View Ideas

Special thanks to everyone who shared comments, thoughts and inspiration over Imagine Dubuque’s engagement process. Click here to view the hundreds of ideas and inspirational photos shared by community members.

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!

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

Having Opportunities to go to companies under majors, with those our age
Flat / even and wider roads and repaving lines or replace with lights for better visibility.
More roundabouts and less robots (stop lights).
Train transportation to other cities like Chicago or Wisconsin Dells.
Fix the roads and many road have many potholes + are very uneven. Make more roundabouts to avoid running red lights and confusing 5 way stops.
More hotspots
Bishops / Golden Corral
Sonic
More breakfast places
A Whole Foods to encourage a better/healthier and organic diet and lifestyle
Make downtown more of a shopping district with stores people actually use, maybe new buildings, everything’s really old down there. Also, better traffic lights, especially the one on Grandview. Also, an amusement park would be pretty cool.
More shopping stores for teenagers/young adults
Expanded mall
Dave and Busters
Chuck-E-Cheese’s
Better mall (more options)
More/better shopping stores for teens/young adults
That Dubuque should improve and fix our roads
Do we really need all those pawn shops on Central Avenue? I personally think they invite crime (home burglary, etc.)
More boutique clothing stores
More vertical jumps
Downtown business please! Drug stores, grocery stores, thrift stores, hardware stores. Not everyone goes to the West Side.
I imagine a revised and restored Central Part of Lower Dubuque. Removing blight – poverty and crime. The entire flats area should be earmarked. If nothing is done – soon – this community life issue will fester deteriorate and crumble. At our core of a city we look bad and disinterested by letting our Historic Center (Jackson, Washington, White Streets etc.) decompose and die.
Better traffic flow from Heritage Pond to Wisconsin Bridge.
Train to Chicago!
More airlines in our airport
Retain resources and talent from surrounding universities / colleges by attracting competitive businesses to the area
Attract competitive businesses to the area
Improved roads/intersections
Airlines – hard to travel to and from Dubuque with competitive pricing
We need another or bigger mall
Keep stores in Dubuque
More retail for high school students
Continue to support farmers market
Continue to support Historic Millwork District
What can be done to make Dubuque an even more congenial city for those considering retirement here?
More internships
Red Lobster
Macy’s
Dubuque needs a Costco
Restore the old Dubuque Brewing & Malting Company building and put in stores, restaurants, microbrewery, apartments. Similar to what was done with the warehouse district.
There seems to be a disconnect from Dubuque saying “Masterpiece on the Mississippi” and then actually having some attractions by the Mississippi. There is only 1 restaurant that views the river. Let’s capitalize on having the river and develop the area into a walking area with breweries, restaurants, shops and nice path to walk, run and bike. Yes, there is a path, but it is so short, it’s hardly worth the effort to use.
Downtown supermarket instead of a parking ramp
No more chain establishments in City and county limits. No construction of new facilities. We will never be local or sustainable if we continue this disturbing path of cookie cutting.
Raise minimum wage
Reinvent Kerper Boulevard
Program to incentivize people to clean-up their property
Uninhabited buildings or homes rehabbed or torn down
Improve North End with more retail and overall development (Kerper Blvd Area)
Work with private sector to bring more retail and grocery options to north end area
Focus efforts on retail and dining along the peosta channel and Bee Branch Corridor. Amenities along biking and walking paths will be very popular with people who value outdoor recreational opportunities.
While expanding is important, so is taking care of where we expand from
Further land acquisition for greenways and connectivity. This will also bring about Econ development. Dubuque has a strong tourism base, but many demographics remain untapped.
Focus on establishing more residential in the South Port and focus on retention & expansion of local businesses established downtown
Focus on networking the Washington Neighborhood & Bee Branch Watershed rejuvenation
Keep taxes low or equitable for all citizens.
A concentrated effort to improve and bring businesses to Central Avenue so that it is a viable shopping area and serves needs of the neighborhood.
More jobs for youth.
All of Dubuque should look like the Millwork District.
Bring in a local kitchen supply store! (locally owned/operated/not a chain).
Find interesting jobs for young people.
Aldi or Save-a-Lot grocery store Downtown!
Create more jobs Downtown.
Continue expanding the industrial park on the south west side in order to provide jobs.
Keep property taxes from increasing.
Dubuque has tremendous potential but it has to make itself more attractive to young, mobile professionals. Most of my friends from high school and college are ending up in the Twin Cities, Colorado’s Front Range or the Pacific Northwest, not just because that’s where the jobs are but because that’s where they want to live because of the quality of life and recreation opportunities EVEN IF IT’S MORE EXPENSIVE. Cutting taxes isn’t attractive. Putting tax dollars to work for public benefit is.
I’d like to see more mixed use development. The industrial park west has lovely amenities (pond, trail, green space) that are under-utilized. I imagine a mixed use area, where multi-residential is built above office space. This would maximize the use of all the parking lots at all hours of the day (not just M-F, 8-5), as well as maximize the infrastructure already in place (roads, utilities, amenities).
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).
Free downtown parking courtesy of the City as some communities advertise.

(2) Social + Cultural Vibrancy

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

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
A good learning area for kids to learn and have fun
Make school start later because statistics show that when teens get more sleep / start school later they perform much better than when starting earlier
Create free classes to help people learn life skills – how to carry a job, budget, have a successful interview, etc.
More opportunities for high schoolers to experience different jobs (experience spending a day with someone in the field).
Gay pride parade
More interesting literature focused on places further uptown.
Have school start later, maybe around 8 or 9, because it’s so early to learn new things at 7:30. It’s hard to stay focused and stay awake during the first few classes.
Improve school system. Have classes on how to do taxes, manage money, and college application. Make them mandatory.
More things for teens to do that require little to no money for fun
More entertainment for kids and teens such as a zoo or an amusement park
Children’s petting zoo, water park, children park, playground for infant or toddlers.
Sports facility that can hold bigger events and is open to public convention center
Dubuque needs in general indoor activities for the winter. Top Golf and for the summer a minor league baseball team and stadium
A gaming center to hangout and game with friends and new people
Community building events
More fun things to do. More entertainment.
More fun indoor/outdoor activities for everyone (i.e. water parks, amusement parks)
A bigger art museum
More event/activities that anyone and everyone could attend.
A Dubuque rec center or improved YMCA
Build some water parks in Dubuque
Make a semi-pro team of some sort. Then take the profits and donate for a good cause.
Have more music festivals like music in the park or there was a cancer walk that had food/drink and dancing.
I think we need more fun recreational sports like vertical jump.
Laser tag place in DBQ
We need a bigger mall with a bigger variety of stores
Making an arcade
Zoo
Create an amusement park to attract tourists and get more money to build more things
Some kind of event to bring kids/young adults together (i.e. game convention)
Have a convention such as PAX
More entertainment for young adults. Such as a large water park like Wisconsin Dells
To bring more ways of entertainment. And making better ways of making the community a better place.
Improve the places we have and add more activities for the youth of Dubuque
School start later and a rec center
Children’s museum
Bigger mall with more variety of stores
Indoor rec center
There needs to be more activities to do for teens
Support involvement in community
My idea is to build more public playgrounds
Add more fun places, jump parks, and waterparks
Develop plans to greatly improve public schooling (i.e. create parent/guardian leave-to-trade program to counter fall-off effect when at home
More schools and helping programs
We young professionals want to bring our dogs to city parks!
Fun areas for college students that aren’t the bars.
Children’s museum in Millwork area
Build a new reception / wedding building in Eagle Point Park
A girls’ hockey team
A minor-league baseball team
A new YM/YWCA
A new aquatic center
Indoor pool (west end)
Indoor pool West End
Better aquatic facility
Minor League sports team
Family recreation activities
Education in high schools and colleges about retirement
More family campgrounds
Skate park for kids for skateboarding / roller-skating
Tripe A Ballpark
Events/Concert Venues
Community Center on West End
More dog friendly spots
Need for a new YM/YWCA
New/updated fitness facility YM/YWCA
Indoor / outdoor pool – west side
Dog parks
Open pools sooner
Close all schools
Better education for visual learners
A professional sports team
An outdoor water park
We need another pool
Make safe crosswalks everywhere
Education connection for free
Smoking places
The YMCA is such an important community organization socially and for recognition. Help support and promote it.
More things for kids to do in town.
Honest and truth among residents and open dialogue will make Dubuque better.
More activities for high school students
More recreation opportunities for youth.
Make a variety of school sports
Let’s get our baseball field built.
More neighbor to neighbor interaction
More fun stuff for little kids’ birthdays besides jumping janes like Chuck E Cheese
Roller rink for kids, fun stuff
D League Basketball Team
I would like to see more for families. Families on vacation, or like mine, our kids are on their own with their own family – but we do things together all the time.
A recreation center for all ages. Sports activities, etc.
Renovate a few of the 10,000 stale, smelly, 1970s bars into something a person wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in.
Splash pad in Eagle Point Park to replace the fountain.
Dubuque should strongly consider building an auto cross race car track. Dubuque has a long history of racing at the fairgrounds. That is targeted for a specific type of racing. If an auto cross track was constructed, it would offer a lot more opportunity for amateur, novice, and professionals to challenge each other and develop race skills in a controlled environment. It would also bolster tourism and enhance restaurant, lodging, and entertainment business in the community. There isn’t an auto cross track within a couple hundred miles of Dubuque. There could also be training school opportunities to instructor drivers how to race. I think this would be an excellent opportunity for Greater Dubuque and would be a long-term revenue stream that would support business in the community. The Newton Speedway added the race track a few years ago, with great success and has brought in many race venues. Why can’t Dubuque do something similar but make it more specific to auto cross?
Please build an auto cross car race track.
Build a Children’s museum like the one in Iowa City that worked with the local companies. I would be willing to put a proposal for this and assist in executing on this idea. This would provide exposure to local vocations and give a place for younger families to take their children and spend time as a family.
My 42 year old son works for IBM downtown. He asked me to pass on his recommendation for the establishment of an indoor walking track in the immediate downtown area. My spouse and I moved from Waterloo where the Sports Complex downtown has a great track. Des Moines has a circuit set up through its elevated walkways to walk from building to build, and I know many people there use that as their ‘circuit’. It is encouraged as well by signage. I believe a number of other cities have such as well. It MIGHT be possible to entertain the idea of walkways between buildings at the second-floor height (or third or fourth if crossing a busy road.)
I think Dubuque should have a mini golf area but also have a mini golf course inside that glows in the dark. That would be soo much fun!
Greater accessibility to locally produced foods, aka regional markets
Spend / support local small businesses year-round initiative by civic leadership can help make that part of DBQ culture (like farmers market)
Further communicate with younger generations about the involvement of local government and how they get involved.
More senior housing options for “people in the middle” that are not institutional-looking, environmentally friendly, etc
More cameras
After school program
Spend / support local small businesses year-round initiative by civic leadership can help make that part of DBQ culture (like farmers market)
Minor League Baseball Team
We need a “Farm Team” for baseball!
More interactions with children and the elderly who are in homes or are shut-in
Aquatic Center
Downtown Aquatic Center
City sponsored community college fund / city scholarships and grants
Grant program (voluntary) for landlords to install cameras on rental properties
We need some affordable family-friendly indoor activities for high school age kids to hang
More delivery restaurants in Downtown area
More young adult entertainment options
Water park
More pet parks
Greater access to and more information about mental health care in our community, especially for lower income individuals
Public water, park and swimming pool for 5 flags or in Downtown area
Tiny house village, community center with greenspace.
Dubuque to be known as “A Garden City”. Holland, Michigan is such a city and their thriving economy and tourism is centered on this distinction. Both public and private investments, contests, parades and celebrations could be included in this source of community beauty and pride.
Continued efforts to bring all sectors of our community together to have PERSONAL & EMOTIONAL experiences around the celebration and education of multiculturalism. Hearts needs to be moved, touched and inspired for behaviors and attitudes to shift.
Taking kids and putting them in programs with no technology, stepping back old school
Wouldn’t it be cool to have a nice big new community center to pull together the different races/ages/incomes/talents?
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.
More of a focus on making people aware of being healthy. More readily available healthy food options.
Use arts and cultural programs to connect people across divisions of socio-economic status, race, religion, age, etc. Arts is a universal language – use it intentionally to bring people together.
My idea is to have a theme park (Six Flages type). Also a civic center for bigger concerts seating 10,000+
A nice water park (like Lost Island in Waterloo, Iowa)
Newer facilities and rec center
Sponsor cross-country skiing (have done this in the past – lights on during the time span they’re open)
A city full of multi-racial hair salons, allowing mixed-race families to get their hair cut and styled at the same place and at the same time.
I would like diverse businesses, and welcoming neighborhoods with different cultural identities represented and celebrated.
I feel this community has its ups and downs, the feeling of being here in Dubuque is nice; I feel safe and welcome.
Adult learning should add night classes.
More youth music opportunities.
Bigger children’s library with reading nooks, children’s toys, games/puzzles for checkout.
More free public space in the winter for moms/dads/caregivers and kids.
Have more swimming pools.
More bike/recreational trails (pave the existing trail).
More safe practical trails (throughout the city).
More library branches.
Open an old-time video arcade and other public places for young people to hang out.
Start an affordable canoe and kayak rental on the river and hold regular events like rowing races.
Fix the ice rink @ AH Park so people can ice skate there in the winter.
More events and activities year round – not just in the summer!
Artist club meeting nights.
New Senior Center / More affordable senior housing
Better shopping for seniors.
Entertainment for young people.
Senior Community Center with gym, swimming pool, community room, coffee and juice bar. Early evening entertainment, dancing, and a reading room.
A large-scale outdoor concert space would be valuable as well. Many people in Dubuque seem to be oddly excited about big box developments and chain restaurants on the west side. Those things might be exciting to locals but those exist everywhere and aren’t going to attract people to Dubuque. We have scenic beauty that will attract people so let’s use that and invest in that in ways that get well-educated, healthy, active professionals to call Dubuque home.
Investing in parks and recreation in general would go a long way towards making me want to stay here and be proud to call myself a Dubuquer. I’d be in favor of a local option sales tax to fund all this.
Climbing gyms are growing 10% per year and Dubuque finds itself without any climbing opportunities. Putting something like Columbus, OH’s outdoor climbing wall (http://indoorwalls.com/listings/Scioto-Audubon-Metro-Park-Climbing-Wall) in a public place along the river would be a big draw.
Paved bike trails that actually connect all parts of the city and beyond (the long-talked about trail from Bergfeld to the Mines of Spain along Catfish Creek would be a game changer!). Dubuque is so far behind the IC/CR corridor and Des Moines and Waterloo/CF and Madison with regards to trails! Building mountain bike trails (the Cloie Creek trail will be a good start) like what Duluth is doing would be hugely attractive to young, active families and professionals.
I think Dubuque should now focus on the culture, there are so many different nationalities in this City now versus 10 years ago and there are only 4 diverse restaurants in the City, only 1 black hair store, and not one plus-size clothing store; nor is there an urban clothing store here. The City is growing and people have to travel hours for clothing at decent prices that is culture-friendly.
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.
I think Dubuque should have a rock climbing gym, it is a great way to offer activities for all ages. Ever since I left Madison, WI I have missed having a rock climbing gym available. I lived in the Quad Cities for 4-5 years and missed the climbing gym the whole time. An example of one of these gyms is Boulder’s Climbing Gym in Madison, WI: https://www.bouldersgym.com/ | Please bring a climbing gym to Dubuque – it a fun way to work-out and meet people!
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.
More dog friendly places and parks, dog waste bags available to the public
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.
A minor league baseball team would be great, though the TH detailed a lot of reasons why it’s not likely to ever happen after residents’ failure to approve the referendum some years back.
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.
Get rid of drugs.
Drug testing for people getting financial assistance
Drug test elected officials and city employees making over $45,000 / yr
Added drug treatment centers
Get kids books for Christmas instead of cheap plastic toys.
Books in every child’s home

(3) Environmental Integrity

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

More geo-caching
More walking / running and biking paths
Easier to commute by walking and bikes.
Make Dubuque more bike friendly, Bike lanes, etc.
Weekday night time public bus for those who work, have classes, and who would like to get around.
Make Dubuque more bike friendly with more trails and sidewalks.
Night time public busing during the weekdays
City bikes
Bird feeding area
Outfitting homes with solar panels/geothermal energy
Wind farms/solar power
Start building solar power roadways for a healthier planet and create more historical museums for Dubuque
Make Dubuque less dirty, like trash on the roads. Cleaner environment
City wide clean up. 1-2 month have a group of citizens go around town and clean up trash on the streets and sidewalks. Bags and fabrics taken out of trees.
Go green, transfer over to renewable resources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
Planting more trees in open areas. More plant life in open + available places.
Widespread encouragement of the arts and the area’s beautiful parks and vistas.
Central park
Seeing a greener Dubuque, push for more solar panels on roof, wind energy, ect.
Making a more bike friendly Dubuque
Bike lanes
Start a bike library – donated bikes + repair shop. Check out for 2-3 days. Photos ID + Credit card if not returned.
More pedestrian friendly
To have the City recycle glass in recycle bins
Plant more trees
Pick up litter so our community could be a better place
More designated bike lanes
A 10-cent charge on all bags given at the grocery and retail stores; the bags would/should all be paper – do away with plastic) People can quickly bring their own bags.
More solar energy use
Bike paths on city streets and highways
Glass bottle/jar recycling program
More recycling stations
More biking trails
Running trails
Build a walkable community
After school city bus service to YMCA for kids not in walking distance.
Beautify the city, i.e. trees, flowers
Mississippi River Beach
Please use the words “climate change” in the next City Comp Plan. Dubuque recognizes it. The words need to be included in it. Normalize the phrase for our community.
Increase outdoor recreation
Use more renewable energy
Eliminate barriers of biking from anywhere – to anywhere by putting in new connecting bikeways where there is no easy way to get from here – to there… currently!
To ensure people can get where they need to go in a timely fashion, shift resources from Jule mass transit and create an Uber fleet. Combine with DuRide. Price and maintenance of reliable cars are increasingly out of reach for lower wage earners. Would also reduce constant need for parking, which often is responsible for demolition of historic downtown buildings.
I saw a news segment of a small business in Florida that plants gardens instead of lawns in front of homes. The people who live there get a portion of the food and earnings from the sale of extra produce for the use of their land, and the business keeps the rest of the earnings from the sale of extra produce for the gardening work. Some of the surplus is sold at farmers markets and some is donated to food shelters. We live in Iowa, not Florida, so I know it can’t be the same here. But would it be possible to implement something similar between Dubuque Leisure Services or the ISU extension office and the public schools? Some of our public schools have large amounts of unused land and the grounds are vacant during the summer growing months. Students could plant gardens in the spring, another local office could manage the garden after planting and over the summer months, and then in the fall students could help harvest. The food could be used in school meals, sold to families for fundraising, sold at the Farmers market for profits, and donated to local food shelters.
Increase outdoor recreation
Eliminate barriers of biking from anywhere – to anywhere by putting in new connecting bikeways where there is no easy way to get from here – to there… currently!
My vision would include a cleaner place, this is a very dirty town. There is garbage/litter all over. I have lived in about 20 places (small and large cities) and this by far the most unclean. It would help to ban plastic bags, a major contributor. Also, to pretty the town up, planting some flowers (in spaces where there’s just weeds and dirt growing) and slapping some paint in unsightly places would give a fresh, clean look.
Dubuque needs more bike lanes! They’re about 20 years behind the rest of the country in integrating a bike friendly community.
Improve / maintain mass transit options
Get on your feet Dubuque! Walk, dance, stand, etc. Health begins with even walking one block. Walkable cities are more equitable and sustainable.
We need an overpass from E.D. Bridge to Asbury – it works in Omaha, NE
Restrictions on train whistles overnight, i.e. quiet hours. This has passed on other cities (Flagstaff, AZ)
Interactive Children’s museum
Maintain green spaces and landscaping throughout the community
City supported green spaces and community gardens everywhere, especially in Downtown. More Farmers Markets mid-week downtown, mid-week uptown.
More water fountains that are people and pet friendly like the one on Central Ave.
Change the operations and collection process to make it easier to recycling and harder to throw items in the trash. Change the rate and volume of collection available to residents. Make all residents use a tip container. This will significantly reduce operational costs
Create incentives for businesses to recycle all possible materials
Lobby the state of Iowa to more tightly regulate CAFO lagoon practices to decrease runoff.
Clean water will only happen through partnerships and within the current legislative framework of watershed management authorities.
Focus efforts on retail and dining along the peosta channel and Bee Branch Corridor. Amenities along biking and walking paths will be very popular with people who value outdoor recreational opportunities.
Further land acquisition for greenways and connectivity. This will also bring about Econ development. Dubuque has a strong tourism base, but many demographics remain untapped.
Greenways that improve quality of life.
Car sharing
Car sharing like sip cars or modo
Better connecting city bicycle paths / lanes.
16th 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.
Give library volunteers a “free” place to park. When I am volunteering, it costs me to this, why?
Continue work on train to Chicago.
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!
Improve public transportation
Add more street lights, Dubuque is too dark.
Transportation to help low-income workers get to work
We need transportation to get from work to home or school at all hours.
Make it so you can (scavenge / hunt) take items out of the landfill – lumber, furniture, plastics, glass for those who want to restore & refurbish, refinish, reuse, upcycle, recycle. I do a lot of craft projects from items that are usually thrown away, along with others, that make things out of throwaway items as well.
Move the signs away from trees.
All of Dubuque should look like the Millwork District.
More frequent, accessible, efficient public transport to Twin Cities, Madison, St. Louis, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City.
More bike/recreational trails (pave the existing trail).
Friendlier parking, the meters are terrible.
More greenery and plants to make Iowa more beautiful.
More safe practical trails (throughout the city).
Put gardens or pretty plants around the downtown parking lots.
Create urban garden space downtown, gardens for people to relax in, grow produce; use old parking lot space for this
New Highway 20
The city has a tremendous opportunity (and responsibility!) to do something with the Alliant Energy plant property once that is shuttered as that could be an eyesore for a long time.
More free hours on the meters would be nice; and over-due fees on parking tickets should not be more than $10 for a ticket 90 days old.
Allow ride services like UBER to come to town to allow increased mobility and income to all. Taxis are too expensive in town!
More roundabouts
Fix roadways
Park and rec activities during the evening (for toddlers) not during work day
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
Get rid of drugs.
Reduce the amount of food that is wasted.

(4) Equity

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

Equal housing opportunities for teens coming out of high school so that teens can afford to move out and support oneself.
Create more opportunities for war veterans to adjust successfully to civilian life. Group therapy sessions in new buildings and more jobs using skills they have learned.
Better security at the Mines of Spain
Planned Parenthood back in DBQ
Better mental health facilities
We need to focus on improving the community by working on the heroin problem
Better places more focused on mental health
Reduce crime downtown to create a better living place for people that live there
Raising the minimum wage, help raise living standards for low wage workers
I think in our schools we should have clubs or organizations that help students deal with the loss of a loved one or an organization to help families/students with drug problems.
Insurance costs and providers in DBQ area… costs are way too high for a family of four, let alone one person. And once you get insurance that is somewhat affordable, there are almost no providers in DBQ. You have four hours to Iowa City or Des Moines just to be seen by a doctor that is covered.
I would like to see more support groups for people affected by suicide or for those with depression
Expand services for those without homes. We don’t have enough beds/shelters
Lower crime. Better traffic flow. Lower public assistance we don’t draw out of state applicants
More activities for the youth to do after school
Get more of the youth through team to start going to the Boys and Girls Club.
Please share thisismeiowa.org. This is me iowa is a place where transgender individuals “allies” can go for resources, support, and more. Support transgender visibility. Peace – Love – Hope
Imagine Dubuque as a city that draws senior citizens to it for retirement. What would explain this?
Jesus and Love. God. More Fun things. More helpful people.
Better prison reform for the 100+ people in jail in Dubuque. Europe does a better job at guiding prisoners back into society.
Increase home ownership to minorities
Implement restorative strategies in the justice and school systems involving all community members.
Make all neighborhoods safe
Make it easier for people with less money to get into college
Make transportation for all people: Children, youth, elderly
Greater affordable access to mental health resources, especially for our youth. Early intervention and support is important.
Have more programs to stop bullying
Have more programs to help with depression/suicide awareness
Take into account the quality of life for senior citizens – we have many now and more are on the way.
Expand the resources (dollars & manpower) for the Bridges out of Poverty program and tap into financial institutions and their associates to assist those who need this assistance. Partner with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul and other community and churches to get further involvement.
Greater access to and more information about mental health care in our community, especially for lower income individuals
Help homeless
Fix the homeless problem
DQB is trying but kindness, openness, consideration and compassion for others are truly needed.
Increased community members mental health outreach centers
Public owned apartment buildings for low income residents
Spend time focusing on how to help the homeless
Continued efforts to bring all sectors of our community together to have PERSONAL & EMOTIONAL experiences around the celebration and education of multiculturalism. Hearts needs to be moved, touched and inspired for behaviors and attitudes to shift.
My vision is for Dubuque to be known world-wide as a city where there is love, happiness, peace, equality, inclusivity, prosperity and well-being for all. To help cultivate this vision, Dubuque could host an annual three-day weekend celebration of love, peace and unity that features musicians that play music and lead interactive experiences designed to inspire connection, love and respect and joy. The festival also would include activities such as yoga, meditation, presentations and group activities led by living luminaries, and delicious and nutritious healthy food and beverage (non-alcoholic) options for a transformational experience unlike anything else on the planet.
What if members of the public and private sector came together and took on the cultivation of LOVE & HAPPINESS as a major priority and utilized arts, entertainment and educational resources to provide opportunities to practice the skills of love and happiness? Some of these skill areas might include mindfulness, social connection, movement, good nutrition, service, gratitude, healthy thinking practices, etc. Study or skill groups/classes could be offered for adults and children along with men’s and women’s fellowship groups. (I have a model for the fellowship groups)
Something that begins to approach but isn’t the full expression of what I’m describing are “Wanderlust” festivals. Visit https://wanderlust.com/festivals/ to find out more.
What an interesting and bold goal this would be, and like the sustainable city efforts, we could collaborate with others around the country and world sharing best practices. Can you imagine a better recruitment and retention magnet than being known as a community that embraces and embodies love and happiness? It’s been proven that happiness (which comes from an alignment with love) begets success rather than success (financial or economic achievement) begetting happiness.
Consider also the example of the country of Bhutan. The Butanese government believes that Gross National Happiness [GNH] is more important than Gross National Product [GNP]. GNH is premised on the belief that happiness is the ultimate desire of every individual, and by extension, the responsibility and purpose of the state is to create the necessary conditions that enable citizens to lead the good life. To this end, GNH stresses collective happiness to be addressed directly through public policies in which happiness becomes an explicit criterion in development of projects and programs. They believe that greater collective happiness leads to peace and prosperity for all.
Let’s be a sanctuary for refugees and immigrants!
Wouldn’t it be cool to have a nice big new community center to pull together the different races/ages/incomes/talents?
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.
More of a focus on making people aware of being healthy. More readily available healthy food options.
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.
Now living in Dubuque some 7 years, I am struck by how little is being done to “mine” the various senior citizen populations of our city for their ideas re: the notion of Dubuque as a place that draws seniors to it, holds on to many of the same category who have the means to relocate in retirement but prefer to remain here in residence and currently includes among its seniors many who simply cannot relocate-some of whom would do so had they the resources. Is it in the interest of those concerned about Dubuque’s future to become fully informed re: the circumstances of seniors as they relate to the matter of identifying what might be improved upon in order to be responsive to these various senior categories. My experiences as a DuRide driver prompt this observation.
My vision is one where people aren’t afraid. They don’t fear people who are different than them, and people in under-represented populations won’t fear for their safety.
My vision is a community that has diverse businesses, schools and every aspect where the individuals of the community either have exactly what they need and or know how to go about getting help.
LULAC, NAACP, and other equity organizations have strong, active, diverse memberships.
I want a City where it feels much safer for non-whites; where non-white cultures are more visible as artists, business leaders, and education leaders; I want churches to prioritize equity more than they currently do.
Better communication with the poor/marginalized; if we want to know what they want and need, we have to ask them.
I envision a future Dubuque where people are able to make a good life for their families, without feeling that society or individuals are restraining them.
My vision for Dubuque is one where people are living, working and socializing with people across races, religions, ethnicity, and financial/socio-economic status.
I want the future of Dubuque to be vibrant and safe. A city that addresses social issues quickly, educates its youth on equality, abhors discrimination in all forms, and respects all of its inhabitants. It’s a vacation destination.
My vision for Dubuque is a City that is open, friendly, accepting, and knowledgeable about different cultures, religions, etc. Citizens are informed and engaged. Youth and elders are treasured. We work together to provide quality of life for all!
A city full of multi-racial hair salons, allowing mixed-race families to get their hair cut and styled at the same place and at the same time.
I would like diverse businesses, and welcoming neighborhoods with different cultural identities represented and celebrated.
Provide an easier way to find out about city services.
Better cooperation in services working together.
Race relations training at all levels.
Develop childcare options so low-income workers can go to school and/or work to improve their lives.
Housing could be better and affordable.
Find a way to get homeownership back to businesses on Central Ave. Business on ground level (store front) with owner living on upper floors – this will help clean up the appearance of Central Ave and empty storefronts.
Keep taxes low or equitable for all citizens.
Actively and creatively engage underemployed or unemployed to develop job skills needed in DBQ to fill job vacancies.
Transportation to help low-income workers get to work
Cultural unity – hold “freedom schools” to address race issues. Hold Tryree Scott Freedom School (a national program).
We need child care for people who work from 3pm – 11pm or just 24 hour daycare.
We need transportation to get from work to home or school at all hours.
Adult learning should add night classes.
Affordable housing through the city leading to city-wide diversity and equitable neighborhoods and schools rather than concentrated areas of poverty and wealth.
More diversity.
More friendly natural birth/home birth options!
More free public space in the winter for moms/dads/caregivers and kids.
No racial discrimination.
Respect for others.
Stop talking about each other, work together, lift each other UP instead of pulling each other down.
Jobs that pay better – so you can afford the high rents!
How about a local TV antenna so you can use a digital antenna and get broadcast TV. Cable costs have us by the throat!
More diverse opportunities, employment, arts, theater, and nightlife.
Find interesting jobs for young people.
Look for options, companies to make our city more diverse.
Listen to our youth, their opinions and suggestions.
New Senior Center / More affordable senior housing
Better shopping for seniors.
Entertainment for young people.
Senior Community Center with gym, swimming pool, community room, coffee and juice bar. Early evening entertainment, dancing, and a reading room.
Section 8 housing that is more fair to Iowans. This doesn’t affect me, but seems highly common sense!
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.
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)
Support of new mothers after birth