Community Facilities

Community Facilities includes a total of 13 recommendations across 3 sub-categories: Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Municipal. The bar chart below highlights the status of the 13 recommendations. Scroll down to the Recommendation Tracker for details. Status information reflects the community's work toward each recommendation.

Recommendation Highlight - Continued expansion of fiber optic access throughout the community. #E1e

Click the image to learn how the City of Dubuque used GIS to make the case for broadband funding.

The Collective Impact Model is the vehicle we use to implement the plan. It relies on organizations working together in a structured way, to achieve social change. The model relies on:

A Common Agenda
Shared Measurements
Mutually Reinforcing Activities
Continuous Communication
A Strong Backbone Organization

Each of the seven categories has a Connector and every recommendation has a Coordinator, which is the subject expert. Champions are the boots-on-the-ground; they are the programs, organizations, people, projects, events and initiatives doing the work of the plan. Click here for an infographic illustrating the model.

Recommendation Identification

Connect With Us

A dedicated team of Dubuque residents and community partners are helping turn our city's comprehensive plan, into a reality. These coordinators, connectors, and champions are tracking progress across each of the 7 categories, 32 subcategories and 110 recommendations of Imagine Dubuque.

For information on the Community Facilities Category, contact Connector Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer at the City of Dubuque, 563-589-4270 or gpsihoyo@cityofdubuque.org.

For additional information on Imagine Dubuque, contact Assistant Planner Jason Duba at the City of Dubuque, 563-589-4223 or jduba@cityofdubuque.org.

Tracking Definitions

At Risk: Recommendation implementation has not yet begun, has a roadblock or made little progress. Needs will vary and may include funding, coordination, time, and staffing.

Off Track: Recommendation implementation is in the early stages of moving forward by way of active organizing, connecting with partners, planning and data collection, and/or a few early action items.

On Track: Recommendation implementation is moving forward, with multiple actions in motion and steady progress being made towards realizing the recommendation, or recommendation implementation is ongoing with continuity and growth in progress.

Achieved: Recommendation has been completed and work on it has ended.

City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023

City Council Priorities reflect recommendations throughout Imagine Dubuque. Annually Council sets goals that contain Top and High Priorities. Thirteen priorities align with the 110 recommendations, some identifying with more than one. Additionally, the implementation of Imagine Dubuque was also identified as a High Priority.

To see a list of 2021-2023 City Council Priorities, click here. Additionally, look for language in the progress section for each recommendation to see if a priority aligns with it.

- Data will be updated bi-annually to align with Council Reports -

Recommendation tracker

Community Facilities: 13 recommendations

• At Risk • Off Track • On Track • Achieved

Infrastructure Public Safety Municipal

Infrastructure

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Expand sanitary sewer system to meet needs - 5.1.1
► Address water system needs / address future growth - 5.1.2
► Integrate Vernon Township and Barrington Lakes water systems - 5.1.3
► Update the city-wide stormwater management ordinance - 5.1.4
► Expand fiber optic network access - 5.1.5
► Monitor progress toward environmental goals - 5.1.6

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Continue to expand the sanitary sewer collection system to meet growth needs, particularly in proximity to the Southwest Arterial, the West End, and the South Port. 5.1.1 - Coordinator: Todd Irwin, tirwin@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

The City has begun to implement recommendations, from a recent study, to upgrade the existing catfish Creek Interceptor sewer. The planned will upgrades will upsize the gravity portion of the interceptor sewer and construct a new lift station and force main that will greatly improve the conveyance of the waste water flow directly to the Water Resource Recovery Center. (June 2022)
Update the future land use map to reflect more intensive industrial use in Crossroads Industrial Center and the Southwest Arterial area, so sewers can be properly sized and planned for. (June 2022)
The City is currently working, with a consultant, to plan and design improvements for high-strength liquid organic waste handling at the Water & Resource Recovery Center. The modification will help realize the full potential of the anaerobic process by stabilizing the digester feed rate. Since the digesters became operational, in 2013, the Center has received $1.8 million in tipping fees from the treatment of high-strength liquid organic waste. (June 2022)
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
- Sewer System Infrastructure Upgrade (including Catfish Creek Sanitary Sewer System)
City Council Priority Alignment 2022-2024:
- Catfish Creek Sanitary Sewer Project: Debt Policy Direction, Phasing, and Funding

Utilize the results of the water system dynamic model (currently under development) to identify current needs, as well as plan for future growth of the community. 5.1.2 - Coordinator: Chris Lester, clester@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

The dynamic water model is in use, improving water pressure, providing balanced stability and fire suppression, and more effective use of water towers and tanks.
By moving water more efficiently, there is less aging of water and improved quality. The model helps report back with water main break data, identifying breaks, material, age, elevation and whether there is a need for air release.
See more how bringing water service to new neighborhoods, like along John F. Kennedy Road, helps protect residents' health and homes.

Continue the integration of the former Vernon Township and Barrington Lakes water systems into the overall City of Dubuque system. 5.1.3 - Coordinator: Chris Lester, clester@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Achieved

Project is completed and meeting expansion needs.

Update the city-wide stormwater management ordinance to guide future growth and development and to address onsite infiltration and sustainable development practices. 5.1.4 - Coordinator: Deron Muehring, dmuehrin@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Off Track

A plan to update the ordinance by Spring 2022 would include water quality best management practices are required as a part of new development when feasible.
The City continues partnerships to create responsive approaches to watersheds throughout the community, to better manage runoff and reduce pollution.
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
- Sewer System Infrastructure Upgrade (including Catfish Creek Sanitary Sewer System)

Continued expansion of fiber optic access throughout the community. 5.1.5 - Coordinator: Dave Lyons, davel@greaterdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

Broadband Planning Team, led through Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, strives toward redundancy of service for business areas (at 100%) and the goal of 100% coverage at homes. Check their website for up to date provider lists and information.
The continued laying of fiber increases access across the community and creates healthy competition, which lowers pricing and increases service for consumers and businesses.
Redundancy is good, especially for fire and Emergency Management Services (EMS) which cannot afford to lose signal. Both private sector and City fiber are installed, and in some cases each may share with the other.
Fiber optics have the opportunity to support all types of systems through Dubuque. For water service delivery, it's an improvement from the old radio system, helping with monitoring, breaks, towers, pump and lift stations. By helping to monitor, it prevents breaks and costs.
All City assets will be linked via secure fiber access to increase speed and quality of services to public.
A design is in process for a comprehensive broadband network across Dubuque. Learn more about the community's need for broadband and its work to utilize data to make the case for strengthening its broadband capacity through an article published by ESRI. (October 2021)
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
- Community Broadband Expansion

Partner with Green Dubuque and other similar organizations to define metrics to monitor progress on environmental goals as outlined in the 50% by 2030 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. 5.1.6 - Coordinator: Gina Bell, gbell@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

More about the 50% by 2030 Plan is available here. Green Dubuque and community members were engaged to update the plan in 2019.
The City's Sustainability Office will hire a Climate Action Coordinator in fiscal year 2023 and will participate in a Carbon Disclosure Project. (June 2022)
Greenhouse Gas Inventory updates (June 2022):
- In fiscal year 2023, a GHG reduction inventory is scheduled.
- A 2019 update reported a 27% reduction in GHG emissions since 2003.
- A 2014 update reported an 11% reduction in GHG emissions since 2003.
City Council Priority Alignment 2022-2024:
- Climate Action Plan Implementation

Public Safety

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Ensure resources for City Departments as population grows - 5.2.1
► Explore 911 Communication Center needs - 5.2.2
► Evaluate cost/benefits/needs for police substation - 5.2.3
► Explore need for/relocation of a southwest fire station - 5.2.4

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Ensure budget and staffing needs for all City Departments as Dubuque’s population grows. 5.2.1 - Coordinator: Jenny Larson, jlarson@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

Federal American Recovery Act dollars received in 2021 helped the City to fund water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and broadband infrastructure projects as well as create programs for business, non-for-profit, and arts groups assistance and utility bill assistance.
Relief dollars also helped the City make up for lost revenue in 2020, restoring previously frozen positions.
Dubuque's Open Budget application provides transparency and information to community organizations and citizens.
The Dubuque Fire Department has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Only five other departments in Iowa are accredited. This accreditation is a voluntary process and provides an agency/department with an improvement model to assess their service delivery and performance internally and then works with a team of peers from other agencies to evaluate their completed self-assessment. It shows the community that the Dubuque Fire Department continually self-assesses, looks for opportunities for improvement, and is transparent and accountable through third-party verification and validation.
City Council Priority Alignment 2022-2024:
- Comprehensive Fire Stations Locations: Study, Report, Direction, and Funding

Identify and document deficiencies of existing 911 Communications Center and explore facility expansion. 5.2.2 - Coordinator: Mark Murphy, mmurphy@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Off Track

Continue to seek funding for implementation of 2015 Plan.
Dubuque County Public Safety Radio system has upgraded from a 6 tower EDACs system to a 10 tower P25 radio system.
Services are reliant on consistent fiber optic utility to safely operate services, and benefit from the City's continuing expansion of that utility.
In 2018, Emergency Communications Center dispatch positions were increased from 4 to 6 positions.
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
- Community Broadband Expansion
- City Information & Network Security

Continue to explore the possibility of adding a police substation to further community policing efforts and adequate geographic coverage. 5.2.3 - Coordinator: Jeremy Jensen, jjensen@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Off Track

The police department is exploring the possibility of expanded facilities that best serve the community for response and engagement.

Explore potential future sites for an additional or relocated fire station with access to the Southwest Arterial. 5.2.4 - Coordinator: Amy Scheller, aschelle@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

Plans include a FY 2026 Fire Station: An FY 2023 study will determine whether the need is a new station or for a relocated station and whether there is a need to add more personnel to accommodate expansion.
The City introduced ambulance service from Fire Station #2 at John F. Kennedy Road in October 2022, lessening response times to west end calls.
Fire department staff is reviewing recommendations from a recent accreditation site visit to incorporate into next steps.
The department is identifying response zones and mapping needs for analysis. New analysis software is in the process of being implemented and the department continues to analyze data and identify resources for analysis. (June 2022)
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023:
- West End Fire Station
City Council Priority Alignment 2022-2024:
- Comprehensive Fire Stations Locations: Study, Report, Direction, and Funding

Municipal

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Explore potential for a West End library branch - 5.3.1
► Implement the Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan - 5.3.2
► Repurpose the Five Flags Civic Center - 5.3.3

RECOMMENDATIONS - STATUS & DETAILS

Explore the potential for a small library branch within the West End. 5.3.1 - Coordinator: Nick Rossman, nrossman@carnegiestout.org

► Status: On Track

The library's Strategic Plan process has included focus groups to gain community input, including the desire and need for westside service. The process was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic and is anticipated to be complete by Fall 2022.
A recently purchased van helps facilitate the use of book dropboxes, providing convenient options for westside residents.
The Bike Library heads out to a variety of locations such as community events as Art on the River and Farmers Market.
Library users are able to pick up holds at Kennedy Mall and the Asbury Branch of the Dubuque County Library.
Previous library vending machines at west end HyVee grocery stores proved mechanically problematic and limited in function, and were removed as a result.

Monitor market conditions and strategically implement the Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan and other emerging plans. 5.3.2 - Coordinator: Jill Connors, jilconno@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

Design Review Committees help guide appropriate development at Chaplain Schmitt Island, the Port of Dubuque, and the Millwork District.
Chaplain Schmitt Island:
- Completion of Chaplain Schmitt Veteran's Memorial Plaza in 2020,
- New additions to entertainment and tourist attractions help make the island more attractive to visitors. Regular Dubuque Racing Association and planning committee meetings are moving the plan forward.
Historic Millwork District:
- 220 E. 9th Street- Kretschmer-Tredway Building- mostly vacant and underutilized historic structure being transformed into much needed rental housing, with anticipated leasing in September 2020
- Small pocket park under development between Kretschmer-Tredway and Key City Iron Works building, to be completed by 2023
Central Avenue Redevelopment:
- Various samll businesses are populating storefronts, serving the Washington Neighborhood residents
- Redevelopment of multiple historic structures along the corridor will increase availability of quality retail, entertainment, and housing
- Construction of a green alley from 17^th to 18^th Street, as well as a partial plaza at 18^th & Central will begin in late 2022 to initiate one recommendation of the Streetscape Master Plan
City Council Priority Alignment 2021-2023 & 2022-2024:
- Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan Implementation

Repurpose the Five Flags Center according to outreach studies to better showcase and utilize the storied downtown venue. 5.3.3 - Coordinator: Marie Ware, mware@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: On Track

In December 2022, the City Council voted to consider investing $24 million into improving Five Flags Center. Council members will decide during the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process in February/March 2023 on whether to approve a proposal to use the funds to make a number of improvements to the center over a five-year period, with the first 18 months devoted to design and engineering. City officials plan to keep the facility open while construction is underway.
For reference: Studies and historical information may be found here.
City Council Priority Alignment 2022-2024:
- Five Flags: Options, Funding Mechanism, Direction, and Next Steps