Shared Ideas

Scroll down to view all of the ideas and photos submitted to date!

Note: To better understand ideas and ‘repeat themes’, ideas are sorted by category, with the newest ideas listed at top. If you see a duplicate idea, your eyes are not playing tricks on you!  This just means that the idea submitted pertains to multiple categories.

Categories:  (1) Economic Prosperity, (2) Social and Cultural Vibrancy, (3) Environmental Integrity, and (4) Equity

Photo Board

Below are ‘inspiration images’ shared by fellow Dubuquers. Have an idea or photo to add? Click here!

To have comprehensive bike trails, both single track trails as well as paved bike paths, to support the already avid cyclist community here and attract more people to come visit Dubuque for cycling. The picture provided is from a snow ride this winter on our local trails.

We need a rock climbing facility for people of all ages.

I want to climb like this awesome woman! And I want climbing to be open and accessible to all ages.

A healthy community with lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. A bike friendly community with mountain biking trails.

Incorporate art into functional pieces such as a bike racks.

How about a minor-league baseball team!

LED lighting would enhance the vision for Dubuque.

Implement the Compete Streets Policy, make our town more bike friendly.

Develop a community health and wellness center.

Develop an indoor sports complex.

I imagine a diverse, vibrant and eclectic downtown.

Dubuque needs to be dog friendly to attract new (younger) residents.

(1) Economic Prosperity

Example Topics: Local and Regional Economy, Community Design, Jobs, Workforce, and Employment

• Strive to get at least one or two quality restaurants into the mall. There are plenty of empty spaces.
• Collegetown + many opportunities
• Amtrak to IL + WI. A better mall for shopping and a large food court.  Tour buses would use it, like they did with bishops.
• Brighten up Central Ave. with the new stores + flower pots – benches, more bus service
• Spruce up Central all the way to 25^th
• Please extend the remodeling of Central Ave to 25^th because there are businesses + building needs to be uplifted.
• Better businesses on Central.
• Better stores + better store names – Stores for Petites + Talls. Restore remodeling corridor to 25^th Street (Central Ave)
• Let’s fix storefronts up to 25^th and Central!
• Probably lower taxes
• I want them to add Sky5
• We need more restaurants that are more affordable
• Instead of giving businesses + multi-family apartment complexes, property tax cut, give cuts to the homeowners.
• I wish Dubuque was bigger
• Lower the taxes.
• Central Ave extend to 25^th Street fix building up like rest of plans for Central
• Better businesses for Central
• Better restaurants – big names instead of having to go to Cedar Rapids or Davenport for them.
• We need a barro’s pizza – that stuff is good
• Lower taxes: taxes far too high in DBQ! People can’t sustain!
• Complete disregard for the city debt. I’m tired of the tax and spend mentality of our city leaders. How much interest do the tax payers of Dubuque pay every year
• We’re doing a terrific job with the Warehouse district. Continue emphasis on historic preservation and redevelopment.
• Put a food court at the 24th street end. Doesn’t have to be fancy, though it would probably draw more people if it had a few chains that we don’t already have in town — a Starbucks, a Sonic, a Noodles Inc, a Baskin-Robbins?
• You’ve extended “downtown” all the way to 24th street, and you’ve made all those Central businesses more valuable.
• Get a Whole Foods store
• Economic incentives + support for local chefs, fewer chain restaurants
• I visit Aldi the most out of all the grocers
• I visit Hy-Vee the most out of all the grocers
• Hy-Vee is good at getting things in – just communicate
• Hy-Vee is not good at getting things in
• I’m happy with Hy-Vee
• Bring back co-op
• Bring back co-op
• Bring back co-op
• Bring back co-op
• More restaurants with ethnic foods and vegetarian options
• More restaurants with ethnic foods and vegetarian options
• Too many greasy restaurants
• To many unhealthy restaurants
• I take health-minded relatives to Brazen / L. May – they have options
• I take healthy-minded people to Inspire Café & Charlotte’s
• The Millwork District turned out great – maybe Central Avenue will too
• More small grocery stores and “bodegas” or delis, especially downtown to carry the basics/pick up a sandwich, etc.
• Empty storefronts need to be filled for walkers
• Please work on buildings on Central Ave. from 30^th Street to 22^nd Street – storefronts and houses look dumpy
• Get people to work; you will learn to respect yourself; then you will respect others!
• Research and creation of tiny homes and infill housing. Millennials and Gen X’ers don’t want the expense & upkeep of traditional houses – How can we co-create a solution that adds value and beauty while preserving the history of our city?
• A time to visit places of interest – business – industry – education (BIE). We had BIE groups in 50’s + 60’s. Students see what the businesses do.
• Every time I consider moving downtown I remember I would have to drive to the West end to do my shopping. How about a Walmart where the Dubuque Pack used to be and one more grocery store.
• Please consider developing some full-hook up RV parks in Dubuque near or with visibility of the river. (Enhance Miller Riverview park or add RV sites near the Q Casino)
• We need some major department stores. A red lobster would be nice.
• Many empty stores especially Center Ave. – Try to restore this area
• Develop the old Dubuque packing co. space in a: 1) Walmart 2) Home Depot/Menards – something that I don’t have to drive to the West End. This would also free up traffic on West End.
• When I vacationed in Hawaii we had a trolley pick us up to take us to a centralized hotel. We had a free breakfast + “welcome to the city” speech. Then met w/ tourists/business reps set up at perimeter of room. We had a blank calendar + the reps told us their offerings, booked what we wanted, used our credit card to pay
• Build up the back area. Bring a Walmart to this area. Thanks for asking.
• More jobs in Dubuque. Not minimum wage jobs
• I know it would be expensive, but build up Miller Park you spend so much money cleaning it up + hardly ever get to use it. The campers spend money in Dubuque.
• Legalize marijuana
• More job opportunities. Better jobs
• Renovate 200 homes
• Top Golf
• Super Target
• Support Small Business!
• Love the renovation of downtown
• More late night food options
• More healthy quick food options
• I would like to see more healthy quick food/fast-food restaurants
• Bass Pro Shop
• Less cancelled flights
• Less chain restaurants + more quality restaurants
• More shopping
• A better hunting store
• Less taxes
• More local/specialty restaurants
• More diverse shopping
• More diverse food
• Late night food trucks
• Burlington Coat Factory
• Homegoods store + Marshall’s
• Better shopping at the malls
• Better retail
• Nordstrom has a distribution center in the west business park and it may be convenient to have a Nordstrom retail store in the mall area. Nordstrom also has discount Nordstrom Rack stores, like the one in Madison. Inside the mall, there could be a large independently owned gallery store that sells local arts and crafts on consignment for local artists. It could sell items for homes and accessories to wear. The gallery could also promote the local arts and entertainment to visitors by displaying literature about local arts and entertainment events.
• I think it would hurt the Dubuque west side to duplicate a lot of Kennedy Mall’s retail along the new SW Arterial. Specific examples are Younkers/Dick’s/Best Buy/Shopko. I think it would be fine to duplicate grocers/restaurants/pharmacies.
• Inside the mall, there could be a local independently owned shop for computer service/sales/classes/consults, like Dubuque’s Criss Cross Computers or others.
• There is public WiFi only at the bookstore spot.
• Besides improving internet availability and connections to Dubuque locals, this would also make it easier for local businesses to provide better hotspots, and might invite better and more technology-based companies to the Dubuque area — something we are sorely in need of!
• Invite/encourage more and better ISPs into the Dubuque area. Mediacom’s services only get more expensive and less quality the longer they go without viable competition.
• There could be a store that sells natural foods and also some local foods.
• Whole Foods could be popular to visitors to the mall area.
• There are a lot of pluses to Kennedy Mall. The inside of the mall is accessible, well-lit, safe, well maintained, climate controlled, attractive, provides jobs, and has surrounding restaurants and a movie theatre and transit. The inside is appreciated in cold winters. There is plenty of parking space. Highway 20 and the NW Arterial bring in visitors from out of town. However, the mall could use more nature. Some of the walls could be painted light nature colors instead of white. There could be some murals with trees/shrubs/wildlife. There could be nature-themed art sculptures inside or outside.
• Connect a trail from Kerper to Port of Dubuque on the south side of town – Port of Dubuque employee.
• Do some heavy lifting on Loras Blvd. and North main Street…great history of Dubuque to work with.
• $15 minimum wage!!
• Raise minimum wage
• Less City spending.
• Keep property taxes low
• Please stop using tax dollars to subsidize commercial buildings on the west side when many existing buildings around town sit empty.
• Please get a Noodles & Company
• Trader Joe’s
• Aldi and/or Save-A-Lot grocery store downtown. Not everyone has or wants a car.
• More manufacturing jobs
•  I believe Dubuque needs to work on bringing Red Lobster here in Dubuque but of course everyone says that our runway is too small but if Trump and the Presidential plane when Obama was here can land there so can the plane for the fresh sea food. Just saying.
• Create boutique shops for men and women clothing so we don’t have to go to Madison and Chicago, etc.
• Quantifiable metrics must be set
• TIF support or equivalent
• Churches are a huge component of the community – they must be included as a constituency group
• Develop an incentive plan for property owners in downtown residential areas to improve their properties; thus creating neighborhoods less conducive to crime.
• Lower commercial real estate taxes.
• Trim unnecessary city programs and expenses.
• Create a smaller and leaner government.
• Establish monthly, or every other month, “improve or fix-up projects” in downtown neighborhoods. Solicit help from corporations, non-profits, etc. to get people with different economic backgrounds working together and talking to each other.
• Enhance the shopping center (new, updated stores).
• Bring other businesses to town to expand employment opportunities. Provide tax incentives.
• Restaurants and microbreweries will develop outdoor seating, where tourists and locals drop in after strolling the streets.
• Tear down a row of the unwanted buildings on Central Avenue then put in a green space. More attractive.
• I heard that the Flexsteel plant on Jackson Street is closing in the near future. Please consider converting the area into a small retail hub for the neighborhood. ALDI would be wonderful there, as well as Hartig or Walgreens. The nearest grocery stores are several minutes away and gas station food is not a healthy or affordable option for the neighborhood.
• Since downtown neighborhoods are being revitalized, maybe some retail could be brought near them. Clothing and household items. Moderate income. Walsh store is gone and most retail is on the west side.
• I would love to see Dubuque develop a green job training program similar to BEST Academy sponsored by Sustainable South Bronx. The website describes it this way: Founded in 2003, the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (BEST) Academy is SSBx’s flagship program. BEST Academy prepares low-income New York City residents for jobs in the growing green collar sector. The program addresses both environmental and economic needs in the community by preparing New Yorkers for full-time employment, and simultaneously teaching skills related to protecting the environment, restoring urban green spaces, bringing NYC’s buildings to a higher, greener standard. Program components include: 1) Career Development 2) Green Construction 3) Building Operations & Maintenance 4) Financial Education 5) Community Service 6) Environmental Literac http://www.ssbx.org/best-academy/
• Sell Five Flags to a private enterprise.
• More opportunities to support local business-the recent string of chain fast food restaurants in particular is very disappointing.
• More family-friendly dining options
• I would like to see development along the river by Kerper. There are a lot of vacant buildings from companies that have left the area. It would be great if that area would get some investment similar to the Port of Dubuque. Make it a place for families to visit, offer entertainment for all ages instead of casino related entertainment, and turn this section of the river front into something as beautiful as the Port. There’s so much potential that is sitting vacant.
• More start-ups, small business success, local / unique retailers and restaurants.
• Better / different / more places to eat including food trucks, more variety in restaurants, better cafeteria at the Mall, and coffee houses.
• More job opportunities.
• More jobs for young people
• Follow through on our existing ideas. We have large open spaces in the Port of Dubuque and a Millwork District that hasn’t come to full fruition. Before doing anything else, let’s finish what Envision and other predecessors to Imagine Dubuque started. Also, let’s not plan mixed use and settle for suburban office park buildings.
• Better retail options. Department stores like Nordstrom, outlets like Nordstrom Rack or Banana Republic Factory, DSW, Loft, etc.
• Trader Joe’s
• South Port Development
• Dubuque has so much going for it already, let’s not undermine all the greatness to date!
• In order to attract new residents and especially young professionals the town needs to be dog friendly (parks, outside seating, bowls of water outside downtown shops).

(2) Social + Cultural Vibrancy

Example Topics: Education, Health, Historic + Cultural Resources, Housing, Parks + Recreation, Public Safety

• I have some ideas to consider for school classes for children who go to Dubuque’s more challenging schools including Senior. I think they need more learning of concrete life skills than is currently traditionally done.  Practical personal skills.  Some suggestions:  skilled trades overview, household budgeting and personal finance, job finding, career days with visits from local businesses, tours of businesses and business park, industrial-related craft demos, auto maintenance with demos on cars, house/yard maintenance with demos at nearby houses, cooking demos at Hyvee kitchen and restaurant visits, first aide with a clinic visit, parenting with interview and Q&A of young parents, overview of business with visit to a small business and city offices, visit to NICC and a NICC counselor visit to the classroom, animal care with visit to humane society, substance abuse film, criminal justice overview, basics of psychology/mental health, visit by their city council member, Iowa agriculture with farm/garden visits.  I think there should be less classroom/ history/ war history, exposure to violence, astronomy, space, climate change, literature, world affairs, science fiction, long written tests.  I think there could be more workshop time and less traditional class time.  More mini written reports. More return demonstration of a task just learned. It seems like school buses and different city buses are available for use during classroom times, evenings, summers.  Field trips and outside demos would be less expensive than adding expensive equipment to classrooms. Local business like to help.
• It’s time to become more dog friendly. I would like to be able to walk my dogs in all parks, not just a few. Traveling the USA dog can go with their owners. A dog park here that is worth talking about not what we have now.
• Partner to encourage the creation of an indoor, state-of-the-art swimming/diving complex.
• Support the arts. Better maintenance along highway 20 from Kmart to Walmart = cut grass!!
• To recruit a minor league baseball team to Dubuque. If we can support a hockey team, we can support a baseball team. Use gambling money to build a stadium.
• The light of the Spirit of Dubuque River Boat learning. Some great energy towards attracting another River Boat – Maybe a historical, educational program/camp/exhibit to DARSPA stir interest?!
• Work with the school district to build a school – community pool.
• To support the Arts organizations such as Dubuque Arts council that provides programs to thousands of Tri-State students as well as music in the gardens performances on Sunday evening to the community at the Arboretum.
• Orange park tether ball tire swing “in small parks.” Sand Box – area need more there to do.
• Basketball court. 16^th – 20^th Street area for people
• Dubuque is big enough to support a Wisconsin Dell type of resort
• Do not allow dogs at the farmers market. It is extremely unsanitary. I saw a dog lift its leg and pee on a vendors table.  Dubuque is the only city that allows dogs
• Dogs allowed in parks
• Under 10 rim basketball stadium
• Deeper pool at YMCA
• Bigger YMCA
• More dance clubs/not just bars in Dubuque. Better nightlife
• I wish that Dubuque could have a zoo nearby out in the country somewhere or something like that.
• Make vegetable plants + put among flowers at schools, so hungry kids can have fresh produce, in the summer. How about fruit trees?
• Diversity education for citizens
• Get rid of Five Flags and make into parking
• I love the monthly free movies at CSLibrary
• Does the gain of how we BBQ in DBQ offset the cost? The attendance seems low!
• Discount for seniors at around senior activities
• More arts + cultural facilities/groups
• More equality in schools
• To make the people more aware of what is going on in the city so they can get involved
• More activities for seniors; yoga -> parks + rec adults summer activities
• More opportunities, resources, and events for cultures all over the world. I would love to see DBQ be a melting pot.
• I am also glad we are becoming so diverse in so many ways
• Preserve antique buildings (historic preservation)
• Need to build a sense of community and stop focusing on money
• I would like to see more recreational opportunities. We missed the boat with minor league baseball a few years ago. I think we may have been trying to build a Cadillac ballpark at the time, at taxpayer expense. If we would have kept it simpler, to get things started and promoted it as family-friendly, then upgrades could have been made later.
• Leadership from the community – not from the top
• Have events in parts of town that we’d like to bring more business or attention to outdoor concerts, plays, kids’ activities, etc.
• More free activities or events in parks (i.e. chess, bocce ball, concerts, etc.)
• Beautiful river with no accessibility – sad
• Beautiful river with no accessibility – sad
• Pets in parks! It will bring people together! Empty parks are sad!!
• Indoor climbing gym
• Childcare co-op
• Strong, local foods system
• Farm to school
• Know your farmer, know your food
• Barter, share, & trade
• Arts: paintings, spoken word, music, musical gatherings, talent show showing off cultures and their forms of art
• Get billboards out of residential areas
• Availability of culturally appropriate fruits + vegetables
• Bringing people together through multi-cultural events – prompting different cultures through similarities
• Moss graffiti
• I wish my grocer carried a variety of organic food
• I wish my grocer carried vegan foods
• I wish my grocer carried juice bars + more vegan options
• I wish my grocer carried more healthy foods at food pantries & St. Stephen’s Food Bank
• Would love to have access to farmer’s market food during the week. Would be great to have small, local grocers carry local food from our farmers throughout the week
• Convivium has all homemade muffins, quiche, soup
• Establish a local food commission
• Strong farm-to-school initiatives!
• Strong farm-to-school initiatives!
• Strong farm-to-school initiatives!
• Summer farming program at local schools
• Promotion & education of local foods in schools
• Farmer’s market should run later into the day
• Farmer’s market should run later into the day
• Winters farmer’s market will need a new location
• Winters farmer’s market will need a new location
• Publicize efforts like sustain collaborative farming
• Get bigger farmer’s markets on West Side – then promote them!
• Classes to teach immigrant population how to prepare local foods
• Classes to learn from immigrant population about how to prepare local foods
• Collaboration with ISU Extension
• Local food/cooking in schools
• Incentives for restaurants who use local foods
• Have cooking classes at farmers markets using veggies, etc. being sold there. Focus on children
• More weekday evening farmers markets
• Diversity: learning more about different cultural foods + growing and cooking these here in Dubuque
• Green buildings are free from toxins – (lead, chemicals, mold, etc.)
• Green buildings have clean air (use of air purifier)
• Green buildings use recycling + composting
• Solar shingles
• Building materials with low inherent energy
• Grants/funding for adaptive reuse
• Green buildings use restoration
• Green buildings use no/fewer pesticides & good ventilation (especially workplaces)
• Green buildings use green energy+ energy saving mechanisms
• Create green roofs
• Integrate edibles in landscape
• Integrate edibles in landscape
• Integrate edibles in landscape
• Steeple Square Model – repurpose historic buildings to meet community needs
• Restore old buildings (agree)
• IA interfaith power + light – DBQ
• Gronen Restoration doing it right
• Encourage food companies and distributors to donate food over throwing it away! Set up food bank for this
• The “Smokestack Model” – preserve, not tear down
• New construction retrofits
• Stronger historic preservation regulations – less vinyl, etc.
• My favorite venue, event experience is MFC
• My favorite venue, event experience is programs in the parks (Eagle Point, Grandview, Neighborhood Parks, etc.)
• Town Clock festivals are awesome
• My favorite venue, event experience is Inspiring People series at Inspire Café
• My favorite venue, event experience is College Jazz Nights at the Venue
• My favorite venue, event experience is Five Flags Theatre and Opera House for family events
• Steeple Square – new, unique venue
• Best of DBQ’s events is Pechakucha. Very diverse and inclusive and personal + covers a broad range of topics.
• Pechakucha is a fabulous way to learn + connect
• My favorite venue, event experience is Dubuque and All that Jazz
• My favorite venue, event experience is Farmer’s Market
• Engaging Dubuquers in the NEW downtown venue spaces
• Just learned about BluffStrokes.org and Plein Art Contest – Great idea! – this October
• I would leave Dubuque for Madison
• I leave for pet friendly places, we feel welcomed
• More pet-friendly businesses
• Larger pet parks
• Better pet park amenities
• More things to do for teenagers and people under 21
• More things to do for teenagers and people under 21
• More things to do for people over 60
• More things to do for people over 60
• We need shows which are professional productions so not the need to go out of town
• We need shows which are professional productions so not the need to go out of town
• More festivals
• Beach + dog beach
• Maybe more art in the Bee Branch Creek
• Public art
• Public art
• How about an arts trolley with a route that included important arts destinations
• Have more architecture tours
• Bring fire hydrant painting contests back
• Bring fire hydrant painting contests back
• Spoken word poetry
• Concerts along the new Bee Branch Trail
• Concerts along the new Bee Branch Trail
• Central outdoor amphitheater
• Central outdoor amphitheater
• Need pavilions for events
• 9pm cutoff for kids at venues which serve alcohol doesn’t allow for families to attend most music events
• More creative use of riverfront
• I miss good dance parties
• Voices groups is continuing the mural project on buildings. This helps brand DBQ as welcoming to the arts
• Bare buildings are beautiful too
• Murals! Clue people in to what’s happening. Good mural spot would be the Dream Center for example.
• Let’s utilize the Roshek Building
• The Riverwalk could be a hub of activity, but it’s really not.
• More outdoor events for younger crowd – movies in the park, at night for example. Also more exciting/engaging public art, something interactive.
• Strong arts programs in school i.e. Prescott
• Small neighborhood festivals
• Block parties
• More river competitions like Dragon Boats
• Kayak racing
• Opportunities to engage the Marshallese community… community dance performances?
• What about living/working spaces for artists/creators/innovators? Subsidize space to live/work/create in community
• What about living/working spaces for artists/creators/innovators? Subsidize space to live/work/create in community
• Key City Creative Center is attempting this – communal work + studio space (no apartments though)
• I want a spring art tour like in the fall
• We need to have a lecture series for people to learn about topics outside of Dubuque (part of the globe)
• We need to have a lecture series for people to learn about topics outside of Dubuque (part of the globe)
• Use local talents for discussions on world/local issues
• More entertainment options for teens. More diverse entertainment.
• More entertainment for boomers too
• Boomers have plenty of entertainment options
• I love farmers market
• I love farmers market
• I love symphony, chorale, events at Heritage Center, Art Museum, Gallery C, First Fridays – many good things happening!
• I love when the symphony plays at the arboretum in the summer
• Sunday concerts at the arboretum
• Julien DBQ Film Fest
• Newcomer class was a great way to learn about arts/entertainment in the city
• Art on the river is the best
• DBQ needs more multi-use venues like the Smokestack – drinks, food, outdoor space + exciting events.
• Ballet
• Live outdoor concerts during the summer
• Canoe launching on the river
• Continue “Voices at the Warehouse” this month long celebration embraced diversity, culture, arts of all kinds, and showed to young and old how arts unify
• Continue “Voices at the Warehouse” this month long celebration embraced diversity, culture, arts of all kinds, and showed to young and old how arts unify
• Continue “Voices at the Warehouse” this month long celebration embraced diversity, culture, arts of all kinds, and showed to young and old how arts unify
• Continue “Voices at the Warehouse” this month long celebration embraced diversity, culture, arts of all kinds, and showed to young and old how arts unify
• Love Mindframe
• More concerts for all ages
• Movie nights at Mindframe Theatres (show documentaries, hold panels, can cover topics of diversity)
• I like the Matter Creativity Center on 9^th
• Love art on the river. Sculptures and craft fair that was featured a few years ago.
• Move the art around town in the 2^nd year
• To be truly “Diverse,” dominant culture needs to be okay with discomfort
• Accommodating. Equity (not equality)
• Bio diversity is diversity in Dubuque
• The River is diversity in Dubuque
• Addressing diversity will be uncomfortable, but we must face being uncomfortable before we can be comfortable with it!
• Addressing diversity will be uncomfortable, but we must face being uncomfortable before we can be comfortable with it!
• Diversity = inviting someone to the party; Inclusivity = asking them to dance!
• Dubuquers think that diversity is good in theory, not practical
• DBQ is already diverse! But we need to do a better job mixing social, economic, and racial groups in order to take advantage of the gift that is diversity. And improve our city for everyone.
• DBQ is already diverse! But we need to do a better job mixing social, economic, and racial groups in order to take advantage of the gift that is diversity. And improve our city for everyone.
• Diversity in Dubuque is cronyism, much?
• Dubuque has a strong German Irish influence – my grandfather came here from Germany to start a family.
• I love the river, hills, small town feel
• People-transplants are expected to conform?
• We are trying to be sensitive to transplants they are new and exciting
• Diversity in DBQ is accepting those who are different from each other
• We still have racism and are not friendly to outsiders
• We have a diverse population but we don’t practice inclusion well enough
• Public schools are diverse
• Dubuque needs more engaging public places – parks + outdoor dining. Public attractions that bring people from all walks of life together are crucial
• Carnegie Stout is diverse
• One of my favorite events is the summer arboretum concerts – it draws hundreds of families
• I know and love All That Jazz/outdoor events
• I know and love Inspire Café talks + meetings
• I know and love Green Drinks local meet up
• I know and love Voices + Smokestack
• I know and love bringing diverse people together
• Convivium Urban Farmstead is awesome in the north section of Dubuque corridor
• There are many places I haven’t been to and some I’ve visited that made me feel strange – like I was under a spotlight not in a good way
• Concentrated pockets of poverty L
• Educate community on what does diversity really mean.
• More diverse food options/events
• How about actually being welcoming in Dubuque?
• Racial diversity is important & needs work, LGBTQ + acceptance also needs attention
• Engage all those college kids!
• It is tough to introduce diverse points of view
• Lack of compassion is real
• Make DBQ inclusive
• Celebrate local heritage
• People miss out on good friends + experiences when they don’t wholly embrace diversity around them
• More festivals to reflect our cities cultural diversity
• All sides of the diversity issues would do well to listen to others more. All sides need to be open to speaking what they can change in themselves and not just look to change others.
• Need creative, inclusive venues for honest conversation
• People who don’t buy the newspaper miss out on things – (not everyone buys or reads other’s paper)
• People who don’t buy the newspaper miss out on things – (not everyone buys or reads other’s paper)
• A Spanish language newspaper
• More diversity in the arts
• Making DBQ a welcoming + safe place for the LGBTQ + community members
• Healthy food options for low income + food desert areas
• More access to lap swimming pools
• Learn to meditate
• Water walking for seniors
• Inside tennis courts
• Our outdoor pools need to be open longer – maybe through mid-September
• Legalize dog walking in the city parks
• Legalize dog walking in the city parks
• Teach people about fragrance/chemical sensitivity (esp. in workplace!!!) (MCS)
• Indoor pool! More access to gyms. I feel like people don’t go because it’s too expensive
• We need an all city recreation indoor pool recreation area. How about cooperating with city-school to get it done?
• Walking track with a view of our most beautiful asset – The Mississippi!
• I love looking at bulletin boards in coffee shops, can we take this concept and expand it
• Telegraph Herald website + print copy for events
• Telegraph Herald website + print copy for events
• Facebook + facilities’ websites
• Events in 365 magazine
• Events in 365 magazine
• Events in 365 magazine
• How do people want to hear about events? (Not everyone has a computer)
• I find out what is happening in the newspaper, but it only has articles the same day or after it occurs L
• Julien Journal has events but it costs $4
• I find out what is happening from podcasts J
• Need centralized communication tool for all seniors for events and local information
• Social media is how I find out about what is happening in Dubuque
• I find out about what is happening in Dubuque from 365 INK, paper copy and internet
• 365 does a great job, but folks must submit events first, so please submit!
• We need a central calendar for events
• Word of mouth (I don’t know many people)
• In general there is an info vacuum; you have to work to get information
• 365ink Magazine; Dubuque365.com is my resource for what’s happening!
• We need more streamline media
• Circles Initiatives
• Service Learning courses & programs at local colleges
• Dubuque Dream Center
• Higher education institutions provide lots of opportunities and news to students. Reaching out can increase awareness of events.
• Green Dubuque (Advocacy, Good Governance, Transparency. Inclusion. Walk the Talk)
• Share + read city Facebook posts
• Attend commission + council meetings
• Contact City staff
• Offer to partner
• City is making great use of nextdoor.com
• Our City staff and leadership are very accessible. If you have a concern they will listen. They are seen out and about in many social/cultural events.
• Our City staff and leadership are very accessible. If you have a concern they will listen. They are seen out and about in many social/cultural events.
• I interact with the City by joining a committee (resilience) to help communicate wishes of myself + community
• Transparency in government!
• More public offerings in Port of Dubuque. Not private.
• Get your mural on…
• Green murals
• We need to look at food + chemicals + toxins in lower economic status populations. Diseases, behaviors all correlate with toxins from multiple sources. Start with food. Food is medicine.
• Social and cultural vibrancy equals new experiences
• Downtown walking tours marked on the sidewalks
• Acceptance + awareness to overcome barriers
• Potential business owners need a place to go for ideas + incentives
• More engaging ambitious public art. Should be a destination! Should be Instagram-worthy à free advertising for the city
• More outdoor dining! Come on! Especially on the river! How about a dinner train: Dubuque to Bellevue maybe?
• More dog parks!
• For us old folks – a pool with easy access for all handicapped + affordable to use for poor people
• Allowing more artistic and cultural activities + cultural activities in city parks + public spaces
• Use Nextdoor Dubuque to email to get the word out. More free office space for non-profit organizations.
• Have a dog friendly area in each park. Provide bags. Dogs must be leashed.
• To have an aquatics center for all ages.
• Community center
• Indoor/outdoor swimming pool in city
• Where the Pack was put in parks for kids soccer, basketball, concession food vendors
• 1% of taxes for schools should be for everything in school, not just the building + remodeling (books, teachers, etc.)
• Pro baseball
• A climbing wall gym
• More swings at McDonald’s park. Not enough boat/trailer parking at Hawthorne Street.
• Go Kart track
• Sky diving
• Pet friendly places
• Baseball stadium
• Would love to see outdoor waterpark
• More downtown music fest
• Outdoor water park
• Buses that look like trolleys
• Triple-A baseball team
• More music festival events
• Genuine, humble, friendly people. Dubuque, this is us!
• More rooftop bars
• Dog friendly
• Dogs allowed in parks
• Free college
• More free family events
• Minor league baseball team
• Bring in more hair metal bands
• Dubuque, be more like Madison
• Have more bars + churches
• More social gatherings (i.e. Jazzfest, etc.)
• Free sports leagues!
• Professional baseball team
• Outdoor water park
• Free concerts
• Drive in movie theatre
• Amphitheatre by the river
• Additional river activities
• Free kids activity museum
• Rec hockey rink
• West end pool
• Minor league baseball
• Minor league baseball team in town
• Water park
• More beaches
• More bars + stuff along the river… we have an awesome asset!
• Container park
• DBQ Zoo
• More dog parks
• Baseball diamond
• Baseball team
• A Pokemon Go park
• Minor League baseball
• Make Dubuque parks dog friendly. Make sure there is a strong leash and waste pickup policy, but it’s crazy you can’t take your pet to most Dubuque parks.
• Need for access for more spaces for urban gardening opportunities on vacant City properties
• The Convivium Urban Farm is an exciting concept just getting going that “will bring people together through food production, preparation, education and enjoyment.” They will offer classes in food preparation, food preservation, and growing.   Part of their greenhouse will be used for hydroponic production and vertical farming.   The hydroponic farming hopes to add fish in 4 to 5 years.
• Summer Farmers Market – one of, if not the best, in the State. Has been adding kids’ activities to draw families, and is adding a chef this year that will do demonstrations about buying and cooking with fresh produce.  Their double-up food bucks program linked to SNAP has been very successful.
• Root crops do well in this area. Some specialty fruits also do well (Strawberries were noted)
• There is solid institutional interest in expanding use of local foods – The U.D. chef does occasional farm to table dinners with locally sourced foods, and the School District participates in Farm to School month integrating locally sourced foods in their menu.
• Need for a better system of regional food distribution – with no local warehouse. Institutions and restaurants want one source – and with some exceptions, won’t reach out to multiple venders/farmers.  West Union has a food hub, and the concept of tapping into that food hub as a node is being explored.  A warehouse would likely need co-op investors and a good location – some suggested the Central Avenue corridor.
• Most institutions have contracts with one vendor (Cisco, Aramark, etc.) – a policy change may be required. Luther College has done this.
• Access to a food production space is needed – although Convivium may be able to meet that need.
• Need to make buying local easier.
• Solid waste agency no longer provides compost. Cedar Rapids is a good example of a community that does.
• The federal Bio-Mass Crop Assistance program is a good example of a model that works.
• There is a big opportunity for composting in Dubuque
• Need to strengthen the regional context for local food production.
• Ideally, a staff person would be assigned to coordinate efforts and support production of local foods
• The goal for Dubuque should be “food sovereignty”
• Regarding indicators, participants noted that the STAR systems has good indicators for local food. Food insecurity was also noted as a good indicator.
• Johnson County was noted as a community with a good plan for local foods.
• The economic development benefit of local foods should be emphasized.
• Some felt the City should be growing food on any underutilized properties.
• Club with dance emphasis; diverse music venues
• Paintball in Dubuque
• Go Kart Track!! Rock climbing facility
• Outdoor aquatic center
• More extensive music scene
• Welcome Wagon. It would be for newcomers who hesitate to do the “Distinctively Dubuque” program because of time constraints. It could be done online by e-mail instead of in person. It would help those who move to Dubuque for job offers or job transfers. It could be done thru the city website somehow. A company could refer it’s new employee to the welcome wagon website and the employee would initiate the e-mail. Then the welcome wagon would offer information, advice, and answer questions. The welcome wagon person could be a city employee in the school system/fire/police/chamber/committee/other. Or a volunteer. The person should be born and raised in Dubuque, active in the community, business wise, good natured. There could be a standardized list of questions to determine what the newcomer would like. A standard packet could be mailed and also things requested by the newcomer. Maybe a gift basket. I had a positive experience with a welcome wagon in a new town.
• A lot of malls have a large community room. Kennedy Mall does not. Community rooms are used for workshops, classes, meetings, clubs, hobbies, parties, displays, health screenings, games, indoor activities for mall walkers. It would give the west side neighborhoods a sense of community rather than only retail offerings. The activities could draw people to the restaurants and mall. The room could also host activities from the library and the Y.
• I would like Dubuque’s 2D art to reflect its renaissance period and the beauty of the upper Mississippi river valley. I have seen the fall art tour. There was so much death and violence and focus on all that is wrong with society. This is also in the art from Loras and Clarke, but not UD. UD maybe has a better art program. It seems like some of the artists are still mentally stuck in the depression years in Dubuque. The area has much to offer. It should be shown off. There should be color and optimism. I think the Dubuque Arts Council should move it’s 2D art in a more positive direction.
• I would like Loras, Clarke, and UD to offer some classes to older adults. Adults could audit the classes, instead of being graded, but still pay the tuition. The adults would attend the class and participate, but not take the tests. The colleges could enjoy increased tuition. Adults could keep learning and growing after their traditional education was completed. Humanities, arts, wellness.
• Ferris Wheel in South Port to attract tourists to the area and tourist related investors
• Christmas decorations organized in a line down the whole stretch of Central Avenue.
• Allow leashed dogs in city parks and have large fines for not picking up #2’s. Does Dubuque really think a no-dog policy is a model policy that all will follow?! au contraire
• Keep dogs out of city City Parks!
• Somewhere for teens to go and be safe
• Splash pad
• More bike trails and paths, specifically mountain bike trails.
• More walking/biking paths that connect throughout the city
• A bike path all throughout Dubuque
• My husband and I thought a long time ago that an amusement park would be great for our beautiful riverfront. It would be a source of income for our high school youngsters, as well as give them something to do in the summer. I think it would also be a great companion and tradeoff for parents coming to DBQ to gamble. Mom and dad agree to take the kids to the amusement park after they get their gambling time finished. With all that Dubuque and the tri-states offers, this is the only experience we are missing. Time to consider this opportunity. Thank you for giving me a space to bring this subject to your attention.
• Nature trails for hiking, running, biking (not paved trails).
• We need a rock climbing facility for people of all ages.

  

• The five flags building could be used for shops or office space or a food center. The ornate historical architectural features could be incorporated into the new design.
• To have comprehensive bike trails, both single track trails as well as paved bike paths, to support the already avid cyclist community here and attract more people to come visit Dubuque for cycling. The picture provided is from a snow ride this winter on our local trails.
• Dubuque needs a place where concerts and shows can be. The 5 flags center is way too small for all this. I think putting a venue for concerts shows like WWE or anything else we could go to Chicago to see should be built by the packing plant property. That building was huge with lots of parking available I don’t see why it’s just siting empty and with it being by the highway will promote it perfectly!
• With the biking community and sports on the rise, an effort to continue to expand and connect bike routes to the western part of Dubuque.
• A safe, clean public beach for swimming along the Mississippi.  Unless you have a boat, there is no way for Dubuqers to go swimming in the river.  It could be located in one of our many harbors or along Peosta channel. Something like Finley’s landing north of Dubuque. A good location might be if they redevelop the south side of the Ice Harbor. Another spot might be behind Mystique along the river.
• An aquatic center for indoor swimming would be wonderful for families
• Have the idea box at each jazz event this summer; I will encourage participation from the stage each night. Have box at main street Dubuque tent; bring idea board to Mercy.
• More organized summer playground activity at the key locations.  This was common in the 50’s in Dubuque.  Needed more than ever now.
• Provide more arts (museum, not just the Mississippi River Museum).
• Tiny house village with green space and community building
• More field trips and activity programs for the downtown children at the city’s arboretum. They could be exposed to more nature. Hikes on the trails, garden strolls, foods, bugs/animals, conservation methods, picnics. Would need flexibility for weather.
• I want to climb like this awesome woman! And I want climbing to be open and accessible to all ages.

• A healthy community with lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. A bike friendly community with mountain biking trails.

• I would like to see expanded disc golf in Dubuque. Every city around us has several PDGA courses. Dubuque has 1 18 hole that is not PDGA approved and another small 9 hole that is tiny. We need Vets Park to become PDGA approved and we need at least 2 more courses. Davenport has World Amateurs this year and are expecting $800,000 in revenue. They want to have tournaments in Dubuque but cannot because we don’t have the courses. There is a Dubuque Disc Gold group that has over 400 members. Too often we have to go out of town to play and every tournament is out of town. We need to expand disc golf in Dubuque!! WE are way behind.
• Our Farmers Market will be vibrant. Restaurants and microbreweries will develop outdoor seating, where tourists and locals drop in after strolling the streets. The music scene will be eclectic and beloved.
• Composting & gardening classes
• Access to language classes (free for all ages)
• Late afternoon/early evening programming for families with children. Examples: Educational programming on recycling, gardening, family fitness activities, etc.
• Accessible playgrounds
• Organized groups/classes for families
• Rock climbing wall
• Later hours for facilities for fitness/programming
• Facilitation of groups (play dates, book clubs, etc.)
• Putting out information specific for families
• Ways for people to get to know each other
• Use of city facilities for unique activities during off-season (example: Bunker Hill for card club, book club, etc.). (Example: Five Flags for fitness, walking, jogging, stairs, etc.)
• Mid-week farmer’s market
• Winter Farmer’s Market in a larger location (Five Flags, Grand River Center, etc.)
• Healthy environment: The City of Dubuque should look at other model cities that are pet-friendly. Currently dogs are not allowed in city parks, and from a community-health standpoint, this compromises individuals’ abilities to enjoy the city parks, exercise, and take a walk with their pet. Pet ownership is growing among young professionals, yet if they compare cities, Dubuque is not dog-friendly. Some cities are embracing pet ownership, eg, Iowa City — they even have a dog welcoming you to their City’s website! Go to: https://www.icgov.org/living
• More partnerships in DBQ; between nonprofits and for-profits.
• More field trips and activity programs for the downtown children at the city’s arboretum. They could be exposed to more nature. Hikes on the trails, garden strolls, foods, bugs/animals, conservation methods, picnics. Would need flexibility for weather.
• Newer facilities and rec center
• Sponsor cross-country skiing (have done this in the past – lights on during the time span they’re open)
• More of a focus on making people aware of being healthy. More readily available healthy food options.
• A nice water park (like Lost Island in Waterloo, Iowa)
• I would like to see better community fitness and wellness centers. We badly need a new, exciting place to work out, be active, host fitness classes, etc.  An example would be a health club.
• More bike/walking-friendly downtown area
• The art museum in Dubuque needs more events. I love the art/graffiti nights that have been happening downtown. I would love to see more ways/events that allow me to support the art and my City.  I want to love the city I will raise my kids in.
• Dubuque needs a real health center. It is a shame that there isn’t something better.
• We need to invest in ourselves so we can benefit others with the gifts and talents we have. To love people starts with loving yourself.
• My idea is to have a theme park (Six Flages type). Also a civic center for bigger concerts seating 10,000+.
• Park and rec activities during the evening (for toddlers) not during work day
• Evening classes for adults for leisure/rec
• Indoor public pool
• I would love to see a splash pad!
• More teen-oriented activities, places to hang out with friends – ideas include a recreation center with a pool and indoor rock climbing call, outdoor amphitheater, live music venue, mini-golf, go-carts, zip lining, more hiking trails, ultimate Frisbee.
• Accessible playgrounds
• Mountain Biking! (3 votes)
• More housing options / cool apartments for young adults (like in the Millwork District but less expensive).
• How Cities Are Making Their Residents More Active | Outside Magazine | Planners of cities both large and small are working overtime to build the parks, trails, and bike paths to help residents be more active than ever | Article by Andrew Tilin 10.26.16
• As a young family, we would love to see even more opportunities to enjoy the community in the winter-indoor and out!
• Smoke free casinos.
• Continued sustained arts programs.
• I would love to see public art installed throughout the community. Art changes the whole vibe and spirit of a city. I think when residents and visitors, especially young professionals, encounter public art they get the feeling that community is probably inclusive, supportive, and is just a cool place to live, work, and play. Art on the River is a wonderful asset to the Port of Dubuque. The arboretum also has some nice art pieces, and the recent murals that are popping up downtown are spectacular. They bring a sense of pride and community. It would be nice to create that same sense of pride in neighborhoods throughout Dubuque – especially the areas of town in which is is obviously missing – the west end and north end neighborhoods. I realize there may be challenges with finding appropriate locations because much of the land is residential and commercial. But I think there could be some opportunities in our parks – knowing the art must be safe for children to play near. Or, maybe incorporate art into functional pieces such as a bike racks, fences, utility boxes, storm drains, manhole covers, benches, chairs, bus stops, to create shade, etc.
• http://www.architecturendesign.net/examples-of-urban-design-which-ought-to-be-in-every-city/
• http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/hq-architects-warde?context=featured
• 
• I would like to see development along the river by Kerper. There are a lot of vacant buildings from companies that have left the area. It would be great if that area would get some investment similar to the Port of Dubuque. Make it a place for families to visit, offer entertainment for all ages instead of casino related entertainment, and turn this section of the river front into something as beautiful as the Port. There’s so much potential that is sitting vacant.
• In order to attract new residents and especially young professionals the town needs to be dog friendly (parks, outside seating, bowls of water outside downtown shops).
• 
• I don’t know if this is the place for this or not, but something as simple as some LED lighting on the Mississippi River bridges would enhance the vision for Dubuque as you enter from Wisconsin, Illinois and coming down the highway into the downtown area. Take a look at bridges in Louisville, Kentucky for instance. Lit up in multicolored lights and really sets off the area as you enter the city.
• More places/activities for families, mainly indoor. Really wish we had a children’s museum similar to Madison or Quad Cities.
• Youth involvement in community events focused on the arts and music.
• Schools should host a monthly dance event for teens with a different style of dance each month (i.e. disco, swing).
• Better marketing of events at colleges.
• Better swim facilities.
• Dubuque needs a better Community Center/Leisure Services. Our Leisure Services Department does well with what they have but their facilities are limited. In my vision of Dubuque we would have a Community Center with an indoor pool in a central location with classes for children, youth and adults. For children – classes like gymnastics, tumbling, swimming, pottery, etc. For Youth – basketball, volleyball, other sports, exercise classes, pottery, crafts. I’m not thinking about more sports played a a super competitive level but for fun. For adults – pottery, painting, crafts, exercise classes, conversational language classes. Other communities where I have lived have these kinds of activities for people of all ages. Our Leisure Services have some of this but the lack of facilities I am sure make this very hard to make work.
• More entertainment options for kids and teens (water park, splash pad, trampoline park, skate park, arcade, indoor sports facility)
• Most importantly I am looking for an indoor pool. Anytime you go to Flora pool in the summer it is packed. The adult swim time in the early evenings is so full of water walkers, lap swimmers, and swim lessons that often you can’t even do what you came there for. Often there are 5 or 6 people who are trying to use the lap lane at the same time. The water walking area is so full that you can’t walk at a quick pace. Plus the pool is really only open a little over 2 months and is often closed due to bad weather. We need a real community indoor pool – not a pool at Hempstead that we can maybe use an hour a week. Within the city of Dubuque there is a large empty piece of land where the Dubuque packing plant used to be. Seems to me that this might be an ideal place to have such a facility. It would help revitalize that area even more. Here is a link to a place that does this very well. https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation/community-centres/west-vancouver-community-centre
• Develop an indoor sports complex to expand local recreational opportunities such as basketball, indoor soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball. The complex should be large enough to capitalize on regional tournament opportunities.
• Partner with an area hospital, state and federal agencies to develop a community health and wellness center to meet the health and recreational needs of people of all ages in our community.
• 
• More Wedding / Reception / Event Venues
• I view Dubuque as a city full of love for baseball. As I walk through my high school, Wahlert Catholic, you can hear the rave about the upcoming MLB Postseason. I have talked to other teens about this idea and have come up with a great percentage who would be in favor of a Minor League Baseball team. A few years ago this idea was presented to the community. It was shut down because people weren’t willing to pay extra money for this to happen. I feel that Dubuque needs a Minor League team because this is a baseball community. I know that people like various sports, but I feel that a great majority of people, especially teens, like the sport of baseball. I feel that a Minor League team would be a great addition to the city of Dubuque.
• 
• How about a minor-league baseball team!
• Support and further community health initiatives
• Training center for adults
• More police officers, stop handing out “slap the hand sentences”
• I would like to see the law enforcement agencies all learn and employ restorative justice methods in the community. Every officer should be a community policing officer. Add funding for broader use of drug courts. Create a mental health court. Advance treatment programs for those with addictions and mental illness.
• Annual mandatory Implicit bias training for all members of law enforcement and city employees. Annual conflict resolution and de-escalation training for all law enforcement and city employees.
• A reduction of crime. If this means additional police, it is worth the cost to the community. Reduce gang presence. Reduce drugs in the community.

(3) Environmental Integrity

Example Topics: Environment, Ecology, Hazard Mitigation, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mobility, Urban Design, and Land Use

• Have more clean up days for all around town. And more trash cans. Maybe getting more flowers in around 17th and Jackson St area. With all of this combined hopefully people don’t throw their trash just anywhere.
• Loosening parking meter and ramp regulations could have positive impact on Downtown. Current Downtown parking meter regulations drive business elsewhere, putting Downtown businesses at a disadvantage and causing serious local economic impact because potential customers choose to spend elsewhere, including online and the City then loses its 1% local option sales tax.
• Please eliminate Saturday metering.
• Consider free parking in ramps during off-hours and weekends.
• Too many times I have seen drivers that do not completely stop at a stop sign just so they don’t have to drive behind the person that has the current right of way. Park Ridge, IL has a sign system called the, “Stop Means Stop” Stop Sign. The areas that have the sign installed have higher fines if drivers do not make a complete stop at the sign.     I propose this idea for the City of Dubuque in hopes to instill driving safety. http://www.parkridge.us/police/stop_means_stop.aspx
• Keep working to promote home ownership – especially in areas dominated by rental units. Keep a watchful eye on “slumlords” and “absentee owners” properties.
• Make Dubuque easier to drive through
• Work out a way for public transportation between the Peosta campus and the Dubuque Center of NICC. And free or reduced parking for students and staff downtown.
• More + improved bike trails including mountain bike trails
• While birding, I meet people from out of town who want to know where to go birding. A guide for birding area around Dubuque would be great.
• The city approved the burning for the Southwest Arterial by Menard’s. The smoke was thick black. My nose started running + continued for more than a week, until I took pills for my nose to stop running.
• Using the Jule system schedule “Shop Shuttles.” I.e. Wednesday the shuttle stops at Independent Living apartments to pick up residents to go to Fareway or HyVee for an hour. Then the shuttle returns in an hour to take us back.
• As a property manager please give me more nights and protection against tenants who falsely accuse me and other tenants of discrimination – especially in area of pet policy. It is ridiculous that pets can have more protection than people – ridiculous!
• To ask local artists from colleges or around the surrounding Dubuque area to make art for the community rather than bringing in artists and local artists leaving to find work
• Swings in Orange Park Garbage cans – Elm, Jackson, White, East 19^th. More (decorations like the ones that are out. Need more
• All Jackson 20^th-12^th clean street drains (on top) – they get free of bottles, papers, garbage before they go into river
• Applewood apartments notice very noisy vehicles on Pennsylvania mostly in evenings, also exceeding speed limit.
• Maintain landscaping (i.e. Grandview Avenue). Put money back into beauty.
• Mother Earth needs some restricted areas near developments.
• Central stay 1-way
• Central Ave – needs benches
• Better transportation hours
• Fix street instead of tearing them up
• Make some of the 2 hour meters 10 hour meters around the Salvation Army. We need more affordable parking.
• Fire pit enforcement. No burn waste, wet wood, etc.
• Senior transportation library parking.
• Parking for the Senior Salvation army programs
• Continue to improve public transportation for those who are unable to drive/purchase a vehicle
• Hate Parking Meters!! Too expensive for area
• To have clean air. So I can use the bike trails and picnic areas without ending up in the hospital when I can’t breath
• Fix streets more!
• Parking meters too expensive! Flashing yellow still have to be cautious
• Zip cars
• Zip bicycles
• Ability to recycle glass!
• Free parking for senior activities at the Salvation army
• Stop wood burning (firepits) in Dubuque. Clean Air
• Don’t put roundabout on university + Grandview
• Not charge for downtown parking on Saturdays… It hurts tourism is not a good “welcoming” to Dubuque
• Longer turning lanes / JFK arterial by soccer. Hwy 20 + Arterial
• I like that the Jule runs at night
• Plan to repair streets, curbs, etc. before spending money on new places: Schmidt Island, etc!!
• Make parking meters and ramps more affordable to support downtown shopping and tourists!
• Clean city streets in North end not just new brick alleys. I am a homeowner who saw street cleaner 1x in last year!
• 16^th Street by pack lot? Get some trees to line street. Our first impression?
• City wide compost pile! People come to drop off flowers or pick up black dirt.
• Amtrak!
• Get rid of bump outs especially 10^th and Central
• Less parking meters. Lower parking fines. Not conducive to tourism.
• Improve gardens and enhance community gardens
• Dubuque engages people in need in financial literacy training to help them make the most of their situation and find ways to advance.
• I want to see Amtrak coming to Dubuque. I used to ride it in the ’80s until service was discontinued. It occasionally was so crowded that I had to sit on my luggage, for lack of a seat. I would like to see the train depot at the River Museum used as an Amtrak station. I think money could have been better spent than building the “intermodal station”.
• Public transportation could partially be paid for with a gasoline tax. As more riders take public transportation and leave cars at home, demand for gasoline would go down – meaning lower prices at the pump, offsetting the tax hike. It’s a win-win.
• Stop building parking ramps! More and more, modern cities are putting a halt to that and encouraging public transportation and walking
• Put a streetcar right down the middle of Central Avenue, from the Jule at 24th all the way to to 9th (maybe the 9th street end could bend toward the transit center). Streetcars are easier to use than buses — you don’t have to know the route, because it just goes up and down the street.
• In the evening or during the farmer’s market: every receipt from a downtown business, restaurant, theater, or parking ramp = a free round-trip on the streetcar. At lunchtime: an ID tag for someone who works at a downtown or port business = a free round-trip on the streetcar. After school: a student ID = a free ride on the streetcar.
• Planting native plants + pollinators. Not many known how to properly grow + harvest
• Bring in a local group like “Backyard Abundance” to teach about gardening, herbs, sustainable yard, etc.
• Disincentivize lawns
• Small farm plots on unused city ground (churches, schools, etc.)
• Small farm plots on unused city ground (churches, schools, etc.)
• Small farm plots on unused city ground (churches, schools, etc.)
• Small farm plots on unused city ground (churches, schools, etc.)
• Small farm plots on unused city ground (churches, schools, etc.)
• Edible landscapes
• Teach store clerks to use fewer plastic bags/ask if one is needed at all
• Make available land for more fruit + vegetable gardening
• Bunnies attack gardens!
• Community gardens? Can be grown at schools. Loras has one.
• ALE has garden + chickens!
• Tour DBQ Rescue Mission Gardens to learn how to grow without the garden
• There is a city garden tour summer – some have food gardening
• Signed up to receive home electricity from renewable energy sources thru Alliant
• Focus on ‘green’ drainage issues with old sites to manage storm run-off… protect our rivers!
• Incentivize rain barrels – return to native species
• Bring cistern idea back to reuse rain water
• Several years ago, child plastic swim pools were turned into gardens… maybe do it again… and encourage rain barrels for homes
• Sprawling subdivisions are neither green nor sustainable – build close in
• Stop promoting urban sprawl through incentives
• Continue + expand on educating the community about green building practices.
• Eliminate demolition by neglect
• Too many buildings à parking lots
• Litter is horrible in our community – clean it up
• More trash bins could help. I like seeing individual neighbors cleaning up their block, but we need all neighborhoods doing it!
• I think clotheslines in new subdivisions should be part of being green
• I think clotheslines in new subdivisions should be part of being green
• Encourage landlords to upgrade properties
• Enforce the housing rules for rental property. Timely inspections need to be done
• More support for renewable energy fuels available for homeowners and businesses
• Need to make our city streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Need to make our city streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Dubuque needs a “green burial” cemetery
• Walkability on West Side and Downtown (4 Votes)
• Green space downtown
• Green space downtown
• There should be more speed limit signs on the arterial between Kohl’s and Highway 52.
• Jail people who throw trash in public parks
• Have more hazardous waste collection days. Also more drop off sites for CFL’s, batteries, etc.
• Get rid of parking meters
• Create a beach on the Peosta Channel near the Ski Club. Channel may need to be dredged out
• Continue with the sustainability efforts. More green spaces. Continue work on the South Port of Dubuque
• I think solar energy is the way to go. Look for more places to install solar panels
• More frequent buses, smaller buses/bus stops more frequent
• Smaller buses + more stops so travel doesn’t take so long
• Imagine all that you are doing for Mother Earth and all of us.
• I need travel to farmer’s market; what about a shuttle? Could you take people to church on Sun? Travel to grocery store. Travel to fair, to 5 flags, Christmas crafts, and to Flora swim pool
• More quality, affordable Senior Housing. Practical + shorter bus routes. A 10-minute drive by car should not have to be 1 hour+ drive on bus i.e. The Rose to Fuerste Eye Clinic.
• Effective, integrated public transportation system so driving a car is not necessary!
• Amtrak to Chicago
• Make electric car charging options
• Year-round pool. Like Flora Park for many groups. Add food/coffeehouse area for community integration.
• Walking area for winter/summer-hills
• Better bus service
• Please bring back the beauty of the Grandview flower beds. Currently they are a drab and weed-choked eyesores.
• Bike trails downtown and handicapped accessible walking places w/ benches
• Improve the streets if possible – always many, many potholes and cracks each year
• I would like to see an earlier completion of new alleys. My Rhomberg address was on the edge of the last new alley completed.
• Make the parking ramp exit gates more user friendly or free during large events. We waited a long time with a lot of other people before someone figured it out after the ballet opera house.
• There needs to be a turning lane when traveling south on JFK on the arterial to go west.
• Vocational opportunities in high school
• New pipes for water not to break on Asbury Road, and maybe all over Dubuque
• “As needed” stoplight 50 points coming from Grand River to Finley are safer
• Garbage cans throughout Grandview Avenue are placed nowhere to toss garbage wrappers, etc. while you walk on Grandview Ave.
• Fix these horrible roads in this town! Also the road in front of the Julien is a total confused mess trying to get onto highway 61-151
• Pedestrian overpass at Arterial + Penn
• Fix the alley Asbury Rd. + Bunker Hill
• Regarding Bus Station: 1) Bus station closed to patrons on weekends. Yet patrons are still dropped off? 2) A rain & weather canopy at drop off area for travelers for luggage.
• Wildlife conservation
• More bike trails
• More open spaces
• Bicycle lanes
• More parks
• More public city trash cans on sidewalk corners
• Bike lanes downtown
• More public land
• We need to make community gardens
• We need to put flowers back on Grandview Ave to make it beautiful
• More bike paths
• Make DBQ more bike friendly
• Bike lanes
• Fresh dock to dish seafood to local restaurants
• Get rid of the eye sore – the old Bowling + Beyond | If a private party owned that city would demand it be torn down. Put a civic center out there!
• Replace alley from 1800 Garfield and Rhomberg on up as they are not drivable! Did Portzen Const. pay for the new alley in their project or did the city find money for that? Run a question + answer in the Telegraph Herald or in water bills. Thanks for all the cameras – we need more.
• More bike trails
• Beautify Dubuque by planting a diversity of trees to replace dying elm trees. Maintain trees newly planted
• Trees will bring so many benefits to our community! Make sure they are part of the budget
• Less light pollution; recycle glass (manufacture glass?)
• Yes, it would be so great if we recycled glass here!
• Parks + Trails interconnected
• Bike trails along streets so people in cars + on bikes are safer
• I live in a metro area. The traffic flow here is too congested. Less stop lights, more ramps + access roads – serious need to bypass city
• There is a conservation agricultural spot at the corner of Asbury Road and NW arterial. It is much needed as a green space. Next to it is quiet single family housing with young families and a grade school. Across from it is a busy retail area with a lot of cement. The green space would be very attractive and highly visible and would buffer the young families from the busy retail area. There are trees, a few ravines and a creek that could be developed into a park. It would help the children and provide wildlife refuge.
• Get rid of mandatory parking minimums. They are the #1 way our city subsidizes automobile use over any other mode of transit. A walkable and vibrant downtown will not happen when every other lot is surface parking.
• My father and his father worked in the Caradco building. It’s personal. Thank you for reviving it. Good craftsmanship. I especially like the exposed railroad tracks and the atrium.
• There is a lot of cement around the Kennedy Mall area. Today people are more interested in nature. Welu Park is next to the mall. It is a very small conservation area with trees/ pond/creek. This area is behind JoAnn Fabrics and the Mindframe movie theatre. There are also about three empty lots for sale in this spot. This small amount of green space is all that is left. The residential neighborhood between JoAnn Fabrics and Pennsylvania would appreciate keeping the trees between them and the mass amount of pavement around the mall. If this green space were removed, it would be pretty much all pavement.
• There should be an attractive bike/walk path between the back of Kennedy Mall, behind JoAnn Fabrics, and Pennsylvania Avenue. People that live in the nearby neighborhoods would be able to use it to walk/bike to their jobs at the mall and for recreation. There are two crosswalks at Hempstead High School to get across Pennsylvania. Once on the north side of Pennsylvania, it is easy access among these neighborhoods. There is a small makeshift path behind JoAnn Fabric thru the grass where Sylvan Drive meets Bies Drive. Pennsylvania also connects to the Dubuque recreation trail at the NW Arterial. These neighborhoods are on the north side of Pennsylvania. They have a lot of single family housing with young families and seniors. They live near Hillcrest Road/Hempstead High School/Kennedy Grade School/Kennedy Road/Asbury Road/Resurrection Grade School.
• Library branch on the west side of town
• Glass Recycling
• Keep the city clean – let’s recycle glass in our regular trash pick-up.
• Plant more trees.
• Sustainability
• Get rid of trash that is everywhere
• Solar roads and more activities
• Improve street pavement (Locust)
• More focus on infrastructure and reduction of debt. Less focus on values-based programs promoting inclusivity. My values are faith, hope, and love. These are inclusive. Inclusive programming is like a “flavor of the month” concept.
• Give people without cars bus service at night.
• Night time bus transportation
• Library parking stickers
• Free parking for library volunteers
• Free parking at the library
• Less parking meters please!
• More parking meters, but with the money going to support other modes of transportation – transit, bike and pedestrian amenities
• Replace the yellow recycle bins with something that prevents them from blowing down the street
• We need a pedestrian cross-walk light signage at 11^th and Bluff. Safety First!
• Public awareness campaign: Motorists please stop for pedestrians!
• Helping parents become better parents
• More vocational training in High Schools
• Lights on the Clock Tower
• A safe, clean public beach for swimming along the Mississippi.  Unless you have a boat, there is no way for Dubuqers to go swimming in the river.  It could be located in one of our many harbors or along Peosta channel. Something like Finley’s landing north of Dubuque. A good location might be if they redevelop the south side of the Ice Harbor. Another spot might be behind Mystique along the river.
• Reverse the parking meter structure and location. Also, bring back the parking meter card and take away the toll box for using smart phones or computers.
• More and better animal parks
• Stock some fish in the new Bee Branch Creek by 5 corners.  They don’t have to be anything fancy like trout or bass. Chubs would provide lots of fun in the creek.  There might have to be a few deep holes dug into the creek for the fish to hold in.  Also, the pond behind the war memorial could be developed for fishing.
• No more stop lights on Highway 20
• Develop an incentive plan for property owners in downtown residential areas to improve their properties; thus creating neighborhoods less conducive to crime.
• Continue to broaden the use of solar power around Dubuque.
• Host more workshops for community members to become eco-friendly.
• Compost and plastic processor.
• Local use for glass – so we can recycle!
• More edible landscaping
• Community volunteer street cleanups
• No plastic bags
• Bicycle access along Catfish Creek to make much more of the City bike accessible
• Brighter streetlights for better night visibility
• More trees
• Urban tree canopy
• Tiny house village with green space and community building
• Encourage laundry hang-out, not discourage it.
• Encourage churches and restaurants to cease use of styrofoam; go to paper plates, cups and take home containers.
• Require rental properties to have recycling bins.
• More field trips and activity programs for the downtown children at the city’s arboretum. They could be exposed to more nature. Hikes on the trails, garden strolls, foods, bugs/animals, conservation methods, picnics. Would need flexibility for weather.
• As Dubuque continues to grow, transportation infrastructure will become more and more important. Just now there is no thoroughfare route between the west end (Asbury and western Dubuque areas) and downtown, other than Hwy 20 which is often very busy. Asbury Road is not sufficient, Pennsylvania Ave is not sufficient. The route between Radford Rd and downtown involves many twists and turns, stop signs and stop lights. I live on the west end and try to avoid going downtown because it is so inconvenient to get there. I believe the future will demand a thoroughfare route between western areas of Dubuque and the downtown areas. As for Hwy 20, parallel access roads for local traffic will become a necessity so that through traffic can flow uninterrupted by the many stoplights. That will be an expensive proposition, but it will become very necessary for future growth of business and life in Dubuque.
• Dubuque will be a diverse community where walking, biking, and mass transit are embraced. Our parks will be well-supported and frequently visited. Our Farmers Market will be vibrant. Restaurants and microbreweries will develop outdoor seating, where tourists and locals drop in after strolling the streets. The music scene will be eclectic and beloved.
• I would love to welcome visitors from the West with a beautiful view as from the East. More trees along 20 and the new arterial, and more neighborhood parks — we have new neighborhoods to entice visitors to stay!
• I feel strongly that trees can play a big role in making our community more resilient and sustainable. I want to see a strong focus on trees in our future. To that end, I am starting a new group called Dubuque Trees Forever. We are a group of area residents that believe trees are one of the best ways to improve our community. We will be planting trees, maintaining them, planning for them, educating people about them and advocating for them. Trees are a vital part of any community, bringing so many benefits that are far beyond just their visual beauty. Planting them and caring for them will bring community members together. I hope that as we Imagine Dubuque in the future, we envision trees as a key part of our infrastructure. Anyone that is interested in being part of Dubuque Trees Forever or just learning more about us can follow us on Facebook: Dubuque Trees Forever.
• City of Dubuque needs an advocate for all the trees that are being removed due to EAB, age, and decline of our urban forest. We really could use a planting program to replenish the tree supply.
• Composting & gardening classes
• Dubuque needs a “green burial cemetery”.
• Transportation needs -> self-driving cars.
• New paradigm of city philosophy that focuses on smaller scale solutions.
• Outdoor seating for restaurants – shut off (?) streets more often – shut down main except for walking on Fri-Sun.
• Create a network for a “victor garden” concept.
• Education an using our space at 2360 Carter Road as a potential eco-educational center.
• Make public transit more fluent and keep it feasible.
• Pedestrian routes and encouraging folks to have a lower environmental impact thru transportation.
• I think an important thing to concentrate on is recycling throughout the city – adding more trash bins on street corners (ones that have different sections for plastics/recyclables, waste + compost.
• Dubuque reduces greenhouse gas levels and Mississippi River pollution levels.
• No pesticide use in parks; education on pollinators seed packets.
• Sharing resources (“tool library” where you can check out a shredder); complete streets near senior housing; an app to locate parks/green space/walks; an app to connect corridors with people to who need items.
• The idea of reusing before recycling, because so many people only focus on recycling. also, the idea of adding more walkways, bike lanes, and lights for the improvement of mobility around the city.
• The idea of citizen groups working with the city government on a continuing basis relative to recycling.
• More trees planted and the preservation of old significant trees (Heritage Trees) that are 75 yrs old or older; save our tree canopy; shift city regulations to protect Heritage Trees after an inventory is done.
• Research on the “health” of the water for fish.
• Monitor clean air and water frequently; plant more trees + mature plants to encourage butterflies and honeybees.
• The importance of education at local parks, improved signage as a way to improve education.
• Prevent materials from going to landfill including the deconstruction of significant building (dorms + churches, etc.).
• Setting up education pods/signs in parks about local plants.
• Monitoring/making things aware to community/education – i.e. water quality, air quality, etc.
• Promote individual impacts: network of education for community gardens and how to utilize repurposing efforts.
• Better connecting city bicycle paths / lanes.
• 16^th Street bridge path is narrow and must be shared with pedestrians.
• Connect Riverwalk to Heritage Trail with protected path or marked lane.
• More marked lanes; repair streets, they last longer if used by bicycles.
• Continue work on train to Chicago.
• Give library volunteers a “free” place to park. When I am volunteering, it costs me to this, why?
• More of a focus on making people aware of being healthy. More readily available healthy food options.
• I would like to see no metered downtown parking. Why shop downtown when parking is limited and then you can get a $15 ticket? No wonder people visit the Mall more than downtown. If you really want to promote the area – then make it FREE.
• More roundabouts
• The Millwork District needs a better pedestrian/bike connection to the Town Clock business area and south main bars.
• The City should install a pedestrian overpass across Highway 20 by Kmart. There are always University of Dubuque students trying to cross the Highway and someone is going to get hit.
• I’d like to see Dubuque implement the Compete Streets Policy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to overall community health & wellbeing. The policy we’ve adopted is not being implemented to the extent it needs to in order to really make an impact. There needs to be accountability and action steps written into the comprehensive plan to make Dubuque more bike friendly in all neighborhoods.
• 
• Dubuque needs to develop a better bike trail system. I am inclined to travel to Cedar Rapids or Des Moines with my wife to ride their urban trail systems. You can go there on a weekend and ride between many local establishments and also head out of town to connect to other trails. In Dubuque you can ride the flood wall trail and fight your way out to the Heritage Trail, but it is not nearly as inviting or extensive as other local communities. Dubuque is such a beautiful community, we need to draw people in rather than having them search elsewhere for these activities.
• Enhance bike-ability, make on-street biking safer and expand the trail network (and how about some mountain biking given the great terrain)
• Encourage businesses to manage trash in their parking lots! Especially Hy-Vee and Target! All businesses should be responsible for a clean environment!
• Committing to a progressive measured PLAN toward “Zero Wasting”.
• Further existing eco-friendliness via city-wide composting, more community gardens
• Run Jule bus routes on ALL major streets, not just part of Hillcrest. Coat streets on the west side, the new alleys look better than the street in front of my house.
• Introduce a bike share program and improve bike friendliness throughout the city.
• Enhance public transportation – it is not easy to get places without a car.
• Maintain and enhance green space within the city.
• Dubuque has many great things going for it already! In addition, funds should be devoted towards truly creating a walkable, bikable community. Off-road trails and designated, marked bike lanes that connect various parts of town will create opportunities for residents to bike as a mode of transportation, not just for recreation.
• Reduce the amount of food that is wasted.
• More bike lanes
• Better connected neighborhoods through multiuse trails. For example getting to Eisenhower School from Carter Road or Heritage Trail to JFK via 32nd St.
• I would love to see Dubuque Parks Department develop an off-leash dog park at the Roosevelt Park location. My vision of this space would include water for people and dogs, restrooms, grass and “wild” spaces, trails, water access for dogs, and parking. It’s time to have a place in Dubuque where people can enjoy being with their dogs off leash in a sanctioned way!
• We need services like uber. Out of town visitors expect to find uber, they have and use the app and don’t want to calling a taxi like it’s still 1999.
• I think raising chickens in your backyard is fun for your whole family. It may be necessary to have a place where this appropriate but if people knew how easy it was, they would go for it. They just need a little education.
• Enhance pedestrian nature / friendliness
• Extend transit hours at night
• Improving transportation options including passenger train service.
• Dubuque is lacking Detox, Rehab and Sober Living. We need help NOW.
• Reduce crime
• Reduce the amount of food that is wasted.

(4) Equity

Example Topics: Inclusivity, Diversity, Fair Access, Services, Affordable Housing, and Special Needs

• Dear Imagine Dubuque Leaders, The concept of a “shopping shuttle” is vital for Seniors, especially in weather conditions detrimental to their health  — (and their groceries) — when attempting to use the city  bus-system, — but — the burden of mothers with low incomes  who are the sole providers (with or without “partners”)  and no transportation alternatives is even more intolerable  and I beg you to think of a “shopping shuttle” for certain  neighborhoods — whose needs you can ascertain. Thank you.
• Expand community service options for criminal defendants rather than imposing fines.
• Affordable housing. Use empty stores for childcare.
• Senior citizens want to remain healthy to volunteer their time making Dubuque a better place. It’s fine that we “Let the River Run,” by building a City Recreation Center with views to the Mississippi as we walk the indoor track + pool. (To be used by all ages within our citizens.)
• We need affordable things for families to do
• More senior living centers that are affordable on the good side of town on the North End and Washer and Dryer right in the units.
• Drug addiction is driving crime in Dubuque and the nation. Stop persecuting desperate people and start helping them.  Legalize marijuana. It’s only a gateway drug because people have to get it from drug dealers and we have way too many of them in Dubuque.
• Help North Central
• Try to get kids more involved in sports and off the street
• Practice having a safer environment
• Everything feels warm and inviting. Thank you Hillcrest
• Get rid of parking meters or give seniors a free pass.
• The North end has been so neglected for so long it makes us think that no one cares about us seniors at all
• More police officers. Let us know how we can thank them personally.
• Stop neighborhood bullying. We need to address the reasons why some neighbors are being bullied and terrorized by bullies and no one does nothing
• Educate our local government & police and fire on the unseen health problems. Teach our police + fire department not to argue with someone with asthma – caused by smoke. Educate the public on the health hazards of backyard mood fires (firepits).
• Protect our elderly from violence, smoke, and poverty
• To have the police to keep the confidentiality and to enforce the law
• Salvation Army are targeted for parking meter. Not fair always looking to write us tickets. Don’t need parking meters on Saturday when we have farmers market that drive people away.
• Decrease the salaries of our local government workers. Stop allowing government (local) officials taking trips overseas that is paid for.
• Education equity for mental health issues/not just autistic
• More homeless shelters
• Do more to eliminate the drug problem and make the North End a safer area to live
• Help make Dubuque a safer place
• To see a new homeless shelter
• Help kids make healthier eating at a young age
• We need a #BLM march
• Safer streets
• More speed checks. Make Dubuque safer. Hire more police
• Make more affordable parking around the Salvation Army Senior Center
• Parking meters are too expensive
• Parking meters too expensive
• Continue to expand your good work for the homeless and marginalized. Thanks for all your great work
• Practice having a safer environment
• Reduce crime
• More activities and a curfew for ages 13-19
• Deal with flood issues
• We must eliminate slum and blight. We need quality affords housing for all to live with dignity
• We need affordable quality childcare to allow people to work
• We need coordination among our nonprofits to eliminate duplication of services and maximize efficiency of resources both dollars and volunteers
• Dubuque needs responsible landlords
• Government must be accessible and welcoming
• Affordable housing throughout Dubuque
• Better balance of renters to owners in older neighborhoods
• Expand/double up food bucks for low income neighbors
• Downtown is a food desert
• Fix the food desert issue
• Downtown is a food desert
• H+W Building – I’d like to see more nice low-income housing
• I feel safe in West End
• I don’t feel safe in West End
• I feel safe everywhere
• I feel safe downtown
• I don’t feel safe downtown
• I feel so safe downtown
• I feel safe at the malls + West End
• I admit, I feel more uncomfortable Downtown
• We should measure crime by number of actual crimes/violations not cop visits
• Eliminate racial profiling
• Everyone being treated equally under the law
• Have everyone be responsible for safety, not just police responsibility
• Need to feel safe walking in all areas of the city
• Know your neighbors
• “Eyes on the street” concept (mixed use, buildings that have people invested in keeping their places safe
• Keep safe zones in areas in town where a lot of crime occurs
• Keep safe zones in areas in town where a lot of crime occurs
• Broadway Neighborhood could benefit from some old-fashioned city lights to enhance beauty of walking & getting to know neighbors
• Visible cameras would increase safety. Who is watching?
• Change people’s perception of ‘downtown’
• Instead of thinking ‘Another crime in downtown today,” think first, ‘Another crime? How can I help my community address it!’ (applies even if you don’t live in downtown)
• Clean up the city so we can be proud of where we live… clean up litter
• Maybe volunteer police helpers
• Need to take actions to make riding bikes safe
• More aesthetics without gentrification
• More lighting throughout the city
• City provides $ to neighborhood associations for inclusive events. Do people know this? How can we take better advantage?
• Crimes against people of color not solved
• Allow dog walking in parks for more eyes in the parks = less crime!!
• Neighborhood police sub-stations
• Safety should be enhanced with more “your speed is” digital boxes on/in residential streets
• Talk about feeling safe with friends. Talk about places I feel safe, etc. Be positive about safety.
• Having safe zones would help. Kids shouldn’t be afraid to go outside their home at dark… this happens often.
• Childhood obesity rate up to 44%
• Age discrimination?
• Citywide obesity
• Chronic diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Mental health access
• Homelessness
• Drug addiction
• Teen pregnancy
• Ensure that individuals in mental health + substance use recovery are actively involved in decision making
• Job opportunities for individuals in mental health + substance use recovery for further recovery + reintroduction into the community
• We need more mental counselors – people have difficulty waiting a long time for an appointment
• We need more mental counselors – people have difficulty waiting a long time for an appointment
• Unload the stigma of mental health. It is alright to get help
• Unload the stigma of mental health. It is alright to get help
• Unload the stigma of mental health. It is alright to get help
• Preventive/wellness for seniors
• Not just ‘care’ but action
• Need more preventative health for elderly
• Higher mental health issues amongst people of color. Why? Acceptance, “feel alone at their institution,” no one can relate and understand them.
• Not enough preventative measures
• Not enough time spent teaching patients
• Not enough time spent listening to patient
• Too much time spent treating symptoms vs. treating the root cause of health (integrative medicine)
• MENTAL HEALTH
• Need more attention to drug/alcohol problem in town
• Mental health affordable and available quickly
• Mental health affordable and available quickly
• The new Y will help with prevention of health problems (A central location helps)
• Set education in schools! Recovery model vs. medical model in mental health
• Integrative providers (chiropractors, acupuncturist, functional practitioners taking time to listen and teach patients)
• Teaching immigrant populations how to prepare local food
• Grow compassion, volunteer!
• Tackle obesity – off-road trails
• Programs for alcoholism/substance abuse
• How are we keeping our children healthy? Schools, day cares, health fairs for children, educate them to educate their parents
• Better/more accessibility to convenient + healthy foods, juice/smoothie bars, healthy cafes, more alternatives to fast food.
• Chemical free pools J
• Balance between “low-income” school obesity rates and access to healthy food
• Remove fluoride from public waters
• More psych services needed. Medicaid system in IA and providers accepting it has been reduced
• Where is the concern for STD prevention? Free condoms?
• Noise pollution of all types of transportation should be enforced
• We need healthcare professionals who have ICC training and don’t make assumptions about people
• Help the halfway house on Elm St.
• Kid-friendly apartments
• Elderly/disabled apartments
• I work with Crossing Borders – an immigrant advocacy group
• Love volunteering with nursing homes but there’s ability to help on a more local/private level
• I volunteer to give back to the communities or organizations that helped shape me
• I volunteer to give back to a great city
• I volunteer with AmeriCorps
• I volunteer with Catholic Charities
• I volunteer with community foundation
• I volunteer with arts orgs
• I volunteer/support the Lantern
• More support for peer support model
• Recovery programs needed
• Intersectionality in city planning
• Senior citizens are very overlooked
• Senior citizens are very overlooked
• Empower people to try new things and explore new facets to the community
• Need more ways to get information to younger Dubuquers to get them involved in local issues
• Naming painful realities and touting over awards!
• Mental health service needed
• Police friendly
• Dubuque engages people in need in financial literacy training to help them make the most of their situation and find ways to advance.
• Dubuque needs responsible landlords
• Government must be accessible and welcoming
• We must eliminate slum and blight. We need quality, affordable housing for all to live with dignity
• We need affordable quality childcare to allow people to work
• We need coordination among our nonprofits to eliminate duplication of services and maximize efficiency of resources in both dollars and volunteers
• There should be a swipe card system for those who buy Greyhound bus tickets in advance and they will be leaving during non-business hours so people like myself do not have to stand outside on a hot, rainy, cold or snowy day. Greyhound asks people to be at the bus station 1 hour in advance. This is why I think there should be a swipe card system.
• Parking should be more convenient for the customers of the bus station. The section that is blocked off behind the bus station some of it should be hour parking for those who are using the bus station.
• There should be a larger overhang on busses so the people and their belongings do not get wet on a rainy or snowy day.
• There should be a bathroom in the bus station by the waiting area.
• The Jule should think about scheduling a “Shop Day.” The schedule would be posted so seniors in apartment complexes know the day + time a bus would stop at their complex to take them to the grocery store or Dollar Tree…
• Places for our youth to gather
• Have a place for kids to go and stay out of trouble.
• Inclusive employment policies should include options for 55+
• Elderly activities
• Make housing available again, especially for disabled individuals. No funds available for the past 2 years! Also any housing available for disable people should be allowed to have “service pets”
• Add more citywide cameras to enhance safety (not for speed monitoring) but for surveillance of busy areas in city or areas where frequent law enforcement interventions have been needed.
• Dubuque restaurants all do an excellent job of having a senior menu, free pie, etc. Many retired people do not feel safe going to Dubuque after dark or going alone.
• Increase police force to prevent some crime
• Make the city a safer place. Use the grants more wisely – we don’t need more Round Abouts! And please don’t make citizens names, addresses and phone numbers, especially unlisted numbers, available to the whole country! Thank you!
• No free housing if you don’t have a job or no assistance!!
• When people get picked up with no permanent address if they are living with a person who gets support, cut the support in half. Not fair we pay for the rif raf.
• All the girls having babies and getting freebies while boyfriend live with them living high on the hog. Not right for the girls who pay their own way.
• No sanctuary city/co. – be law abiding
• No cell phones while driving (only hands free). If texting while child in car get charged with child endangerment
• Golf carts available to take elderly on rides to see Bee Branch Project!
• Eliminate Section 8
• Dubuque needs to address crime in a more proactive manner!
• More accessible public transportation. More areas. More hours.
• Harmony
• Daycare everywhere
• I would like to see the community that I love safe again
• Help for elderly
• Rehabilitation for homeless men
• More adult mentorship
• Affordable daycare
• We need a mentor program between high schoolers and middle schoolers
• We do not need a new fire station – if anything, we may need an EMS Station
• Building more neighborhood groups to help people work together to get to know each other better and to solve problems together. It helps build ownership and engagement That’s what community is all about.
• My vision is a Community with city government that is accessible, understandable and welcoming to all. Easy Physical access and in their own language. Finding ways to bring government to the people through focus groups and other less intimidating means. Continue things like the Imagine Dubuque process.
• More businesses offering discounts for university students within the community.
• More things for university students in Dubuque in general like better bus service etc.
• Important resources should be located downtown in walkable/accessible areas – especially for young people, elderly, the disabled, and anyone who cannot afford to own a car. Especially: Voter registration/DMV (those who have license or ID issues should not have to drive to an area on the edge of town–a place that does not serve enough people to warrant a fixed-route bus) & the Social Security Office should not have moved out of downtown Dubuque. This federal agency used to be located in the Federal building downtown on 6th Street. It serves everyone, but many elderly, disabled and those needing federal services. The City of Dubuque should encourage (with all means) these agencies to relocate back downtown where they belong: DMV/voter registration & the Social Security office (they may be federal or state agencies, but the City of Dubuque needs to make access to all services from local offices – city, state, federal – a Value & Goal!) Similar agencies should be identified and downtown location prioritized (to remain or move “back”). The status quo of the Dubuque DMV and Social Security office locations (in the last ~10 years) is Really unacceptable (it disenfranchises people).
• A Shopping Shuttle for Seniors.
• Valentine Park is being expanded. I would love to see an accessible to all playground and splash pad. Dubuque parks are not friendly to special needs OR toddlers. Most of the play structures are very high off the ground and the toddler play area at Allison Henderson is a glorified sand pit.
• Affordable competitive rec for kids
• More for teens; pet vaccination awareness
• Lack of diversity + programs to help those people who do not speak English
• Judge Free Zone’ in Dubuque
• Building + repairing community group? 30 people come together to repair & build-up each other’s homes. Often times we came together to help others but then aren’t “poor enough” to get help – (Burnout can happen – but coming together to help each other means being both empowered to help vulnerable enough to be helpful – true community)
• Black Lives Matter
• Seniors and disabled citizens of Dubuque need an aging and disability resource book to help in a crisis. Dubuque has a 57-page “community resource guide” with a blue cover by Project Concern. Only one page is dedicated to seniors. There is a 37-page “family resource guide” that is for children’s resources. There is a directory for care homes. There are several pamphlets for seniors on display at the United Way on 6th street. Some resource book examples are: SHIIP help for Medicare, vets center, elder abuse, senior legal aid, housing department help for home modifications, Tristate Blind Society, fitness programs designed for older adults, education and recreation programs useful for seniors/disabled, transportation options for seniors/disabled, frauds, help obtaining assistive technology devices, computer mentor programs, etc. There is no senior website or virtual senior center in Dubuque. There is no city channel TV program for seniors in Dubuque. Baby boomers are turning 65.
• Many cities have an aging-in-place program and Dubuque does not. The programs enable older adults to stay living in their cities and in their homes. Nearby Iowa City is an example of a town that adopted one of the aging-in-place programs. They have “TRAIL”, which stands for tools and resources for active adult living. The website is trailofjohnsoncounty.org. A disproportionate number of Dubuque adults decide to relocate to the large 55+ retirement cities in the south. Dubuque should be able to keep it’s young citizens as they get older. Cities adopt age-friendly livable community programs thru the guidance of specialists. Challenges and solutions are identified. Iowa City provides an opportunity to observe nearby a program.
• Dubuque has a government subsidized “meals on wheels” program. It only covers a small area and could be expanded. It helps people who are mobility impaired. The Dubuque program has problems finding enough volunteers to help deliver meals. Some people can’t get meals because there are not enough delivery people. It would give Dubuque citizens better nutrition. Whatever is being done in Dubuque to advertise for drivers, is not working. The Trump administration made it clear to the public that money for the “meals on wheels” program will not be cut.
• Smile at a stranger
• There should be more sites for the government subsidized adult lunch meals. The number of sites should be expanded in Dubuque into high poverty/crime areas. This could help lower the crime rate and provide better nutrition in the city. Some areas of the city have a site for the lunches, but others lack. There are sites at 6th St., 11th St., and on Windsor Ave. A new one just opened on 17th at Saint Mathews Church, which is a poverty/crime area. There needs to be one by the bee branch flood project area and one further north by 30th, where the old brewery is going to be rebuilt into apartments. Also there should also be one at a poverty area by Loras Blvd. and Clarke Blvd. The meals are meant for age 60+, but is also open for younger at a higher price. Different sites are run by different agencies. One agency is the Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging on Asbury Rd. in Fountain Park by Bell Tower Theatre.
• We need more activities for families and children. I would like to see the city add a children’s museum like the one in Iowa City were children can learn about different vocations/trades in the Dubuque area. Each company in Dubuque could sponsor a space to highlight their company and create a learning center for children, hospital area, John Deere, Pizza place, Dubuque Flight, Construction, etc. Here is the website for the place of reference: https://theicm.org/
• End poverty
• Do unto others as you would do unto yourself
• Diversity – Yes! And moving beyond that is inclusion. “Diversity” can mean just numbers. “Inclusion” indicates equity and fairness.
• More diversity!
• Hire more black teachers
• Have the Country and City law enforcement agencies hire more minorities.
• Thank you for opportunity to share ideas. I often wonder how friends and I who live “on the hill” can better understand minorities in an effort to overcome prejudice. The TH is excellent, but still, the amount of disdain astounds me.
• Establish monthly, or every other month, “improve or fix-up projects” in downtown neighborhoods. Solicit help from corporations, non-profits, etc. to get people with different economic backgrounds working together and talking to each other.
• Identify clearly and publicly, actors in city dealings, deliberations, politics, etc. (website, docs, etc.); reverse citizens united.
• Churches would facilitate senior citizen initiatives
• Quantifiable metrics must be set
• Let’s focus more on social + racial justice; considerations as we develop these ideas: poor and minorities are most affected by the way we’ve been treating the environment; also, public transit needs attention.
• More partnerships in DBQ; between nonprofits and for-profits.
• Continuing this style of communicating with and throughout the community.
• Have free wifi in areas where free wifi is advertised. For instance, the south end of the River Walk has a sign on one of the lamp posts that advertises free wifi however, I see no options to join the network on my phone.  In general, more free and secure wifi is a good thing.
• Evening classes for adults for leisure/rec
• Public school immersion program
• Accessible playgrounds
• Childcare is one thing Dubuque does not have enough of.  There are no childcare providers that have evening or nights shifts to keep our kids.  Some people come from other cities and states and they don’t have family or close friends around to babysit their kids if we get an evening or night job; and most of the time when you are new in Dubuque, evening and night jobs are all you can get if you do something like sewing machine operator cause 1shift is for people with seniority. Please find a way to improve childcare.
• Affordable housing for families and single parent households
• More housing options / cool apartments for young adults.
• I envision Dubuque as being a Compassionate City! We can do it… And it would bring out the importance of kindness, erase much racism and prejudice, and focus the city on developing the potential of every citizen.
• It would be fabulous if Dubuque joined the “Compassionate City” movement out of the Charter for Compassion. Louisville was an early adapter of this and they’ve had some terrific successes.
• What if Full Circle Communities, the group that is redeveloping the Four Oaks property on 15th St., made some units available to college students? Reduce loneliness on all sides, develop inter-generational relationships, etc.
• Recently, I had volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul to take phone calls for people in need. I was really shocked to see how many people needed food vouchers in Dubuque, or help with their bills and rent. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get more people to plant vegetable gardens in their yards to contribute to the food pantry. It is such a learning experience for the whole family. Neighbors bring their produce to work sometimes to get rid of the excess in their garden. We need to have a place they can drop off the fresh produce for those in need.
• We need to motivate people who are down on their luck by providing more classes; introducing them to computers so they can have a great start up, maybe on a volunteer basis by the teachers.
• We really need to unite all the parishes of Dubuque to sit down and discuss how food vouchers and other donations are properly handled so there is no waiting period for those in need to receive their donation.
• I heard that the Flexsteel plant on Jackson Street is closing in the near future. Please consider converting the area into a small retail hub for the neighborhood. ALDI would be wonderful there, as well as Hartig or Walgreens. The nearest grocery stores are several minutes away and gas station food is not a healthy or affordable option for the neighborhood.
• I would love to see Dubuque develop a green job training program similar to BEST Academy sponsored by Sustainable South Bronx. The website describes it this way: Founded in 2003, the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (BEST) Academy is SSBx’s flagship program. BEST Academy prepares low-income New York City residents for jobs in the growing green collar sector. The program addresses both environmental and economic needs in the community by preparing New Yorkers for full-time employment, and simultaneously teaching skills related to protecting the environment, restoring urban green spaces, bringing NYC’s buildings to a higher, greener standard. Program components include: 1) Career Development 2) Green Construction 3) Building Operations & Maintenance 4) Financial Education 5) Community Service 6) Environmental Literac http://www.ssbx.org/best-academy/
• Create a special mental health response team to respond to people in mental health crisis.
• My vision of Dubuque is to be a place where workers are paid a living wage and where there are job opportunities for low-skilled workers.
• I would like to see more indoor activity options for senior citizens during the winters when it is too cold to enjoy the arboretum and parks/trails. Seniors need to keep healthy and active even in a cold climate zone. Other cities have elaborate senior centers and a large variety of activities thru their community recreation departments for adults. The demographics for Dubuque has a large percentage of people over 50 and the population in general is aging with aging baby boomers.
• More youth involvement in community events focused on the arts and music.
• More racial diversity.
• Programs for people in need.
• We have spent the last 40 years in the Denver area arriving from Freeport, Illinois and Los Angeles. Denver is receiving much publicity for being “the place to live.” But after years of researching, talking to residents, visiting and watching Dubuque from afar we believe Dubuque is our best place to live. Soon we will call Dubuque our new home. In our perception Dubuque is a vibrant, embracing, progressive, learning, caring community. We would like to share some of what excites us-city mission statement, a city that asks for input and listens, engaged city workers, people that care about their community and want it to thrive in all ways, for all, Arboretum, riverwalk, food coop, the arts and public places for sharing the venues, farmers market, new airport terminal, sustainability pledge, 3 liberal arts colleges, great libraries, independent bookstore, revitalization in downtown area, River Museum, marina, humidity, 4 seasons, opportunity for small business, parks and recreation in close proximity, great healthcare, Julien Journal, veterans services and support, Iowa food hub, community literacy programs, unique and awe inspiring location, transit system, new transportation hub, and many avenues for pursuing spirituality. We want to be a part of a city that pursues inclusiveness, diversity, problem solving, vision, citizen input and hard work, for the community people call home. We look forward to participating in Imagine Dubuque. Thank you!
• To have a community without poverty. Many dubuquers currently live at or below the poverty line. In order to make our community stronger and sustainable, we need to ensure everyone has access to a living wage in order to be able to support themselves and their families.
• Before looking forward it may be useful to consider the current state of “communityness” in Dubuque-begin with asking folks to state briefly how they understand “community” and then follow with their views regarding how closely Dubuque matches those understandings. I have given considerable time to making sense of our talk about “equity” and “inclusiveness” and while doing so invariably come to the idea that both of these notions really take on concrete meaning within a shared understanding of “communityness.” To make my point more accessible-at the last public school board election very few eligible senior citizens participated. I quite deliberately asked of seniors in various contexts about this situation and more often than not received the answer, “I don’t have children in school!” (Or some variant.)
• A reduction of crime. If this means additional police, it is worth the cost to the community. Reduce gang presence. Reduce drugs in the community.
  This additional crime comes at a cost, in programs for children – nothing is free, someone foots the bill, support for unmarried women with children, housing for those affected, food-stamps. These programs have increased in scope in correlation to crime stats. Crime is far reaching.
• Let’s have an organization that mentors pregnant women in socioeconomic challenged situations from conception through at least age 4. Help them make the best possible choices for their babies at those critical developmental levels.
• My vision for Dubuque to have more diversity seen and not talked about. The Multicultural Center isn’t the hub for diversity and I think it’s pigeon holes culture. The MFC is excellent for resources and more, however it isn’t a representation of the culture here. I have been to many art shows, concerts, drag shows, etc. and it isn’t inclusive. There’s simply no diversity in the arts, I would like to see more African-American, Afro-Cuban, Marshallenese, Mediterrenean and other diversified Artists, events, expos and festivals that aren’t specifically narrowed to hip-hop and R&B/Funk reviews of music or being showcased as being helped out of dire straits. My vision for Dubuque is to know that our youth can be included and not displayed as being “needy”.
• To have areas of downtown Dubuque to not be overlooked. To hold the property owner accountable for the buildings they own. There are hard working people that are trying to make it in life and to be thrown into squalor because they feel that’s all they can get. I believe it is predatory and there is many prejudices of the landlords. We like clean parks, we love safe environments. The majority of the working/poor class of people are entitled to a good quality of life. We have lived too long with “bad apples” and the vision I have is to have a better standard of screening and programs in place to assist in good quality of life.
• I imagine a diverse, vibrant and eclectic downtown.

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• It would be nice to see availability of golf carts, or other easy entrance vehicles for people that have mobility issues to use; that live in Dubuque, and visit the city. If you don’t have a wheel chair or scooter, and walk with walker, cane, or canes, crutches, it’s most impossible to access our beautiful riverfront walk. Most people would be willing to rent a mobile cart so they could easily get up the steep hill to the river walk and enjoy this part of our city. The same idea is good for the parks, arboretum, Mines of Spain, festivals that are downtown, functions outdoors.
• Availability of companies that would hire seniors that could do seated jobs for 2 to 6 hours a day per week. There are many people with excellent people skills in this age group that can do basic computer and also have phone skills. Many people don’t have a agency to help them access this kind of information.
• Help underserved residents regain stability via incentives and support
• Training Center for Adults
• Dubuque is lacking Detox, Rehab and Sober Living. We need help NOW.
• I see a Dubuque whose networks, organizations, businesses, and people provide services, policy, zoning, processes, and interpersonal relationships which are welcoming and inclusive of people from diverse religions, races, ethnicities, etc. I see a Dubuque in which there is economic mobility for all diverse community members who live here and that it does not have to take generations.
• Attract and support diverse populations; understand the barriers they face and create solutions that speak to / address such (language, childcare, transit, wages, community integration)