Imagine Dubuque In Action
As you read this, Dubuque residents and community organizations are coming together to help make Imagine Dubuque, our city's comprehensive plan, a reality.
TRACKING PROGRESS + ACHIEVING RESULTS
Over 50 individuals from the City and local organizations have stepped up to coordinate implementation of the plan. These leaders provide project updates to track progress and success in achieving the 110 recommendations outlined in the plan.
PLAN
PROJECT CATEGORIES
SUBCATEGORIES
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation Tracker
Comprehensive Plan Status: 110 recommendations

• At Risk • Off Track • On Track • Achieved
At Risk: Recommendation implementation has not yet begun, has a roadblock or made little progress. Needs will vary and may include funding, coordination, time, and staffing.
Off Track: Recommendation implementation is in the early stages of moving forward by way of active organizing, connecting with partners, planning and data collection, and/or a few early action items.
On Track: Recommendation implementation is moving forward, with multiple actions in motion and steady progress being made towards realizing the recommendation, or recommendation implementation is ongoing with continuity and growth in progress.
Achieved: Recommendation has been completed and work on it has ended.
PLAN CATEGORIES
Click the tabs below to learn about plan goals and specific recommendations.
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Economic Prosperity
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Sustainable Environment
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Social + Cultural Vibrancy
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Livable Neighborhoods + Housing
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Community Facilities
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Transportation + Mobility
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Land Use
Go to: Economic Prosperity
EMPLOYMENT
Continue to diversify Dubuque’s economy
Develop a ‘hyper-local’ approach to diverse talent attraction/development
Strengthen start-up businesses and entrepreneurial programming
Continue work of Inclusive Dubuque / enhance economic resilience
HOUSING
Identify markets and sites for new homes
Foster development of new and additional housing products
Continue work of Inclusive Dubuque to enhance economic resiliency
BUSINESS
Enhance broadband service to align with business/employment growth
Strengthen Dubuque as a regional retail destination
Go to: Sustainable Environment
CLEAN WATER
Complete and monitor Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation
Implement the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan
CLEAN AIR + ENERGY
Implement 50% by 2030 Climate Action + Resiliency Plan
Support mobile air quality monitoring, increase citizen awareness
HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS + LAND CONSERVATION
Continue Healthy Homes as part of CHANGE and Bee Branch Revitalization
Implement an Emerald Ash Borer Readiness Plan
Increase native plant, pollinator, and edible landscaping
Conserve natural areas
ECO EDUCATION
Promote children’s environmental education
Improve backyard and curbside composting
Explore a community-wide Zero Waste Policy
Go to: Social + Cultural Vibrancy
FOOD
Increase institutional use of local foods
Support food production spaces, Community-Supported Agriculture
Network with other “food cities”
Integrate healthy food and education in recreational programming
Consider food access as an element of City transit systems
Harvest local solid waste for compost
Support front yard food gardening
EDUCATION + EMPOWERMENT
Implement the Community Solutions Action Plan
Support community learning on equity and inclusion
Expand childcare options and resources
ARTS + CULTURE
Bring events to all neighborhoods
Evaluate transit to ensure access to arts and culture facilities
Co-market community events
Partner to encourage new forms of culture and art
GREEN BUILDINGS + PRESERVATION
Promote preservation, adaptive reuse of buildings and materials
Communicate benefits of historic preservation
Utilize emerging funding sources to support rehabilitation
Expand programs to train preservation-related building trades
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Improve trash collection in downtown
Enhance sidewalk connectivity
Ensure safe lighting of active pedestrian zones
Support community policing efforts on diversity/understanding
Police / organizational training on mental health and public safety
Support safe neighborhoods through community partnerships
HEALTH
Promote partnerships and policies that support mental health
Evaluate community-based options to support mental health
Work with health providers to promote healthy choices
Promote in-school healthy foods
RECREATION
Update the Parks and Recreation Plan
Community Health + Wellness/Recreation Center
Make Dubuque more dog-friendly
Go to: Livable Neighborhoods + Housing
LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Review codes/incentives to promote fair, quality, affordable housing
Recognize the importance of historic preservation and adaptive reuse
Illustrate and communicate benefits of historic preservation / partners
Identify and collaborate with new partners to strengthen neighborhoods
Promote appropriate mixed-use development
HOUSING
Support the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative and inspections
Monitor affordability and housing stress
Increase wages and self-sufficiency opportunities
Outreach/Education to increase participation in Housing Choice Vouchers
Incentives/Policies to create more Housing Choice Voucher units
Go to: Community Facilities
INFRASTRUCTURE
Expand sanitary sewer system to meet needs
Address water system needs / address future growth
Integrate Vernon Township and Barrington Lakes water systems
Update the city-wide stormwater management ordinance
Expand fiber optic network access
PUBLIC SAFETY
Ensure resources for City Departments as population grows
Explore 911 Communication Center needs
Evaluate cost/benefits/needs for police substation
Explore need for/relocation of a southwest fire station
MUNICIPAL
Explore potential for a West End library branch
Implement the Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan
Repurpose the Five Flags Civic Center
Go to: Transportation + Mobility
COMPLETE STREETS
Identify opportunities to enhance pedestrian network in JFK corridor
Apply Complete Streets principles throughout Dubuque
Work from the City’s comprehensive network plan for Complete Streets
Orient new development to the street / acquire r.o.w
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Enhance fixed-route service on high-performing transit corridors
Enhance bus efficiency and effectiveness / connect residents to resources
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Expand passenger air and rail service
Target new development near the airport; restrict residential
REGIONAL CONNECTIONS
Partner with DOTs to promote safe, efficient regional roadway connections
Expand passenger rail service / 4-lane highway to Chicago
AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL
Implement DMAT 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan
Leverage technology to improve vehicular mobility and safety
Go to: Land Use
SINGLE FAMILY
Promote access to education, recreation, and services in all neighborhoods
Link neighborhoods via trails and open space
Integrate development into the environment
MULTI-FAMILY
Encourage a mix of housing options for all
Encourage multi-family development near jobs
Encourage multi-family development in mixed-use areas
MIXED USE
Create places to live, work, and play within close proximity of neighborhoods
Adjust zoning regulations to promote mixed-use development
Work with property owners/developers to encourage walkable mixed use
Integrate mix of housing types in mixed use neighborhoods
INSTITUTIONAL
Ensure equitable access to services / essential facilities
Explore a new school site to serve future development along Southwest Arterial
Integrate new institutional / non-profit uses near the residents they serve
COMMERCIAL
Provide retail and employment that is responsive to market demands
Explore opportunities for limited commercial in neighborhoods
Concentrate commercial uses downtown and along major corridors
INDUSTRIAL
Attract large employment centers with access to infrastructure
Allow for new or expanded industrial parks
Explore industrial development near airport
PARKS + OPEN SPACE
Preserve environment / provide recreational opportunities for all
Coordinate with school districts to share facilities with neighborhoods
Link all development with open space and trails
Explore additional riverfront recreational opportunities
Explore potential for a mountain biking facility
actions underway
The projects highlighted below are just some of the initiatives that are helping us achieve the vision of Imagine Dubuque. While the ebb and flow of these initiatives may change due to the impacts of Covid, one thing is for certain, brighter tomorrows are ahead.
#AllOfUsDubuque: Highlighting Dubuquers Making a Difference
Plan Category: Social + Cultural Vibrancy
Sub-Category: Education + Empowerment
Recommendation: Support and further community learning about best practices in equity and inclusion.
“The only way to conquer the coronavirus and save lives is for All of Us to work together as one community. Regardless of where we were born, we are standing shoulder to shoulder, and all of our contributions to society are more indispensable than ever."
Dubuque Community Gardens
Plan Category: Social + Cultural Vibrancy
Sub-Category: Food
Recommendation: Consider an active policy supporting front yard food gardening.
“Working in the garden put my life into perspective - the more we treat the Earth with kindness, the more the Earth will give us. I feel grateful for the experience.” - Grace Jackson
$1 Million Grant Helps Dubuque Develop Next-Gen Traffic Control System
Plan Category: Transportation + Mobility
Sub-Category: Auto Travel
Recommendation: Continue being a national leader in leveraging technology and other Intelligent Transportation System solutions to improve vehicular mobility and safety on the Dubuque street network.
“The City of Dubuque is excited to pursue this project with our partners, ECIA and the Iowa DOT, to develop new traffic management technologies and practices that can become best practices for other communities.” - Roy Buol, Dubuque Mayor
Project Rooted
Plan Category: Social + Cultural Vibrancy
Sub-Category: Health
Recommendation: Promote in-school healthy food actions including school gardens, wellness, and exercise.
"We can help shape the future of this community by the simple act of connecting kids to real food from the ground up." - Whitney Sanger | Co-Founder, Project Rooted
Pets in Parks Ordinance
Plan Category: Social + Cultural Vibrancy
Sub-Category: Recreation
Recommendation: Identify opportunities to enhance Dubuque’s “dog-friendliness.”
"Being able to walk your dog on a leash through a city park is a quality of life issue." - 'Pets in Parks Ordinance' survey comment
Dupaco Invests in Millwork District
Plan Category: Economic Prosperity
Sub-Category: Employment
Recommendation: Continue ongoing efforts to diversify Dubuque’s economy, including all sectors, employment types, and categories.
“This facility will allow us to continue to add staff to support our members and allow us future growth potential, as well as aligning with community initiatives and space to potentially lease back to tenants and community entities to provide an enhanced benefits to the Millwork area." - Joe Hearn, Dupaco President
be our eyes and ears
With so many great things happening throughout our city and region, we need your help to keep us in the loop on actions underway. Click the button below to share information, photos, and press about projects that are helping achieve the vision of Imagine Dubuque.
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