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Vision Iowa Agree Extension Req Office 01 the Mayor and City Council City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52()()1-4864 www.cityoidubuque,org D~~~E ~J<¿~ August 31,2004 " Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman Vision Iowa Board Iowa Department of Economic Development 200 E. Grand Avenue Des Moines Iowa 50309-1819 r.', Dear Michael, I am writing to provide you an update on all of the exciting things happening in Dubuque and to request modifications to the original project plan. As I shared with you in a letter sent December 23, 2003, the City of Dubuque was selected as one of six cities as an American 2003 Crown Community winner by the American City & County Association. Since that time we have also been selected as an Iowa League of Cities All-Star Community, we have been recognized as one of 50 five- star communities by Expansion Management Magazine and we are waiting word on several other national and international awards. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium was recognized as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center by Coastal America, a national organization. This is the first time this designation has been given to an inland water location. The city of Dubuque was a host site for the Grand Excursion, a regional re-enactment of the Grand Excursion that took place 150 years ago to promote through the news media, expansion to the west. This four-day event generated over 60,000 people in attendance at the Port of Dubuque and hosted news media from St. Paul, MN, St. Petersburg, FL, La Cross, WI, Milwaukee, WI, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA and London, England. We are proud of the continued success and know it would not have been possible without the support of Vision Iowa to help construct the America's River project. In reviewing the construction of the America's River project, the America's River partnership has been diligent in our efforts to construct all of the components identified in the Vision Iowa Agreement. To date we have completed many of the projects 5orvi" People Integrity R~ponsibility Innovation Teamwmk Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman August 31,2004 Page 2 identified in our original application including the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Grand River Center education and conference center, Mississippi Riverwalk, Alliant Energy Amphitheater, American Trust River's Edge Plaza, Ice Harbor Drive, reconstruction of Bell Street" construction of 400- stall parking lots around the Grand Harbor Hotel, construction of 4th, 5th and 6t11 Streets, storm, sanitary and water line installations, extension of fiber optics to service existing and new facilities, new historic lighting, wayfinding signage and landscaping throughout the Port of Dubuque. All of these projects are identified in the Vision Iowa Agreement. Extension Reauest You will recall that the Vision Iowa Agreement identifies three basic components:1) Education and Conference Center; 2) Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives and 3) Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure. Included within each of these components are specific projects that the City has constructed or is intending to construct. According to the terms of the Vision Iowa Agreement, the City has until June 2005 to complete these projects. However, I am writing to respectfully request an extension of some of the projects identified under our Agreement. The Vision Iowa Agreement, paragraph 12.5 (a) Writing Required provides that 'The Agreement may only be amended through written prior approval of the Board. Examples of situations where amendments are required include extensions for completion of Project activities". The basis for this extension request is as follows: Item #1 Component: Project: Reason: Education & Conference Center Environmental Clean-up This project provides for environmental cleanup at the Port of Dubuque. Partial funding has been received from the federal government. Due to the federal regulations regarding clean up of brownfields, the EPA must approve remediation prior to implementing. The City has just received clearance from the EPA to begin this project. In addition, remediation is anticipated to take up to three years. Estimated completion: 2008. Item #2 Component: Project: Reason: Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives Parking Lot Reconstruction and Landscaping This project includes reconstruction and landscaping of Lots 1 ,2, 3 and 6 at the Port of Dubuque. Lot 2, 3 and 6 reconstruction is complete with landscaping anticipated to begin this Fall. Lot 1 reconstruction includes the installation of the environmental remediation system, identified in Item #1 above, which must be completed prior to beginning reconstruction. It is important to note that while the environmental remediation will not be done until 2008, the remediation system can be installed below the parking lot surface. This will also us to complete the surface parking lot prior to completion of the remediation. Estimated completion: Summer 2005. Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman August 31,2004 Page 3 Item #3 Component: Project: Reason: Item #4 Component: Project: Reason: Item #5 Component: Project: Reason: Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives Shot Tower Restoration and Art Elements This project provides for the restoration of the historic Shot Tower and the installation of art at the Port of Dubuque. Recent examination of the Shot Tower indicates additional funding is needed for restoration. The City is waiting on notification of federal funding for this project. Estimated completion: Spring 2006. The City is in discussion with local residents regarding a public art park at the Port of Dubuque on the former Dubuque Hardwoods site. The park design is subject to final layout of remaining development parcels. Estimated completion: Spring 2006. Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure Transient Boat Docks This project provides for the creation of transient boat docks at the America's River site, in the Ice Harbor and/or in the Mississippi River main channel. Due to the limited shoreline in the Ice Harbor, the City is in discussions with property owners and the Corps of Engineers with respect to how many docks will be allowed. A federal permit is required as part of this process. The City is also considering applying for federal funds to construct additional transient boat docks in the Mississippi River main channel. A federal permit is also required for this process, as is federal funding. The City did construct the 300' long sheetpile wall as part of the Riverwalk that provides tie up locations for transient boats. Estimated completion: Fall 2008. Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure Gateways This project provides for the improvements to the gateway areas adjacent to the Port of Dubuque. The City is working with adjacent private property owners to finalize designs. Once designs are finalized, the Iowa Department of Transportation must approve the design prior to construction. Estimated completion: Fall 2005. Item #6 Component: Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure Project: Waterworks Park and Pyatigorsk Park Reason: This project provides for the creation of Waterworks Park at the Hawthorne Street Peninsula and Pyatigorsk Park along the Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman August 31,2004 Page 4 Jaycees/Heritage trailhead. A portion of the funding for the project was earmarked to be provided by private donations, for which a commitment has not yet been received. Federal, State and private sources continue to be pursued. Estimated completion: Fall 2007. Item #7 Component: Project: Reason: Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure Five Flags Improvements This project provides for significant capital improvements to Five Flags Civic Center. The City recently entered into a private management agreement with SMG Inc. for the management of Five Flags Civic Center. Negotiations for private management did not allow capital improvements to begin in the Summer of 2004 as had been anticipated. Capital improvements will begin in the Summer of 2005 to avoid conflicts with significant events already scheduled at the facility from September 2004 through May 2005. Estimated completion: Fall 2006. The City of Dubuque has worked diligently to complete More than 50 projects identified as the City component of the America's River project. We have made every effort to complete these projects by June 2005, as required by the Vision Iowa Agreement, however, as you can see, seven of the projects remain outstanding due to circumstances beyond our control. These projects remain critical to the America's River project, however due to the steps required in each project an extension is critical. We respectfully request that the Vision Iowa Board modify the Vision Iowa Agreement with the City of Dubuque to provide for the completion of these remaining projects on the projected completion dates. Notification of expenditure exceedina 5% budaet limit Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives Component The Vision Iowa Agreement requires that the City notify you when we expend more than 5% of the original budget. In reviewing the Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives, we anticipate to go beyond the 5% limit when all of the projects have been completed. There are two reasons for exceeding the budget. First, the City originally budgeted $755,000 under the Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure component to cover the cost of improvements to 4th Street but all other street improvements were identified under the Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives. However, when it came time to bid the street projects, the City bid them together in order to realize a savings by volume. As a result, the $755,000 originally budget under the Riverwalk component is shown as expended under the Visitor Amenities component. The second reason is the City realized significant overages in reconfiguration of the parking lots, which is also under the Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives. The overages were covered by savings of $682,748 Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman August 31, 2004 Page 5 under additional parking lots funding, which was budgeted in the Riverwalk and Public Infrastructure component. When these two items are taken into account, the Visitor Amenities, Greenways and Smart Growth Initiatives component is below the 5% limit required in the Vision Iowa Agreement. Education and Conference Center Component The City also realized savings in the Education and Conference Center component. The City is requesting authorization to use this savings from this completed project to cover overages for already completed projects in the other components for riverfront leasehold improvements, construction of the Ice Harbor Safety Wall, land acquisition and construction of streets. Attached is a detailed summary of the Components with Life To Date (L TD) thru June 30, 2004 and anticipated expenses to complete each component. In summary, the City of Dubuque's portion of the America's River project at the time of the Vision Iowa application was estimated at $71 ,707,391.00. Our revised estimate based upon the projects completed to date is now $72,520,000, less than a 2% overage fro our original budget. Lastly, I am also attaching a mock-up of the final dedication plaque for the America's River project. This plaque, which lists the organizations who provided leadership and financial support to the project, will be located on the remaining portion of the flood wall adjacent to the American Trust River's Edge Plaza. You will recall that the Vision Iowa board previously approved the design of the dedication plaque at the Grand River Center. This dedication plaque identifies Vision Iowa Board members and staff in place at the time of the award of the Vision Iowa grant as well as those in place at the time of the grand opening. This was because 100% of the city's portion of the Vision Iowa grant went toward construction of the conference center. The America's River partners recognition plaque recognizes organizations involved in the entire America's River projects. Due to the volume of partner organizations, only key board members and staff are included in this plaque. We respectfully request your approval of this design. We believe our partnership has been a mutually beneficial one. The Vision Iowa Board provided the City of Dubuque the financial means to create a signature project for Iowa. We, in turn, have implemented the project in a professional and fiscally responsible manner. The success of our partnership can be seen in the tremendous recognition the City of Dubuque and the State of Iowa have received for the America's River project. We thank you for your continued support. Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman August 31,2004 Page 6 Please feel free to contact City Manager Michael C. Van Milligen or Dawn Lang, Budget Director for the City of Dubuque, at 563-589-4110 with any technical questions you may have regarding this request. Sincerely, Terry Duggan Mayor TD:cs cc: Nichole Warren, IDED Dubuque City Council Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dawn Lang, Budget Director