Water Works Park Naming - A.Y. McDonald request
~~Y;:'~i~~:...J~!fg. Co.
July 14, 2005
r,
Mayor Terry Duggan
City of Dubuque
City Hall
50 W 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mayor Duggan,
I am writing you to formally request the inclusion of the following agenda item for the
city council to consider:
The naming of Water Works Park to be permanently changed to A.Y.
McDonald Park in consideration for a $250,000 contribution by the A.Y.
McDonald Mfg. Co. Charitable Foundation towards the construction of the
park.
There are many reasons that I make this request. First and foremost is to honor the
memory of Andrew Young McDonald, a most notable early settler in the City of
Dubuque who had a profound impact on the shaping of our city and whose legacy lives
on today through the A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. Other pertinent reasons include:
Andrew Young McDonald started his company in 1856 and has operated
continuously in Dubuque for 149 years. 2006 will mark the sesquicentennial of the
company and it's founding in Dubuque.
Andrew Young McDonald operated this company for 35 years before his death in
1891.
A. Y. McDonald has 350 local employees and 7 generations of Dubuquers have
worked for this company. The economic impact to the City of Dubuque of what
Andrew Young McDonald started 149 years ago is incalculable.
The A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. Charitable Foundation has been very charitable with
many local organizations both large and small, over the years. This is also true of
the McDonald family on an individual basis. Much of this has been behind the
scenes.
Much like other parks in the city that are named for influential leaders that have
impacted Dubuque, we feel Andrew Young McDonald deserves similar public
recognition.
While I realize the council and city manager wish to maximize the revenue from this
naming opportunity, I ask you to give some consideration to Andrew Young McDonald's
place in this city's history. I am always amazed at what great lengths the city will go to
attract new industry to our city. I commend these efforts. Although, let us not forget to
give equal consideration to those who have been in Dubuque since the beginning and
have been the foundation that has steadied and supported the city through good times and
bad.
I ask all council members to give this request serious and expedient consideration. With
the continued development throughout the City of Dubuque and surrounding area, there
will be no doubt, numerous other naming opportunities for the A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.
Charitable Foundation to consider through various projects undertaken by different
philanthropic organizations. It is our intent to have a major naming opportunity in place
to coincide with our company's 150th anniversary in 2006.
Sincerely,
A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. Charitable Foundation
Rob McDonald
Cc Via Email: Council Members
Jeanne Schneider - City Clerk
MoIIIngAJkln!ss P.O. BOX 508. DUBUQUE, IA 52004-i>508 Sh/pplngAdd1ess 4800 CHAVENELLE ROAD. DUBUQUE, IA 52002
PHONE 800/292-2737 . FAX 800/832-9296 . sales@aymalonakl.com . www.aymalonald.com