DCHS Nat'l Mississippi River Museum Land Lease_Ice HarborNATIONAL
MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM
& AQUARIUM
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MEMO
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Mike Van Milligen, City Manager, City of Dubuque
FROM: Jerry Enzler, Executive Director
DATE: September 2, 2009
RE: Request for Land Lease
Jerry Enzler requests an opportunity to speak with the City Council to convey the request of the
Board of Directors of the Dubuque County Historical Society requesting a lease. The Dubuque
County Historical Society respectfully requests lease of land along the north shore of the Ice
Harbor between the existing National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and the Great
River Center which is now under construction. This link will be an important space which we
will program with educational and environmental exhibits and experiences.
The Society has invested millions of dollars already in this expansion project and is now exp-
ending anadditional $12 million in the next ten months in anticipation of a summer, 2010
opening. We ask for this lease to secure what we feel is necessary for the successful completion
of the expansion.
We believe it is beneficial for the City of Dubuque and its residents to enter into this lease:
1. Through the Museum's management and programming of this space, we will serve at
least 200,000 people each year with educational experiences relating to environment,
sustainability, and history.
2. With the Museum's lease of the property, the Museum's financial performance and
ability to draw visitors from across the country will be greatly enhanced and
strengthened, thereby not only increasing the Museum's viability but the economic
benefits to the City.
Therefore we feel this will result in a vibrant riverfront space and a more vibrant museum
campus which will continue to serve the public's educational and recreational needs and add to
the economic impact of the Museum on the community.
350 East 3rd Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563.557.9545 fax 563.583.1241 www.rivermuseum.com
A properry o/ tfre Dubuque County Historical Society
Term: We propose that the term of the lease be consistent with the term of the lease of the
Museum and Aquarium which expires June 5, 2050, with possible renewal by the city of
Dubuque for an additional 50 year term.
Rent: We propose a lease payment of $1 per year.
Boundaries: We request lease of the space as shown on the enclosed diagram:
The lease would begin on the east boundary of the National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium and extend east to a point 20 feet beyond the eastern edge of the Great Rivers
Center/Portside Building. It would include the space currently leased to Peninsula Gaming and
also space leased to the Dubuque Racing Association. We understand that this request would
need to be approved by Peninsula Gaming and the Dubuque Racing Association.
South to north, the lease would include the area from the water's edge inclusive of the existing
walk and fencing and would extend north to include the existing two lane parking lot drive and
the southern-most row of parking for 11 vehicles.
We ask the City provide the costs for:
o The removal of the ramp which was used to access the former Dubuque Casino Belle
o Removal and replacement of curb, paving, utilities and other items which need to be
relocated
o Replace the curb and paving to provide for the newly located drive and Riverwalk north
of the proposed leased space
o Maintenance and long term care and repair of the leased premises, including the retaining
wall at the water's edge
The Society would provide for
o Snow removal
o Litter removal
o Maintenance of all landscaping
o Maintenance of exhibits, buildings and appurtenances added by the Society
If the City decides not to put boat docks adjacent to the leased premises, the Society requests an
option to lease this waterfront space for the betterment of the Museum and Dubuque and that the
City agree not to lease the waterfront space in front of the leased premises without the Society's
prior written approval.