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
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August 31,2004
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Mr. Michael Gartner, Chairman
Vision Iowa Board
Iowa Department of Economic Development
200 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines Iowa 50309-1819
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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
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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