LRP Urban Renewal LetterPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planningQc ityofdubuque. org
THE CTTY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
December 13, 2007
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W.13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Discussion
On December 12, 2007 the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission reviewed the
proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District.
One of the roles of the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is to review
proposed urban renewal plans and urban renewal plan amendments for consistency
with the comprehensive plan for the city.
The amendment expands the existing urban renewal district to include the Warehouse
District and the South Main Street subarea.
The expansion of the urban renewal area supports the future rehabilitation efforts and
adaptive reuse of the Warehouse District and South Main Street subarea. Incorporation
of these properties into the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District will make several
economic development tools available, such as tax increment financing and access to
the Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program.
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission feels the improvements made within
the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District have benefited the areas and the city.
The Commission believes the Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District is consistent with the following goals and
objectives of the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan:
Amended and Restated Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
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Warehouse District & South Main
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1. Economic Development
• Goal 1 - To reduce unemployment, achieve economic stability, and
increase the standard of living for all citizens.
• Objective 1.3 -Facilitate access to economic incentives for quality job
creation and/or tax base enhancement.
• Goal 3 - To concentrate on retaining and expanding existing local
businesses.
• Objective 3.8 - Support downtown revitalization and neighborhood
business development.
• Goal 8 - To strengthen the local tax base.
• Objective 8.1 -Expand and diversify the tax base
• Objective 8.2 -Attract and retain capital intensive industries for increased
property values.
• Objective 8.3 - Encourage property improvements and revitalization
throughout the City.
2. Land Use and Urban Design
• Goal 7 - To encourage redevelopment opportunities within the city in an
effort to revitalize unused or underused property while promoting the
preservation of viable and affordable housing stock.
• Objective 7.1 -Encourage redevelopment or adaptive reuse of vacant or
underutilized buildings and sites.
• Objective 7.3 - Promote redevelopment that maximizes existing
infrastructure.
Recommendation:
By a vote of 4 - 0, the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission recommends
approval of the Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District.
Respectfully submitted,
~~
Dr. Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
David Heiar, Economic Development Director