Flat Iron Park Pedestrian Bridg Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Am6ricas
radar Rapids Ragional Community
October 14, 2002
Mr. Terry Duggan, Mayor
City Hall 50 W 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
We understand that a project for the reconstruction of downtown Dubuque is underway. We
request that you and the Dubuque City Council consider dedicating the Pedestrian Bridge to Flat
Iron Park in roemory of Sr. Mary Martensen. We think that this would be a fitting tribute to
remember the many ways she advocated for families who live in poverty in Dubuque. We know
that she worked diligently to see that children had access to the park for recreatiohal enjoyment.
Sister Mary worked at Heartland Housing fioro 1995 until her death in Noverober of 2000.
She worked tirelessly in acquiring the Bishop's Block property that currently is a safe, affordable
horoe to many of the needy in Dubuque. She knew that Heartland Housing could not isolate
itself from the other service organivations in the area. Therefore, she was committed to
meeting with many organizations in Dubuque on behalf of those with whom slle worked.
Those organizations include: Dubuque City Housing, Dubuque Food Pantry, League of Women
Voters for Dubuque County, Dubuque Main Stxeet LTD, Project Concern and the American
Cancer Society.
We saw various ways in which Sister Mary's presence in Dubuque impacted in a positive
mariner the lives of many people who live in poverty and think that this remembrance of her
would help to remind the people of Dubuque of her commitment to them.
Thank you for considering this request. We wish you and the Council the best as the city of
Dubuque engages in the project of reconstruction.
Sincerely,
Susan O'Connor, RSM
Delores Hanoon, RSM
Vicky Arndorfer, RSM
Leadership Team
1 I25 Prairie Drive N. E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4730
319-364-5196
Fax (319) 364-7383
Blessed Virgin Mary
BVM CENTER October 15, 2002
1 I00 Carmel Drive
Dubuque, Iowa
52003-7991
Phone (563) 588 2351
fax (563) 588 4832
Mayor Terry Duggan
City Council Member
c/o Dubuque City Clerk
City Hall 50 W. t3m Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mayor Duggan,
I wish to express my support for the name of Sister Mary Martenson, RSM. being used to
designate the pedestrian bridge which is the connector from Main Street to Flat Iron Park.
It is a fulfillment of one of Mary's dreams ro provide the children living at Bishop Block
apartments with a safe place to recreate. The bridge provides them with a secure passage
from their home to the play area in the park. Therefore, it is a fitting public memorial ro
Mary for her dreless work in creating homes for those with lower incomes
Thank you for considering this tribute to Mary m gratitude for her work in providing
housing which contributed to the beauty of the city as well as to the respect of the
individuals.
Sincerely,
Joellen McCarthy, BVM
President
JM/sml
cc: Dave Harris
Housing and Community Development
www. bvmcong, org