365ink Impact Award for Sustainability_Bee Branch Project and CHANGE Program Copyrighted
March 20, 2017
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 4.
ITEM TITLE: 365ink Impact Award for Sustainability
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information on the 365ink Impact
Award for Sustainability given to the City of Dubuque in
recognition of the Bee Branch Creek Flood Mitigation
Project and the Comprehensive Housing Activities for
Neighborhood Growth & Enrichment(CHANGE) Program.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
365ink Impact Award for Sustainability Staff Memo
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUBT iee
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007•2012•2013
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Kristin Hill, Communications Specialist
SUBJECT: Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project and CHANGE Program
Receives 365ink Impact Award for Sustainability
DATE: March 8, 2017
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to share that the Bee Branch Watershed Flood
Mitigation Project and CHANGE program received a 2017 365ink Impact award for
sustainability.
BACKGROUND
The 9t" annual Impact Awards event, hosted by 365ink Magazine, was held on February
28, 2017. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate people, businesses, and
organizations who are changing the face of our community. Local impact-makers are
honored in a variety of categories including arts, best new thing, community vision,
dining and nightlife, multicultural advocacy, music, non-profit innovation, sports and
recreation, and sustainability.
DISCUSSION
The Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project and CHANGE program received a
365ink Impact Award for sustainability. The City was recognized for a community-
friendly flood mitigation design that is centered around a beautiful linear park. Attractive
limestone features enhance the area, as well as gardens, play structures, an outdoor
classroom/amphitheater, and a multi-use trail system. The project has received $160
million in grants, and will prevent an estimated $582 million in future flood damages
over the 100-year design life of the project.
The award was also in recognition of the City's ability to see things from all angles and
its efforts to take action on multiple fronts. In addition to the Bee Branch Watershed
Flood Mitigation Project, the City has launched the Comprehensive Housing Activities
for Neighborhood Growth & Enrichment (CHANGE) program. Over the next five years,
$19 million dollars will be invested to improve 739 housing units in Dubuque.
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The Bee Branch Healthy Homes (BBHH) Resiliency Program, a component of
CHANGE, includes $8.4 million in the form of 5-year forgivable loans to improve 320
housing units including owner-occupied homes, single-unit rentals, and small, multi-
family residential units. The program will help low-to-moderate income residents in the
Bee Branch Watershed meet unmet structural needs and empower them to be a part of
the creation of more resilient housing through on-site storm water management
principles and sustainable, healthy homes behaviors.
An important component of the BBHH Resiliency Program is the healthy home
advocate. Participants are required to meet with a home advocate to determine if there
are other things with which they might need help—from unemployment and education to
substance abuse and mental health support. It's not just about fixing houses, it's an
overall approach to helping families succeed.
The 365ink Impact Award was given to the City for its vision to revitalize this important
area of our community. The Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project and
CHANGE program will improve the livability and appearance of the neighborhood, and
help families, giving Dubuque a strong foundation for the future.
REQUESTED ACTION
This information is being provided for informational purposes only.
Cc: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Steve Brown, Project Manager
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