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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