Town Clock Plaza Vote TH Article 1 8 02
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Kevin Firnstahl - Town clock Opening
From: Juanita Hilkin
To: Firnstahl, Kevin
Date: 6/18/2007 12:18 PM
Subject: Town clock Opening
Jessica found this in the TH history - Looks like Markham was swing vote because it required a
super majority.
Thanks
Juanita
Main course: Council approves opening street through plaza -
Town Clock Plaza:Mayor casts the only vote in opposition to $2.4 million project
Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA)
January 8, 2002
Author: ERIN COYLE
Estimated printed pages: 3
The Dubuque City Council on Monday ended a debate over four blocks of Main Street that has
lasted more than five years.
Six council members voted to approve a $2.4 million project that opens Main Street to vehicular
traffic between Fifth and Ninth streets. Mayor Terry Duggan opposed opening the street, and he said
after the meeting the project was "a terrible waste of money."
Council member John Markham said he was the swing vote for the Town Clock Plaza to remain a
pedestrian mall in 1998. On Monday, Markham cast the swing vote to replace the terrazzo plaza
with a two-way street lined with plaza-like amenities.
"On my 17th vote on the Town Clock Plaza, I have changed my position only because I think it's
time to bring it to closure and move on to other items," Markham said. "I think it's time that the
community started healing and looking for other issues to deal with."
Markham said the issue had become ever-consuming for city staff, council members and the
community. When he returned from a weeklong vacation Monday morning, he said he had received
about 75 messages on his answering machine related to opening the plaza.
"A year ago, I planned to take a vacation this very week thinking the Town Clock would surely be
behind us by now," Markham said.
And if the council had voted down the project or delayed its decision as it did three weeks ago,
Markham predicted the debate could continue four more years.
"It appears that we would get into a never-ending circle," Markham said. "I am not fully in favor of it. I
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do not fully support it. But, I don't see any other option."
Ben Graham, vice president of Graham's Style Store for Men, said that had the council vote gone
the other way, it might have caused the store to move from 890 Main Street, its location for 65 years.
"Dad and I had seriously talked about maybe it's time to do business in another location," said
Graham, a longtime proponent of opening Main to traffic. "We really didn't have a specific place
picked out, but it would have been time to start considering some other options."
The council voted 6-1 for the project's $2.425 million financing. Iowa law required 75 percent of
council members to support a resolution of necessity for the project because it assessed part of the
cost to private property owners.
Most of the money comes from a $1 million general obligation bond supported by tax increment
financing. Money the city receives annually from the Dubuque Racing Association will provide
$919,467. Owners of private Main Street properties located between Fifth and Ninth streets will pay
$439,531 through special assessments. The city will pay $65,983 for special assessments of city-
owned property. These figures, which differ from those the city had previously budgeted, were
approved Monday night.
The $2.4 million covers Portzen Construction's $1.865 million bid for construction, up to $75,000 for
completing the construction early, a $234,111 project contingency, $221,000 for inspection and
$30,000 for construction staking.
Upon council member Dan Nicholson's request, the council extended the original dates for
construction completion four weeks. Nicholson said this should be done to make up for about seven
lay-offs that Portzen attributed to the council tabling its decision on the project Dec. 17. The council
delayed consideration until Joyce Connors on Monday became the council's 3rd Ward
representative. Connors' predecessor, Joe Robbins, wanted to keep the pedestrian mall.
"(Portzen) He's got to re-hire the people that he laid off, etc.," Nicholson said. "I just think it's only
fair."
Mike Portzen, owner of Portzen Construction, said after the meeting that the company will discuss
the plaza project today and could begin work as early as Wednesday.
"They are ready to start as soon as they have approval from the city to proceed," said Chris Wand,
project manager for Durrant Architects. "I'm pleased that it's going to proceed, that it's going to move
forward."
Nicholson said he applauded Markham for making the concession that finalized the council's
"agonizing."
Council member Ann Michalski said she is convinced that once the street is open,
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