The Role of the Non-Governmental Sector & Public Private Partnerships

Laura Carstens

Planning Services Manager

City of Dubuque, Iowa

Case Study: Historic Millwork District

Where is Dubuque, Iowa?

Where Iowa, Wisconsin & Illinois meet Population of 60,000 On the Mississippi River

Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District

A Vision of Sustainable

Development

PAST: History of the Millwork District

Most industries closed in the 1960s and 1970sArea has sat mostly vacant since that time

At turn of 20th Century, one of the largest millworking concentrations in US

Dozens of companies with 2,500 jobs

PRESENT: Conditions in the Historic Millwork District

17 blocks of historic brick warehouses Over 1 million square feet of vacant space Streets with historic pavers, gravel and tracks Limited off-street parking or pervious area

Historic Millwork District Partnerships

Sustainability Master Plan Redevelopment Financing Street Reconstruction Streetscape Improvements

Master Plan Partnerships

Revitalization of the Historic Millwork District was selected in 2005 by

nearly 15,000 tri-state citizens as one of 10 big ideas targeted for

implementation by 2010.

Historic Millwork District Master Plan

Planning process engaged City officials & staff, property owners, and the public

Planning documents: Economic Feasibility & Market Study Master Plan Design Guidelines

Urban Ecosystems: Infrastructure for a Model Sustainable District

Water Energy Development Vegetation & Open Space Arts & Culture

Master Plan Partnerships

Implementation: NTHP Preservation Green Lab pilot site District Energy Feasibility Study Redevelopment Financing Design of Complete Streets, Utilities &

Streetscape Improvements One Way Street Conversion Study Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning Architectural Design Guidelines

Sustainability Partnerships“Creating livable communities will result in improved quality of life for all Americans and create a more efficient and more accessible transportation network that serves the needs of individual communities. Fostering the concept of livability in transportation projects and programs will help America’s neighborhoods become safer, healthier and more vibrant.”

Ray LaHood, USDOT Secretary

National Sustainable Cities Tour, Dubuque, September 17, 2009: Secretary Ray LaHood, USEPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and HUD Secretary Shawn Donovan met with Governor Chet Culver and Mayor Roy Buol

Sustainability Partnerships

It’s big…where to start?It’s hard to get to. It’s a warehouse

district. Its streets and its water

and sewer lines are outdated.

How do you tie it all together?

Redevelopment Financing Partnerships

Reality Check: Economics Behind It All

2008 ERA Study had several key findings: “Urban” housing is non-existent in Dubuque 250-500 DU’s urban housing demand pre-IBM Housing will drive other uses

2009 IFA Study 550 rental units needed (and that’s conservative) Most desirable units would be downtown

732 Housing Units 351,000 s.f.

commercial/retail29 blocks of new streets12 blocks of improved streets3 acres of green space

Total Development Outcomes

Funds Secured to Date

Private Developers $28,050,000

City of Dubuque $4,403,000State Historic Tax Credits$20,500,000Federal Historic Tax Credits$16,720,000Iowa Great Places Grant $150,000Main Street Iowa Grant

$120,000USDOT TIGER Grant $5,600,000

Total $75,543,000

It’s hard to get to. How do you connect it to other districts: Downtown, Port of Dubuque, and Washington Neighborhood?How do you make it bike and pedestrian friendly?

Street Reconstruction Partnerships

Phased street improvements and streetscape enhancements

Complete Streets Partnerships

Streetscape Design Partnerships

Use of local artisans: metal workers teamed up with sculptors to create custom street furnishings with district motifs and at lower cost

Additional Information

Laura Carstens – City of Dubuque

lcarsten@cityofdubuque.org

563-589-4210