Downtown Street Improve 2000
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 30, 2000
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Downtown Street Improvements--Year 2000
Public Works Director Mike Koch is recommending that the City enter into a
contract with WHKS and Company to design street and sidewalk improvements for
6th Street from Locust Street to Bluff Street, the northerly portion of 5th Street
between Main Street and Iowa Street and 6th Street between Main Street and the
alley east. The not to exceed design fees are $41,000.
These are areas that should be designed to fit into the 8th Street/Town Clock Plaza
theme. These areas either abut the new CIGNA building and the expanded 5th
Street Parking Ramp or Washington Park and the new Dubuque Museum of Art.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
cc:
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
Mike Koch, Public Works Director
Jim Burke, Community and Economic Development Director
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Attachment
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 28, 2000
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
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SUBJECT:
Downtown Street Improvements - Calendar Year 2000
INTRODUCTION
As part of the Fiscal Year 2000 street reconstruction project, the City is anticipating
the reconstruction of 7th Street from Locust to Bluff Street; 6th Street from Locust
to Bluff Street; reconstruction of the northerly portion of 5th Street between Main
Street and Iowa Street adjacent to the new CIGNA building; and the reconstruction of
6th Street between Main Street and the alley east, also adjacent to the CIGNA
building.
DESCRIPTION
The reconstruction of 6th and 7th Streets have been included in the five-year street
construction program for a number of years. The improvement of 7th Street was
delayed intentionally until after the construction of the Dubuque Museum of Art.
The reconstruction/repairs to 5th and 6th Streets are the result of the construction
activity surrounding the new CIGNA building. It is the intention on all of these projects
to continue the same design themes which were utilized on the 8th Street
Reconstruction Project to various degrees throughout the downtown area. The
intensity of the amenities may diminish as the projects extend farther away from 8th
and Main Streets; however, they would continue some of the same themes, which
would help to tie the downtown districts together.
It is anticipated that the intersections of Locust both at 6th and 7th Street would be
reconstructed identical to that of the intersection of 8th and Main Street, to provide
continuity across Locust Street into Washington Park and the Post Office. In addition,
the outer perimeter of sidewalks on surrounding Washington Park could be replaced
with brick sidewalks or brick accents.
Currently, it is unknown how 6th Street would be reconstructed (i.e., steps, plaza, or
paving). and this issue will require a certain amount of study, discussion, and analysis
to determine how this area would best fit in with the revitalization of the balance of
the Plaza.
Enclosed are preliminary sketches generally showing the anticipated improvements to
6th, 7th, between Locust and Bluff, and 5th Street. Because of the creation of a drop-
off area for the CIGNA building, 5th Street will be narrowed by approximately 10 to
12 feet. This will also create an additional space for landscaping and other aesthetic
improvements. The existing back-in diagonal parking stalls on 5th Street would be
replaced with three parallel parking stalls on the north side of 5th Street, and a drop-
off area would be constructed in front of the CIGNA building on 5th Street.
RECOMMENDATION
The Downtown Traffic Study visualized the development of a common theme for
streetscapes and landscaping along both arterial and local roadways to provide linkages
between the various downtown districts. With City Council approval, I would request
authorization to hire WHKS & Co. to assist City staff in the development of these
themes to be incorporated into the City staff's preparation of the plans and
specifications for 6th and 7th Street. If you recall, WHKS is the consulting firm who
did the planning and construction drawings for 8th Street, and the conceptual planning
for the redevelopment of Main Street.
In addition, I would recommend that WHKS be hired to develop plans for the
reconstruction of 5th and 6th Streets, adjacent to the new CIGNA building. A
significant portion of these existing planters on 6th Street have already been removed
for the construction of the CIGNA building. Replacement of this area could range from
simple patching, to a total reconstruction as a plaza or as a street. It is my
recommendation that the entire area of 6th Street, from Main Street to the alley west
of Iowa Street, be reconstructed in the Year 2000, to coincide with the planned
opening of the CIGNA building in the fall. It is the intention that all of these projects
would be completed this calendar year.
The cost for the architectural fees for all of the above is a "not to exceed" cost of
$41,000, which will consist of evaluating existing conditions and the issues that need
to be addressed. The cost includes a detailed design survey, a short public input
session with property owners, conceptual plan alternatives, and a work session with
the City Council. Phase II would include the development of final plans and
specifications. The cost for Phase II will be determined as the project progresses and
a more detailed scope of services can be determined.
BUDGET IMPACT
Currently there are funds in the Fiscal Year 2000 paving project to cover the
expenditures for 6th and 7th Streets. The fees for 5th and 6th Street can be covered
by CIP funds for the Town Clock Amenities project.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I would recommend that the City Council authorize hiring WHKS & Co. to assist City
staff in the architectural design of 7th and 8th Street, and enter into a contract with
WHKS to develop plans and specifications for the reconstruction of 5th and 6th
Streets from Main Street to the alley west of Iowa Street.
MAK/vjd
cc: Jim Burke, Community/Economic Development Director
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Mike Felderman, Civil Engineer