Work Session_Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration ProjectMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Work Session - Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
DATE: December 20, 2013
Dubuque
band
AI- America City
1
2007 • 2012 • 2013
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is transmitting information for the Work Session on the
design elements of the Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
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
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO:
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Work Session — Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
DATE: December 19, 2013
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
katil
All4unerica city
2007 • 2012 • 2013
This memorandum is to proceed with a work session scheduled on Monday, January 6,
2014 at 5:00 p.m. with the Mayor and City Council to discuss design elements of the
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration
Attached are supporting documents from the December 16, 2013 City Council meeting.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Mil!igen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Enginee
SUBJECT: Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration
DATE: December 10, 2013
Dubuque
hffil
All-America City
11 1'
2007 • 2012 • 2013
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request a City Council work session on Monday,
January 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at the Historic Federal Building City Council Chamber to
discuss design elements of the Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration.
BACKGROUND
The Drainage Basin Master Plan adopted in 2001 identified the recreation of an open
waterway from the 16th Street Detention Basin to 24th and Washington Street as one of
multiple improvements to address the flooding experienced within the Bee Branch
Watershed. The open waterway improvements involve the removal of the buried Bee
Branch storm sewer and replacing it with a creek and flood plain. This in effect results in
the day - lighting of the buried Bee Branch creek that flowed through the area over a
century ago.
In May of 2003, the City of Dubuque City Council approved the selection of CDM, a
consulting engineering firm, to provide engineering and design services for the Bee
Branch Creek Alignment Study. The study objectives were to:
1) Establish the optimum alignment for the proposed open waterway along its
approximately 4,500 -foot length (from 16th Street detention basin to 24th and
Elm Streets) based on existing environmental, utility, social, and economic
constraints;
2) Provide a preliminary design to a level that it establishes what the waterway will
look like at different locations along its entire length and how the waterway will
function before, during, and after rainstorms of different magnitudes; and
3) Work with impacted residents in the form of a citizen advisory committee, the
Bee Branch Citizen Advisory Committee (BBCAC), to ensure that the
recommended alignment location and waterway design are based on input from
the neighborhoods impacted by the proposed open waterway.
The citizen committee's preferred alignment was chosen because it best met the top
three criteria established by the committee: it preserved commercial and non-
commercial services; it minimized residential property acquisitions; and it minimize the
project cost.
In December of 2004, the City Council adopted the alignment preferred by the Bee
Branch Citizen Advisory Committee and in 2005 the City began acquiring properties for
the project based on the adopted alignment.
In August of 2008, the City Council authorized the hiring of Strand & Associates
(Madison, WI), in association with IIW Engineers (Dubuque, IA) and Ken Saiki Design
(Madison, WI), to prepare the final design of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration. As
outlined in the scope of services, the consultant team utilized the engineering study
previously performed and reported in the Bee Branch Creek Alignment Study to design
the improvements of Bee Branch Creek Restoration. Input was to gather and utilize
input from citizens as they crafted the design of the final landscaping plan for the
project.
The City hosted a series of workshops to help gather citizen input. A press release was
issued before each workshop and over 2,000 post cards were sent to targeted
neighborhoods. At the first workshop held in October of 2008, citizens were asked to
identify their hopes and fears for the project. In addition, they were asked to provide
input on the various potential landscape features, bridges, and secondary uses (paths,
park benches, playground equipment, etc.). At the second workshop in November of
2008 and again in January of 2009, the design team presented conceptual drawings
that began to address the citizen's hopes and fears as well as their landscape
preferences. And finally, at the third workshop in February of 2009, the design concept
based on citizen direction was presented to the public for comment.
At the direction of the City Council, a committee was formed that along with City staff
included representatives from the North End Neighborhood Association, the Point
Neighborhood Association, and the now defunct Washington Street Neighborhood
Association. The purpose of the Bee Branch Landscape Design Advisory Committee
was to facilitate the development of a landscaping plan based on the input and direction
of citizens, local businesses and in particular the implications and expectations of the
neighborhood associations. In conjunction with the public workshops, the committee
reviewed input gathered, discussed landscape design issues as they impact/relate to
individual committee members and the neighborhood or department they represented,
and advised the design consulting team on various landscape elements.
DISCUSSION
On January 6, 2009 the landscape design for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration was
discussed at a City Council work session. The overall concept for the Bee Branch
corridor in 2009 is shown in Attachment A. The recommendations center on the "day -
lighting" of the buried Bee Branch Creek thereby creating an attraction, enhancing the
neighborhoods, and improving the quality of life of Bee Branch Watershed residents. To
2
the extent feasible, citizen input and preferences have been incorporated into the
project design.
To be constructed in multiple phases, construction of the first phase, the Lower Bee
Branch Creek Restoration, started in late 2010. The Lower Bee Branch Creek
Restoration includes the construction of the 2,500 -foot long creek and flood plain area
from Kerper Boulevard west and north to the railroad tracks just south of Garfield
Avenue, replacing the underground Bee Branch Storm Sewer. In addition to day - lighting
and restoring the Bee Branch Creek, this phase includes the restoration of the
floodplain, dredging of the 16th Street Detention Basin, relocation of utilities, and
reworking the street system through the area to accommodate the flood mitigation
facility and the redevelopment of adjacent private property. Creek day - lighting requires
the construction of bridges, maintenance access to the creek, hike /bike trails, safety and
security measures, re- landscaping the area, recreational components and overlook
areas for better monitoring of the creek.
Because the Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration was located in an area transitioning
from industrial (former packing plant) to a commercial land -use, the design outlined a
permanent, wide expanse of water which will enhance the commercial setting. The
project included a hiking /biking path along the waterway. The design of the two bridges
reflected citizen preferences voiced at the public workshops: limestone facade and
spindle railing look.
The next phase of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration, the Upper Bee Branch Creek
Restoration, is to be done in multiple parts. The first part involves the installation of
large- diameter culverts under the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad yard and Garfield
Avenue. It also includes property acquisitions (both partial and full), roadway
reconfigurations, construction of bridge crossings and an outfall at 24th Street where the
existing Bee Branch storm sewer will remain albeit in a re- aligned configuration. The
second part will involve the day - lighting of the creek north to 24th Street.
The City of Dubuque has been fortunate to secure local, state, and federal financial
assistance for many of the project elements.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend a City Council work session on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at
the Historic Federal Building City Council Chamber to discuss the design elements of
the Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request a City Council work session on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 5:00
p.m. at the Historic Federal Building City Council Chamber to discuss the design
elements of the Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
3
Attach.
Prepared by Deron Muehring
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
4
BEE BRANCH CORRIDOR RESTORATION
CURRENT CONCEPT A'K
NOVEMBER 26, 2008
The Current Concept represents
a single, evolving concept that
combines information gathered
during Workshop #2 on November 5
and 6, 2008 and input from City staff.
It depicts areas of use, low-
flow channel alignment, pedestrian
access and amenity options, and
cross - corridor connections.
200' <W'
BEE BRANCH CORRIDOR RESTORATION
DEVELOPMENT IMAGES - 22ND TO 24TH STREET A.-
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BEE BRANCH CORRIDOR RESTORATION
DEVELOPMENT IMAGES - 22ND TO LINCOLN STREET
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BEE BRANCH CORRIDOR RESTORATION
DEVELOPMENT IMAGES - RAILROAD TO LINCOLN STREET
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Phases 4 & 7 of
Bee Branch Watershed
Flood Mitigation Project
Bee Branch Creek Conceptual Design
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16" Street
Ponding Area
Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Construction begins in fall of 2010
lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Basin Overlook
VISION
IOWA
16th Street
Ponding Area
•
SCENIC
OVERLOOKS
Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Genuine BioHaven® Floating Island
Plants A Insects attract sang buds
Plants attract & sustain Insect populations
Plants provide wlldlte habitat
& aesthetic beauty
Island surface provides
wildlife habitat
Island malarial & cool sot
provide valuable surface area
for beneficial microbes to
proliferate & pull pollutants
from the water
Island shade & roots provide
cover & allow fish to Thrive
Root systems pull problematic nutrients out
of the water ttxough hydroponics
FLOATING ISLAND
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Comiskey
Park
Bee Branch Creek
/ Restoration Project
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16t" Street
Detention
Basin
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
LEVEL CONTROL FACILITY
PHASE 11 LEVEL CONTROL FACILITY
NORMAL RIVER "' NORMAL CHANNEL
during Dry Weather
Garfield
Street
SAIKI
:DESIGN INC
♦•
STRAND IIW
ASSOCIATES
Water Elevation
Downstream
Water Elevation
Upstream
598
598 (rain begins)
598.5
598.5
599
600
599 (rain stops)
599
598
594
Gate Position
594
596
598
598.5
599
600
599
594
594
594
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Closed
Closed
Open (drop)
Open
Open
Close (raise)
Closed
Closed
Open
PHASE 11 LEVEL CONTROL FACILITY
ELEVATED RIVER" NORMAL CHANNEL
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CP Railroad
Phase ! - Phase l!
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Level Control Facility
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Phase 11
Low Flow
Channel
SAIKI
DESIGN INC
♦•
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ASSOCIATES
Water Elevation
Downstream
594
598 (rain begins)
598.5
598.5
599
600
599 (rain stops)
599
598
594
Water Elevation
Upstream
594
596
598
598.5
599
600
599
594
594
594
Gate Position
Open
Closed
Closed
Open (drop)
Open
Open
Close (raise)
Closed
Closed
Open
PHASE 11 LEVEL CONTROL FACILITY
ELEVATED RIVER ELEVATED CHANNEL
d urin + Rain Event
Garfield
Street
Proposed Railroad Culvert
sw
542
Phase ! - Phase 11
SAIKI
DESIGN INC
♦•
STRAND HW
ASSOCIATES
Level Control Facility
i
Water Elevation
Downstream
594
598
598 (rain begins)
598.5
599
600
599 (rain stops)
599
598
594
Phase 11 Low
Flow Channel
Water Elevation
Upstream
594
594
596
598
59x5
599
600
599
594
594
594
615
612
bas
Gate Position
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Open (drop)
Open
Open
Close (raise)
Closed
Closed
Open
PHASE 11 LEVEL CONTROL FACILITY
ELEVATED RIVER" NORMAL CHANNEL
815
618
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Phase ! - Phase !!
CP Railroad
Garfield
Street
Proposed Railroad Culvert
Level Control Facility
Phase!! Low
Flow Channel
615
610
622
I
Water Elevation
Downstream
Water Elevation
Upstream
Gate Position
594
598
598 (rain begins)
598.5
598.5
599
600
594
594
596
598
598.5
599
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Open (drop)
Open
600
Open
599 (rain stops)
599
Close (raise)
Closed
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Typ. Low Flow Channel Width
Narrow Low Flow
Channel to Enhance
Sediment Drop
Upstream
Sedirnent Collection
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Vehicle Access
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
TYPICAL CREEK CROSS - SECTION
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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TYPICAL CREEK CROSS - SECTION
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
HEADWATERS JUNCTION
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Comiskey Park
HEADWATERS JUNCTION
BIKE PATH NODE
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OFF- STREET PARKING
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
I
•Irrigate
•Mow —1x per week
•Herbicides for weed
control
-Annual fertilization
•High annual maintenance
costs
-Minimal watering
•Less mowing required —
none to 1x per month
-Fewer weeds than
traditional lawn
•Little to no fertilization
•Low annual maintenance
costs
•Deeper root system
r f.
; ..t
• No watering after
establishment
• Mow or burn —1x per
year
• No fertilization
• Low annual
maintenance costs
• Deeper root system
MEADOW & PRAIRIE GRASS
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
PARK FIXTURES
•
TREES FOREVER
Together We Grow
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1,000 TREES & PLANTINGS
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
EMBANKMENT SLIDES
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
National, State, & Local Colors
FLAGS
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
What, When, Why, and Where?
INTERPRETIVE SIGNS
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Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
SECURITY CAMERAS