MIss. Rver Museum LEED Cert. Ltr of Support
THE CITY OF
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City Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 phone
(563) 589-4149 fax
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
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August18,2005
Kevin Eipperle
Durrant Group Architects
700 Locust Street Suite 942
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Port of Dubuque Brownfield Redevelopment Area
Dear Kevin:
In support of National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium LEED certification, I can report that the
museum campus is located in the Port of Dubuque EPA-designated brownfield redevelopment area. The
entire port area is undergoing transformation from a vacant and underutilized former riverfront industrial
site to a mixed-use commercial, recreational, educational and residential redevelopment district. USEPA
has provided the City with two $200,000 grants for both assessment and cleanup purposes in the Port of
Dubuque.
Former land uses in the 90-acre North Port area, where the museum property is located, have included
boat and boiler works, foundry operations, lumber yard and sawmill operations, cold storage facility, fuel
storage facilities, trucking operations, outdoor grain/salt storage and brewery, many of which caused
environmental contamination over time.
The City has conducted multiple Phase 1 and 2 investigations of Port properties that have identified
contamination above statewide standards. The City is currently conducting a petroleum plume cleanup
near the museum properties. Reports have identified uncontrolled fill throughout the area -- the result of
filling the slough areas along the river. Heavy metals have also been identified in certain locations. As
part of the construction project associated with the depot restoration and surrounding public
infrastructure, the City removed an underground fuel tank from property leased by the museum.
The redevelopment of the Port of Dubuque and showcase projects like the National Mississippi River
Museum & Aquarium have occurred in spite of the area's brownfield status and the perception of
environmental distress associated with former industrial properties along our riverfront. The City lauds
the private and non-profit entities that have invested in the Port of Dubuque.
Sincerely,
(1J ~;'1 /ltlL
Michael Van Milligen
City Manager
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