National Scenic Byways Grant Application_Bee Branch Creek TrailMasterpiece on the Mississippi
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
/// -
Michael C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
AI-Anita City
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: National Scenic Byways Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Trail
DATE: June 14, 2011
The Bee Branch Creek Trail is part of Phase 2 of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration
Project. It involves converting an on- street bike route to an off -road bike /hike trail
section in a linear park along the restored Bee Branch Creek from Garfield Avenue to
24 Street. The project will be part of the National Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through
Dubuque. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will incorporate bike /hike trails, lighting,
benches, trees, sustainable landscaping, parking, a bike /pedestrian bridge over the
creek, a waterfall overlook, an amphitheater /outdoor classroom, and a railroad
underpass for connections to tri -state trails.
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends City Council approval of a
$1,000,000 National Scenic Byways grant application for the Bee Branch Creek Trail.
The estimated project cost is $6,594,520. The $5,594,520 local match will be provided
by the City Dubuque through City funds and the Vision Iowa RECAT grant already
obligated for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Enclosures
cc: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
F: \USERS \LCARSTEN \WP \Grants for Trails \NSB Bee Branch \NSB Grant App for Bee Branch Creek Trail Memo MVM.doc
Dubuque
A - Amedcaclty
2007
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager 'C
SUBJECT: National Scenic Byways Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Trail
DATE: June 10, 2011
Introduction
This memorandum transmits a National Scenic Byways grant application for the Bee
Branch Creek Trail, for City Council to review and approve.
Discussion
This project is part of Phase 2 of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. It involves
converting an on- street bike route to an off -road bike /hike trail section in a linear park
along the restored Bee Branch Creek from Garfield Avenue to 24 Street. The project
will be part of the national Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through Dubuque. The Bee
Branch Creek MRT Route will incorporate bike /hike trails, lighting, benches, trees,
sustainable landscaping, parking, a bike /pedestrian bridge over the creek, a waterfall
overlook, an amphitheater /outdoor classroom, and a railroad underpass for connections
to tri -state trails.
Budget Impact
The project cost is $6,594,520. The grant application is for $1 million. The $5,594,520
local match is provided by the City of Dubuque through City funds and the Vision Iowa
RECAT grant already obligated for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the National Scenic Byways grant
application for the Bee Branch Creek Trail. The application was submitted prior to City
Council review due to a short submission window with the Iowa Department of
Transportation. It will be pulled if the City Council does not wish to submit the request.
„..0' o Project Summary 2011
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This application must be completed online at http: / /www.bywaysonline.org /grants /, and submitted electronically
and in printed form.
Application Checklist
The following statements are for informative purposes. Please read and check each statement.
• I understand that this is a reimbursement program - funds are not available up- front.
• I have reviewed and responded to the Complete Application statements as outlined in the Grants
Guidance.
• I have been in touch with the State scenic byway coordinator and have responded to recommendations
or requirements of the State.
• I have verified with the State byway coordinator that this proposed project can receive authorization to
proceed from the State and FHWA division before the end of the fiscal year for which the application is
made.
Project Category
Which category best describes the location of this project?
• Project that is associated with a highway that has been designated as a National Scenic Byway, All -
American Road, or one of America's Byways.
o Project along a State or Indian tribe scenic byway that is carried out to make the byway eligible for
designation as a National Scenic Byway, an All- American Road, or one of America's Byways.
o Project that is associated with the development of a State or Indian tribe scenic byway program.
o Project along a State or Indian tribe scenic byway.
Choose from the following categories of eligible work the type that best fits your project.
o Byway Programs
o Corridor Management
o Safety Improvements
• Byway Facilities
o Access to Recreation
o Resource Protection
o Interpretive Information
o Marketing
Is this application a resubmission of an unfunded project from a previous year?
o Yes
o No
SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT
Route
State Submission Date
May 31, 2011
Division Submission Date
not submitted
State Priority
0
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State
District
Representative (at time of application)
IA
1
Braley, Bruce L.
SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Project Location
State(s) involved in project:
Iowa
Indicate the byway's regional location within the State. Reference prominent landmarks such as parallel major
highways, natural features, counties, or large cities, that makes the byway(s) easy to locate in a road atlas.
Byway is in eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River from Lansing to Keokuk. Major cities: Davenport and Dubuque.
Major US Highways: 61, 67, and 52.
Briefly describe the project's location(s) on the byway using references to route numbers, byway gateway
communities, project location communities and landmarks so any reviewer can identify the project sites.
Project is 4 blocks (1/5 mi.) from Byway (Central Ave/US 52) along 22nd St. in Dubuque. (Dubuque is on the
Mississippi, where Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois meet.) Project is parallel to Kniest St. between 24th St. and Garfield
Ave. next to Audubon School.
Associated Byways
State
IA
Byway Name
Great River Road - Iowa
Is this project consistent with the Corridor Management Plan(s) for the byway(s) involved?
Congressional Districts
Abstract
• Yes
o No / CMP not available
Project Description
Complete the sentence "This project will..." before adding remaining information.
This project will create a unique Byway facility, converting an onstreet bike route to a 1 mile offroad bike /hike trail
section of the national Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through Dubuque. The project will be in a linear park along the
restored Bee Branch Creek. The project will serve as a focal point of aesthetics, environmental education, outdoor
recreation, and cultural interpretation for the Byway traveler. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will incorporate bike/
hike trails, lighting, benches, trees, sustainable landscaping, parking, a bike /pedestrian bridge over the creek, a waterfall
overlook, an amphitheater /outdoor classroom, and a railroad underpass for connections to tri -state trail
Byway Benefits
Complete the sentence "This project benefits the byway traveler by..." before adding remaining information.
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
This project benefits the Byway traveler by informing the traveler of the Byway's intrinsic qualities, telling the Byway's
story of river - connected heritage and quality of life. The project offers a unique recreational setting along a restored
creek in an historic neighborhood that complements without duplicating other Byway amenities. The Bee Branch Creek
MRT Route provides an off -road multimodal link to regional trails and the MRT, offering spectacular views of the
Dubuque area's scenic wooded limestone bluffs and Mississippi River Valley. The project interprets the historic,
cultural, and archeological resources of transforming the 100- year -old Bee Branch sewer into a natural, open creek.
Narrative
Project Summary
Completely describe all the major elements of your proposed project in a concise but complete summary.
The City of Dubuque is located on the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa, adjacent to Illinois and Wisconsin.
Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city, and has a substantial collection of historically and architecturally significant structures.
The Mississippi River is an attraction and economic development engine for Dubuque and the Tri-State area. People are
drawn to the water and this Byways facility project links two water resources —the Mississippi River and its tributary,
the Bee Branch Creek.
Historically the Bee Branch Creek flowed through the city's North End to the Mississippi River, but in the early 1900's
the creek was buried (in a storm sewer). As Dubuque grew and storm water increased – the storm sewer was
overwhelmed. The City is "daylighting" the Bee Branch Creek – creating an attraction, enhancing neighborhoods,
building on our tourism industry, and improving our quality of life with a new recreational amenity for environmental
and cultural education.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will create a unique Byway facility, converting an on- street bike route to a 1 -mile
off -road bike/hike trail section of the national Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through Dubuque. The MRT is a national
bike/hike trail through 10 states from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. The project is accessible from tri -state MRT
routes in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois that follow or parallel the Great River Road Byways in all 3 states.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will be accessible from sidewalks and bike/hike trails that link to existing
neighborhood streets and the Great River Road, just 4 blocks away on Central Avenue (Business U.S. 52). The project
will be open free of charge for residents and visitors throughout the day and throughout the year.
The project will be in a linear park along the restored Bee Branch Creek from 24th Street to Garfield Avenue in
Dubuque's historic north end. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route has 10 -foot paved bike /hike trails at both the street
level and the creek, with lighting, benches, trees, and sustainable landscaping throughout. A public urban orchard and
community gardens are included. There will be off - street parking for the Byway traveler and visitor.
The project offers a bike /pedestrian bridge over the creek in line with Lincoln Avenue, which will be closed to vehicles.
Lincoln Avenue provides access to Audubon Elementary School, which will be adjacent to the project's amphitheater/
outdoor classroom. The amphitheater has cut limestone seats in a semi - circular shape to provide permanent seating for
this accessible venue for environmental education and historical interpretation. A waterfall overlook of cut limestone at
24th Street near Comiskey Park will provide a view of the creek outfall and the linear park. The project requires a
railroad underpass for safe bike /pedestrian connections to tri -state trails and Byways.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route is ready to implement, having complied with all state and federal regulations. The 47
properties assembled for the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route were acquired by the City of Dubuque in accordance with
the Uniform Relocation Act. The City has title to these properties through fee simple ownership. The City has a
Programmatic Agreement (PA) for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project in accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act. The PA is between the State Historic Preservation Office, Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (IDNR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Dubuque.
The City has been issued a Corps 404 permit for the project. The IDNR is the lead agency on the project for design
review of construction plans and will issue the construction permit for the project. All environmental clearances have
been met.
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Benefit to Byway Traveler
Describe how the proposed project will benefit a byway traveler, add to their travel experience or fulfill an
important objective of your CMP.
This section describes how the proposed project will benefit a Byway traveler, add to their travel experience, and fulfill
important objectives of the Corridor Management Plan. It also describes how the proposed project addresses the
Administrative Criteria. Finally, this section notes how the Byway traveler will find the proposed facility, and who is
responsible for its maintenance and operation.
A. This project benefits the Byway traveler by informing the traveler of the Byway's six intrinsic qualities as described
below.
1. Scenic: Dubuque is rich in historic and cultural resources, in our neighborhoods, in the downtown and along
the Mississippi River. Our hills are a major consideration in biking and walking in this river community, but
they also offer dramatic views and vistas along the trail system.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will provide a 1 -mile off -road bike/hike trail linking to regional trails and the MRT,
offering spectacular views of the Dubuque area's scenic wooded limestone bluffs and Mississippi River Valley. The
Great River Road is designated as one of Iowa's Scenic Byways for this type of scenic value of the natural and built
environments of the Byway.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route project itself will offer respite, recreation, and cultural enrichment along the street -
level bike/hike trail and via several scenic locations in the project boundary: a waterfall overlook at the creek's outfall,
an amphitheater, a creek -side trail, and a bike /pedestrian bridge.
1. Historic: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route lies within the Rhomberg and Kniest Historic District, listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
The project also lies at the juncture of three historic neighborhoods. The Washington Street, Point, and North End
Neighborhoods have a strong neighborhood feel and retain a high level of their historic character. They are characterized
by older building stock and a mix of densely developed commercial and residential structures. Typically, buildings are
brick or frame construction, between two and three stories in height, and date from the mid to late 1800s and early 1900s.
Commercial storefronts and small residential yards line the street, giving the area a strong pedestrian scale and
character, making them very walkable and livable.
1. Recreational: This project benefits the Byway traveler by fulfilling multi -modal recommendations of the
Byway's Corridor Management Plan. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route enhances connections to the
pedestrian grid via vehicular and pedestrian bridges — links to public spaces, like Comiskey Park, and the Great
River Road.
The landscaped bike/hike trail along the creek will replace the signed on- street bike route, making the Bee Branch Creek
MRT Route safer and more inviting for walkers and bicyclists and encouraging alternative transportation choices to the
automobile to access the multimodal Byways facility.
The project also will connect to the City and County Heritage Trail systems, which link Dubuque to Dyersville. The
project will be on the principal route of the MRT, a national recreational trail through 10 states.
1. Archeological: Created to harness the Bee Branch Creek 100 years ago, the Bee Branch storm sewer is a
historic and archeological resource in and of itself. Portions of this sewer will remain in place, while the
section of restored creek at the Byways facility will allow for historic interpretation of this buried archeological
resource along the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route.
2. Natural: The project will be set in a linear park with a landscaped creek. The project will provide open space
where people will be able walk and bike, to gather at the water's edge, relax along the trail, enjoy the view of
the creek from a bridge and an overlook, or learn more about the Byway's story through interpretive signage
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and programs at the amphitheater /outdoor classroom. The project also will provide an interactive opportunity
for students and adults to learn about stream improvements and riparian habits through a hands -on experience.
Dubuque is also the midpoint of the Upper Mississippi River Fish & Wildlife Refuge. Acres of wooded islands, marshes,
and backwaters comprise the Upper Miss Refuge. The refuge provides migratory habitat for a large percentage of the
migratory birds in the Mississippi Flyway. Tundra swans and canvasback ducks use the refuge as a resting and feeding
area in the spring and fall. Winter is an opportune time to view bald eagles. Spring offers a glimpse of colorful images as
the neotropical migrants move to their nesting areas.
1. Cultural: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will add value to the area by re- connecting the neighborhoods to
a natural, open creek that furthers the use and enjoyment of Dubuque's river - connected heritage and quality of
life for residents and visitors to the Byway. A key to this cultural enjoyment comes through the system of trails
that visitors and residents can use regularly and at no charge that will be built as part of the project.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will join with miles of other trails that line Dubuque neighborhoods, skirt the
Mississippi River, and wind through steep hills all within the city limits. It will become one with the Dubuque Heritage
Trail, a 14 -mile network of on- street routes and off -road trails connecting parks and the riverfront. The trail connects the
north end of the city with the riverfront, the downtown area and the Mines of Spain State Recreational Area on the
southern tip of Dubuque. Connections take trail users to other City parks and attractions along the riverfront.
Users of the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will be able to reach attractions like the Lock and Dam No. 11, the
Mississippi River, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the Port of Dubuque, and the Mines of Spain
State Park.
B. The project addresses Administrative Criteria for Byway facilities as described below.
1. Livability: The U. S. Department of Transportation has made livable communities a high priority. The City of
Dubuque shares this commitment.
• Dubuque has engaged in a unique and decided effort to promote a livable, sustainable community through historic
preservation, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, park and plaza improvements, landscaped gateways, riverfront
amenities, bike/hike trails, restoration of wetlands and prairies, and sustainable storm water management.
• Our decision to use the riverfront as a focal point for the community resulted in the 90 -acre America's River
revitalization effort of a brownfield site through $400 million in public and private investment. Our commitment to
revitalize the downtown area has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of improvements since 1985.
• Dubuque was named the Most Livable Small City in 2008 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors for developing programs
that enhance the quality of life in urban areas. Dubuque was named a third -place finalist and gold- standard community at
the International Awards for Livable Communities in 2010, the highest - placed U.S. city.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route strengthens and advances this commitment. In support of livable communities, the
project demonstrates a value -added livability component in addition to its relationship to the Byway and the Byway
traveler.
• The project promotes principles and projects that integrate land use, transportation, housing, and conservation of open
green space and natural resources. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route creates open space in the form of a linear park
where people will be able to gather at the water's edge, exercise along the bike /hike trail, or simply sit and read poetry on
a bench overlooking the restored creek.
• The project is located with ready access to existing roads and other infrastructure within or contiguous to existing
residential, commercial and industrial development. The project balances open space and environmental preservation
with the community's development needs — by expansion of urban green space in a suitable location to encourage
livability and enhance aesthetics, by adding trails and similar park/open space uses easily accessible to residents at
neighborhood level, and by supporting protection and enhancement of riverfront and related waterway corridors.
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The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route supports multi -modal goals, providing safe, reliable access to work, schools,
shopping, hospitals, churches, and residences.
• The project includes bike /pedestrian bridge to maintain connectivity for neighborhoods, public transit, and school
routes at Lincoln Avenue. It also includes a bike /pedestrian railroad underpass at Garfield Avenue.
• The design of the bridges includes a limestone facade to match the character of the neighborhoods where houses have
cut limestone foundations. The bridges will have three arches that span the creek and a decorative railing. One of the
arches will carry the multi -use trail to allow bikes and pedestrians to travel underneath roadways.
Amenities included in the project positively impact quality of life in the community in many ways, most obviously with
the resurrection of the natural habitat creek area.
• In addition, the bike/hike trails, lighting, benches, bridges, and amphitheater included in the project restore activity to a
neighborhood that is vital to the character of Dubuque itself. People will once again use this area that spreads naturally
out from the Mississippi River, and that use multiplies as a result of previous river -based projects of trails, museums,
public space, a learning center, etc.
• While the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route is adjacent to Audubon Elementary School, it also is within a few blocks of
the service areas for Fulton, Prescott and Marshall Elementary Schools and Jefferson Middle School. These four
elementary schools and the middle school serve the Washington Street, Point, and North End Neighborhoods.
• The majority of the residents in these neighborhoods are low to moderate income. These neighborhoods also
encompass significant racial and ethnically diverse minority populations. The Washington Neighborhood has a 23.1%
minority population. The Point Neighborhood has a 15.9% minority population. The North End Neighborhood has a
12.5% minority population.
The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will improve economic conditions and quality of life for area residents while creating
a tourist attraction.
• The project will connect parks, commercial districts, entertainment districts, schools, daycares and neighborhoods
together. It will allow for recreational, environmental and educational use by children and adults, residents and visitors.
The project will highlight environmental sustainability efforts for which Dubuque is well - known.
• Residents as well as visitors to Dubuque will be able to enjoy the recreational amenities of the project and benefit from
this new community attraction along Iowa's Great River Road Scenic Byway. No fees are charged to use and enjoy the
opened natural waterway once completed. It becomes the pleasant component in area residents' days as well as part of
destination activity for enjoying all of the river amenities in Dubuque. The connection to multiple river attractions and
the activities to be carried out at the amphitheater will indeed enhance lives without out -of- pocket costs.
1. Greatest Strategic Benefits: This project has great strategic value due to its unique location as a Byway hub
linking to local, regional and national trails, riverfront parks and attractions, and historic neighborhoods.
• The project creates an off - street trail connection between the Dubuque County Heritage Trail and the Mississippi River
that does not exist at this time. Easy highway access makes it a convenient destination for Byway travelers to visit and
enjoy.
As described above, the project has demonstrated benefits for the Byway traveler. It also has benefits for the Tourism
and Commercial Development goals of the Corridor Management Plan.
• It was noted in 2007 that more than 3 million visitors travel to the area where three states (Iowa, Wisconsin, and
Illinois) meet and share the culture of the Mississippi River and family activities. Dubuque itself is host to more than 1 5
million visitors annually, the most in the three -state area.
• Tourism in Dubuque has expanded dramatically in the last decade. The Iowa Department of economic Development
lists Dubuque as outpacing rates of visitor spending of many larger metro -based Counties. Each new attraction adds to
visitor spending and travel within and from outside a 50 -mile radius.
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
• The most recent State of Iowa Tourism Impact Report contains information for 2008. It ranked Dubuque County —
primarily metro Dubuque in terms of visitor attractions — as having $3.35 million in local tax receipts from tourism and
$11.61 million in state tax receipts. About $44.22 million was spent in related salaries and wages.
1. State, Indian Tribe and Byway Priorities: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route advances the overall vision for
the Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway, as articulated in the Corridor Master Plan.
The project "presents opportunities for protecting and promoting the scenic, natural, historic, archeological, cultural, and
recreational resources of the Mississippi River so that the quality of life enjoyed by Iowans and all Midwestemers can be
sustained and a unique destination can be provided for travelers from across the world."
1. Project Benefits: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will benefit the Byway traveler, by informing the traveler
of the intrinsic qualities that support the Byway's designation, shaping the Byway's story, interpreting the
story for visitors, and improving visitor facilities along the Byway.
The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project will attract visitors from at least 50 miles away from the community as it:
• Enhances the already popular trail connection through older, historic neighborhoods to the City and county trail
systems. • Further connects new recreational opportunities with known attractions and facilities of our river community.
Dubuque attractions have demonstrated cooperation in marketing efforts targeting visitors, both in state and out of state.
• Develops partnerships between the City of Dubuque, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and regional tourism
groups to promote the project's outdoor recreational opportunities that are physically interrelated. • Focuses on attracting
people of all ages as well as promoting the health and wellness benefits of new outdoor recreational facilities.
The proposed share of Byways funds of approximately 15% is proportionate to the project's anticipated benefits to
Byway travelers. Since the project also will benefit the general public, the City of Dubuque will provide an 85% share of
non - byways funds.
1. Projects Meeting Critical Needs: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route will meet critical needs on for the Iowa
Great River Road Scenic Byway. Critical needs include activities to build and strengthen a sustainable
organization, to manage Byway activities, and to implement projects or other initiatives.
• This Byway facility will enhance and sustain existing partnerships between the City of Dubuque, the Dubuque
Community School District, and the various neighborhood associations.
• Dubuque is fortunate to have estab lished travel and visitor partnerwships, which will impact the inclusion of the Bee
Branch Creek area as an area attraction. Recently, 15 organizations in Iowa and Illinois came together to jointly promote
the middle Mississippi River Valley, often through a shared website, www.travelmississippiriver.org. The partnership
creates a new marketing and promotional effort with a local voice in the two states and is sponsored jointly by
Convention and Visitor Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce in communities from Dubuque south to Quincy, Illinois.
• The City of Dubuque, in cooperation with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and its Convention & Visitors
Bureau, has already undertaken a marketing effort for the regional and national trails in the area. Within two years, the
Byways project will become a part of the overall tourism and local resident marketing efforts of City, County and tri-
state regional groups. This marketing effort will be expanded to local and area educational institutions.
1. Funding Expenditures: The Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway shows great progress toward the completion
of prior approved projects. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route is a project waiting to happen with the support
of Byway funds.
2. Ready to Implement: The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route can be obligated and begin soon after authorization
to proceed.
• The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route is ready to implement, having complied with all state and federal regulations. The
47 properties assembled for the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route were acquired by the City of Dubuque in accordance with
the Uniform Relocation Act. The City has title to these properties through fee simple ownership.
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• The City has a Programmatic Agreement (PA) for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project in accordance with
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The PA is between the State Historic Preservation Office, Iowa
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Dubuque.
• The City has been issued a Corps 404 permit for the project. The IDNR is the lead agency on the project for design
review of construction plans and will issue the construction permit for the project. All environmental clearances are in
place.
C. Wayfinding to the Byway Facility: The Byway traveler will be able to find the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route, thanks
to the City of Dubuque's Vehicular and Bike/Hike Wayfinding Signs.
The Vehicular Wayfinding Sign Program divides the community into the six tourism districts: Downtown, Eagle Point,
College /Grandview, Port of Dubuque, South End, and West End. The Wayfinding Sign Program consists of two
systems: highway signs and tourism district signs.
• The tourism districts are highlighted on the Highway Signs on Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) standard
blue signs with white lettering and a universal color icon on the top of the sign. These signs are designed and installed by
IDOT.
• The Tourism District Signs are located on public streets within the six districts. This secondary system uses colored
icons that are specific to each of the six districts. For example, the Bee Branch Creek MRT Route is in the Eagle Point
District, and a bald eagle icon graces these signs. There are approximately 50 attractions and destinations that are
identified on the Tourism District Signs. These signs are installed by the City.
The Bi- Lingual Bike /Hike Trail Sign Program uses trailblazer signs and map kiosks in English and Spanish along the
City's existing riverfront trail system. Map kiosks are found at trail heads along the trail system.
Wayfinding highway signs, tourism district signs, and bike/hike signs currently are located along the Great River Road
Scenic Byway through Dubuque to direct the motoring public to area attractions. The Bee Branch Creek MRT Route can
be added to these sign systems.
D. Facility Maintenance and Operation: The City of Dubuque will be responsible for maintenance and operation of the
Bee Branch Creek MRT Route. Routine physical maintenance will be the obligation of the City of Dubuque Leisure
Services Department. More complex maintenance will be contracted out through the City of Dubuque Engineering
Department.
Prior Projects
1. Leveraging of Private or Other Public Funding: The City of Dubuque is prepared to commitment
approximately 85% of the estimated project costs to complement requested byway funding to enable the Bee
Branch Creek MRT Route to move forward.
Describe any relationship between this project and previously funded National Scenic Byways Program grant
projects. In addition, discuss how the proposed work relates to any multi -year work plan byway leaders have
developed.
This project is not directly related to any previously - funded NSB projects. The Bee Branch MRT project relates to
Interpretation Opportunities in the Visitor Experience Planning section of the Iowa Great River Road Corridor
Management Plan. Also, the project relates indirectly to two previously - funded NSB projects in Dubuque.
The Plan's Interpretation Opportunities sub - section refers to coordinating efforts among interpretion providers to reduce
duplication. The Bee Branch MRT project will include an outdoor classroom that can augment previously - funded Byway
facilities at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of
Spain State Park in Dubuque.
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Project Coordinator
Please provide contact information for a person responsible for this project.
Name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
E -mail:
Laura B Carstens
Planning Services Manager
City of Dubuque, Iowa
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
563 -589 -4210
563 -589 -4221
lcarsten@cityofdubuque.org
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Milestone /Task
Start
Date
Duration
Responsible
Party
Justification
Establish funding
agreement with State
AAD*
Initiate project bidding
Nov
07,
2011
30 days
Deron
Muehring,
Civil Engineer
Initiation of project bidding allows for contractors to prepare and submit bids for contruction of the byway
facility.
Award construction
contract
Dec
19,
2011
2 weeks
Deron
Muehring,
Civil Engineer
Award of the construction contract enables the City Council to select a qualified contractor to construct the
byway facility.
Finalize contract and
verify bonding with
selected contractor
Jan
16,
2012
2 weeks
Deron
Muehring,
Civil Engineer
Finalizing the construction contract and verifying that the contractor has sufficient bonding to meet City
requirements will enaure that the project can proceed and the City's interests are protected.
Pre - Construction
Conference
Jan
31,
2012
1 day
Deron
Muehring,
Civil Engineer
The Pre - Construction Conferenceensures that both the City and the Contractor are ready to begin the project,
and all contratual obligations are met, and all City, State, and Federal regulatiory requirements are explained and
understood before work commences.
Construction of the
byway facility
Feb
06,
2012
15
months
Deron
Muehring,
Civil Engineer
Initiation of construction enables the byway facility to be built. A project of this nature will required phased
construction, such as site prep work, paving, landscaping, etc. over the construction season.
SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Work Plan
* AAD = Actual Award Date (estimated to be October 01, 2011)
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#
Description
Total Cost
Requested
Match
1.
Trail site clearing & prep work
46,000
15,000
31,000
2.
Trail construction & paving
448,000
149,000
299,000
3.
Trail lighting
169,000
56,000
113,000
4.
Trail markings & signage
12,100
4,000
8,100
5.
Base restoration
398,000
132,500
265,500
6.
Landscaping (trees, shrubs, mulch)
195,000
65,000
130,000
7.
Irrigation system
86,400
28,800
57,600
8.
Amphitheater /outdoor classroom
240,000
80,000
160,000
9.
24th St Outfall Overlook Plaza
889,000
296,300
592,700
10.
Bike /ped bridge - low flow channel
61,200
20,400
40,800
11.
Railroad bike /ped underpass
549,820
153,000
396,820
12.
Property acquisition & Relocation
3,500,000
0
3,500,000
Total
$6,594,520
$1,000,000
$5,594,520
Source
Type
Description
Amount
City of Dubuque
Cash
5,594,520
Total
$5,594,520
SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Budget
Cost Breakdown
Matching Funds
Funding Allocation
Do the byways involved in the project cross any Federal Lands? (Check all that apply)
o Bureau of Indian Affairs
o Bureau of Land Management
o Fish and Wildlife Service
o National Park Service
o USDA Forest Service
If this project is selected for funding, please indicate your preference for carrying out the project (check one):
• FHWA allocates the funds for the project to the State DOT
o FHWA allocates the funds for the project to one of the Federal Land Management agencies marked
above (provide contact information below)
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
o FHWA allocates the funds for the project to an Indian tribe or tribal government (provide contact
information below)
If funding should be allocated to a Federal land management agency or Indian tribal organization, please provide
contact information for that organization:
Phone:
Fax:
E -mail:
Attachments
Use this as a checklist to verify that all attachments are provided with your printed application.
❑ Map #1
Digital version: Map #1.pdf (766.8 KB)
❑ Map #2
Digital version: Map #2.pdf (736.1 KB)
Digital version: Map #3.pdf (980.1 KB)
cis
Digital version: Map #4.jpq (128.2 KB)
This map locates the Great River Road Byway within the State of Iowa including the
beginning and end points of the byway.
This map shows the location of the proposed Dubuque facility on the Iowa Great River Road
Scenic Byway, and places the Byway in its geographic context in relation to the surrounding
states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota.
❑ Map #3
This map depicts the location of the proposed facility in relation to the Iowa Great River
Road and the Mississippi River Trail in the city of Dubuque.
❑ Map #4
This map provides a neighborhood context for the proposed facility, identifying connections
to the Iowa Great River Road and the Miississippi River Trail.
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
This site plan depicts the proposed project site in a neighborhood context, with connections
to the Byway and the MRT, the proximity to Comiskey Park, and key components
highlighted: the restored Bee Branch Creek and related water quality improvements, the
bike /hike trail, the waterfall overlook, parking, amphitheater /outdoor classroom, bike /ped bridge, and bike /ped
underpass.
Digital version: Bite Plan.jpg (133.1 KB)
Digital version: Rendering #1 jog (78.8 KB)
.4441.Et
rf
❑ Site Plan
❑ Rendering #1
This artist's rendering depicts the Bee Branch Creek, the bike/hike trail (MRT Route)
landscaping and lighting, an overlook, and a three- arched bridge.
❑ Rendering #2
Digital version: Rendering #2.jpq (65.7 KB)
Digital version: Rendering #3.joq (63.3 KB)
Digital version: Rendering #4.jpq (98.1 KB)
Digital version: Rendering #5.jpq (73.9 KB)
This artist's rendering depicts the Bee Branch Creek, the bike/hike trail (MRT Route)
landscaping and lighting.
❑ Rendering #3
This artist's rendering depicts the Bee Branch Creek, the bike/hike trail (MRT Route)
landscaping and lighting, the amphitheater /outdoor classroom, and a three- arched bridge.
❑ Rendering #4
This artist's rendering depicts the Bee Branch Creek, the bike/hike trail (MRT Route)
landscaping and lighting, an overlook, and a three- arched bridge in the neighborhood
context.
❑ Rendering #5
This digital rendering depicts the Waterfall Overlook, at the outfall of the Bee Branch Creek,
at 24th Street near Comiskey Park.
❑ Rendering #6
This digital rendering depicts the three- arched bridges, with the center arch for the creek and
an outside arch for the bike/hike trail (MRT Route).
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SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Digital version: Rendering #6.joq (70.1 KB)
❑ Scenic Images #1
This attachments depicts scenic images of Dubuque attractions.
Digital version: Scenic Images #1.jpq (94.2 KB)
❑ Scenic Images #2
This attachments depicts scenic images of Dubuque historic buildings and districts.
Digital version: Scenic Images #2.joq (89.7 KB)
❑ Scenic Images #3
This attachments depicts scenic images of Dubuque's riverfront.
Digital version: Scenic Images #3.jpq (105.5 KB)
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Please print name:
Laura Carstens
Title:
Planning Services Manager
Signature:
Date:
SB- 2011 -IA- 56548: Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
Signatures
Application Completeness
certify that this application is complete and correct, and is eligible for National Scenic Byways funding. (This
should be completed by the State's scenic byways coordinator.)
Please print name:
Signature:
Title:
Date:
Matching Funds Certification
I certify that the matching funds for this project are available for use at the time of application.
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MAP'
AERATION FEATURE
BAFFLED VOKTEX
SEPARATOR (ENS)
Bee Branch Creek MRT Route
t : TORM SEWER OUT FALL
RETENTION FIELDS (BRF)
(TYP.OF 6)
Public Parking Lot
•
AERAIION FEATURE
Public Urban
Orchard
EXTENSION OF HERITAGE
TRAIL REGIONAL
BIKE/PED FACILITY
/
IN-LINE COARSE
SEDIMENT BAY
A
7‘
•
'1i;t*N
NEW 22ND
ST BRIDGE
KEY
Great River Road
Mississippi River Trail
Bypass Connection
FLOODPUUN
CHANNEL (F°
NEW RHOMBERG
ST BRIDGE
• 0 2 101I
,
(b/
I
44. -
4
4 k-
IN-UNECOARSE
SEDIMENT BAY
1/
LEVEL CONTROL
FEATURE %MTH 1
AERATION CLCF)
NEW RARROADEMIDGE