Downtown Master Plan IDED GrantMEMORANDUM
August 13, 2002
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
IDED Grant Application for Downtown Master Plan
The Downtown Planning Committee recommends City Council approval of the
application to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for a $25,000 grant from
IDED's Community Development Fund for preparation of a Downtown Master Plan.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
MEMORANDUM
August 13, 2002
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
IDED Grant Application for Downtown Master Plan
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits an application to the Iowa Department of Economic Development
for a $25,000 grant from IDED's Community Development Fund for preparation of a
Downtown Master Plan. A resolution and transmittal letter are enclosed.
DISCUSSION
In March 2002, the City Council budgeted $100,000 for creation of a Downtown Master
Plan. The City allocated $50,000 in City funds for the project. The Downtown Planning
Committee has committed to raising the remaining $50,000 from grants and a private
fundraising campaign.
In April, 2002, the City submitted a pre-application to IDED for a $50,000 grant from the
Community Development Fund. In response, the City has received an invitation from
IDED to apply for a $25,000 grant. IDED requires that the City have selected a
consultant pdor to submittal of the grant application. Given this unusual requirement, a
contract with the consultant must be contingent on receiving the necessary funding.
A consultant selection process has been undertaken, and a recommendation for a
consultant to prepare the Downtown Master Plan is presented under a separate cover
memo.
RECOMMENDATION
The Downtown Planning Committee recommends that the City Council concur with the
recommendation of the Downtown Master Plan Consultant Selection Committee.
The Downtown Planning Committee further recommends that the City Council authorize
the Mayor to sign and submit the $25,000 grant application to IDED for this project.
LC/mkr
Attachments
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589-4210
RESOLUTION NO. 417-02
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN
Whereas, the City Council has made creation of a Downtown Master Plan a priority;
and
Whereas, the City Council has allocated $50,000 towards this project; and
Whereas, the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) has invited the City
of Dubuque to apply for a grant from the IDED's Community Development Fund for this
project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The Downtown Planning Committee heretofore has reviewed this grant
application.
Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the IDED grant application for
creation of the Downtown Master Plan on behalf of the City of Dubuque.
Passed, approved and adopted this '19th day of August ,2002.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
//
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Project Identification:
IDED use only
(Category/Descriptive Title)
1. Project Information
2. Eligible Applicant (Fiscal Agent): City of Dubuque
(Must be a city, county, Council of Governments or Resource Conservation and Development)
Contact person: Laura Carstens, Planning Service Manager
Mailing address: City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
City, state, zip: Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: (563)589-4210
Fax: (563)589-4221
Email: planning~c tyofdubuque.org
Project Organization: Dubuque Main Street, Ltd. (DMSL)
Contact person: Dan LoBianco, Executive Director
Mailing address: 909 Main Street, Suite 22 LL
City, state, zip: Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: (563)588-4400
Fax: (563)588-0645
Email: dbqmainst(~,mwci.net
4. List partners and identify participation in the project (such as, financial,
administrative, etc):.
City of Dubuque Financial, administrative
DMSL Administrative
Chamber Administrative
5. Grant requested (maximum allowed is $50,000):
($5,000 for commercial Development Projects)
Local cash (minimum 25%):
('100% match for Commercial Services)
In-kind match (minimum 10%):
TOTAL PROJECT:
6. Preliminary Budget:
Indicate the sources and estimated amounts of local matching funds.
$ 50,000
50,000
100,000
SOURCES of Funding: Amount
Source A: $50,000
Source B: $
Source C: $
Source D: $
Source E: State Funding $50,000
TOTAL: $100,000
7. Population of area involved in the project:
57,686 2000 Census 57,546 1990 Census 0.0025% Percentage of change (+ or -)
8. Capacity/Readiness: (Check all that apply)
(List all qualifying communities involved in the project)
[] Local Economic Development Organization: Greater Dubuque Development Corp
r-]Full-time paid staff: 3
[] Volunteer group:
[] Comprehensive Plan(s): Yes
Date(s) 1995; updated 2000
Where Available City Hall, Public Library, Chamber of Commerce
[] CEPP Certified, Industrial: Yes
[] CEPP Certified, Commercial Yes
[] CEPP Certified, Toudsm Yes
[] Recognized STARS Community
[] Main Street Iowa Community Yes
9. List other grants for which you have applied or received for this project.
(past 12 months only)
None.
10. What studies or plans have been conducted that support the need for this project?
(do not attach to this pta-application)
Downtown Development Strategy, Vision Iowa Application, Housing Action Conference, Vision Downtown
'1. Check the 20~ 0 Issue Categories which best describe your project:
Business Development
[] Technology
Growth Management
[] Housing
[] Community Services
[] Workforce Development
[] Education and Training
[] Commercial Development
[] One-on-One Business Assistance
[] Market Analysis Training
[] Upper Story Re-Use Technical Assistance
[] Fundraising Technical Assistance
[] Image Campaigns
[] Building Design Assistance
12. Provide a brief overview of the project addressing the appropriate deliverable
standards listed in the instructions. (Limit the writing to this space using no less than a
number 10 font.)
The City Council, in partnership with Dubuque Main Street, Ltd. and the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commeme, last year began a four-step process to create a comprehensive
Downtown Master Plan. The first step of this process, the creation of a shared community
vision for downtown Dubuque, culminated in the City Council's adoption of the Vision Downtown
document. This project would help fund the next three steps of the downtown planning process:
Assess the Vision relative to reality.
Assess the Vision and reality relative to existing plans.
Create a comprehensive Downtown Master Plan based on the Vision and assessments.
The project budget anticipates consultant fees of $75-80,000 to facilitate a downtown planning
process. The process likely will include:
Reviewing the long-term vision for downtown development;
Reviewing existing plan and all known proposals for development projects;
Conducting market evaluations, based on the elements of the vision (a "reality check");
Evaluating alternative financing concepts, including public-private partnerships;
Facilitating and attending meetings and public hearings; and
Preparing text and graphics for a comprehensive Downtown Master Plan.
ATTACH THE Pre-Application as the "Cover Pages" for this Application.
Limit ALL responses in this application to the space provided using no less
than a "10" font.
2.0 State the need for the project:
The City Council has adopted Vision Downtown, a community consensus vision for downtown
Dubuque, and now wants to create a Downtown Dubuque Master Plan that specifies the
objectives and action steps to reach that vision. Vision Downtown has six dimensions:
Commerce; Culture, Education and Entertainment; Histodc Features; Public Spaces and Open
Areas; Residential Living; and Transportation. Vision Downtown was sponsored by the City of
Dubuque with support from Dubuque Main Street Ltd., Main Street Iowa, and the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce. This partnership will continue with the master planning process.
Working with these and other partners, the City has committed a great deal of time, energy and
resources to the revitalization of downtown Dubuque and the downtown riverfront over the last 15
years. The planned $188 million America's River project, funded in part by Vision Iowa, provides
an exciting opportunity to change the face of Dubuque's riverfront in a rapid, comprehensive way.
It also represents an opportunity to spur additional revitalization of the central business district.
There have been many studies, plans and programs for revitalizing downtown Dubuque and
vadous sub-areas within the central business district over the years, and more studies are
underway. With the explosive redevelopment occurring on the riverfront, and the number of
planning studies completed or underway, the community needs to unify these efforts through a
comprehensive master plan for Downtown Dubuque.
2.1
Define the goals and action steps necessary to implement the project
with a work plan, timeline and description of how the grant dollars
will be used.
The Master Planning process has four goals described below. The process will take no more
than 12 months. The estimated budget is $100,000 for consultant services and related expenses
of public relations, pdnfing, distribution, etc.
Goal 1 is Assess Conditions and Identify Issues. Action steps are: reviewing existing plans for
downtown and sub-araas; analyzing general physical conditions of the project area; highlighting
major building rehabilitation and redevelopment opportunities; reviewing roadway, transit,
parking, and pedestrian circulation systems; assessing reality versus Vision Downtown;
assessing reality and existing plans versus Vision Downtown; and describing issues in text, maps
and graphic forms.
Goal 2 is Conduct Market Analysis of Downtown Dubuque. Action steps are: documenting
existing physical and market conditions; quantifying market demand for various land uses
identified in the six dimensions of Vision Downtown; assessing development opportunities and
constraints; identifying targeted development opportunities; assessing financial feasibility of
recommended projects and/or concepts; identifying potential developers; and assessing
developer interest.
Goal 3 is Establish Community Involvement. Action steps are: creating a consensus building,
community involvement and public relations process for public outreach and engagement;
engaging the community, decision makers and partners in planning process; and recommending
a role for the downtown planning committee.
Goal 4 is Develop Downtown Dubuque Master Plan. Action steps are: creating a unified
implementation strategy with master plan elements and recommendations for the Vision
Downtown dimensions; creating concept plans for land use and urban design with preferred uses
by areas or districts; creating concept plans with transportation, traffic circulation and parking
options; creating concept plans and cost estimates for public improvements related to the Vision
Downtown dimensions; identifying financing incentives, strategies and tools; identifying strategies
to attract development; identifying marketing and merchandising strategies; recommending an
Action Agenda to identify and prioritize next steps; and cross referencing the Downtown Master
Plan with Vision Downtown.
Application - community Development Fund, continued
2.2
Describe the local economic impact and the "return on investment"
that will result from this project:
Dubuque is the regional center for manufacturing, retail, professional services, health care,
finance and toudsm in a tri-state market area of 250,000 people. Many of these economic
categories are centered in the Downtown.
The completion of the Downtown Dubuque Master Plan will encourage new business startups,
promote downtown as the center for retail/specialty shops, restaurants, and entertainment
establishments. The plan will also encourage employment oppor~unifies Downtown, continuing
the renaissance of Downtown Dubuque as one of the major employment centers in the City. We
anticipate continued growth in employment at Cigna, McKesson HBOC, and Cottingham & Butter,
and the attraction of similar companies to the Downtown. The Downtown Master Plan will also
identify strategies to promote downtown as a place to live, within walking distance of downtown
employment, retail shops, and other amenities.
In short, the economic impact of the Downtown Dubuque Master Plan will be definable and
sustainable. It will be measured by the number of new businesses attracted to Downtown, the
number of new jobs created in the Downtown, and the increase in population Downtown. The
City is of the opinion these impacts will be substantial, with economic impact for the local and
regional economy as well as the State of Iowa.
2.3
If the project involves "industry clusters", identify the development
and impact.
The Downtown Dubuque Master Planning Process will impact these 2010 Issues Project
Categories: Business Development, Growth Management, Housing and Community Services.
Business Development will be positively impacted by the completion of the Master Plan. There
are many underutilized storefronts available for business expansions and entrepreneurs.
Planning and action strategies for these opportunities will lay the groundwork for business
development downtown. Downtown redevelopment efforts are "smart growth" initiatives. As a
result, Growth Management efforts in Dubuque and Dubuque County will be positively impacted
by the completion of the Master Plan. Use of properties downtown for residential, commercial,
office and tourism uses will help the City and County manage growth on the outskirts of the
community. The creation of upper story housing units is an integral part of Vision Downtown.
Developing upper level housing units downtown is part of the City's Affordable Housing Strategy.
Having a Master Plan that reinforces this Housing Strategy will lead to a resurgence of the
downtown Dubuque housing market. This in turn will benefit the many regional Community
Services organizations are currently located in Downtown Dubuque.
2.4
Describe how this project can be a replicated model for other
communities/areas?
The Downtown Dubuque Master Plan will provide other communities with a blueprint for
downtown redevelopment. Concept plans for land use and urban design, strategies to attract
development, and strategies for marketing and merchandising Downtown will be very useful
information. The Master Plan also will identify a list of potential developers.
We envision the information, as provided in the Master Plan, will be distributed by the Iowa
Department of Economic Development to other interested communities. The Master Plan will also
engage the community, decision makers, and other partners in the planning process, and the
process will serve as a model to be used statewide.
3.0 Budget
Estimate the total cost of the project:
The budget must be complete and reflect all costs, grant funds, local match and potential
revenues associated with the project.)
(An additional sheet or your own budget sheet may be attached in lieu of this sheet.)
Financing Sources
Use of Funds Sources
(summarize all sources from soumes listed below in Terms of Proposed Financing)
Activity Cost Source A Source B Source C Source D Source E Source F
consultant $100,000 $25,000 $50,000 $25,000
I
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
TOTAL: $100,000 $25,000 $50,000 $25,000 $ $ $
Terms of Proposed Financing
CODE: SOURCE (include all sources from above) Amount Type Rate Term
SourceA: State Funding $25,000 Grant
Source B: Cityof Dubuque I $50,000 Cash
Source C: Private Fundraising $25,000 Donations
Source D: $
Source E: $
I TOTAL: $100,000
Application - Community Development Fund, continued
LETTERS OF COMMITMENT AND CONSULTANT/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER
PROPOSALS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
4,0
Identity the organization and a contact person for each of the partners
collaborating on the project:
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dan LoBianco, Executive Director
Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
909 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dick Wertzberger, Interim President
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
300 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Partners need to provide a letter of commitment, describing their
participation in the project. (Attach the letters following this page.)
4.1 Consultants or technical assistance providers must have demonstrated experience in
the area of assistance requested. Attach a copy of ONLY the scope of service proposed
and a breakdown of costs.
Proposals must provide detailed services and costs. (Open-ended proposals will not be
considered.)
Contract costs must include all expenses. Applicants may be requested to secure other
bids if a proposal appears to be excessive.
4.2 Attach letters from the following:
· Appropriate official who can commit the fiscal agent. (i.e. mayor, COG director)
(Letter should state that no administrative costs will be charged to the project and
that those services will be part of the in-kind commitment to the project.)
· Partners providing cash and in-kind match to the project. Match must be local.
(Federal or other state grants or dollars will not be considered as part of the
required match.)
4.3 What council of govemmentJregional planning commission represents the area
proposed? (Could be more than one)
East Central Intergovernmental Association
5.o SIGNATURE PAGE
5.1 Eligible Applicant (same as Section 1.1)
5.2 Assurances
The Applicant Organization, as eligible applicant
under the rules governing the Community
Development Fund program shall:
5.2.1
Abide by the requirements of Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and
the Rehabilitation Act of I973, as amended, which bar discrimination against any employee,
applicant for employment, or any pemon participating in any sponsored program, on the basis of
race, creed, cotor, national origin, religion, sex, age, or physical or mental disability;
5.2.2 Abide by the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act;
5.2.3 Require compensation for employment at not less than minimum wage;
5.2.4 Provide safe and sanitary working conditions;
5.2.5
Expend funds received as a result of this application on the described project within the time
period of no more than twelve (12) months, unless written approval has been granted to exceed
the twelve (12) month period;
The Applicant Organization also assures that the representations made in this application,
including all exhibits and attachments, are true and correct to the best of the applicant's
knowledge.
5.3 Date
Signature of person with legal authority to obligate the Applicant (unit of government)
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Type name and position of the above person
5.4
Eligible Applicant Federal ID number: 42-6004596
Iowa House and Senate District numbers for the area: (if multi-city or county
project, indicate all districts impacted by the project)
Iowa House District #'s: 331 34, 35, and 36
Iowa Senate District #'s: 17 and 18