Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Work SessionCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Copyrighted
December 20, 2021
Work Session - Top # 1.
ITEM TITLE:
5:30 PM - Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Work
Session
SUMMARY:
City Manager transmitting information for the Central Avenue Corridor
Streetscape Master Plan Work Session. RDG Planning & Design will
make a presentation.
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Central Avenue Streetscape Master Plan Work
Session-MVM Memo
Staff Memo
Presentation
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Supporting Documentation
THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Work Session
DATE: December 7, 2021
Dubuque
WAWca 914
ii
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Economic Development Director Jill Connors is transmitting information for the Central
Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Work Session. RDG Planning & Design will
make a presentation.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
All-Me1*109ft
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
kxv,�. av�ccrvar
1
Office (563) 589-4393
I I
TTY (563) 690-6678
®
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
2007*2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Work Session
DATE: December 6, 2021
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum presents information regarding a work session presentation from
consultant RDG Planning & Design on the Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master
Plan developed with community input and direction from technical and steering
committees. This project will help to implement a Top Priority of the City Council's 2017-
2019 Policy Agenda -- Central Avenue Revitalization: Streetscape and Business
Development. The project timeline and the draft Master Plan are enclosed.
This work session provides information for newer City Council members and serve as a
refresher of the details for those who received this information at May 2019 and
February 2020 work sessions.
BACKGROUND
In 2016, the City of Dubuque asked Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Community and Economic Development for assistance in assessing opportunities for
economic redevelopment and improvement in the quality of life for residents along the
Central Avenue Corridor, which abuts Dubuque's historic and diverse Washington
Neighborhood, a focus of redevelopment since 2005.
This corridor connects Dubuque's central downtown and Historic Millwork District to the
city's North End. It features a wide variety of historic buildings offering commercial and
retail opportunities on the ground floor and residential spaces on upper floors. The goal
of this initiative is the economic revitalization of the Central Avenue Corridor through
community engagement, educational outreach, and community -informed storefront and
streetscape design. Central Avenue Corridor stakeholders include business owners,
employees, patrons, residents, landlords, social service agencies, community leaders,
the City of Dubuque, and partner agencies.
In May 2018, the Economic Development Department released a Request for Proposals
for a consultant to develop a Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan for the
area between 11th and 22nd Streets.
In July 2018, a Master Plan consultant contract signed with RDG Planning & Design
(with WHKS Engineers sub consulting to provide information on the feasibility of two-
way traffic along the corridor). RDG has worked with a variety of stakeholders, as more
fully described in the draft Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan.
The Steering Committee membership was as follows:
• Jill Connors, Economic Development Director*
• Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager* (retired)
• Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Manager
• Renee Tyler, Director of Transportation Services (resigned)
• Ryan Knuckey, Director of Transportation Services
• Marie Ware, Leisure Services Department
• Jon Dienst, Engineering Department*
• Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street
• Ed Raber, GDDC / Dubuque's True North Corporation (resigned)
• Laura Klavitter, Washington Neighbors
• Paul Davis, Public Works Department
• Jason Neises, Community Foundation
*Indicates Technical Committee members
Project Objectives
The creation of the Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan between 11 th and
22nd Streets in the Washington Neighborhood is being directed by the Economic
Development Department in partnership with other organizations working in the corridor,
with assistance from the Planning Services Department. Once the consultant was
selected, we engaged representatives from key City departments, key community
partners, and Central Avenue Corridor stakeholders. Project objectives include:
1. Address the Corridor's current state of aesthetics as well as provide guidelines for
future improvements, and redevelopment of public infrastructure elements within
the Corridor.
2
2. Provide design guidelines for linking complimentary uses, preserving the history and
identity of the neighborhood, and improving walkability as well as recommending
options for streetscape furnishings and landscaping.
3. Address conditions and opportunities for the Corridor's future transition from its
current status as a one-way State highway to a pedestrian -friendly two-way city
street such as traffic calming and Complete Street strategies.
4. Outline simple, cost-effective strategies that can be reasonably achieved in a short
period of time as well as more complex, long-term strategies that will require
greater coordination and expense.
DISCUSSION
The following will be considered as the Plan moves from adoption to implementation.
Guidelines for Future Improvements
During public engagement, stakeholders indicated that childcare, restaurants, lighting,
and small business were at the top of the list of their desired additions to the Corridor.
This provides excellent direction for moving forward.
Desian Guidelines
The plan recommends preserving the Corridor's architecture; the addition of more
landscaping, trees, and plantings; a focus on economic development while preventing
gentrification; addressing perceived or real safety; and integrating art into all the design
elements and improvements. These will all be considered when implementing the plan.
Traffic Patterns
A planning -level capacity analysis has been done by WHKS to analyze the feasibility of
converting Central Avenue to two-way traffic. It should be noted that a complete traffic
study will be needed to determine the full impact and modifications needed to convert
the Central Avenue Corridor to two-way traffic, if such a determination is made.
In support of the City Council's having identified the revitalization of the Central Avenue
Corridor as a High Priority, and as part of the FY2020 5-year recommended budget, the
City Council had approved $240,000 over three years for implementation of the Central
Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan (CIP 360-2561). The current draft of the
FY2023 5- year CIP budget request includes $150,000 in FY2023 and $25,000 in
FY2024 for implementation of some of the beautification recommendations.
3
Also included in the Engineering Department's current 5- year CIP budget request is
$200,000 for a 2-Way Conversion Study for Central Avenue and White Street (CIP 360-
2796) which will begin after the Northwest Arterial is brought to a state of good repair in
late calendar year 2022 (in order to get more accurate traffic numbers along the
Corridor, since vehicles will then have a quality NW/SW Arterial alternative). This
includes funding for a complete traffic study that will evaluate signalized intersections in
the Corridor; identify improvements or modifications to support traffic demands; and to
consider transit needs, bike and pedestrian needs, and sustainability.
During the work session presentation, RDG staff will describe steps to date, details of
the plan as informed by the public input sessions and solicit input from City Council.
Short-term and Long-term Strategies
These will be identified as City staff work with stakeholders and partners to develop
specific implementation.
RECOMMENDATION/ ACTION STEP
We recommend the City Council review and comment on the presentation and the draft
Master Plan, and then provide direction for City staff to move forward with submittal of a
final version of the Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan for adoption at a
subsequent meeting.
Enclosures
cc: Steering Committee members, including successors
Ryan Peterson, RDG Planning & Design
4
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THE CENTRAL
AVENUE CORRIDOR
STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mayor, City Council, Steering Committee
Administration
Mayor Roy D. Buol Laura Klavitter, Washington Neighborhood
Jason Neises, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Ric W. ]ones Maurice Jones°, Economic Development Department
David Resnick Laura Carstensd4, Planning Services Department
Brett M. Shaw
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Department
Luis D. Toro
Jon Dienst", Engineering Department
Kate M. Larson
Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street
Jake A. Rios
Ed Raber, Dubuque's True North Corporation
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Renee Tyler, Transportation Services Department
Paul Davis, Public Works Department
Jill Connors, Economic Development Department
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Department
Gina Bell, Sustainable Community Coordinator
Consultant Team
RDG Planning & Design
Dubuque I Des Moines I Omaha f St. Louis
www.RDGUSA.com
WHKS
Engineers + Planners + Land Surveyors
www,whks,com
THE CITYOF
DUB E WASH'IONGTON
Masterpiece on the Mississippi NEiGHBORHOOD
whks
RD see
4
PLANNING 0 DESIGN 9
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Agenda
1.
Background
2.
Public Input
3.
Strategy
4.
Analysis
5.
Streetscape Vision
6.
Next Steps
011 Background
•••
Background: Project Timeline 2018-2019
• August: Project kick-off, committees formed, site analysis, initial project prep
• September 11-14: The Central Event and Design Workshop
• October -December: Review public and technical input, "fine tune" the preferred vision
• January -February: Review preliminary report, corridor design map, and phasing plan
• March : Plan and promote future public engagement
• April 2nd: The Spring Fling on Central Open House and Business Roundtable Discussion
• April -May: Prepare final report and review with committees
• May 13th: Plan presentation to city council
Public Input
•••
Public Input: Engagement Strategy
1. Canvasing of the Washington Neighborhood
2. Face to Face, Door to Door
3. Press Releases
4. News paper ads
5. Sponsored Facebook Notifications
6. Vehicular banners
7. A -frames with "tweet boxes" for public input
Public Input: The Central Event
1. September 11 th, 2018 public
feedback event
2. September 12th, Public drop in
hours
3. September 13th, Appointments
for feedback
4. September 14th, open house
displaying the draft vision
5. Results displayed and
continued feedback at the city
expo
'i
N
THE CENTRAL EVENT
RDg-es
PLANNING 0 DESIGN
We made sure
people knew.
Al
r R
fliers distributedi
600 throughout the
Washington
Neighborhood.
31495
Front people reached
on Facebook. .
page
v
article in the
telegraph ,
herald with r
59,741 daily subscribers.
r-
Roadside advertisements for
-..yam -- - - - _- _-.-_ •i` - -.i. - .'+_. _-.:
3 weeks. L :.r
Public Input: The Spring Flinci on Central
1. April 2nd, 2019 public
feedback event
2. Business roundtable
discussion.
Two-way Conversion
2. Parking
3. Truck Traffic
4. Costs
Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan Respondent Priorities
tA
_0 Covered 4--0 Covered
0 Transit Stops C: Transit Stops
0 Qj
Integrated Art and C: Integrated Arta nd
0 Site Furrxishing5 0 Site Furnishings
f
improved Lighting Improved Lighting
and Cameras U andCameras MEL
7
0 Decoratl ae DecoratIve
-0 Plaving CL Paving
i
4
LA LA 0 Trees and Trees and
M Landscaping (V Landscaping
N-
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Surrey results from Washington Neighborhood respondents (left) compared with all respondents (right).
Both groups prioritize trees and landscaping and do not prioritize decorative paving.
03 1 Strategy
000
Embrace the Washington Neighborhood
This sentiment came up often during conversations. Most of the committee members believe that the citizens and businesses currently residing in the
neighborhood are the target audience for the project's proposed improvements. Getting their feedback early and often will be key as the project moves
forward. When speaking to "where theproject could go wrong"several members identifiedgentrihcation of the neighborhoodas a concern.
The streets should be complete! Pedestrians are number one.
When speaking to the objectives for the master plan, most of the respondents agreed that pedestrian -friendly streets and safety area primary project
element. Respondents also spoke to creating streets that welcomed bus, bike and car trafficin a safe and friendly manner.
The street should be designed for two-way traffic.
When discussing vehicular circulation and the streets future traffic patterns, the committee confirmed that the City anticipates tronsitioning from one-way
to two-way traffic after the completion of the Southwest Arterial project. The design team was advised that the street will be overlaid with asphalt in 20 19 os
part of the transition of jurisdiction from the Iowa DOT to the City of Dubuque.
Integrate arts and culture, create a sense of place.
Many individuals spoke about creating a streetscope that is equitable and inclusive. The improvements planned should embrace the multiple cultures
families and individuals who live, work andplay within the corridorand adjacen t neighborhoods. When discussing the physical extent of the project,
respondents confirmed that the corridor will be its own district, unique to the Washington Neighborhood.
tA The Corridor's architecture is unmatched.
a) Historically speaking the CentralRvenue Corridor is rich. 5everalproperties are listed on the notional register. The plan must be sensitive to this and embrace
the past.
Create a "greener" experience.
Several of the committee members spoke to the limited amount of green 1 open space within the corridor. Respondents identified several areas where
landscaping, trees and plantings could be integrated.
Maintenance matters.
The design should take into consideration opportunities to reduce long-term maintenance. The design team was encouraged to work with the multiple city
departments (leisure services, public works, etc.] who will regularly have to maintain the corridor
•� Economic vitality.
This phrase was shared severaltimes when thecommiflee was asked todefine what the prolect's impact should Members were carful tostateth at
development should not gentrify the neighborhood but rather support their needs.
a)
Safety is key.
The committee spoke to this in multiple ways. There is a perception in the community that this area is unsafe, yet those people who live here do not believe it
LUto be problem. The plan must considerprovisions for improving the safety —perceived and real.
000
04 � Analysis
•••
I I th Stit
o iiiiiiiii� Bluff Connection
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Port of Dubuque
Connection t
Steeple Square - - - - - - - - - - - + Loras College J#
�- - yt,.Grant Park
uture redevelopment ■ - gt�+
t---------Jackson Park
Chaplain Schmitt{ • - - - - - - - Madison Park
Island Connection - Y �+ - - - - - - - Orange Park
Crecent Community yam.
Health Center--
po
Eagle Country Market
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Bee Branch Creek
Connection `
Regional
22nd St.
Opportuni 'es
Diagra y
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1 Map showing concentrations of car free houSehoidsinDubuque
j + -
AM a p showing concentrations of youth in Dubuque
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A Map showing concentrations of seniors in Dubuque
• Map showing concentrations of disabled people in Dubuque
OS Streetscape Vision
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Inspirational Images
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A Cast Iron details reference natvralforms
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The proposed typical streetscape section for Central Avenue,
Drive
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Streetscape Elements + Art
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Covered Transit Stops
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Decorative Metal Work and
Paving
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Pedestrian Light L#
_ ; Optional Future
W—i; Street Light ; _ _ -- Bus Stop
Illuminated Bollards Sharrow
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Trash Can On -Street Parking
Vertical Marker Brick Pavers
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06 1 Next Steps
000
Next Steps
1. Adoption of the Central Avenue Corridor Streetscape Master Plan
2. Mill and overlay of Central Avenue and transfer of jurisdiction
3. Parking, traffic, and access control study to assess the impacts of the one-way to
two-way traffic conversion
4. Funding