Great River Ctr & RiverMax Theater
D~~~E
~ck~
MEMORANDUM
September 14, 2006
TO:
Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque County Historical Society Resolution of Support
The Dubuque County Historical Society is preparing a proposal for $5 million from
Vision Iowa for the development of the new Great Rivers Center at the former Adams
Company site. As part of this application they are asking the City Council to endorse
our application to Vision Iowa for $5 million to develop the RiverMax Theater and Great
Rivers Center.
On February 6, 2006 the City Council approved a new 45 year lease of the former
Adams Company property located in the Port of Dubuque to the Dubuque County
Historical Society (DCHS). As part of this lease required minimum improvements for
DCHS included:
. The construction of a large format film theater with a minimum $5 million
investment and an anticipated cost of $8 million and;
. Minimum $3 million investment in the former Adams Company building to make it
suitable for placement of exhibits and to welcome the public. Planned, but not
required, improvements include; Children's Splash Zone Museum; Rivers to the
Sea Galleries; National River Research and Conservation Center; Changing
Exhibit Galleries; National Education and outreach program for the Mississippi
River; the Rivers to America and Coastal Waters; an outdoor amphitheater and
other outdoor spaces.
· Required minimum improvements shall commence within 6 months of lease
approval and shall be substantially completed by December 31, 2009.
As indicated, the application to Vision Iowa will be from the DCHS. You will recall that
the previous Vision Iowa application was a joint application from the DCHS and the City
of Dubuque. In the subsequent Agreement between Vision Iowa, the City and DCHS,
both the City and DCHS were financially liable for any default of the Vision Iowa
agreement. Specifically in the Agreement it states:
"Upon the happening of any Event of Default, the Board shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement and, during the first ten (10) years of this Agreement, to require
immediate repayment of the full amount of funds disbursed to the Recipients under this
Agreement. "
However, since the City is not a co-applicant in this application, we do not have the
same financial obligations that we have with the original Vision Iowa Agreement. The
City continues to work closely with the DCHS on this next phase of development for the
Museum and Aquarium. The City will look at its capital improvement budget to identify
any currently budgeted project that could be used to assist the museum with matching
funds. I believe this application is consistent with our shared vision of continued
development at the Port of Dubuque.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:cs
September 13, 2006
The Honorable Roy Buol
Members of the City Council
50 W. 13th St.
Dubuque,IA 52001
cc: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
Dear Mayor Buol and Council Members:
It has been our great honor and pleasure to partner with the City of Dubuque on many successful
projects, most notably the America's River project. We believe that working together with so
many partners locally, across the state, and nationally, we have made significant improvements
to the educational and economic climate of Dubuque.
The Dubuque County Historical Society is preparing a proposal for $5 million from Vision Iowa
for the development of the new Great Rivers Center at the former Adams Company site. We
believe that continued improvement to the Museum and Aquarium campus with this addition
will have many tangible educational and economic benefits for Dubuque and the State of Iowa.
Therefore we are asking the City Council to endorse our application to Vision Iowa for $5
million to develop the RiverMax Theater and Great Rivers Center.
We hope you look favorably upon this request. Should there be any question or should you
desire additional information, we are most happy to provide information as we are able.
Sincerely,
Jerry Enzler
Executive Director
RESOLUTION NO. 439-06
ENDORSE APPLICA nON
Whereas, the City of Dubuque (City) and the Dubuque County Historical Society
(Society) have partnered in the successful implementation of the America's River
project for the benefit of Dubuque and the entire state of State.
Whereas, the City has entered into a lease with the Dubuque County Historical
Society for the development of the former Adams Company site as a new museum.
Whereas, the City believes that continued improvements and expansion at the
Museum and Aquarium will have tangible educational and economic benefits for
Dubuque and the State of Iowa.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
The City Council formerly endorses the application of the Dubuque County
Historical Society to Vision Iowa for $5 million to develop the RiverMax Theater and
Great Rivers Center.
Passed, approved and adopted this 18th day of Se tember, 2006.
eanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk