School designation downtown
D~~-@uE
~ck~
MEMORANDUM
June 2, 2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Downtown Elementary School
'Z~
§
I
C')
-- -
0:)
,~
16
en
',.11
The Dubuque Community School District has requested the vacation of 12th Street
between Central Avenue and White Street and the alleys between 11th Street and 13th
Street between Central Avenue and White Street, to build a new downtown elementary
school.
I respectfully request that the Dubuque Community School District be asked for a Traffic
Study prior to final consideration of this request.
111~iA l4ì ~
Michael C. Van Milligen -
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer
John Burgart, Superintendent, Dubuque Community School District
". j 4' Dubuque
-0- Community
4' ~.. Schools
,.
PC:CE!V,::O
c::v> 4/4: -
~
Ron Holm, CPA (Inactive)
Executive Director of
Finance and Business Services
¡¡AT 19 f,J1 if';
"
" ,
Phone: 563/588-5110
Fax: 563/588-8377
Leaming.Leading.Living
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3095
rholm@dubuque.k12.ia.us
May 13, 2004
Honorable Mayor Terrence M. Duggan and Members of the City Council
City of Dubuque
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4845
Dear Mayor Duggan and Members of the City Council:
The Dubuque Community School District has selected the site for a new downtown elementary
school. The site is termed "Site #1" and is bounded on the south by 11th Street, on the north by
13th Street, on the west by Central Avenue and on the east by White Street. A diagram of the site
is enclosed.
The effective use of Site #1 for a modem elementary school requires a minimum of two blocks
of contiguous property. Additional parking outside of the two-block area may also be required.
In addition to the building, the site will include turnout lanes for bus traffic, student drop-off and
pick-up points, parking lots and playground areas. It is clear that dividing the property by a
street or an alley would make the site inappropriate for a new elementary school.
We have contacted the City Engineering Department and they indicated that existing utilities
may need to be relocated and/or easements put in place. We also understand that the vacated
area would need to be surveyed and platted at our expense, plus we would pay for publication
and filing fees.
This letter is a formal District request that the City Council agree to vacate 12th Street between
Central Avenue and White Street and the alleys between nth Street and 13th Street between
Central Avenue and White Street as a part of the District's acquisition of all property in Site #l.
The City Engineering Department has indicated they would not object to vacation of those
particular streets and alleys. Please see the attached letter.
The architect for this project is the firm of Straka Johnson Architects, P.C. They are currently
under District contract to design the building but have not yet determined the location of the
building footprint.
May 13, 2004
Page 2
Thank you for your consideration of this request. We will be pleased to work with your staff to
provide any additional information required.
Sincerely,
~~~
Douglas J. Horstmann
Board President
~ ~~IiA--.
John L. Burgart
Superintendent of Schools
jms
Enclosures
C:
Michael VanMilligan, City Manager
03/15/2004 MON 15: 45 FA!
~vv_. vvv
Engin..nng Dh-mon
Œvl1311
!\II w.'" 13th Sh-.ot
Dubuqu., IA 52001-4864
(563) 5B<J-427!J nffioe
(563) 5119-42.l15 fax
D~B@UE
$I~-k~
, ,
March 15, 2004
Mr. Robert S. White, Sr.
Dubuque Community Schools
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Bob;
I This is to confirm our discussion relative to the two sites under consideration for
the downtown elementary school.
Site 1 is the current location of the school, and the site encompasses from the
south side of 13tn Street to the north side of 111t1 Street, bounded by Central
Avenue and White Street. '
The current location would require the closure of 12th Street between Central
Avenue and White Street, which we previously discussed and have previously
given tentative approval to the school district. The greatest obstacle in utilizing
this site is the number of utilities, which are both overhead and underground, and
fiber optics, running in the alley for the full length of the project.
Site 2is the site that encompasseS the south side of 12111 Street to the north
boundary of 10th Street, bounded by Iowa Street and Central Avenue.
Site 2 would require the closure of 11 th Street from Iowa Street and Central
Avenue. The traffic count on this section of 11th Street is only 1,290 vehicles per
day, which is an extremely low volume for a public street and should not be a
factor in the traffic patterns in the downtown area.
Again the greatest problem with the use of this alley will be the existing utilities,
both overhead and underground, which run the entire length of the parcel.
In early discussions with the utility companies involved in these alleys, it is
indicated that the school district would be responsible for the cost of the
relocation Of their facilities, at no cost to the utility companies.
"',-vi'"
l'c-o¡>Jo
1"'~~rilv
H"'p"">iJ,n,,y
10,""""°"
're"""",,'
~
03/15/2004 MOO 15: 46 FA!
,-
;
Page 2
March 15,2004
Keep in mind that this is only an initial approval of the closure of 111h and 12th
Streets, and the vacating and closure of these streets will requirethe input of City
Council, and ultimately, the City Council approval at a public hearing.
If you have any questions, please advise.
Sincerely,
~ ~.j;,~~
Michael A. Koch
Public Works Director
MAK/vjd
cc: Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Ronald J. Tumer, PLS
Via Facsimile
""vu., uu.
D~
~ck~
MEMORANDUM
May 26, 2004
TO:
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer )ì:f. C?
SUBJECT: Proposed Downtown Elementary School
Traffic Study Scope of Services
As a follow-up to the May 25, 2004 memo and the May 26, 2004 meeting,
Engineering suggests that a traffic engineering firm be retained by the District to
provide a traffic study on the closure impact of 12th Street.
It is recommended that the traffic study include, but would not be limited to, the
following:
1. Traffic levels-of-service at the following sites: a) 1ih Street and Central
Avenue; b) 12th and White Streets; c) 11th Street and Central Avenue; and d)
11th and White Streets.
2. School crossings on Central Avenue and White Street.
3. Operational impact to businesses bounded on the south by 11th Street, on the
north by 13th Street, on the west by Bluff Street, and on the east by US
61/151. (This would involve direct contact with each impacted business.)
4. Impact to the state highway system since Central Avenue and White Street
are part of that system.
5. Potential impact to the Downtown Master Plan.
6. City services such as Transit, Operations and Maintenance, Police, and Fire
Department travel response times should also be evaluated.
Based on current estimates, a traffic study would be approximately $5,000.
cc:
Bill Schlickman, Traffic Engineering
D~
~ck~
MEMORANDUM
May 25, 2004
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
SUBJECT: Proposed Downtown Elementary School
BACKGROUND
Based on the May 13, 2004 letter to City Council, the Dubuque Community
School District (the District) has selected "Site 1" as the location for the new
downtown elementary school. The site is bounded on the south by 11th Street,
on the north by 13th Street, on the west by Central Avenue and on the east by
White Street. (Note attachment.)
As noted in the attached March 15, 2004 letter, the District must deal with two
concerns raised by engineering about this site:
1) Traffic issues: The closure of 12th Street between Central Avenue and
White Street and the impact to surrounding intersections.
2) Utilities: Relocation of existing utilities and/or the need for easements to
accommodate these underground/overhead utilities.
DISCUSSION
To move forward and address these issues, the District has requested that the
City Council vacate 12th Street between Central Avenue and White Street and
the alleys running from 11th Street and 13th Street between Central Avenue and
White Street.
Traffic Issues
Normally, a developer is asked to provide a traffic study when a development
poses significant changes to the traffic flow. The attached information from the
1997 Downtown Traffic Analysis and Management Study provides prelimina~
information on traffic impact with the closure of 12th Street. Because closing 12
Street is a considerable change, I would recommend that a traffic/intersection
capaéity study be conducted to determine the impact of the 12th Street closure.
A traffic study is estimated to cost $5,000.
Page 2
May 25, 2004
Also attached is the information from Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens
regarding the Downtown Master Plan and the downtown elementary school.
Utility Relocation
As noted in the March 15, 2004 letter from Michael Koch to the School District,
the greatest obstacle in utilizing the site is the number of utilities-gas,
telephone, cable, stonm/sanitary sewer, watenmain, etc.-which run in the alley
and along 12th Street.
The known impact of each utility is as noted:
Sanitary Sewer: The sewer runs in the alley to service properties
between 11 th and 13th Street. Because the businesses that are served
will be removed, the sanitary sewer could be abandoned.
Stonm Sewer: The stonm sewer system currently exists in 12th Street,
connecting to the stonm sewer on Jackson Street. This system would
need to be relocated by the District to Central Avenue and connected
to the existing three-foot by four-foot stonm sewer on 11 th Street.
Watenmain: The 20-inch watermain exists in 12th Street. This main
would probably need to be relocated by the District to either 11th Street
or 13th Street.
All Remaining Utilities (Gas, Telephone, Cable, Fiber Optics, Etc.):
The District would need to work directly with the respective companies
to coordinate potential relocation.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
Based on available information, and depending on the results of the
traffic/intersection capacity study, the Engineering Division foresees no difficulty
with "Site 1" for the location of the new downtown elementary school. However,
it is recommended that the Dubuque Community School District work closely with
the City and the respective utilities to ensure all concems are addressed.
Attachs.
c;;-," f [
J vc---
~
~ck~
MEMORANDUM
May 25,2004
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager~
SUBJECT: Downtown Dubuque Master Plan - Discussion of the Downtown
School
The Downtown Dubuque Master Plan includes the following comments addressing the
Prescott School project:
Section 1: Overview
Page 14, Paragraph 3
Note: A current example of this is preservation of the Prescott School in its downtown
location. Cities across the country are actively trying to reverse the flight of downtown
and central city schools to the fringe of their communities. These cities heard from
business and industry siting representatives that the presence of educational facilities in
the downtown market is a significant factor when considering a central business district
location to a fringe location. Dubuque is in the enviable position of not only maintaining,
but also improving its downtown school.
Section 3: Culture. Education and Entertainment
Page 43, Paragraph 3
"The City of Dubuque has a unique opportunity to increase its art offerings through the
Prescott School. As explained earlier, many communities use their downtown schools,
when they have them, to promote arts education. Schools with an emphasis in the arts
can quickly become magnet schools and draw instructors and students from a larger
geographic region. By investing in an education-based program for the arts, you have
invested in the residents of your community; created an economic benefit, and
enhanced livability, and ensured the presence to serve current and future residents of
the downtown neighborhood. While, the City is participating in selecting a new location
Downtown Dubuque Master Plan - Discussion of the Downtown School
Page 2
for the downtown school, it should actively encourage participation by all of the
downtown stakeholders, public, private and institutional, and consider expanding its
program offerings to include a broad arts education curriculum."
Section 5: Public Space and ODen Areas
Page 58, Catalyst Opportunities; Bullet 4
"Creation of several new public green spaces (1/3 - 1/2 block in size) in conjunction
with larger, full city block redevelopment projects intended to serve as passive pocket
parks and landscaped open space for Downtown residents, workers and visitors. In
addition, develop a downtown park with open play space for children that are accessible
for active recreation. Note: This initiative could be coordinated with the downtown
school, and other catalyst projects as they develop. "
Page 59, Catalyst Opportunities; Bullet 7
"Not reflected, but equally important, drafting of formal design guidelines for the entire
study area providing property and business owners with valuable guidance for
improving the appearance of their buildings and stabilizing the value of their
investment...Also, the passage of policies which require all new residential have their
own and lor contribute to public play spaces, including new school opportunities, and
these, and all, public spaces meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility
standards including new school opportunities."
Section 6: Residential Living
Page 74, Downtown Housing Implementation Principles:
"Infrastructure and Public Services - Infrastructure, including streets, water, sewer,
parks and schools- that make Downtown more accessible, functional, and attractive
encourages infill housing development. As the public sector has the longest-term
investment in the health and sustainability of the community, it is appropriate for the City
to "ready the physical environment for investment."
Page 76, Bullet 3: "Negative perceptions that create barriers to attracting
potential residents to downtown include the following:"
. Inadequate school system
Page 78, Priority Actions Bullet 12:
. "Actively l11¡¡intain the critical elements of the Downtown neighborhood - school,
churches(Prescott School) - through advocacy, education and financing."
Note: There are also other references to schools in this document.
Cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Dubuque
Community
Schools
,.
c::v> 4/4: -
~
Ron Holm, CPA (Inactive)
Executive Director of
Finance and Business Services
0',/it,YI9 !,;'¡¡C; l
u,
,~
Phone: 563/588-5110
Fax: 563/588-8377
. S "-,,nee
Leaming, Leading' Living
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3095
rholm@dubuque.k12.ia.us
May 13, 2004
Honorable Mayor Terrence M. Duggan and Members of the City Council
City of Dubuque
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4845
Dear Mayor Duggan and Members of the City Council:
The Dubuque Community School District has selected the site for a new downtown elementary
schooL The site is termed "Site #1" and is bounded on the south by 11 th Street, on the north by
13 th Street, on the west by Central Avenue and on the east by White Street. A diagram of the site
is enclosed.
The effective use of Site #1 for a modem elementary school requires a minimum of two blocks
of contiguous property. Additional parking outside of the two-block area may also be required.
In addition to the building, the site will include turnout lanes for bus traffic, student drop-off and
pick-up points, parking lots and playground areas. It is clear that dividing the property by a
street or an alley would make the site inappropriate for a new elementary school.
We have contacted the City Engineering Department and they indicated that existing utilities
may need to be relocated and/or easements put in place. We also understand that the vacated
area would need to be surveyed and platted at our expense, plus we would pay for publication
and filing fees.
This letter is a formal District request that the City Council agree to vacate 12th Street between
Central Avenue and White Street and the alleys between 11 th Street and 13th Street between
Central Avenue and White Street as a part of the District's acquisition of all property in Site #l.
The City Engineering Department has indicated they would not object to vacation of those
particular streets and alleys. Please see the attached letter.
The architect for this project is the firm of Straka Johnson Architects, P.C. They are currently
under District contract to desigu the building but have not yet determined the location of the
building footprint.
May 13, 2004
Page 2
Thank you for your consideration of this request. We will be pleased to work with your staff to
provide any additional information required.
Sincerely,
~~~
Douglas J. Horstmann
Board President
~~~.
John L. Burgart
Superintendent of Schools
jms
Enclosures
C:
Michael VanMilligan, City Manager
03/15/2004 MON 15:45 FA!
IaJ 002/003
Enginoering Dh-mon
Œvl1all
!\II ¡.¡,.'" 13th Sh-.d
Dubuqu., IA 52001-4864
(563) 5I<J-427!J nffke
(563) s¡;<)-42,l15 fax
D~~~E
5I~-k5r;:e-.
March 15,2004
Mr, Robert S. White, Sr.
Dubuque Community Schools
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Bob:
This is to confirm our discussion relative to the two sites under consideration for
the downtown elementary school.
Site 1 is the current location of the school, and the site encompasses from the
south side of 13th Street to the north side of 11th Street, bounded by Central
Avenue and White Street.
The current location would require the closure of 12th Street between Central
Avenue and White Street, which we previously discussed and have previously
given tentative approval to the school district. The greatest obstacle in utilizing
this site is the number of utilities, which are both overhead and underground, and
fiber optics, running in the alley for the full length of the project.
Site 2 is the site that encompasses the south side of 12'h Street to the north
boundary of 10th Street, bounded by Iowa Street and Central Avenue.
Site 2 would require the closure of 11 th Street from Iowa Street and Central
Avenue. The traffic count on this section of 11th Street is only 1,290 vehicles per
day, which is an extremely low volume for a public street and should not be a
factor in the traffic patterns in the downtown area.
Again the greatest problem with the use of this alley will be the existing utilities,
both overhead and underground, which run the entire length of the parcel.
In early discus5ion5 with the utility companies involved in these alleys, it is
indicated that the school district would be responsible for the cost of the
relocation of theirtacilities, at no cost to the utility companies.
"'",i",
I'copk
1"'-'$"i[y
R"po""¡"1i>y
¡""ov,ti""
'Ie,"",,"""
03/15/2004 MON 15:46 FA!
I4J 003/003
(
, ~-
Page 2
March 15,2004
Keep in mind that this is only an initial approval of the closure of 11th and 12th
Streets, and the vacating and closure of these streets will requirethe input of City
Council, and ultimately, the City Council approval at a public hearing.
If you have any questions, please advise.
Sincerely,
~ ¥.r1r~~
Michael A. Koch
Public Works Director
MAKlvjd
cc: Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Ronald J. Turner, PLS
Via Facsimile