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Brownfields Grant ApplicationMasterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Brownfields Assessment Grant DATE: December 1, 2011 Dubuque kard All- America City I 2007 Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann is recommending submittal of an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $400,000 in financial assistance in doing Brownfield Assessment in the City of Dubuque. The City now does evaluate properties for environmental contamination. This would assist the City with those costs. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. te41 Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director Optional Documents for Submission s ��-- GRANTS.G OV" Grant Application Package Opportunity Title: Offering Agency: CFDA Number: CFDA Description: Opportunity Number: Competition ID: Opportunity Open Data: Opportunity Close Date: Agency Contact: Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants Environmental Protection Agency 66.818 Browntields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreemen EPA- OSWER- OBLR -11 -05 09/28/2011 11/28/2011 Megan Quinn, 202 -566 -2773 is electronic grants application is intended to 'be used to apply for the specific Federal funding opportunity referenced here. If the Federal funding opportunity listed is not the opportunity for which you want to apply, close this application package by clicking on the "Cancel" button at the top of this screen. You will then need to locate the correct Federal funding opportunity, download its application and then apply. This opportunity is only open to organizations, applicants who are submitting grant applications on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. "Application Filing Name: Mandatory Documents City of Dubuque_- FY2012 Brownfield. Optional Documents • Move Form to Complete Move Form to Delete Move Form to Submission List Move Form to Delete Mandatory Documents for Submission Application for Federal Assistamoe (SF -929) Other Attachments Form Project Narrative Attaohment Form Budget Information for Non - Construction Program: Enter a name for the application In the Application Filing Name field. - This application can be completed in its entirety offline; however, you will need to login to the Grants gov webslte during the submission process. - You can save your application at any time by clicking the "Save" button at the top of your screen. - The "Save & Submit" button will not be functional until all required data fields in the application are completed and you clicked on the "Check Package for Errors" button and confirmed all data required data fields are completed. Open and complete all of the documents listed In the "Mandatory Documents" box. 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If you enter Invalid or Incomplete Information in a field, you will receive an error message Click the "Save & Submit" button to submit your application to Grants.gov. - Once you have properly completed all required documents and attached any required or optional documentation, save the completed application by clicking on the "Save" button. - Click on the "Check Package for Errors" button to ensure that you have completed all required data fields. Correct any errors or If none are found, save the application package. - The "Save & Submit" button will become active, click on the "Save & Submit" button to begin the application submission process. - You will be taken to the applicant login page to enter your Grants gov username and password_ Follow all onscreen Instructions for submission. OMB Number: 4040 -0004 Expiration Date: 03/31/2012 Application for Federal Assistance SF -424 * 1. Type of Submission: Preapplication Application * 2. Type of Application: * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): X New Continuation * Other (Specify): X Application Changed /Corrected • Revision * 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. 5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier: State Use Only: 6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier: 8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: * a. Legal Name: city of Dubuque, Iowa * b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): * c. Organizational DUNS: 426004596 0931053020000 d. Address: * Streetl: Street2: * City: County /Parish: *State: Province: *Country: * Zip / Postal Code: 50 West 13th Dubuque IA: Iowa USA: UNITED STATES 52001 -4805 e. Organizational Unit: Department Name: Division Name: City Manager's Office f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Prefix: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: * First Name: ms. Cindy Steinhauser Title: Assistant City Manager Organizational Affiliation: *Telephone Number: 563 - 589 -4110 Fax Number: 563 - 589 -4149 *Email: csteinha @cityofdubuque.org Application for Federal Assistance SF -424 * 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: C: City or Township Government Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type: * Other (specify): * 10. Name of Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency 11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 66.818 CFDA Title: Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements * 12. Funding Opportunity Number: EPA - OSWER - OBLR -11 -05 * Title: Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants 13. Competition Identification Number: Title: 14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.): Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment * 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project: FY 2012 Brownfields Community -Wide Assessment Application Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. Add Attachments Delete Attachments 1 View Attachments Application for Federal Assistance SF -424 16. Congressional * a. Applicant Districts Of: IA 1 b. Program /Project IA 1 Attach an additional list of Program /Project Congressional Districts if needed. Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attaehrrlerlt !, 17. Proposed * a. Start Date: Project: 09/01/2012 * b. End Date: 08/31/2015 18. Estimated Funding ($): * a. Federal * b. Applicant * c. State * d. Local * e. Other * f. Program Income *g. TOTAL 400, 000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0. 0 0 0.00 400,000.00 * 19. Is Application a. This application Subject to Review By State Under Executive was made available to the State under is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected is not covered by E.O. 12372. Order 12372 Process? the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on . by the State for review. b. Program X c. Program * 20. Is the Applicant Yes If "Yes ", provide Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.) © No explanation and attach Add Attachment D iete Attachment View At nt 21. *By signing herein are true, comply with any subject me to this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the hst of certifications ** and (2) that the statements complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. 1 also provide the required assurances ** and agree to resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) and assurances, or an Internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency X ** I AGREE ** The list of certifications specific instructions. Authorized Representative: Prefix: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: * First Name: Cindy Steinhauser *Title: Assistant City Manager * Telephone Number: 563 - 589 -4110 Fax Number: 563 - 589 -4149 *Email: csteinha @cityofdubuque.org * Signature of Authorized Representative: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. * Date Signed: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. Other Attachment File(s) * Mandatory Other Attachment Filename: Dubuque Letters of Support.pdf Add Mandatory Other Attachmen Delete Mandatory Other Attachment] I. View Mandatory Other Attachment To add more "Other Attachment" attachments, please use the attachment buttons below. Add Optional Other Attachmen Delete Optional Other Attachment 1 1 View Optional Other Attachment Project Narrative File(s) * Mandatory Project Narrative File Filename: Add Mandatory Project Narrative File Dubuque Brownfields Assessment Grant Narrative.pdf Delete Mandatory , Project Narrative File View Mandatory Project Narrative File To add more Project Narrative File attachments, please use the attachment buttons below. Add Optional Project Narrative File I Delete Optional Project Narrative File Project Narrative File BUDGET INFORMATION - Non - Construction Programs OMB Number: 4040 -0006 Expiration Date: 06/30/2014 SECTION A - BUDGET SUMMARY Grant Program Function or Activity (a) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (b) Estimated Unobligated Funds New or Revised Budget Federal (c) Non - Federal (d) Federal (e) Non - Federal (f) Total (g) 1 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Hazardous 66.818 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 200,000.00 $ 0.00 $ 200,000.00 2. Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Petroleum 66.818 200,000.00 0.00 200,000.00 0.00 0.00 3. 4. 5. Totals $ 400,000.00 $ $ 400,000.00 $ $ Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97) Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1 SECTION B - BUDGET CATEGORIES 6. Object Class Categories GRANT PROGRAM, FUNCTION OR ACTIVITY Total (5) (1) (2) (3) (4) Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Hazardous Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Petroleum a. Personnel $ $ 50,000.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00 $ b. Fringe Benefits 5,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 C. Travel 4,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 d. Equipment 0.00 0.00 e. Supplies 4,000.00 4,000.00 8,000.00 f. Contractual 310,000.00 155,000.00 155,000.00 g. Construction 0.00 0.00 h. Other 18,000.00 9,000.00 9,000.00 i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a -6h) $ 400,000.00 200,000.00 200,000.00 j. Indirect Charges $ k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $ 400,000.00 $ 200,000.00 $ 200,000.00 $ $ 7. Program Income $ $ $ $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97) Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1A SECTION C - NON - FEDERAL RESOURCES (a) Grant Program (b) Applicant (c) State (d) Other Sources (e)TOTALS 8. Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Hazardous $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 9. Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Petroleum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10. 11. 12. TOTAL (sum of lines 8 -11) $ $ $ $ SECTION D - FORECASTED CASH NEEDS 13. Federal Total for 1st Year 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter $ 4th Quarter 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 300,000.00 14. Non - Federal $ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15. TOTAL (sum of lines 13 and 14) $ 300,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 SECTION E - BUDGET ESTIMATES OF FEDERAL FUNDS NEEDED FOR BALANCE OF THE PROJECT (a) Grant Program FUTURE FUNDING PERIODS (YEARS) (b)First (c) Second (d) Third (e) Fourth 16. Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Hazardous $ 150,000.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 17. Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement - Petroleum 150,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 18. 19. 20. TOTAL (sum of lines 16 -19) $ 300,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ SECTION F - OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION 22. Indirect Charges: 21. Direct Charges: 23. Remarks: Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97) Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 2 1. Community Need a. Health, Welfare, and Environment — The City of Dubuque seeks EPA Community -Wide Assessment funding to characterize the environmental contamination of and develop reuse plans for former industrial and commercial properties in its Downtown Urban Renewal District. Specifically, the City seeks to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas: • South Port — The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial property adjacent to downtown, has a history of hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. Bordering the Mississippi River, the area has been the home to shipbuilding and repair facilities, bulk petroleum and coal storage operations, food processing plants, farm machinery manufacturers, and lead mining activity since the early 1800s. In the mid- 2000s, Dubuque received EPA funding to assess and clean up its comparable North Port, launching an urban renaissance that converted once abandoned waterfront property into a new urban neighborhood, complete with tourist attractions and commercial and recreational complexes. The City seeks additional EPA investment to begin a similar effort in the South Port. • Historic Millwork District — The Millwork District, a 43 -acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the low- income Washington neighborhood. Dubuque has initiated an effort to reestablish the area as a regional engine of growth, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. • Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Within the low- income Washington neighborhood, the City is resurrecting a buried creek and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. The City is also creating a linear park along the Bee Branch Creek, with amenities including an amphitheater, bike /hike trails, bridges, lighting, and landscaping. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties, including salvage yards, food processing plants and foundries, for needed multi - family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess several of these properties to encourage their reuse. Brownfields in the three targeted areas pose a number of health, welfare and environmental risks. Dubuque's previous brownfields remediation activities on similar properties have revealed a mix of hazardous materials and petroleum contamination in the soil and groundwater, including: • Metals and inorganic metals, such as arsenic, lead, mercury and barium; and • Volatile and semi - organic compounds, including Acetone, Methylene Chloride, Phenanthrene, Trichloroethene (TCE), and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The City expects to find an analoguous mix of hazardous materials and petroleum contamination in the project's target areas, likely resulting in subsurface soil and groundwater pollution. EPA has designated some of the materials found in Dubuque's previous brownfield remediation efforts as priority pollutants. As such, they are highly carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. The existence of these contaminants in the targeted areas would pose significant health concerns. Residents most at risk would include those living in the low- income Washington neighborhood, site of the Bee Branch Creek and adjacent to the Millwork District. Pregnant women and children would be particularly at risk in the Washington neighborhood. High prenatal exposure to PAH is associated with lower IQ and childhood asthma. The Center for Children's Environmental Health states that exposure to PAH pollution during pregnancy is related to adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight, premature delivery and heart malformations. Cord blood of babies exposed to PAH pollution has been linked to cancer. The potential presence of TCE also poses a number of significant human health risks. In September 2011, EPA assessed TCE as "carcinogenic to humans and as a human noncancer health hazard." TCE exposure has been demonstrated to affect the central nervous system, immune system, secretion system, organs such as the liver and kidney, and fetal development. Sensitive populations in the surrounding neighborhoods, including infants and children, and those with certain diseases (e.g., diabetes) or lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption), are more at risk to TCE exposure than the average individual. Environmental contamination also poses a risk to aquatic life in the Mississippi River. A previously discovered petroleum plume in the North Port was demonstrated to have impacted fish, bald eagles, ducks, and other flora and fauna. Assessing and cleaning up brownfields on the properties adjoining the river will safeguard fish and fowl, and protect vulnerable populations within Dubuque who depend upon the Mississippi River to provide food for their tables. Furthermore, abandoned and vacant brownfields have produced a negative psychological impact on Dubuque's residents. Many of these brownfields properties have cut people off from the Mississippi River, and created disconnections between downtown neighborhoods. Dark, lifeless streets have attracted crime, and for years new development has bypassed downtown for the suburbs. Residents and visitors entering Dubuque on U.S. 20 West are also greeted by the South Port brownfields, presenting a poor gateway to the city and state. b. Financial Need 1 1Jata from 2010 U.S. Census; 2 Data from Bureau of Labor Sta isrics, September 1011; 3 lsata irom ZwD- While EPA funding will provide benefits to the entire community, the primary beneficiary of redevelopment activity in the Bee Branch area and Millwork District will be the low- income residents of Washington neighborhood, located in Census Tract 1 of Dubuque, Iowa. Residents of Washington neighborhood, which is 26.0% minority as compared to 8.3% for the City, experience higher poverty rates and lower per capita incomes. Within the specific Census Tract where all project activities will occur, residents experience much higher poverty rates and significantly lower per capita incomes than the rates for Dubuque, the State of Iowa and the United States. Economic disinvestment in the downtown and job flight to the suburbs has impacted the residents of the Washington neighborhood the hardest. The adjacent and abandoned Millwork Census Tract Dubuque State of Iowa National Population: 3,127 1 57,637 1 3,046,355 1 308,745,538 1 Unemployment Rate: N/A 4.8% 2 6.0% 2 9.1% 2 Poverty Rate: 40.8% 3 10.6% 3 11.4%3 13.5 %' Percent Minority: 26.0% 1 8.3% 1 8.7% 1 26.7% 1 Per Capita Income: $14,551 3 $22,847 3 $25,060 3 $27,041 3 1 1Jata from 2010 U.S. Census; 2 Data from Bureau of Labor Sta isrics, September 1011; 3 lsata irom ZwD- While EPA funding will provide benefits to the entire community, the primary beneficiary of redevelopment activity in the Bee Branch area and Millwork District will be the low- income residents of Washington neighborhood, located in Census Tract 1 of Dubuque, Iowa. Residents of Washington neighborhood, which is 26.0% minority as compared to 8.3% for the City, experience higher poverty rates and lower per capita incomes. Within the specific Census Tract where all project activities will occur, residents experience much higher poverty rates and significantly lower per capita incomes than the rates for Dubuque, the State of Iowa and the United States. Economic disinvestment in the downtown and job flight to the suburbs has impacted the residents of the Washington neighborhood the hardest. The adjacent and abandoned Millwork District isolated the Washington neighborhood from downtown, and served to separate the community from the Mississippi River. Until recently, most job creation and economic activity was occurring on the fringe of the city. A poorly designed transit system limited access to those opportunities, and further segregated the Washington neighborhood. Several Dubuque- initiated activities have begun to reverse the fortunes of the Washington neighborhood. First, the City worked with community organizations to open the Crescent Community Health Center in 2006, which provides affordable, quality health care services to Dubuque's low- income population. Next, moderate income housing was created alongside the Center to provide improved housing for residents. New economic activity in the North Port has created increasing job opportunities downtown. This year, the City received funding from FTA to redesign bus transit routes to expand transportation options for low- income residents of Washington Neighborhood. And fmally, the City's effort to daylight the Bee Branch Creek has renewed revitalization interest in the Washington neighborhood, attracting developers seeking to create affordable housing. EPA Assessment funding will continue that positive trend and expand economic development opportunities for Washington neighborhood residents. EPA funding will also help the Dubuque remain focused on the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Unfortunately, Dubuque County just received its seventh Presidential Disaster Declaration in the past 11 years. In addition to the traditional concerns that communities across the country are experiencing due to the downturn in the economy, the region has dealt with costly floods and high damages to infrastructure such as bridges, secondary roads and recreational trails, magnifying the distress of the area. EPA Assessment funding will be a significant boost to revitalization efforts and near -term economic activity following these events. 2. Project Description and Feasibility of Success a. Project Description — The City of Dubuque seeks EPA Assessment funding to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas of its Downtown Urban Renewal District: • The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial waterfront property adjacent to downtown; • The Historic Millwork District, an abandoned portion of downtown with over one million square feet of vacant, historic warehouse space; and • The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area, where the City is daylighting a creek and developing green infrastructure to improve stormwater management and reduce flooding. South Port — The Port of Dubuque area was among the first areas settled in what would become the City of Dubuque, and the State of Iowa. Its proximity to the Mississippi River made the area convenient for a variety of industrial uses, including shipbuilding and repair, bulk petroleum and coal storage, food processing, farm machinery manufacturing, and lead mining activity. The Port is divided into two main sections: the North Port and the South Port. To date, all of the redevelopment in the area has occurred in the North Port, and the South Port remains largely industrial or underutilized. Dubuque seeks to continue a major riverfront revitalization effort by reclaiming brownfields properties at the South Port for mixed -use development. The 33 -acre South Port is bordered by the Ice Harbor on the north, the Mississippi River on the east and railroad tracks and the U.S. 151/61 freeway on the west. Visitors traveling on U.S. 20 West enter the Dubuque at the South Port. As a gateway to the city and the state, this site presents a poor image because it lacks urban design, aesthetics, vegetation, and amenities. While accessible to highway, rail and river traffic, it is inhospitable to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and personal vehicles. A floodwall and levee system along the Mississippi River and an active industrial harbor inhibits waterfront access. Redevelopment of the Port has long been identified as a community priority. In the late 1990s, the community name together for the America's River planning process to repair its relationship to the Mississippi. At that time, the 120 -acre Port was plagued by environmental issues, undervalued property and a mix of heavy industrial uses adjacent to downtown. Residents and visitors were physically and psychologically disconnected from the river. In 2001,- the City Council initiated a year -long community planning and design effort to craft a comprehensive, long -term vision and redevelopment concept for the Port. The planning process began with a 10- member committee, including representatives from the City, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque County Historical Society, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, and private developer Platinum Hospitality. This committee worked with local property owners, developers, City Council members and residents to gather input on the most appropriate plan for the Port. Based upon that feedback, the Dubuque City Council adopted the Port of Dubuque Master Plan and Design Standards in 2002, as well as an Urban Renewal Plan for tax increment financing and a Planned Unit Development (RUE)) zoning designation. The near - complete first phase of the America's River project transformed the North Port into a destination by reclaiming brownfields and creating a place where people can reconnect with the river. This redevelopment provided a much needed boost to Dubuque's struggling economy, tourism and image, and created a world class venue to experience the Mississippi River. The next phase of revitalization envisioned through the America's River punning process, and adopted again as a top ten goal in the Envision 2010: Ten Community Projects by 2010 community visioning exercise, is the rehabilitation of the South Port. The South Port area has experienced a steady industrial decline over the past 40 years, and some of the facilities have been closed and abandoned for decades. The goal is to redevelop the South Port as a new downtown neighborhood, where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a pedestrian and transit- oriented environment. The City also seeks to extend its Riverwalk from the North Port into the South Port, and connect the trail to the Mines of Spain Recreation Area. The City seeks EPA funding to initiate a project in the South Port that will assess and remediate brownfeld sites, remove dilapidated structures, spur redevelopment, provide multi -modal transportation options, and restore historic properties. Specifically, EPA Assessment funding will be used to conduct 7 -8 Phase I assessments and 3 -4 Phase II assessments in the South Port, and will support community engagement efforts to develop a comprehensive reuse plan. Historic Millwork District — At the turn of the 20th Century, Dubuque's Millwork District was the backbone of the regional economy. Once the United State's largest millwork district, the area housed dozens of companies, employed over 2,500 workers and connected downtown to the Port of Dubuque and the surrounding neighborhoods. Today, Dubuque's Millwork District covers 19 acres and contains over one million square feet of nearly vacant warehouse space. In 2005, Dubuque launched a community visioning effort to reclaim the Millwork District, reimagining the area within its Downtown Master Plan as a livable community energized with housing, retail, offices, galleries, entertainment, and employment opportunities. Revitalization of the Millwork District was identified as an Envision 2010: Ten Community Projects by 2010 priority in 2006. In 2007, the Dubuque City Council adopted a Millwork District Revitalization Strategy, and subsequently commissioned the Historic Millwork District Master Plan to reestablish the area as a regional engine of growth. Upon project completion, the Millwork District will house over 1,000 new residents and employ more than 1,000 new workers. The Historic Millwork District Master Plan is a model for combining historic preservation and sustainability. The Plan builds upon the Millwork District's strengths: its size, unique building stock and proximity to the Mississippi River and downtown. It envisions new residents and technologies inhabiting old spaces. It seeks to create a unique area downtown where the arts will flourish. Furthermore, it aims to showcase innovative green technologies, including: • Efficient electrical, heating, and cooling systems that minimize the area's carbon footprint; • Development of Complete Streets, funded with a DOT TIGER grant, to provide residents with walking, biking and bus transportation options; and • Green infrastructure, including parks, vegetation and open space, to improve air and water quality, and enhance quality of life. Revitalization of the Millwork District will also provide new economic opportunities for Dubuque's Washington neighborhood, the adjacent low - income area disconnected from downtown. Redevelopment of the Millwork District's abandoned building stock will create immediate construction jobs, and produce long -term retail and other professional jobs. EPA Assessment funding will enable Dubuque to conduct 4 -5 Phase I assessments and 2 -3 Phase II assessments in the Millwork District, and will further support comprehensive reuse planning. Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque's Bee Branch Creek Restoration project will restore approximately 7,700 feet of the Bee Branch Creek, which was removed in the 1960s to make more land available for residential development. Since that time, several floods have occurred in the area and the existing stormwater management infrastructure has not been capable of handling large rain events. This nearly $47 million project will reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties in Dubuque's Washington neighborhood, one of the city's oldest and most - challenged neighborhoods. In addition to serving as green infrastructure, the Bee Branch project will create a community attraction for residents and visitors, improve the quality of life for neighborhood residents, serve as a catalyst for economic development, and positively impact property values. The project includes the creation of a linear park along the open waterway with amenities including an amphitheater, bike /hike trails, bridges, lighting, and landscaping. Completion of the project will also enhance recreational opportunities on the Mississippi River. Many of the properties bordering the Bee Branch have a history of industrial and commercial uses, including salvage yards, food processing plants and foundries. Previous environmental assessments in the area have found the presence of hazardous substances and petroleum e Budget Categories Project Tasks (programmatic costs only) Task 1: Community Engagement Task 2: Site Assessments Task 3: Reuse Planning Task 4: Project Management Total Personnel $6,250 $6,250 $6,250 $6,250 $25,000 Fringe Benefits $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $5,000 Travel $0 $0 $O $2,000 $2,000 Equipment $O $0 $O $0 $O Supplies $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $4,000 Contractual $10,000 $120,000 $25,000 $0 $155,000 Meeting Expenses $4,500 $O $4,500 $O $9,000 Total $23,000 $128,500 $38,000 $10,500 $200,000 contamination. While the City's restoration initiative has revived developer interest in the Bee Branch area, redevelopment has been stalled due to the uncertainty of environmental pollution. The City seeks EPA Assessment funding to unlock the redevelopment potential of properties along the Bee Branch. Community visioning processes have identified the need for new multi- family housing for neighborhood residents, and several sites have been identified as potential locations, including the reuse of an early 1900s foundry. EPA funding will allow Dubuque to conduct 4 -5 Phase I assessments and 2 -3 Phase II assessments in the Bee Branch area, and will help the City harness community excitement in the area's reuse. b. Budget, Tracking and Measuring Progress, and Leveraging Other Resources i. Budget Table and Task Description m Budget Categories Project Tasks (programmatic costs only) Task 1: Community Engagement Task 2: Site Assessments Task 3: Reuse Planning Task 4: Project Management Total Personnel $6,250 $6,250 $6,250 $6,250 $25,000 Fringe Benefits $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $5,000 Travel $0 $O $0 $2,000 $2,000 Equipment $0 $O $O $0 $O Supplies $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $4,000 Contractual $10,000 $120,000 $25,000 $0 $155,000 Meeting Expenses $4,500 $0 $4,500 $0 $9,000 Total $23,000 $128,500 $38,000 $10,500 $200,000 Task I - Community Engagement - Dubuque will continue to seek community input through public forums and meetings between the City and interested citizens in order to build consensus on the cleanup and reuse of the brownfields properties. Staff from the City, environmental professionals and Iowa DNR will work within the existing framework of citizen task forces, advisory groups and other neighborhood associations. Special outreach into the community will be handled through community meetings, speaker's bureaus, newsletter mailings, web sites, social media, and meetings with neighborhood organizations, church groups and other organizations. EPA grant funds will also be used to produce brownfields educational materials and site - specific outreach for residents, community groups, property owners, and businesses in the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Funding is included for Dubuque personnel to manage the community involvement activities, as well as limited meeting expenses. Task 2 — Site Assessments — With Community -Wide Brownfields Assessment Grant funding, Dubuque will initiate and complete up to 16 Phase I ESAs (8 hazardous substances, 8 petroleum), estimated at $2,500 each, in the project's target areas. Dubuque plans to conduct up to 8 Phase II ESAs (4 hazardous substances, 4 petroleum), estimated at $25,000 each, in the targeted areas. These activities will be contracted to qualified environmental professionals Of the proposed budget, 77.5 percent of the grant assistance funds would be expended directly toward achieving Phase I and Phase II ESA results. Funding is included for Dubuque personnel to manage the site assessment activities. Task 3 — Reuse Planning — Following the City's review of the assessments for the selected sites, cleanup and reuse plans will be developed by qualified environmental professionals, economic reuse experts and the community. These planning activities will include the consideration of which reuse options and feasible economic approaches are consistent with the public health and environmental objectives at these sites. Funding is included for Dubuque personnel to manage the cleanup and reuse planning activities, as well as limited meeting costs. Task 4 — Proiect Management — This task includes the management, implementation and execution of the grant as a whole. Limited funding will support the time of the project manager, who will serve as a liaison between EPA Region 7 and Dubuque, and will be responsible for assuring compliance with the administrative and reporting requirements of the cooperative agreement. Travel expenses have also been set aside to attend EPA's national brownfields conference and other regional brownfield conferences over the course of the project period to learn best practices and identify ways to leverage EPA resources. ii. Tracking and Measuring Progress — Upon grant award, the Dubuque project team will develop a detailed work plan with clear milestones, including performance measures to track outputs and outcomes. The designated project manager will provide monthly reports to the City Manager on project progress. Expected outputs of the project will include: 16 Phase I ESAs, 8 Phase II ESAs, numerous community meetings held, and the development of reuse plans in the project's target areas. The project team will measure the following outcomes: number of jobs created, dollars leveraged, acres redeveloped, and health impacts avoided. iii. Leveraging — The City has extensive experience leveraging federal dollars with additional public and private resources. By way of example, EPA's $400,000 investment of Assessment and Cleanup grants in Dubuque's North Port revitalization was leveraged with more than $400 million in other federal and state dollars, including funding from EDA, DOT, HUD, Iowa DNR, and Iowa DOT, as well as private investment capital. Dubuque has already begun to secure funding commitments to support downtown revitalization. To date, the following federal and state resources have been committed: South Port - To prepare for revitalization activities in the South Port, the City and site owners in the area have agreed to jointly market the properties for redevelopment. The state has also purchased property in the area for a future new bridge to span the Mississippi River. Historic Millwork District - The Millwork District project is funded through a combination of: • Dubuque identified public and private resources to develop the District Master Plan and Market Analysis, including $84,727 from RDA.; • Public and private resources were tapped to hire a District Resource Development Director; • Dubuque has secured more than $28 million in pledges from private developers; • Dubuque has been awarded $120,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge grants to support redevelopment in the Millwork District; • Dubuque has qualified for more than $20 million in state historic tax credits and over $17 million in federal historic tax credits; • Dubuque received a $5.6 million DOT TIGER grant in 2010 to develop Complete Streets in the Millwork District, providing greater transportation choice for Millwork District residents and the adjacent low- income Washington neighborhood; • Dubuque received an $8 million FM, State of Good Repair grant in 2011 to construct a new intermodal facility near the Millwork District and adjacent to the Washington neighborhood, which will provide connections between all modes of transportation, including Amtrak, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians; and • The City secured a $150,000 Iowa Great Places grant for public art and streetscape elements_ In addition, projects in the Millwork District are seeking $12.5 million in New Market Tax Credits. Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area - The Bee Branch project is currently being funded through a combination of • Dubuque received a $3.97 million I -JOBS grant awarded by the Iowa Finance Authority for the development of disaster prevention measures; • Dubuque was awarded a $2.25 million Iowa River Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism grant for the project's planned amenities; • The Iowa State Revolving Fund's Green Project Reserve Program has offered up to $4.4 million in forgivable loans to daylight the Bee Branch Creek; and • Dubuque has pledged general obligation bonds and stormwater utility fees, as well as collected generous contributions from local businesses, organizations and citizens. In addition, the City has received several community -wide grants that will leverage the EPA Brownfields investment_ Dubuque received a $473,136 EPA Climate Showcase Communities grant in 2010 to develop online to tools to help residents and businesses in the project areas save energy and money through reductions in vehicle miles traveled, water use, electricity, natural gas, and waste. Dubuque also was awarded a PTA. State of Good Repair grant in 2010 to purchase a fleet of new clean diesel buses that will operate within the project areas. The City will pursue additional EDA, HUD, DOT and state funding opportunities to support additional infrastructure and housing development in the project areas. Dubuque also plans to seek EPA Brownfields Cleanup funding in 2012 to move forward on remediating assessed sites. c. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance i. Programmatic Capability Mana ,iement System — Dubuque has a long track record of successfully achieving planned objectives. Key to this effort is the development of a detailed work plan with clear milestones. This will be developed at an initial multi -day meeting, including participation from Mayor Buol, members of the City Council, key City staff, and project partners. The meeting will identify project goals and strategies, and responsibilities within the work plan will be well - defined and delineated. Performance measures will be established in order to track progress. To ensure that the project is on schedule, status updates will be incorporated into the City's existing reporting structure. Monthly reports will be provided to the City Manager on project progress. Staff will be required to provide regular updates to the City Council of overall progress. In addition, Dubuque staff will meet regularly with key partners, including representatives from Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, East Central Intergovernmental Association, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and Dubuque Main Street, to discuss progress on project goals. The City has the staff and expertise necessary to manage the EPA Assessment project. A project manager will be designated who has substantial experience managing federal funding and who will ensure that all grant requirements are followed. The project manager will lead all project teams and will be invested with the authority necessary to carry out and complete the project. The project manager will have extensive experience working with the City's economic development, planning, engineering, legal and fmance departments, as well as familiarity with conducting outreach campaigns in the community. Two project teams will be established to design and implement the EPA Assessment project. A Community Engagement Team will be created to develop and implement strategies to enhance the involvement of citizens in the redevelopment of the Downtown Urban Renewal District. The Community Engagement Team will be composed of members of various City departments, as well as members of community associations, the business community, education sector, nonprofit field, and other stakeholders. A second Technical Team will be formed to support the identification and assessment of brownfields properties within the targeted areas. Expertise, Qualifications, and Experience of Project Manager and Staff — EPA Assessment project management duties will be assigned to Aaron DeJong, Dubuque's Assistant Economic Development Director. Aaron has served with the City since 2006, and his areas of expertise include downtown revitalization, redevelopment and tax increment financing. Aaron previously served as the Brownfield Coordinator for the City of Coralville, Iowa. In that role, Aaron oversaw all brownfields activities for Coralville, including the management of several EPA Assessment grants, as well as an EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. Aaron will serve as a liaison between EPA Region 7 and Dubuque, and will be responsible for assuring compliance with the administrative and reporting requirements of the cooperative agreement. He will lead all of the community engagement activities associated with the grant, and will be responsible for hiring and managing paid environmental consultants. Aaron will be supported by a qualified team of interdepartmental star, including: • Laura Carstens has served as Dubuque's Planning Services Manager since 1989. She is responsible for helping to administer and enforce the City's zoning, subdivision, floodplain, and historic preservation regulations, as well as long and short range planning efforts for the community, riverfront, downtown, bike /hike trail system, annexation, and other special area • Gus Psihoyos joined the City in 1977, and serves as Dubuque's City Engineer. Gus will provide design and engineering assistance on the project. • Ken TeKippe has served as Dubuque's Finance Director since 2000. Ken's main responsibilities within the Finance Department are accounts payable, accounts receivable, annual audit, payroll, insurance /risk management, and treasury functions. He has experience managing EPA brownfields programs, such as the Cleanup and Assessment Grants. • Barry Lindahl joined the City in 1986, and serves as Dubuque's City Attorney. Barry will address liability and transaction concerns surrounding potential City purchase agreements on properties in the targeted areas. Retaining Proiect Leadership / Recruitins Qualified Staff — Dubuque has identified and selected a long - serving team of employees to manage and conduct the EPA Assessment project, with a combined history of more than eighty years with the City. Should the City need to recruit new staff to participate on the project due to employee turnover, Dubuque will seek candidates who have previous with experience with EPA Brownfields funding. Acauirin& Additional Expertise and Resources — Beyond the skill sets possessed by the staff, the City regularly retains professionals for a variety of contractual services. These services are handled via standard procurement and thorough vetting procedures. The City's established procedures include soliciting statements of qualifications and price proposals that are reviewed by the staff and city manager. 1L Adverse Audits — Dubuque has an exemplary record of managing federal grants, having received numerous EPA, HUD, EDA, DOT, and other federal grants over the years. Dubuque has never been cited for any adverse audit findings from an OMB Circular A -133 audit or any other audit. The City has also never been required to comply with special "high risk" terms or conditions under OMB Circular A -102. iii. Past Performance Prior EPA Brownfields Assistance Aereements — Dubuque has received two previous EPA Brownfields grants: a 2002 Brownfields Assessment grant and a 2003 Brownfields Cleanup grant. The City initially sought EPA Brownfields funding to launch a process to redevelop the entire Port of Dubuque into a new urban neighborhood, complete with tourist attractions and commercial and recreational complexes. Because of the riverfront's long history of manufacturing and industrial use, and its associated environmental problems, much of Dubuque's growth had been occurring in the greenfields to the west of city. The 2002 Brownfields Assessment grant was used to conduct 12 Phase I and 6 Phase II environmental site assessments within the North Port. EPA Assessment funding was also used to develop cleanup plans and funding strategies. All of the 2002 grant funds were expended on time, and all grant requirements were satisfied, including the timely filing of quarterly reports, financial status reports and the closeout report. Following receipt of the EPA Assessment grant, Dubuque applied for and received an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant in 2003. This funding was used to clean up a petroleum plume within the Port of Dubuque that had contaminated soil and groundwater across several acres of prime riverfront development property adjoining the Mississippi River. Again, all of the 2003 grant funding was spent within the contract period, and all grant requirements were met. EPA Assessment and Cleanup grants were the keys to unlocking the revitalization potential of Dubuque's North Port, and were responsible for helping to the City pivot from a declining former industrial town into a Midwest tourist destination. EPA funding helped to make possible the development of the Grand River Conference and Education Center, the River's Edge Plaza, the Riverwalk, the National Mississippi Museum and Aquarium, the Alliant Amphitheater, the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, and the Diamond Jo Casino. EPA Brownfields funding has leveraged $500 million in public and private investment in the area, produced more than 700 jobs and created new recreational and entertainment attractions for community members and visitors. In 2005, the North Port project was awarded the Phoenix Award for EPA Region 7. Dubuque seeks to replicate its North Port brownfields success in the broader downtown, which includes the South Port, the Millwork District and the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area. 3. Community Engagement and Partnerships a. Community Engagement — Dubuque has a long history of engaging a broad range of community stakeholders, including neighborhood groups, business leaders, financial institutions, government agencies, and non -profit organizations, in its community revitalization decision making Specifically, the City has undertaken the following activities during the past decade to involve the affected community in the reuse planning for the project's target areas: • In 2001, the City Council initiated a year -long community planning effort to craft a comprehensive, long -term vision and redevelopment concept for the Port of Dubuque. The planning process began with a 10- member committee with representatives from the City, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque County Historical Society, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, and private developer Platinum Hospitality. This committee worked with local property owners, developers, City Council members and general citizens to get their input on developing the most appropriate plan for the Port. • In 2005, the City, in partnership with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, launched Envision 2010, a broad -based community visioning process that identified ten priority community projects. This process identified redevelopment of the Port of Dubuque, revitalization of the Millwork District and restoration of the Bee Branch as community priorities. • In 2006, the City Council identified sustainability as one of its top priorities and created a Sustainable City Task Force in 2007 to develop a broad -based sustainability initiative through community involvement and input. The task force gathered input from thousands of citizens and developed a sustainability plan that includes redevelopment of the Port and revitalization of the Millwork District and the Bee Branch as high priorities. • The City created a 22 member steering committee to guide the planning process for the Millwork District. Through community and individual meetings, more than 100 people, including city council members, city staff, neighborhood representatives, artists, and the general public, provided input in the plan to revitalize this historic area. • The City created the Bee Branch Citizen Advisory Committee in 2003 and the group held five public meetings involving area residents to discuss plans and alternatives for daylighting the creek, preventing flooding and revitalizing the area. As a result of this community involvement process, the current plan includes new open space and trails with accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians. • In 2004, the City and the Washington Neighborhood Association initiated the "Washington: Revitalize!" improvement program, which led to the creation of the Washington Neighborhood Plan. This Plan addresses both physical improvements to create a better environment for economic investment, and programs necessary to provide less- advantaged citizens with the capacity to "access the ladder of economic opportunity that leads out of poverty." To guide the implementation of the vision and create action steps to address the neighborhood's issues, a Citizen Coordinating Committee (CCC) was formed, consisting of residents and stakeholders, to facilitate an active citizen participation process that ensures adequate representation of differing interests and ultimately leads to residents taking ownership of neighborhood improvement efforts. The City will utilize this existing community engagement infrastructure to solicit input and communicate information to stakeholders as the City moves forward with its brownfields initiative. Specifically, the City will establish a Community Engagement Team to develop and implement strategies to enhance the involvement of citizens in the redevelopment of the Downtown Urban Renewal District. The Community Engagement Team will be composed of members of various City departments, as well as members of community associations, the business community, education sector, nonprofit field, and other stakeholders. Once the grant is awarded, the City will hold a kick -off meeting involving a broad range of stakeholders to launch the project. Following the kick -off, City staff will meet quarterly with key partners, including representatives from the Washington Neighborhood Association, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, East Central Intergovernmental Association, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and Dubuque Main Street, to discuss progress on project goals. The City will also create a page on its web site to provide regular reports on the project to key stakeholders and the community as a whole. All written outreach materials will be made available in English and Spanish. b. Partnerships — The City works closely with the Dubuque County Health Department, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on a range of public health and environmental issues. As part of this project, the City will get input from these local and state agencies on the public health and environmental implications of the results of the various site investigations and the development of cleanup plans for specific properties. The City has longstanding partnerships and works closely with numerous federal agencies, including EPA, HUD, EDA, DOT, DOE, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies. In 2009, three cabinet secretaries — EPA Administrator Jackson, DOT Secretary LaHood and HUD Secretary Donovan — visited Dubuque together to showcase the community's leadership in following the Administration's livability principles and implementing an ambitious sustainability plan. Some of the partnerships the City has with federal agencies include: • The City has worked with EPA on brownfields revitalization and climate and energy issues. • The is currently working with DOT on a Complete Streets project in the Millwork District and building a new intermodal center near downtown. • The City has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers on numerous flood prevention projects over the years. • The City has worked with EDA on the redevelopment of the Port of Dubuque as well as several economic development projects in the community. • The City has worked with HUD on several CDBG projects and financing programs. • The City is working with DOE as its implements its Smarter Sustainable Dubuque initiative with IBM. Dubuque will develop a task force of key federal agency partners to assist with its brownfields redevelopment initiative. The City will hold regular conference calls with the federal partners to solicit their input and provide updates on the project. Dubuque will also coordinate with the Northeast Iowa Community College to identify opportunities to provide environmental jobs to low - income area residents. c. Community -Based Organizations Dubuque is engaging with the following community -based organization to conduct this project: • The Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC) is a new non - profit corporation founded in 2009 to promote revitalization in the Washington neighborhood. The WNDC's initiatives include forming a business owners association of storefront businesses in the upper Central Avenue corridor, establishing a welcoming center and a neighborhood website /information exchange, and creating a marketing theme for the neighborhood to attract home buyers and new business investment. The WNDC will work with the City to reach out to local businesses, lenders and community residents to make sure the brownfields initiative benefits businesses and residents in this low- and moderate - income neighborhood. • Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is a non - profit economic development organization focused on business retention and expansion, workforce development and new business recruitment. The Corporation has provided important leadership in all major City initiatives. The City will work with the Corporation to reach out to developers and fmancial institutions to make sure they are involved in leveraging resources in the target areas. • Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is a tax - exempt public charity that plays a major role in convening community leaders and making sure the public is involved and supports major initiatives in the City. The City will work with the Foundation to make sure that the community is engaged in the brownfields reuse planning for the target areas and it will also explore opportunities to leverage charitable resources for aspects of the projects that have difficulty in raising private capital. • East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) is a regional council of governments working to with member governments, their citizens, and others to empower eastern Iowa communities and enhance the quality of life in Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson Counties. ECIA services and programs include Community Development, Economic Development, Housing Assistance, Employment and Training, and Transportation and Planning. The City will work with ECIA to make sure that the brownfields reuse plans are integrated with the region's transportation, land use and economic development plans. • Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization representing the broad range of private sector business interests in the City. The City will work with the Chamber to provide widespread outreach and information to Dubuque's business community. 4. Project Benefits a. Welfare and Public Health — Addressing real and perceived contamination from brownfields sites in the Downtown Urban Renewal District will overcome one of the chief barriers to revitalizing three key areas of Dubuque. Conducting site investigations is the critical first step required to understand the extent of the contamination so that the City and its development partners understand the true cost of readying the properties for redevelopment. Once the City and its partners have this information, they can come up with the financing required to complete the redevelopment projects. Specifically, brownfields cleanups in Dubuque will create the following welfare and public health benefits: • Brownfields cleanup will remove blight in and around the disadvantaged Washington neighborhood and increase community pride; • Cleanup of contaminated properties along the waterfront will provide greater access to the Mississippi River, increasing psychological well- being; • Remediating contaminants in the three targeted areas will limit exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic substances, particularly vulnerable populations including children and pregnant women, thereby reducing the risks of cancer and noncancer health hazards; • Cleaning up contaminants will reduce run -off pollution into the Mississippi River, thereby protecting the health those dependent on the river for subsistence fishing; and • Redevelopment of brownfields in the Washington neighborhoods will provide new work force housing, which is desperately needed to sustain economic progress in Dubuque. The Washington Neighborhood Association and the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation will be key partners in the project. One of the City's top priorities is to work with these organizations to revitalize the Washington neighborhood for existing residents. As part of this strategy, the City will ensure that any brownfield projects in this area do not displace the long -time residents of this historic Dubuque neighborhood. b. Economic Benefits and Greenspace — Brownfields cleanup in the Downtown Urban Renewal District will create both immediate and long -term job opportunities. As Dubuque demonstrated with its North Port redevelopment, waterfront revitalization has the potential to unlock significant public and private investment. Planned redevelopment in the Millwork District is attracting serious developer interest. And the long forgotten Washington neighborhood has reemerged on the maps of the economic development community thanks to the City's investment in the Bee Branch project. Assessment activities will also lead to planned greenspace in all of the targeted areas. Parks, green infrastructure, vegetation, and open space are integral components of redevelopment vision for the South Port, Millwork District and Bee Branch area. Cleanups of brownfields will create the following economic and greenspace benefits: • Revitalization of South Port into a mixed -use development is expected to produce an estimated 300 new jobs and expand the tax base by $100 million; • Millwork District revitalization will create 1,000 new jobs and generate over $2 million in new tax revenues; • Revitalization of Bee Branch area will create over 100 new jobs and generate new tax revenues; • All three redevelopment areas will result in much - needed, affordable work force housing, including 700 units in the Millwork District and approximately 100 units in the Washington neighborhood; • South Port redevelopment will reconnect downtown Dubuque to its southern waterfront and significantly improve access to the Mississippi River; • South Port redevelopment will also facilitate completion of the Riverwalk and connect it up with the Mines of Spain Recreation Area south of Dubuque; and • Space is being reserved in the Millwork District to showcase the arts; and • The Bee Branch project is creating new trails and greenspace, and access to local amenities including an amphitheater and bike /hike trails. c. Environmental Benefits from Infrastructure Reuse /Sustainable Reuse — The City Council has adopted sustainability as an overarching theme for all city projects. Reuse of materials, energy conservation tools, vehicle miles traveled reduction strategies and other planned project features will improve air and water quality, reduce energy use, prevent flooding, protect fish and fauna, and enhance quality of life. Specifically, EPA support will lead to the following environmental benefits: • All of the mixed -use developments will provide transportation choices, including Complete Streets strategies funded with DOT TIGER funding, thereby reducing vehicle miles traveled, energy use and air and water pollution; • Green infrastructure in all three targeted areas, including parks, vegetation and open space, will improve air and water quality, and enhance quality of life; • The South Port will utilize low - impact development and green space to prevent run -off from polluting the Mississippi River; • Redevelopment in the Millwork is restoring old historic buildings and recycling deconstructed materials during their restoration, thereby conserving resources; • Efficient electrical, heating and cooling systems will reduce the Millwork District's carbon footprint; and • The Bee Branch project is restoring an underground stream to its natural state and using green infrastructure to prevent flooding and protect the stream from contaminants. Letters of Support East Central Intergovernmental Association Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Dubuque Area Chamber Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Orange Park Neighbors -1st intcrc r)vert -Im ,ntcJI Assr-sciefiian a regional response to local needs November 28, 2011 David R. Lloyd, Director Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Land Revitalization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Steve Kovac Brownfields Program Branch Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 • Re: Strong Support for Dubuque, IA Brownfields Revitalization Dear Director Lloyd and Branch Chief Kovac: I write on behalf of East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) to convey our strong support for the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant application of Dubuque, IA. With a mix of community partners, Dubuque intends to transform its downtown urban renewal district into a regional economic growth engine. Specifically, the City seeks to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas: • South Port — The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial waterfront property adjacent to downtown, has a history of hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. The South Port area has experienced a steady industrial decline over the past 40 years, and some of the facilities have been closed and abandoned for decades. The City seeks to redevelop the South Port as a new downtown neighborhood, where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a pedestrian and transit - oriented environment. • Historic Millwork District — The Historic Millwork District, a 19 -acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of historic warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the Washington neighborhood. Dubuque has initiated an effort to reclaim the Millwork District, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. • See Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque is currently resurrecting a buried creek in its Washington neighborhood and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties for needed multi- family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess these properties to encourage their reuse_ Dubuque !u'ietropolitcan . ". ,,::i Transpoitation `.tuay j Eastern iowo E)evetaprItent Corporation 'Eastern Iowa Re•gianal Eastern Iowa Reg.anal Housing Authority I ECIA Busisi ss Growth, lnc. p Re'gi.Cn 1 E+rngatoymeei :.:.,, i ECiA Regi.onai Planning Af$il:earia rr j Region 8 Regional transit Authority 760i'' I .:,rl:, Dubuque, IA 52002 v ..ww.ecio.nry t eeicOf.eeio.or9 � 56,3.556.4166 I barwa on;y; 800.9'42.4,5 48 I Relay lowa 800.735-2943 f: 563_.55.6.0348 b f We are involved in the Dubuque revitalization project and care about this EPA funding because our agency is committed to empower eastern Iowa communities and enhance the quality of life. If EPA funding is awarded, we will leverage additional time, involvement, and organization resources into the redevelopment plan. This is a wonderful opportunity for EPA to join with a partnership of public and non -profit organizations to turn a major blight in our community into a center for innovation, clean energy, and sustainable redevelopment. Thank you for doing all that you can do to ensure that this project obtains EPA grant assistance. Sincerely, ..... Kelley H. Deutmeyer Executive Director East Central Intergovernmental Association G reaterDubuque November 28, 2011 David R. Lloyd Director Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Land Revitalization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Steve Kovac Brownfields Program Branch Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 RE: Strong Support for Dubuque, IA Brownfields Revitalization Dear Director Lloyd and Branch Chief Kovac: I am writing on behalf of Greater Dubuque Development to convey our strong support for the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant application of Dubuque, IA. With a mix of community partners, Dubuque intends to transform its downtown urban renewal district into a regional economic growth engine. Specifically, the City seeks to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas: • South Port —The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial waterfront property adjacent to downtown, has a history of hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. The South Port area has experienced a steady industrial decline over the past 40 years, and some of the facilities have been closed and abandoned for decades. The City seeks to redevelop the South Port as a new downtown neighborhood, where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a pedestrian and transit - oriented environment. • Historic Millwork District — The Historic Millwork District, a 19 -acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of historic warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the Washington neighborhood_ Dubuque has initiated an effort to reclaim the Millwork District, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. • Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque is currently resurrecting a buried creek in its Washington neighborhood and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties for needed multi - family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess these properties to encourage their reuse_ o -marl goo0052greaterclubuque.org 300 Main Street, Suite 120, Dubuque. Iowa 62001 563 557.9049 www.groatord .ong fast 663.557 1059 GreaterDubuque Greater Dubuque Development is involved in the Dubuque revitalization project and cares deeply about this EPA funding because it addresses our commitment to transform all Brownfield areas within our community. If EPA funding is awarded, we will leverage additional time, involvement, and organization resources into the redevelopment plan. This is a wonderful opportunity for EPA to join with a partnership of public and non - profit organizations to turn a major blight in our community into a center for innovation, clean energy, and sustainable redevelopment. Thank you for doing all that you can do to ensure that this project obtains EPA grant assistance. Sincerely, Rick Dickinson Executive Director & COO 300 Main Street, Suite 120, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 www.greaterdubuque.org e -mail gddc @greaterdubuque.org phone 563.557.9049 fax 563.557.1059 November 28, 2011 David R. Lloyd Director Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Land Revitalization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Steve Kovac Brownfields Program Branch Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Re: Strong Support for Dubuque, IA Brownfields Revitalization Dear Director Lloyd and Branch Chief Kovac: I write on behalf of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, representing 1300 members and over 40,000 jobs, to convey our strong support for the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant application of Dubuque, IA. With a mix of community partners, Dubuque intends to transform its downtown urban renewal district into a regional economic growth engine. Specifically, the City seeks to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas: • South Port — The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial waterfront property adjacent to downtown, has a history of hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. The South Port area has experienced a steady industrial decline over the past 40 years, and some of the facilities have been closed and abandoned for decades. The City seeks to redevelop the South Port as a new downtown neighborhood, where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a pedestrian and transit - oriented environment. • Historic Millwork District — The Historic Millwork District, a 19 -acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of historic warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the Washington neighborhood. Dubuque has initiated an effort to reclaim the Millwork District, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. • Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque is currently resurrecting a buried creek in its Washington neighborhood and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties for needed multi - family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess these properties to encourage their reuse. My organization is involved in the Dubuque revitalization project and cares about this EPA funding because not only will it enhance the quality of life for those who call Dubuque home but also increase the value of workforce housing and tourism and would set a benchmark for others to follow. We are strongly committed to this project, and if EPA funding is awarded, we will leverage additional time, involvement, and organization resources into the redevelopment plan. This is a wonderful opportunity for EPA to join with a partnership of public and non -profit organizations to turn a major blight in our community into a center for innovation, clean energy, and sustainable redevelopment. Thank you for doing all that you can do to ensure that this project obtains EPA grant assistance. Sincerely, Molly Grover President & CEO - Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Barry Gentry Senior Vice President - Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce November 28, 2011 David R. Lloyd Director Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Land Revitalization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Steve Kovac Brownfields Program Branch Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Re: Strong Support for Dubuque, IA Brownfields Revitalization Dear Director Lloyd and Branch Chief Kovac: de" COMMUNITY FOUNDATION I Gre,i ter Dubuque 700 Locust Street, Suite ,) hiblICILW, Iowa 52001 11101h,: 563.588,2700 Fax: s63.583(69 www.dbgFoundation.org I am writing on behalf of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to convey our strong support for the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant application of Dubuque, IA. Dubuque has a strong record of bringing community organizations together to partner for amazing results. In this case, the result will be a transformation of the city's downtown urban renewal district into a regional economic growth engine. The City seeks to do this by assessing and redeveloping three distinct areas of brownfields: • South Port — The South Port, 33 acres of vacant and industrial waterfront property adjacent to downtown, has a history of hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. The South Port area has experienced a steady industrial decline over the past 40 years, and some of the facilities have been closed and abandoned for decades. The City seeks to redevelop the South Port as a new downtown neighborhood, where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a pedestrian and transit-oriented environment. • Historic Millwork District — The Historic Millwork District, a 19-acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of historic warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the Washington neighborhood. Dubuque has initiated an effort to reclaim the Millwork District, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque is currently resurrecting a buried creek in its Washington neighborhood and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties for needed multi-family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess these properties to encourage their reuse. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is involved in the Dubuque revitalization project and cares about this EPA funding because we support sustainable rebuilding/revitalization efforts as a means of improving our city's overall economic well-being and ability to serve all of its citizens. We are strongly committed to this project and continue to commit resources to neighborhood improvement in the Washington Neighborhood (adjacent to the above-named areas) through our Green and Healthy Homes Initiative. Dubuque has an excellent record of success in transforming areas like these into vibrant and essential parts of the community. This is an excellent opportunity for the EPA to join a committed partnership of public and nonprofit organizations to turn a major blight in our community into a center for innovation, clean energy and sustainable redevelopment. Thank you for doing all that you can do to ensure that this project obtains EPA grant assistance. Sincerely, Nancy Van Milligen CEO/President ORANGE PARK \leighbors November 28, 2011 David R. Lloyd Director Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Land Revitalization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Steve Kovac Brownfields Program Branch Chief U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Re: Strong Support for Dubuque, IA Brownfields Revitalization Dear Director Lloyd and Branch Chief Kovac: We are write on behalf of the Orange Park Neighbors, the neighborhood group representing Dubuque's Washington Neighborhood. We wish to convey our strong support for the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant application of Dubuque, IA. With a mix of community partners, Dubuque intends to transform its downtown urban renewal district into a regional economic growth engine. Specifically, the City seeks to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields in three distinct areas: the South Port, Historic Millwork District and the Bee Branch Creek Restoration area. • Historic Millwork District — The Historic Millwork District, a 19 -acre abandoned portion of downtown, contains over one million square feet of historic warehouse space. Once the nation's largest millwork district, the area now cuts downtown off from the adjacent Port of Dubuque and the Washington neighborhood. Dubuque has initiated an effort to reclaim the Millwork District, complete with over 1,000 new residents and more than 1,000 new employees. The City seeks EPA funding to assess the environmental contamination at several former millwork sites, and develop plans for their reuse. • Bee Branch Creek Restoration Area — Dubuque is currently resurrecting a buried creek in its Washington neighborhood and installing green infrastructure features to reduce the risk of flood damage to 1,155 properties. Dubuque's focused attention on the Washington neighborhood has attracted developer interest in several former industrial properties for needed multi - family housing. The City seeks EPA funding to assess these properties to encourage their reuse. Our organization is involved in the Dubuque revitalization project and cares about this EPA funding because the Washington Neighborhood is strategically located immediately north of the Historic Millwork District and adjacent to the Bee Branch Creek Restoration area. The improvements in these areas will have a significant positive impact on our neighborhood. This is a wonderful opportunity for EPA to join with a partnership of public and non - profit organizations to turn a major blight in our community into a center for innovation, clean energy, and sustainable redevelopment. Thank you for doing all that you can do to ensure that this project obtains EPA grant assistance. Sincerely, Gary Carner, Co -Chair Amanda DelIwo, CoChair Orange Park Neighbors Orange Park Neighbors