Vision Iowa RECAT Application_Bee Branch Creek RestorationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Vision Iowa RECAT Application
DATE: December 16, 2010
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The City has submitted a $7.1 million grant application to the Vision Iowa Board for the
Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
A presentation was made at the November Vision Iowa Board Meeting. Subsequently,
the City was advised that there must be a community fundraising campaign.
Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann organized a $100,000 community campaign,
with the able assistance of Public Information Officer Randy Gehl, Community
Foundation of Greater Dubuque President & CEO Nancy Van Milligen, and Dubuque
Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Keith Rahe. Norma
Denlinger and Gary Dolphin have agreed to be Co- Chairs.
The America's River Corporation Board of Directors have approved the designation of
the campaign as America's River III.
While there will be some opportunities for bench and tree sponsorships, most of the
money will be raised by offering naming opportunities for project amenities, like
overlooks and the amphitheater.
To date $122,000 has been raised from:
Dubuque Racing Association - $50,000
Dubuque County - $20,000
Dubuque Bank & Trust - $10,000
Dupaco Credit Union - $10,000
Premier Bank - $10,000
U.S. Bank - $10,000
American Trust - $5,000
Dubuque Initiatives - $5,000
Norma Denlinger - $2,000
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval of the fundraising campaign.
Michael C. Van Mittigen
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Nancy Van Milligen, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque
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Restoration & Gateway
BEAUTY FROM DISASTER
2 \ BEAUTY FROM DISASTER
DEAR FRIENDS,
We believe that out of great challenges, together we can create great opportunities. In 1999 and throughout the past
decade, record - setting rain overwhelmed the North end neighborhoods of Dubuque. Thousands of homes and businesses
were flooded. After years of study and planning, the City and its citizens have decided upon a course of action to prevent
this disaster from happening again.
The Bee Branch Master Plan was completed in 2004.This plan, which was designed after much input from the citizens
of Dubuque, is the community's strategic plan to remove over 1,150 residents and businesses from future flooding while
creating a beautiful linear park amenity.
Through the America's River III — Bee Branch Creek Restoration and Gateway campaign — we have a chance to create
something beautiful from the disastrous flooding of the past decade. With your help and support we will build a mile
long linear park with amenities that will stretch from the heart of Dubuque to the river at Chaplain Schmitt Island. Through
contributions and support of our neighbors and friends we will take a disaster and create a showplace gateway to Iowa
from neighboring Wisconsin.
Please join us as we continue the redevelopment of our riverfront in phase three of America's River; creating a dramatic
gateway to Iowa from Wisconsin, connecting major attractions on Dubuque's six miles of riverfront, linking hundreds of miles
of bike trails north and south along the Mississippi River and connecting trails west to the Field of Dreams on the Heritage Trail,
and creating amenities that will support sustainable neighborhoods with enhanced quality of life for Dubuque and Iowa.
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Photo provided by the Telegraph Herald
Norma Denlinger
Gary Dolphin
share our vision.
This project supports Sustainable Dubuque through the following sustainability principles:
Regional Economy 1 Community Design
Clean Water
Reasonable Mobility 1 Native Plants & Animals
AM _ICA'S RIVER III: BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION & GATEWAY / 3
imagine, , ,
... resurrecting a Mississippi River tributary buried over a century ago in
Dubuque's historic North End.
... a scenic gateway destination at Iowa's front door to Wisconsin.
... a mile -long linear park connecting the Mississippi River at Chaplain Schmitt
Memorial Island to Dubuque's neighborhoods and Heritage Trail.
... connecting hike and bike trails from the river west to the Field of Dreams in
Dyersville and north and south to the Mississippi River Trail stretching hundreds of
miles of Mississippi River shoreline.
... a keystone overlook at Audubon Pond in a proposed entertainment district.
... performances at the creek -side amphitheater near Audubon School
featuring local artists, performers and musicians.
... over 1,000 trees shading a green ribbon of park connecting riverfront amenties
to the wealth of our neighbor hoods
THE AMERICA'S RIVER III Bee Branch Creek Restoration Gateway project
will create a linear parkway connecting Dubuque's historic riverfront and urban
core. This dramatic sweep of greenway will daylight a creek and it will feature
quality of life amenities including an amphitheater, scenic overlooks, hike and
bike trails, decorative bridges, rain gardens and wetlands, and other recreational
space to welcome visitors from around the United States and the world.
PROJECT FEATURES:
The final design of the restored creek outlines the removal of almost one mile of buried storm sewer
and its replacement with the original meandering 15 to 25 -foot wide creek through a 150 to 180 -foot
green corridor. The design includes a mixture of taller prairie and ornamental grasses with a mixture of
wildflowers. It includes additional ornamental landscaping and medium to high canopy trees such as ash,
maple, or birch trees; bushes; planters; light fixtures; benches; and the incorporation of the Heritage Trail
through the area. The bridges will include a rustic stone appearance similar in pattern to local limestone
out- croppings.
AMERICA'S RIVER III: BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION & GATEWAY / 5
ICREEK & TRAIL ■'LOWER BEE BRANCH 'v CREEK -SIDE AMPHITHEATER
6 \ BEAUTY FROM DISASTER
we've come so far.
■ GRAND RIVER CENTER ■ DUBUQUE STAR BREWERY ■ NATIONAL RIVER CENTER
■ MYSTIQUE CASINO ∎ VETERANS MEMORIAL PLAZA ■ MYSTIQUE COMMUNITY ICE CENTER
- -47 ,k3 giNINEEMITar
let's go further...
The America's River III: Bee Branch Creek Restoration & Gateway will provide improved quality of life in
Dubuque's North End, flood mitigation and create a vital link between Dubuque's riverfront and Chaplain
Schmitt Memorial Island attractions.
Join us and become a part of the
i/kca, /1/ campaign.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$50,000
Bee Branch's Keystone Overlook
The daylighting and rebuilding of Bee Branch Creek starts at the 24th Street Overlook.
Connecting Comiskey Park along the Bee Branch Creek to Chaplain Schmitt Island and the
Mississippi River. From the overlook the view will be perfect on a summer day to admire the
water, children playing, walkers and bicyclists and more.
$ 10,000
Eagle's Watch Audubon Overlook
Many have enjoyed the eagles in the past at the 1 6th Street overlook. With the naturally
landscaped 1 6th Street pond, you can stop and enjoy the natural beauty and take in the view.
This newly enhanced overlook will provide a great resting stop along off the Heritage Trail's
newest addition.
$ 10,000
Sycamore Gazebo Overlook
It will be the talk of the town and a beautiful addition to the neighborhood and community. The
transformation of this area will astound you and change the face of this former industrial area
into a greenbelt and gateway. Both of these will be apparent from this overlook.
$ 10, 000
Creekside Amphitheater
Imagine taking in a little music or a performance of children from Audubon School in the
Creekside Amphitheater. The backdrop will be native grasses and a quiet creek. Maybe it will be
a quiet place to read a book. The possibilities are endless.
$1 0,000
Water's Edge Trail
This sidetrip off the main trail draws gets you near the water. It provides accessibility for all to
enjoy the sights and sounds of Bee Branch Creek.
$ 10,000
Mississippi River Trail Connection
This trail connection picks up the Heritage Trail and connects to the trail at Pyatigosk Park
and the Mississippi River Trail. This one mile segment of trail will be busy from the day it gets
constructed. Its connections will make it popular for residents as well as visitors to our area.
$2,000
Memorial Bench
In each Dubuque project, benches along the trails and greenways have been enjoyed by many
and will continue to be for years to come. This project will host many residents and visitors who
will enjoy relaxing along the Bee Branch Creek greenway.
$500
Tree
It's the greening of Dubuque's North -End Neighborhood. One thousand new trees will be a part
of the Bee Branch project adding shade, cooling, air purification and beauty.
$100
Brick Paver
Everyone has a chance to participate in the America's River III campaign. Buy a brick paver in
memory of a loved one or in recognition of a business or organization.
For more information, call 563.589.4110.
AMERICA'S RIVER III: BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION & GATEWAY / 7
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION & GATEWAY
BEAUTY FROM DISASTER
Bee Branch Creek
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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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GreaterDubuque
S im i Bee Branch Creek Boundary
Regional Trails
Port of Dubuque
Parks
Community/Tourism Attractions
MAIN STREET
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM
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TRI -STATE TRAIL VISION • WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COORPORATION