Request to IDOT to Convert 9th and 11th Streets to Two-Way TrafficMasterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All- America City
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request to Iowa DOT for One -Way to Two -Way Street Conversion in the
Historic Millwork District
DATE: May 31, 2011
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar recommends City Council approval of a
resolution requesting the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) to convert 9 and
11 Streets from one -way to two -way traffic in the Historic Millwork District.
The Historic Millwork District is a 17 block area poised for redevelopment. The Historic
Millwork District Master Plan was adopted by the Dubuque City Council in 2009, which
laid out plans for the area's revitalization. One component of the Master Plan is to
convert 9th and 11th Streets, the official route of US 52, from one -way traffic to two -way
traffic. Most of the buildings along these streets are planned to change use from
industrial /warehousing to residential and commercial uses. Changing from one -way to
two -way would provide greater access to businesses located in the Millwork District and
encourage additional modes of transportation (i.e. bikes, pedestrians) to use the right -
of -way which complements the complete streets now being constructed in the district.
The change also facilitates an opportunity to utilize vacant land adjacent to US 151/61
for an intermodal transit facility.
Should the modifications be made to 9th and 11th Streets, the land between Elm and
US 151/61 currently owned by IDOT could become property of the City. The resolution
also requests IDOT transfer ownership of that property after the modifications are made.
The City contracted with IIW Engineers to conduct a traffic study relating to the impact
of current and future traffic demand. This study was requested by IDOT for their review.
The study concluded that making the changes from one -way to two -way traffic does not
cause the Level -of- Service for these streets to reach an unacceptable level.
Having the approval of IDOT to convert 9 and 1 1 th Streets to two -way traffic will have
the following benefits:
• 9 and 11 Streets will be designed to better accommodate all modes of
transportation including pedestrians, bicycles, and buses.
• The Elm Street connector can be removed and allow for land adjacent to US Hwy
151/61 be developed into an intermodal transit facility, which would include a
passenger rail station.
• Allow for greater vehicular access to businesses that locate in the Historic
Millwork District.
• Strengthen transportation connections to the Central Business District.
For the streets to be converted to two -way traffic, signal modifications will be needed at
certain intersections to accommodate the change. The Engineering Department has
estimated the cost of these changes from Central Avenue to US 151/61 at $600,000.
Those funds are not needed at this time. The work being done with IDOT is only to
seek approval of the concept, not to begin the modifications. Staff will continue to
research funding opportunities for this conversion.
Prior to considering these changes to the streets in the Millwork District, IDOT needs
the Dubuque City Council to formally make a request.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Directorl t
SUBJECT: Request to Iowa DOT for One -Way to Two -Way Street Conversion in the
Historic Millwork District
DATE: May 20, 2011
Dubuque
kiltd
AO-AmmicaCity
2007
INTRODUCTION
This memo presents for City Council a resolution requesting to the Iowa Department of
Transportation to consider the conversion of 9 and 1 1 th streets from one -way to two -
way traffic in the Historic Millwork District and to acquire property between Elm Street
and US 151/61.
BACKGROUND
The Historic Millwork District is a 17 block area poised for redevelopment. The Historic
Millwork District Master Plan was adopted by the Dubuque City Council in 2009 which
laid out plans for the area's revitalization. One component of the Master Plan is to
convert 9 and 1 1 th Streets, the official route of US 52, from one -way traffic to two -way
traffic. Most of the buildings along these streets are planned to change use from
industrial /warehousing to residential and commercial uses. Changing from one -way to
two -way would provide greater access to businesses located in the Millwork District and
encourage additional modes of transportation (i.e. bikes, pedestrians) to use the right -
of -way which complements the complete streets now being constructed in the district.
The change also facilitates an opportunity to utilize vacant land adjacent to US 151/61
for an intermodal transit facility.
DISCUSSION
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) views converting 9 and 1 1 th Streets to
two -way traffic as a major modification to the street network, specifically the route of US
52. City Staff has been working with IDOT staff for several months to provide
information about the effect of making changes to the street network in the area.
The City contracted with IIW Engineers to conduct a traffic study relating to the impact
of current and future traffic demand. This study was requested by the IDOT for their
review. The study concluded that making the changes from one -way to two -way traffic
does not cause the Level -of- Service for these streets to reach an unacceptable level.
The IDOT has reviewed the initial study, and has requested additional information. That
information is currently being prepared by IIW Engineers.
Having the approval of IDOT to convert 9 and 11 Streets to two -way traffic will have
the following benefits:
• 9 and 11 Streets will be designed to better accommodate all modes of
transportation including pedestrians, bicycles, and buses.
• The Elm Street connector can be removed and allow for land adjacent to US Hwy
151/61 be developed into an intermodal transit facility, which would include a
passenger rail station.
• Allow for greater vehicular access to businesses that locate in the Historic
Millwork District.
• Strengthen transportation connections to the Central Business District.
For the streets to be converted to two -way traffic, signal modifications will be needed at
certain intersections to accommodate the change. The Engineering Department has
estimated the cost of these changes from Central Avenue to US 151/61 at $600,000.
Those funds are not needed at this time. The work being done with IDOT is only to
seek approval of the concept, not to begin the modifications. Staff will continue to
research funding opportunities for this conversion.
Should the modifications be made to 9 and 11 Streets, the land between Elm and US
151/61 currently owned by the Iowa DOT could become property of the City. The
resolution also requests the IDOT to transfer ownership of that property after the
modifications are made.
Prior to considering these changes to the streets in the Millwork District, the IDOT
needs the Dubuque City Council to formally request the conversion of 9 and 11
Streets to two -way traffic and for the right to acquire property between Elm Street and
US 151/61.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the attached resolution be approved by the Dubuque City Council
which requests the IDOT to approve converting 9 and 11 Streets to two -way traffic.
The actual modification will be done when funding becomes available to do the
modifications.
ACTION STEP
The action step is to approve the attached resolution.
F: \USERS \Econ Dev \Warehouse District \Streets\20110520 Memo one way to two way conversion.docx
Prepared By: David Heiar ED Director City of Dubuque 50 W. 13 St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589 -4393
Return To: David Heiar ED Director City of Dubuque 50 W. 13 St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589 -4393
RESOLUTION NO. 191-11
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
APPROVE THE CONVERSION OF 9 AND 11 STREETS TO TWO -WAY TRAFFIC.
Whereas, on February 16, 2009, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa
adopted the Historic Millwork District Master Plan; and
Whereas, The Master Plan recommends converting 9 and 11 Streets to two -
way traffic; and
Whereas, converting 9 and 11 Streets will allow access to property currently
owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation; and
Whereas, he land owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation has been
identified as the desirable location for an intermodal transit facility; and
Whereas, the Iowa Department of Transportation has requested a formal
request from the City of Dubuque to convert 9 and 11 Streets to two -way traffic.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Dubuque City Council requests the Iowa Department of
Transportation to allow for the conversion of 9 and 1 1 th Streets to two -way traffic.
Section 2. That the Dubuque City Council requests the Iowa Department of
Transportation to transfer ownership of property between Elm Street and US Highway
151/61 after the modifications are made.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized to take such actions as are
necessary to accommodate the conversion of 9 and 11 Streets.
Passed, approved and adopted this 6 day of June, 2011.
Ke in S. Firnst
Acting City Clerk
F: \USERS \Econ Dev \Warehouse District \Streets\20110606 Reso requesting 9 & 11 to two way.doc
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
Historic Millwork District
v
h: \Fconornic elopme
arehouse I '1 t \Locati.
tfiles: Loco i '_17x22.p
ted 11 NM . 0
data pr
Legend
Road Centerline
District,
Historic Millwork District