U.S. 20 Bridge DesignJ.D. COMMUNICATIONS INC.
publishers of
Julien's Journal
-- The Dubuque Area Magazine --
700 Locust, Suite 850 · P.O. Box 801, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0801 · Ph. (563) 557-1914 Fax (563) 557-9635
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Design for new U.S. 20 bridge
This is to request an opportunity to address you at your March 3 meeting regardhlg the
design for the new U.S. 20 bridge.
Specifically, I wish to ask, on behalf of the City Long Range Planning Advisory Commis-
sion, the City Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, and the County Historic Preser-
vation Commission that the city council see that the process for the new U.S. 20 bridge
design selection be revisited, and that the replica bridge be supported.
Copies of letters from each of the commissions to you regarding this are attached.
Thank you
David Wm. Rusk, president and publisher
Enclosures
Promoting our Community, its Institutions and its People since 1976
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 589-4221 {ax
planning~cityoIdubuque.org
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Design for New U.S. 20 Bridge
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
February 24, 2003
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this letter is to request that the City Council ask that the process for the
new U.S. 20 bridge design be revisited, and that the replica bridge design be
supported.
DISCUSSION
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission discussed the process for the new
U.S. 20 bridge design, and then referred to the City Council's priorities and long-range
goals and objectives for direction.
The Commission noted that the bridge design process included opportunities for
recommendations from a study group and for public input. The Commission also
reviewed that the study group's recommendations and the public input in favor of the
replica bridge design was apparently discounted in a decision matrix developed by the
project engineers.
The Commission discussed that the relative safety ratings and engineering integrity of
the tied-arch and replica bridges are comparable, with both designs having made their
way through a design process that began with 11 alternatives.
Commissioners also noted that the differences in construction cost and long-term
maintenance cost are within the margin of error for these estimates and that makes
them essentially inconsequential. The Commission believes that the design issue
Service People Integrity Respo~ibilit7 Innovation Teamwork
Page 2 of 2
should reflect the City's Comprehensive Plan and other goals and priorities.
In the Fiscal Year 2004 budget policy guidelines, the City Council has established the
new U.S. 20 bridge plan and design as one of the Management Priorities for Fiscal
Year 2004.
In the 2002 Comprehensive Plan, the City Council has established the following
objective number 2.5 in the Transportation Element: Plan for aesthetically appealing
streets and highways, with particular focus on gateway opportunities.
The selected alternative for the new U.S. 20 bridge design of a tied-arch bridge is not
consistent with the ComPrehensive Plan because it is not the most aesthetically
appropriate gateway feature when constructed next to the existing cantilevered bridge.
The preferred alternative is the replica bridge, which is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. The replica bridge is a physical design that is compatible with the
existing bridge, and is more aesthetically appropriate as a gateway feature.
RECOMMENDATION
By a vote of 7 to 0, the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission respectfully
requests that the City Council ask that the process for the new U.S. 20 briclge design
be revisited, and that the replica bridge design be supported.
Sincerely,
David Wm. Rusk, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Planning Services Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 5894771 fax
pl~tyofdubuque.org
February 24, 2003
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, iA 52001
RE: Design for New U.S. 20 Bridge
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
INTRODUCTION
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting that the City Council ask that the
design for new U.S. Highway 20 Bridge be revisited and to take into consideration
replicating the existing bridge.
BACKGROUND
At the February 20, 2003 Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Dave Rusk,
Julien's Journal, addressed the Commission in regards to the design for the new U.S.
Highway 20 Bridge.
Chairperson Chris Wand abstained from the discussion and vote because of his
involvement with the committee who reviewed the design of the bridge.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Rusk indicated that the approved design for the eastbound U.S. Highway 20 Bridge
would be a tied arched bridge very similar to the U.S. 61/151 Bridge to Wisconsin.
Commissioners indicated that the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabiliation
state that new construction shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible
with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity
of the property.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards are a mandatory standard of review that the
Commission must take into consideration when doing design reviews for properties that
have been deemed historic.
The Commission discussed that the tied arched bridge style detracts from the
cantilevered bridge style of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. The Commission discussed
Design for new U.S. 20 Bddge
Page 2
that replicating the bridge would be appropriate in this case.
RECOMMENDATION
By a vote of 4 to 0 with one abstention, the Commission respectfully requests that the City
Council request that the design for new U.S. Highway 20 Bridge be reconsidered and
replication of the Julien Dubuque Bridge be taken into consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Gibbs, Vice-Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
cc Dave Rusk, Julien's Journal
February 19, 2003
City Council Members
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Attention: City County Members
The Dubuque County Historic Preservation Commission met on February 18, 2003 to
consider the matter of the proposed bridge over the Mississippi River. The commission
endorses the concept of duplicating the existing cantilevered arched bridge as a means to
enhance the historic significance of the area.
ss, Chairman
County Historic Preservation Commission
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Slzmet
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-i864
(563) 5894210 office
(563) 589-4221 fax
planning~cityofdubuque.org
February 24, 2003
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Design for New U.S. 20 Bridge
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
INTRODUCTION
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting that the City Council ask that the
design for new U.S. Highway 20 Bridge be revisited and to take into consideration
replicating the existing bridge.
BACKGROUND
At the February 20, 2003 Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Dave Rusk,
Julien's Journal, addressed the Commission in regards to the design for the new U.S.
Highway 20 Bddge.
Chairperson Chris Wand abstained from the discussion and vote because of his
involvement with the committee who reviewed the design of the bridge.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Rusk indicated that the approved design for the eastbound U.S. Highway 20 Bridge
would be a tied arched bridge very similar to the U.S. 61/151 Bridge to Wisconsin.
Commissioners indicated that the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabiliation
state that new construction shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible
with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity
of the property.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards are a mandatory standard of review that the
Commission must take into consideration when doing design reviews for properties that
have been deemed historic.
The Commission discussed that the tied arched bridge style detracts from the
cantilevered bridge style of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. The Commission discussed
Design for new U.S. 20 Bddge
Page 2
that replicating the bridge would be appropriate in this case.
RECOMMENDATION
By a vote of 4 to 0 with one abstention, the Commission respectfully requests that the City
Council request that the design for new U.S. Highway 20 Bridge be reconsidered and
replication of the Julien Dubuque Bridge be taken into consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Gibbs, Vice-Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
cc Dave Rusk, Julien's Journal