtown design guideline production hired consultant and results will be published & promoted for
City adoption in fisca12009.
Attract and subsidize unique anchor(s) to downtown to draw resident and visitor spending and diversify the exiting
retail base
• This is now enveloped into items #2 & 3 of Element lb above.
Work with DMS and Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce to expand programs for small commercial businesses
Downtown -providing funding, training, and marketing support
• New development marketing materials being completed by Refinery Design this year. Also see the joint
marketing information from Element la.
Maintain flexibility in strategies to encourage development in specific locations -trade properties (land swap)
either currently in public ownership, or which could be acquired; write-down land; assemble strategic parcels;
develop property promotion material; work with local brokers.
• Final draft on the feasibility of certain properties currently from the CLUE group, hired through the Housing
Department RFP, is being reviewed.
Work with DMS to finance preparation of a tenanting strategy by district in Downtown -develop supportive
policies, which restrict street level service office/incept second floor offices in key locations
• With the development planning underway in the Warehouse District (including amaster-planning by
Cunningham Group/consultant), a tenanting strategy and targeting focus is being developed to be utilized in all
eight Main Street districts.
Appoint a team of local designers to establish design guidelines for commercial properties Downtown, which are
sensitive to the historic and physical environment, yet, which promote quality and sustainability
• The Warehouse District may well be the first area to endeavor on this objective (not scheduled for completion
until years out). The master-planning sessions going on included architects.
Analyze the feasibility of developing a turnkey facility for amid-size commercial "box" Downtown -developed
publicly and transferred to a private entity
• Possible opportunities for chains emerging in the Port and tangentially on the former Pack property. Recent
developer visiting the Warehouse district also believes the ample space in that area may be ripe for trendy chain,
but likely not big box, retailers. Warehouse district looking to possibly hire recruiter ... GDDC hired for other
large retail recruitment.
Establish a diverse "tool box" of financial and regulatory incentives for mixed-use projects. Among those resources
to be researched are funds available through the New Markets Tax Credit program
• As referenced above, DMS progressing with Refinery Design & Wallis Photography to develop a digital
collateral piece for this purpose, with publishing this year.
Element 2: Culture, Education, and Entertainment
Work with Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, merchants, Leisure Services Department and other groups
coordinating community events planning -institute streamlined permitting processes
• Processed implemented and tweaked annually. With some festivals expanding and new events being introduced,
the process of event coordinators meeting (a part of the CVB) at least yearly to establish better practices is
becoming more essential ... A few avoidable consequences developed in this past festival season.
Identify and formally designate a culturaUartisan district -growing on the current concentration of art venues in
central Downtown
• State recognized expansion for the Warehouse District being applied for in August.
• In addition to the completed work previously reported, the Arts Commission &DMS are working on a new joint
venture in the physical arts area, to be a cooperative effort between the for profit sector and the large not-for-
profit institutions. DMS will be the sponsoring organization for Cultural Night to be held in Oct. 2008.
• Event workshop by DMS, City &CVB being developed.
Coordinate efforts of arts groups and leisure services organizations to make cultural arts activities part of a
comprehensive package for tourism
• (As encouraged by Cultural Commission) Chamber, DMS, Dubuque Cultural Alliance, SMG & Dubuque 365
still working to completing an enhanced, long-range calendar coordination between arts organizations. A new
Cultural Alliance brochure was created the first quarter fisca12008, and is available thru the DMS office.
Encourage creation of an arts program (support designation as a magnet art school) within the Downtown schools
- strengthening their appeal to a larger market and supporting art training at a young age
• Some consider this item achieved, but it is always evolving. Wide ranging, extra-curricular and school time
programs continue at the new Prescott ARTs "charter school." DMS assisting school faculty on ARTS and non-
ARTs expeditionary learning opportunities and serving on the Advisory Board for the Charter school. New
performance programs include a Dance, Steal Drum Band & Vocal Fusion a joint program with the Colts.
Establish Dubuque Arts and Culture Advisory Commission; during the interim work with one of several existing
organizations (Dubuque Cultural Alliance, Dubuque Arts Council, Chamber Festivals Committee, Dubuque Fine
Arts Society)
• Commission in place and work outlined in other areas of this element. New programs introduced through its
grant programs regularly.
Support (subsidize) the residential portion of live/work signature project to control sale prices and appreciation
• Exploring the Warehouse district for this purpose ...CLUE group report will help determine buildings to target
for this initiative, as will the Warehouse District Master Planning process ...Getting close to introducing a
potential "first attempt" small-scale project being explored in the Betty Building.
Solicit the interest of national and local experts in the development and redevelopment of a demonstration
live/work project Downtown
• See above in Warehouse District, with CLUE group.
Develop a strategy to maintain an inventory of attainable artisan housing -involving corporate partners and local
developers where feasible
• See above with feasibility endorsed by the Cunningham Group, while DMS maintains a commercial and
residential availability list.
Adjust landscaping requirements (under current regulations) to include green space and public art
• Annual Port of Dubuque public art project is in its third year. New art installed already this fiscal year. At the
end of each year these works of art will be sold and new pieces sited in the Port.
Element 3: Historical Features
Expand the dollar amount and number of existing fagade improvement grants and low-interest loans to promote
redevelopment preservation (keep this money separate from larger sources)
• DMS pleased to see TIF funding expansion approved for Warehouse district, and see Element 1 of Plan and
front page of this document for other programs.
Encourage the reuse of historically significant buildings for residential use -lofts, condominium, and row house;
streamline the process and create financial incentives for restoration where feasible
• Projects with housing components within historical structures emerging throughout downtown, including at least
six buildings in the warehouse district, the "three-pack" of buildings in the 900 block of Main (former Betty
Jane's, etc.), the Step-by-Step ADA project, the former Higley Chemical Building, the recently completed
Butt's project in the 200 block of Main, & the Naughty dog Complex at 11`h & Locust.
• The Annual Architectural Days was expanded this fiscal year, Apri17-12, 2008, after the significant success of
the 2007 event ...This year was tied in to the 175"'Birthday celebration and a regional speaker.
Complete the formal designation of properties identified as part of the City's historic inventory
• List and mapping complete, as we should hear on the national historic Millwork/Warehouse District within a
month.
Initiate a lobbying effort (at the state level) to increase state historic tax credit pool
• Next phase in DMS & City advocacy for a further increase in (or removal of) the state cap in historic tax credits
is reaching full steam. Raising state cap being pushed for special fall session (or for sure next Jan.) is planned.
Increase to 40% federal credit being pushed for small projects. Two one-page summary sheets sent to reps in
Washington.
• New, potential tax credit projects include C&B's Security Building, the Hotel Julien Dubuque, all Warehouse
buildings, the 900 Block of Main, The Miller (S. Port) Warehouse & the former Interstate Power.
Identify/designate specialist (either within the City or as consultants to the City) who can assist applicants with
state and federal tax credit applications
• City &DMS working on this with personnel changes.
Establish a Downtown Design Guidelines Task Force of local design, development and business owner professionals
(including representatives of DMSL) to prepare design guidelines for Downtown character districts
• Overall downtown design guideline production hired consultant and results will be published & promoted for
City adoption in fiscal 2009.
Element 4: Public Space and Open Areas
Continue to encourage and support areas for outdoor dining
• Opportunity exploration now expanded to Upper Main and the Warehouse District, in additional to the growth
still increasing in Old Main and on the Port. Largest, non-Port space opened at Naughty Dog in Upper Main this
quarter.
Work with property owners, DMS and neighborhood organizations to create/expand the formal district
designation (SSMID) to address maintenance of Downtown streetscape and other public space improvements.
(This could include sidewalk snow removal, litter removal, repairs to streetscape furnishings, and seasonal flower
plantings and maintenance)
• Analysis of SSMID opportunity explored, but not being pursued. Alternative long-term funding in planning
stages. With at least one new "mechanism" introduced by summer 2008. Other programs being brought to
Dubuque, as describe in previous objectives.
Work with Downtown advocacy entity to develop/coordinate a loan pool for higher risk and public good projects
(pledges can be loans, letters of commitment and stock purchases)
• [See info under economic development element of Plan.]
Enhance Downtown surface parking lots with internal and perimeter shade trees, low hedges, seasonal flowers,
security lighting and decorative metal fencing
• The overhaul of the "City Hall Parking lot" between Iowa & Central - 12`h & 13`h Street is complete, with
DMS's Farmers' Market utilizing this space to enhance safety and the market's ability to expand products with
the availability of electricity this year. That effort has been even more successful than originally thought. Public
& private spaces looking to be enhanced, as per direction in the soon-to-be-released Walker Consulting Parking
Study.
• McGraw-Hill lot completed with the best design yet with beautification and flexible festival use in mind.
Enhance Iowa Street between 14th and 3rd Streets as a heavily landscaped greenway with wide grass boulevards,
sidewalks, striped bike lanes and pedestrian lighting and specialty banners
• Additional plant beds have been installed along the Iowa Street Corridor. City staff exploring best use of Iowa
Great Places Grant funds to install bi-lingual hike/bike trail signage throughout the system, including downtown
routes and Iowa Street.
Continue the implementation of Downtown gateway enhancements and wayfinding projects
• Mission Creative & City completed the pedestrian way-finding sign system implementation in the first quarter
of fiscal 2008. Much usage of this system has been witnessed.
Complete the implementation of the Downtown streetscape improvements along the remainder of Main Street from
1st to 14th Streets
• Ali construction, with the exception of in front of the Julien Inn, complete in Old Main, including a majority of
buildings now achieving ADA requirements.
• New historic (double teardrop) replica lighting has been installed on the Third Street overpass. Additional re-
sealing of decorative concrete throughout downtown and Port of Dubuque completed this quarter, as well.
Meetings are already underway in planning to expand the streetscape design north on Main from 9"' Street to
14`h or 17`h Streets to be completed within the next two years ...This new addition may include provisions for
plantings, seating and bike racks per property & business owners' requests. Cable Car Square principals also
exploring improvements.
Element 5: Residential Living
Actively maintain the critical elements of the Downtown neighborhood -schools (Prescott School), churches -
through advocacy, education and financing
• Advocacy work with the new Prescott school well underway, with a new housing project likely to occur directly
across White Street from the school ...School reached capacity this school year.
Pass an ordinance enabling the Housing Trust Fund Committee to make decisions related to housing policy in
order to qualify for state funding
• Washington Court complex/formerly Dubuque Casket Factory is completed, as is the Manasseh House
Apartments. Developers of the Manasseh House, planning a new women's home in the Washington
Neighborhood, and see above on the Step-by-Step ADA project.
Pre-negotiate lender participation including subordination
• On-going: With cooperative nature of this effort, Master Plan task force still questioning need for a formal
procedure here, until a specific project/need is evident. Perhaps this will be necessary if Nat'l Trust Loan Pool
will be needed to close Gaps on a major project in the districts, but not necessary to date.
Encourage the reuse of historically significant buildings for residential use -lofts, condominiums, row houses;
stream line the process and create financial incentives for restoration where feasible
• See many projects listed above and programs to assist these endeavors.
Provide education for property owners who don't know there is a residential market, or how to access funds and
redevelop projects
• See second objective in Element 3, and further education opportunities are planned through the expansion of the
Main Street Iowa economic revitalization positions, including an annual economic development day and more
educational programs for awareness of programs available (for developers, property owners and fmancial
institution representatives.
Provide predevelopment assistance -manpower, financial, legal, and organizational resources in order to
streamline and reduce costs
• See above objective with new furnishings and materials available for research in the Downtown Research
Center.
Complete initiatives under Green space Evolution catalyst concept and continually improve the livability of
Downtown
• See information on the CLUE group recommendations and the work of the SDAT group that will greatly impact
this objective in coming months.
Work with property owners to establish appropriate improvements district mechanisms (SSMID) to assist in the
cost of delivering a livable environment downtown
• See Element 4 -second objective above.
Promote the advantages of living Downtown to the local market.
• See various previous items in Plan, and DMS collateral materials being introduced this year.
Establish a diverse "tool box" of financial and regulatory incentives for Downtown housing projects. Among those
resources to be researched are funds available through the New Markets Tax Credit Program
• See Element la and New Markets being obtained, with advice from Kennedy Smith of the CLUE Group.
Element 6: Transportation
Work with merchants and City to coordinate transit operations and levels of service on roads, promoting mobility
and connectivity
• New/more appropriate main hub (with shelters) for the Keyline service has been introduced. Also discussion
underway in regard to better communication of service and schedule for public transit ...Increased usage,
across socio-economic groups, is a major focus of the SDAT studies and upcoming recommendations.
Consider a range of methods to promote the pedestrian environment -linking parking lots; coordinating traffic
signals; widening sidewalks; adding street furniture and lighting; and, coordinating future transit stops
• See various items in element #4 of Plan.
• Comprehensive pedestrian way-finding system now installed, with 20 map kiosks throughout downtown and
over 30 "trail blazer" signs.
Commit to participation by merchants in all downtown transit planning projects
• DMS is to be made aware of all going on and coordinates appropriate meetings, such as the street overlay and
streetscape being implemented now. DMS also serving on new parking structure committee for Port of
Dubuque.
Strengthen the connectivity between the Port of Dubuque and the Central Business District including the Cable
Car Square shopping area
• See element 4 and above objective for details on Pedestrian wayfinding system implementation. Cable Car
Square merchants also planning for more concerted effort to take advantage of the increased conference
"traffic" in Dubuque, and new streetscape amenities to take advantage of increased "traffic."
Improve vehicular accessibility to the Port of Dubuque
• Downtown Traffic & Parking Studies underway. City has hired the Walker Group & the plan is in final draft
form.
Complete a parking management strategy and establish parking districts downtown wherein parking design,
development and management issued among multiple facilities are controlled by a single entity
• Still holding for employers getting longer term employment projections to the Steele Financial Group, who will
formulate a report for the City, with ongoing cooperation being displayed on smaller, individual projects.
• Downtown Traffic & Parking Study underway.
Improve pedestrian accessibility to the Port of Dubuque
• See Element 6, objective 2, above.
We value the opportunity to support the efforts of the City of Dubuque in downtown and riverfront
development through our four points of emphasis (Economic Development, Design, Promotion &
Organization). If you have questions, please give me a call at (563) 588-4400.
Sincerely,
Dan LoBianco
Executive Director