Port of Dbq Bus Loading ParkingMEMORANDUM
December 8, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Bus Loading/Unloading and Parking Policy at Port of Dubuque
The Port of Dubuque has toudst attractions that rely heavily upon bus transportation for
their customers. Several of the Port of Dubuque property owners currently have their
own parking lots that meet their need for bus parking; however, for other users of the
Port of Dubuque such as the Celebration Belie, who rely on bus transportation, bus
parking is a challenge. As a result, past practices from bus transportation companies
have included parking along the traffic lanes adjacent to the Portside building creating
traffic congestion during peak times and blocking access to parking lots for pedestrians
visiting attractions at the Port of Dubuque and driving a pdvate vehicle.
In an effort to resolve this matter, the Port of Dubuque property owners, representatives
from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, representatives from the large passenger
vessels and city staff including the police department have met to discuss potential
solutions. As a result it was recommended that a bus loading/unloading and parking
policy for the Port of Dubuque be developed and submitted to City Council for approval
and then for signature by the property owners.
Administrative Services Manager Pauline Joyce is recommending City Council
implementation of a bus loading/unloading and parking policy at the Port of Dubuque.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Pauline Joyce, Administrative Services Manager
MEMORANDUM
December 3, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager
Pauline Joyce, Administrative Services Manager
Bus loading/unloading and parking policy at Port of Dubuque
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a recommendation for implementation of
a bus loading/unloading and parking policy at the Port of Dubuque.
Background
The Port of Dubuque has tourist attractions that rely heavily upon bus transportation for
their customers. This includes the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the
Diamond Jo Casino and Dubuque River Rides. Bus transportation is also relied solely
upon the large tourist boats such as the Celebration Belle, the Mississippi Queen and
other large steamboats that dock on a regular basis at the American Trust Rivers Edge
Plaza. Several of the Port of Dubuque property owners currently have their own parking
lots that meet their need for bus parking, however, for other users of the Port of
Dubuque such as the Celebration Belle, who rely on bus transportation, bus parking ~s a
challenge. As a result, past practices from bus transportation companies have included
parking along the traffic lanes adjacent to the Portside building creating traffic
congestion during peak times and blocking access to parking lots for pedestrians
visiting attractions at the Port of Dubuque and driving a private vehicle.
Discussion
In an effort to resolve this matter, the Port of Dubuque property owners, representatives
from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, representatives from the large passenger
vessels and city staff including the police department have met to discuss potential
solutions. As a result it was recommended that a bus loading/unloading and parking
policy for the Port of Dubuque be developed and submitted to City Council for approval
and then for signature by the property owners.
Attached is a proposed bus loading/unloading and parking policy. This policy was
reviewed and approvea at the November 19, 2003 Port of Dubuque property owners
meeting-. As indicated in the policy and shown on the attached map, the policy
provides for up to 6 bus loading and unloading locations near the Portside building and
the River's Edge Plaza. Remote bus parking will be available on the west side of Fifth
Street for queuing buses and in the temporary remote bus parking lot on the former
Peavey pad at the end of Bell Street. This location is signed for the convenience of bus
drivers, tt is anticipated that buses will park here until the designated time for
passenger pickup at the River's Edge Plaza. Buses will be asked to form a queue on
the west side of Bell Street and wait there until the two stalls outside of the River's Edge
Plaza are available. No more than two buses will be allowed to load and unload in this
location at any one time.
Up to four buses can load and unload on the east side of the lot just north of the
Portside building. This area is not restricted for use by any particular businesses. Upon
approval of the policy, a copy of the policy ane attached map will be provided to all
property owners, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the regular passenger vessel
operators, the charter bus lines and the trolley service. Enforcement of this policy will
be handled by the Dubuque Policy department upon City Council approval.
Recommendation
I recommend City Council approval of the attached Bus Loading/Unloading and parking
policy.
Cc:
Port of Dubuque Property owners
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Klm Wadding, Police Chief
Mike Koch, Public Works Director
PORT Of DUBUQUE
BUS LOADING/UNLOADING AND PARKING POliCY
Issued November 1,2003
The Port of Dubuque tourist attractions rely heavily on bus transportation. Due to this
reliance, it is necessary to provide policies to direct where buses are allowed to
load/unload passengers and where buses are allowed to queue while waiting for
arriving boats, and finally, where buses are allowed to park while their passengers are
attending local attractions.
Several of the property owners have their own parking lots that meet their needs for bus
parking. Those include the Diamond Jo and Dubuque County Historic Society.
Dubuque River Rides has reached agreement with the Historic Society to allow bus
parking for Dubuque River Rides in their lot.
However, for other property owners, there is a temporary remote bus parking lot on the
old Peavey pads at the end of Bell Street that is signed. Property owners are
encouraged to use this lot for bus parking or overflow bus parking as needed.
Bus loading and unloading zones have been included at the Museum and Aquarium
(both entrances), at the Diamond Jo west entrance and space for four buses will be
provided along the east side of the lot just north of the Portside Building (see attached
map). Finally, there are two stalls provided just outside of the River's Edge Plaza that
have been provided to serve the needs of the passenger vessels (and can be used by
Dubuque River Rides during inclement weather).
Buses arriving to pick up passengers from the large passenger vessels are asked to
form a queue on the west side of Bell Street, and wait there until the two stalls outside
of the River's Edge Plaza are available. No more than two buses will be allowed to load
and unload at the River's Edge Plaza at any given time. This will be enforced by the
Dubuque Police Department. The lanes between parking rows are to be kept open for
vehicle circulation and are not to be used as queuing lanes for buses and/or trolleys.
Up to four buses can load and unload on the east side of the lot just north of the
Portside Building. This area is not restricted for use by any particular business.
All of these areas are designated on the attached map, which will be distributed to all
property owners, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the major passenger vessel
owners who current visit the Port of Dubuque, the charter bus lines and trolley service.
The effective date for enforcement of this policy by the Dubuque Police Department will
be subject to City Council approval.
PORt Of DUBUQUE
BUS LOADING/UNLOADING AND PARKING POLICY
Issued November 1,2003
The Port of Dubuque tourist attractions rely heavily on bus transportation. Due to this
reliance, it is necessary to provide policies to direct where buses are allowed to
load/unload passengers and where buses are allowed to queue while waiting for
arriving boats, and finally, where buses are allowed to park while their passengers are
attending local attractions.
Several of the property owners have their own parking lots that meet their needs for bus
parking. Those include the Diamond Jo and Dubuque County Historic Society.
Dubuque River Rides has reached agreement with the Historic Society to allow bus
parking for Dubuque River Rides in their lot.
However, for other property owners, there is a temporary remote bus parking lot on the
old Peavey pads at the end of Bell Street that is signed. Property owners are
encouraged to use this lot for bus parking or overflow bus parking as needed.
Bus loading and unloading zones have been included at the Museum and Aquarium
(both entrances), at the Diamond Jo west entrance and space for four buses will be
provided along the east side of the lot just north of the Portside Building (see attached
map). Finally, there are two stalls provided just outside of the River's Edge Plaza that
have been provided to serve the needs of the passenger vessels (and can be used by
Dubuque River Rides dudng inclement weather).
Buses arriving to pick up passengers from the large passenger vessels are asked to
form a queue on the west side of Bell Street, and wait there until the two stalls outside
of the River's Edge Plaza are available. No more than two buses will be allowed to load
and unload at the River's Edge Plaza at any given time. This will be enforced by the
Dubuque Police Department. The lanes between parking rows are to be kept open for
vehicle circulation and are not to be used as queuing lanes for buses and/or trolleys.
U p to four buses can load and unload on the east side of the lot just north of the
Portside Building. This area is not restricted for use by any particular business.
All of these areas are designated on the attached map, which will be distributed to all
property owners, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the major passenger vessel
owners who current visit the Port of Dubuque, the charter bus lines and trolley service.
The effective date for enforcement of this policy by the Dubuque Police Department will
be subject to City Council approval.
EEL
D5 SPACES
HC SPACES
LOT 2 A
PARKING 193 SPACES
PARKING 4 HC SPACES
LOT 1 ~'
OF DUBUQUE