Port of Dubuque
Encyclopedia
The Port of Dubuque is the section of downtown Dubuque, Iowa
that lies immediately adjacent to the Mississippi River
. The area was among the first areas settled in what would become the City of Dubuque, and the State of Iowa
. Historically, the area has been a center of heavy industry, but has recently seen extensive reinvestment and new construction. The area is now one of the main tourist destinations in Dubuque, as well as Iowa.
The Port of Dubuque includes all of the area that lies north of the CCPR
rail yards
, south of East 9th Street and Dove Harbor, east of the CCPR
/ICER
railroad tracks, and west of the Mississippi River. It is divided into two main sections: the North Port and the South Port, which are separated by the Ice Harbor.
The Port area is separated from Downtown Dubuque's central business district
by a double set of railroad tracks and an expressway that carries U.S. highways 151
& 61
. Accesses to the North Port include East 5th Street, and the East 3rd Street overpass. The South Port is accessible from Jones Street, and Ice Harbor Drive, which connects the North and South Ports.
As of 2006, all of the redevelopment
in the area has occurred in the North Port, and the South Port remains largely industrial or underutilized. This may be due to the anticipated construction of a new Mississippi River Bridge, which will be built in the near future, alongside the Julien Dubuque Bridge
.
, lumber transportation and storage, and ice harvesting. The 1868 opening of the first Dubuque Railroad Bridge
to Illinois
also strengthened the Port's role as a center for heavy industry. In addition to these purposes, the Port was a major landing site for many of the steamboat
s which traveled on the river. However, for most of its history, the low-lying Port area was unprotected against the frequent spring flooding of the Mississippi. For this reason, much of the city's commercial and retail businesses were built farther inland, centered on West 9th and Main Streets.
The Port area was an ideal location for some of the city's early manufacturing companies, however. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Dubuque was a major boat building center on the Mississippi River, and this industry was centered on the Port area and the Ice Harbor. Alongside boat building, the Port was home to lumber yard
s, the Dubuque Star Brewery
, and a Civil War-era Shot Tower
.
The region also has long been a transportation center in Dubuque. U.S. highways 20
, 151
, 61
, 52
, and Iowa Highway 3 all converge in the Port of Dubuque. Also, the Chicago Central and Pacific
and Iowa, Chicago and Eastern
railroads run through the Port area. The current Dubuque Railroad Bridge, built in the 1890s, connected the city with population centers to the east. The Ice Harbor and Mississippi shoreline were the site of steamboat arrivals and departures in the city, and three of the city's four train station
s were located in or near the area.
In 1943, the Julien Dubuque Bridge was completed south of the Ice Harbor, thereby moving vehicular traffic over the Port, instead of through it, across the old Dubuque "High" Bridge. Following a record-breaking flood in 1965, the City of Dubuque began construction on a 30 feet (9.1 m) flood protection wall
to protect all of the city's riverfront from the seasonal flooding of the Mississippi River. This was completed in 1973. Boat building ended in the area in the early 1970s, and brewing came to a halt shortly after.
The Port of Dubuque remained largely inactive until 1990. At that time, Iowa legalized riverboat gambling
and the "Casino Belle" opened, afloat in the Ice Harbor. That boat would be replaced in the mid-1990s by the Diamond Jo Casino
, named after Dubuque boatbuilder "Diamond" Joe Reynolds and his Diamond Jo Boat Line.
In the late 1990s, the City of Dubuque saw an opportunity to expand on the existing tourism market by adding a major river-themed museum to the area. Alongside a new museum, the city proposed a new hotel and indoor water park
attraction, a large convention center
, riverwalk, and other amenities. This was all part of the "America's River Project," a $188 million revitalization of the North Port. In the early 2000s, the city won a huge $40 million grant from the "Vision Iowa" Fund for the construction of the various attractions.
With the presence of various attractions, the Port has also become a natural gathering place for people. During the summer, the area hosts the annual America's River Festival, the Taste of Dubuque, and appearances by presidential candidates, among other events.
The revitalization of the Port of Dubuque has also led to a "ripple effect" of new development in Downtown Dubuque. Recently, buildings and storefronts along Main Street, especially south of 3rd Street, have been renovated with tourist-friendly restaurants, stores, and nightspots such as Bricktown
. This area, known as "Historic Old Main" or "Lower Main," together with the city's Cable Car Square Historic District, are forming an active shopping and entertainment district. Tourists are also being drawn to cultural attractions in Downtown Dubuque, including the Grand Opera House
, the Five Flags Center
, Fourth Street Elevator
, and the Dubuque Museum of Art, among others.
The Diamond Jo Casino is a full-service riverboat casino
, afloat in the Ice Harbor. It includes 777 slot machines, 17 table games, and several restaurants. The casino is the among the largest attractions in the area.
The Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark is a 193-room, family-oriented hotel complex. The facility is connected to the Grand River Center, and features a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) water park
as its main attraction. Many of its rooms have excellent views of the Mississippi River and Downtown Dubuque.
The Grand River Center is Dubuque's largest convention center
. The facility features 86000 square feet (7,989.7 m²) of meeting space, and regularly plays host to weddings, car shows, regional conventions, and presidential candidates. It is connected by skywalk to the Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, and features underground parking, high-speed internet, and catering services.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is the signature attraction in the Port of Dubuque. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution
, the museum is the largest of its kind, and includes dozens of interactive, family-friendly exhibits. The complex also has a large aquarium
component, including turtles, otters, fish, and other wildlife found along the river. In addition to these, the facility has theaters, a working wetland
, and the restored William M. Black
Dredgeboat for tourists to explore.
complex in the Port. The new building houses the headquarters of the company's Higher Education Division, and 400 employees. The structure is located at the NW corner of East 5th & Bell Streets.
Amphitheater in the north. The walkway is situated atop Dubuque's flood protection levee
and provides excellent views of both the Mississippi River and Downtown Dubuque. It includes the American Trust and Savings Bank, benches, and numerous informational displays detailing the history of the Port of Dubuque.
The Riverwalk is one part of a series of riverfront trails and walkways recently completed by the City of Dubuque. The trail system will, in its finality, be interconnected and link up the various parks and tourist attractions along Dubuque's Mississippi Riverfront.
The Dubuque Shot Tower
is a National Historic Landmark, originally used to produce lead shot
for the U.S. military's
muskets. After many years of service, including munitions production during the American Civil War
, it later served as a fire watchtower
for a lumber yard
located at the site. It was built in 1856, and is located at what is now the northern end of Bell Street, near the Dubuque Railroad Bridge. The Shot Tower is among the oldest surviving structures in Dubuque.
After many years of neglect following the demise of Dubuque's lumber industry, the tower is now being studied for planned repair costs. It will almost certainly see major repairs and restoration as a part of the riverfront revitalization effort.
They market locally and regionally to encourage travelers to include a boat trip in their vacation plans. Many visitors come because of their local connections. Families in the Tri-state area often bring their visiting relatives to the boat for a ‘real’ Mississippi River experience.
In addition to owning the Spirit of Dubuque, Dubuque River Rides, under the Websters’ management, also own the Miss Dubuque, a sleek 80 feet (24.4 m) motor yacht that seats up to 125 for private charters (corporate events, weddings and rehearsals, murder mystery dinners and more); and the Ice Harbor Galley, a floating restaurant in the Ice Harbor. The Ice Harbor Galley also provided private catering for the Bell Tower Dinner Theater as well as food for businesses and private parties for all occasions. The company employs 40+ full, part-time and seasonal employees.
The Diamond Jo Casino is currently building a new $78 million casino
and entertainment complex in the Port. The new complex will replace the casino's current riverboat gambling
facility with a land-based 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) casino. The new casino will have 990 slot machines, 17 table games
, a poker
room, a 36-lane bowling
& entertainment center, and 3 restaurants. The 175000 square feet (16,258 m²) complex will open in the fall of 2008, and will sit at the NW corner of East 3rd & Bell Streets.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is planning a $38 million expansion involving several components. When the Diamond Jo moves into its new casino, the museum plans to renovate the Diamond Jo's Portside Building into the "Great Rivers Center," which will include a "National Rivers Center," a "Rivers Research Center," additional exhibit space, and retail space. The museum will also build a new 250-seat IMAX
-like "RiverMax Theater," showcasing 3-D
and 4-D film
s. Besides museum-related movies, the theater will also show up to 8 non-museum-related films per year. In addition to these projects, the museum will take over the Diamond Jo's existing riverboat, but has yet to announce a planned use for the vessel. The complex will likely be complete in 2010, when fundraising
has been finished. The various complexes are located on the SW and SE corners of East 3rd & Bell Streets.
The City of Dubuque is planning to build a new public park
in the Port. While no specific location has been announced, it will likely be located to the north of the McGraw-Hill office complex, near East 5th & Bell Streets.
The City of Dubuque is planning to build a new 92-slip marina
for transient boaters on the Mississippi River. The $4.1 million project will be able to accommodate boats that are 26 feet (7.9 m) or longer. In addition to the docks, the project will include restroom, shower, and laundry facilities. It will be located along the shoreline near the Grand River Center and the Dubuque Star Brewery, just south of the Dubuque Rail Bridge. The city also plans to construct boat slips in the Ice Harbor.
The City of Dubuque and the Diamond Jo Casino are currently building a new 1,130 space, $23 million parking ramp in the Port. The ramp is set to open in the fall of 2008, coinciding with the opening of the Diamond Jo's new casino. It will be the largest parking structure in the city, and will sit near the planned casino expansion at East 3rd & Bell Streets.
/engineering
firm The Durrant Group is renovating
the former Adams Company building and move their new corporate headquarters
there. The 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²), $3 million project is being developed in partnership with Dubuque developer Wayne Briggs and his planned Port developments. Work is currently underway, and will likely wrap up in December 2007. The building is located at East 5th Street & Ice Harbor Drive.
consisting of condominium
s, offices, and retail stores in the Port. The complex will include up to 400000 square feet (37,161.2 m²) of buildings between 4-9 stories, and cost about $63 million. Retail space will occupy the first floor of the buildings (50,000 ft²), with office space above them on the second through fourth floors (200,000 ft²), and condos priced between $200,000-$600,000+ on the uppermost levels. This project also includes redevelopment
of the Adams Company Building for The Durrant Group's headquarters. Construction will likely begin in late 2007, and be completed in phases. However, as recent news releases indicate, there is a high flow of interest from companies wishing to move in. This may cause the entire project to be completed in one phase, with the opening date as early as 2009. The buildings will be built at the SW corner of East 5th & Bell Streets.
The former Dubuque Star Brewing Co. building
is being renovated for commercial, retail, and office uses. The $6.5 million project, led by Dubuque-based developer Wayne Briggs, includes the recently-opened 10000 square feet (929 m²) winery
and wine tasting
room for Dubuque County's Stone Cliff Winery. In October 2007, Kurtz Communications Co. will begin operations on the building's 4th & 5th floors, and in the same month, "The Star," a large new restaurant, will open. The complex is located north of the Grand River Center, on Star Brewery Drive.
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
that lies immediately adjacent to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The area was among the first areas settled in what would become the City of Dubuque, and the State of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Historically, the area has been a center of heavy industry, but has recently seen extensive reinvestment and new construction. The area is now one of the main tourist destinations in Dubuque, as well as Iowa.
The Port of Dubuque includes all of the area that lies north of the CCPR
Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad was a Class II railroad operating on the former Illinois Central Railroad mainline between Chicago, Illinois, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Omaha, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. The railroad was formed as a spinoff from the IC, with operations beginning on...
rail yards
Classification yard
A classification yard or marshalling yard is a railroad yard found at some freight train stations, used to separate railroad cars on to one of several tracks. First the cars are taken to a track, sometimes called a lead or a drill...
, south of East 9th Street and Dove Harbor, east of the CCPR
Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad was a Class II railroad operating on the former Illinois Central Railroad mainline between Chicago, Illinois, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Omaha, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. The railroad was formed as a spinoff from the IC, with operations beginning on...
/ICER
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad was a Class II railroad operating in the north central United States. It has been controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway and operated as a part of its system since October 30, 2008...
railroad tracks, and west of the Mississippi River. It is divided into two main sections: the North Port and the South Port, which are separated by the Ice Harbor.
The Port area is separated from Downtown Dubuque's central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
by a double set of railroad tracks and an expressway that carries U.S. highways 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
& 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
. Accesses to the North Port include East 5th Street, and the East 3rd Street overpass. The South Port is accessible from Jones Street, and Ice Harbor Drive, which connects the North and South Ports.
As of 2006, all of the redevelopment
Urban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
in the area has occurred in the North Port, and the South Port remains largely industrial or underutilized. This may be due to the anticipated construction of a new Mississippi River Bridge, which will be built in the near future, alongside the Julien Dubuque Bridge
Julien Dubuque Bridge
The Julien Dubuque Bridge traverses the Mississippi River. It joins the cities of Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois. The bridge is part of the U.S. Highway 20 route...
.
History
The Port of Dubuque was one of the first areas settled in what is now Downtown Dubuque. Its proximity to the river made the area convenient for a variety of industrial uses, including boat buildingBoat building
Boat building, one of the oldest branches of engineering, is concerned with constructing the hulls of boats and, for sailboats, the masts, spars and rigging.-Parts:* Bow - the front and generally sharp end of the hull...
, lumber transportation and storage, and ice harvesting. The 1868 opening of the first Dubuque Railroad Bridge
Dubuque Rail Bridge
The Dubuque Rail Bridge carries a single rail line across the Mississippi River between Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois, near river mile 580. The original swing bridge was constructed by Andrew Carnegie and operated by the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge Company opening in December 1868,...
to Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
also strengthened the Port's role as a center for heavy industry. In addition to these purposes, the Port was a major landing site for many of the steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
s which traveled on the river. However, for most of its history, the low-lying Port area was unprotected against the frequent spring flooding of the Mississippi. For this reason, much of the city's commercial and retail businesses were built farther inland, centered on West 9th and Main Streets.
The Port area was an ideal location for some of the city's early manufacturing companies, however. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Dubuque was a major boat building center on the Mississippi River, and this industry was centered on the Port area and the Ice Harbor. Alongside boat building, the Port was home to lumber yard
Lumber yard
A lumber yard is a retail location for lumber and wood related products used in construction and/or home improvement projects. Lumber yards can also provide services such as the use of a planer and other large machines....
s, the Dubuque Star Brewery
Dubuque Star Brewery
The Dubuque Star Brewery, located in Dubuque, Iowa, is a building that for many years made Dubuque Star beers. The brewery is located just north of the Ice Harbor in Dubuque.-History:...
, and a Civil War-era Shot Tower
Shot Tower (Dubuque)
The Shot Tower located in Dubuque, Iowa is one of the last remaining shot towers in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a recognized symbol of the city. At its location near the Mississippi River, the Tower can be seen from the riverwalk and is...
.
The region also has long been a transportation center in Dubuque. U.S. highways 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
, 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
, 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
, 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
, and Iowa Highway 3 all converge in the Port of Dubuque. Also, the Chicago Central and Pacific
Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad was a Class II railroad operating on the former Illinois Central Railroad mainline between Chicago, Illinois, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Omaha, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. The railroad was formed as a spinoff from the IC, with operations beginning on...
and Iowa, Chicago and Eastern
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad was a Class II railroad operating in the north central United States. It has been controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway and operated as a part of its system since October 30, 2008...
railroads run through the Port area. The current Dubuque Railroad Bridge, built in the 1890s, connected the city with population centers to the east. The Ice Harbor and Mississippi shoreline were the site of steamboat arrivals and departures in the city, and three of the city's four train station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
s were located in or near the area.
In 1943, the Julien Dubuque Bridge was completed south of the Ice Harbor, thereby moving vehicular traffic over the Port, instead of through it, across the old Dubuque "High" Bridge. Following a record-breaking flood in 1965, the City of Dubuque began construction on a 30 feet (9.1 m) flood protection wall
Flood wall
A flood wall is a primarily vertical artificial barrier designed to temporarily contain the waters of a river or other waterway which may rise to unusual levels during seasonal or extreme weather events...
to protect all of the city's riverfront from the seasonal flooding of the Mississippi River. This was completed in 1973. Boat building ended in the area in the early 1970s, and brewing came to a halt shortly after.
The Port of Dubuque remained largely inactive until 1990. At that time, Iowa legalized riverboat gambling
Riverboat casino
A riverboat casino is a type of casino found in several areas of the United States which use a riverboat as a casino. Several states authorized this type of casino to limit the areas where casinos could be constructed under a type of legal fiction.-History:...
and the "Casino Belle" opened, afloat in the Ice Harbor. That boat would be replaced in the mid-1990s by the Diamond Jo Casino
Diamond Jo Casino
The Diamond Jo Casino is a gambling casino and entertainment complex located in the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa. The casino is owned and operated by Dubuque-based Peninsula Gaming, LLC, which also operates the Diamond Jo Casino - Worth in Northwood, Iowa, and gambling operations in Eunice,...
, named after Dubuque boatbuilder "Diamond" Joe Reynolds and his Diamond Jo Boat Line.
In the late 1990s, the City of Dubuque saw an opportunity to expand on the existing tourism market by adding a major river-themed museum to the area. Alongside a new museum, the city proposed a new hotel and indoor water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
attraction, a large convention center
Convention center
A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...
, riverwalk, and other amenities. This was all part of the "America's River Project," a $188 million revitalization of the North Port. In the early 2000s, the city won a huge $40 million grant from the "Vision Iowa" Fund for the construction of the various attractions.
The port today
Today, the Port of Dubuque is a rapidly changing area. In recent years, there has been a great deal of new construction, and much of the remaining vacant land has already been earmarked for more new development. Although the district has a strong emphasis on tourist attractions, there are retail, office, and residential projects included in proposed developments. Projects currently underway include the construction of a new office headquarters for The McGraw-Hill Companies' Higher Education Division, and a new headquarters for The Durrant Group (a Dubuque architectural firm).With the presence of various attractions, the Port has also become a natural gathering place for people. During the summer, the area hosts the annual America's River Festival, the Taste of Dubuque, and appearances by presidential candidates, among other events.
The revitalization of the Port of Dubuque has also led to a "ripple effect" of new development in Downtown Dubuque. Recently, buildings and storefronts along Main Street, especially south of 3rd Street, have been renovated with tourist-friendly restaurants, stores, and nightspots such as Bricktown
Bricktown Dubuque
The Bricktown Entertainment Complex was a downtown establishment located in Dubuque, Iowa. The Bricktown was a complex composed of the Blackwater Grill, the Fat Kat Pizza parlor, the Underground Bar, and two reception halls. The Bricktown was located at Third and Main Streets, in what was...
. This area, known as "Historic Old Main" or "Lower Main," together with the city's Cable Car Square Historic District, are forming an active shopping and entertainment district. Tourists are also being drawn to cultural attractions in Downtown Dubuque, including the Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House may refer to:in Canada*Grand Opera House in England*Grand Opera House in France*Palais Garnier in Paris, often called the "Grand Opera House"in Northern Ireland*Grand Opera House in the United States...
, the Five Flags Center
Five Flags Center
The Five Flags Center is a multipurpose facility, in downtown Dubuque, Iowa.It is named for the five flags that have flown over Dubuque; the Fleur de Lis of France , the Royal Flag of Spain , the Union Jack of Great Britain , the French Republic Flag of Napoleon & America's Stars and Stripes...
, Fourth Street Elevator
Fourth Street Elevator
The Fourth Street Elevator is a funicular railway located in Dubuque, Iowa. Also known as the Fenelon Place Elevator, it is claimed to be the shortest and steepest railroad in the world...
, and the Dubuque Museum of Art, among others.
Diamond Jo Casino
The Diamond Jo Casino is a full-service riverboat casino
Riverboat casino
A riverboat casino is a type of casino found in several areas of the United States which use a riverboat as a casino. Several states authorized this type of casino to limit the areas where casinos could be constructed under a type of legal fiction.-History:...
, afloat in the Ice Harbor. It includes 777 slot machines, 17 table games, and several restaurants. The casino is the among the largest attractions in the area.
Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark
The Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark is a 193-room, family-oriented hotel complex. The facility is connected to the Grand River Center, and features a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
as its main attraction. Many of its rooms have excellent views of the Mississippi River and Downtown Dubuque.
Grand River Center
The Grand River Center is Dubuque's largest convention center
Convention center
A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...
. The facility features 86000 square feet (7,989.7 m²) of meeting space, and regularly plays host to weddings, car shows, regional conventions, and presidential candidates. It is connected by skywalk to the Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, and features underground parking, high-speed internet, and catering services.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is the signature attraction in the Port of Dubuque. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, the museum is the largest of its kind, and includes dozens of interactive, family-friendly exhibits. The complex also has a large aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
component, including turtles, otters, fish, and other wildlife found along the river. In addition to these, the facility has theaters, a working wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
, and the restored William M. Black
William M. Black (dredge)
The William M. Black is a steam-propelled, sidewheel dustpan dredge.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992. It is open for tours as part of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. According to information provided on the tour, the Black, one of the last paddle steamers built...
Dredgeboat for tourists to explore.
McGraw-Hill Companies
In October 2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies opened its new $32 million, 140000 square feet (13,006.4 m²), 4-story officeOffice
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
complex in the Port. The new building houses the headquarters of the company's Higher Education Division, and 400 employees. The structure is located at the NW corner of East 5th & Bell Streets.
Mississippi Riverwalk
The Mississippi Riverwalk is a 1/2 mile long walkway along the Mississippi riverbank in the Port of Dubuque. It runs from the Ice Harbor in the south to the Dubuque Rail Bridge and Alliant EnergyAlliant Energy
Alliant Energy Corporation is a public utility holding company that incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin in 1981. It consists of two subsidiaries:...
Amphitheater in the north. The walkway is situated atop Dubuque's flood protection levee
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
and provides excellent views of both the Mississippi River and Downtown Dubuque. It includes the American Trust and Savings Bank, benches, and numerous informational displays detailing the history of the Port of Dubuque.
The Riverwalk is one part of a series of riverfront trails and walkways recently completed by the City of Dubuque. The trail system will, in its finality, be interconnected and link up the various parks and tourist attractions along Dubuque's Mississippi Riverfront.
Shot Tower
The Dubuque Shot Tower
Shot Tower (Dubuque)
The Shot Tower located in Dubuque, Iowa is one of the last remaining shot towers in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a recognized symbol of the city. At its location near the Mississippi River, the Tower can be seen from the riverwalk and is...
is a National Historic Landmark, originally used to produce lead shot
Lead shot
Lead shot is a collective term for small balls of lead. These were the original projectiles for muskets and early rifles, but today lead shot is fired primarily from shotguns. It is also used for a variety of other purposes...
for the U.S. military's
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
muskets. After many years of service, including munitions production during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, it later served as a fire watchtower
Watchtower
A watchtower is a type of fortification used in many parts of the world. It differs from a regular tower in that its primary use is military, and from a turret in that it is usually a freestanding structure. Its main purpose is to provide a high, safe place from which a sentinel or guard may...
for a lumber yard
Lumber yard
A lumber yard is a retail location for lumber and wood related products used in construction and/or home improvement projects. Lumber yards can also provide services such as the use of a planer and other large machines....
located at the site. It was built in 1856, and is located at what is now the northern end of Bell Street, near the Dubuque Railroad Bridge. The Shot Tower is among the oldest surviving structures in Dubuque.
After many years of neglect following the demise of Dubuque's lumber industry, the tower is now being studied for planned repair costs. It will almost certainly see major repairs and restoration as a part of the riverfront revitalization effort.
Spirit of Dubuque
The authentic dual paddlewheeler Spirit of Dubuque was designed by Dubuque boating legend Robert Kehl, with the help of a New Orleans marine engineering firm in 1976. The Spirit is a replica of a century-old Mississippi River steamboat with decorative smokestacks, a scalloped canopy over its open-air deck, and Victorian red and gold decor throughout the enclosed dining salon. She made her way north from Louisiana for a 1385 miles (2,228.9 km) maiden voyage in spring 1977, with eight cases of bananas. The bananas, still in their skins, were sliced lengthwise and placed under the boat so it would slide easily down beams into the water upon launching. Captain Walt and Nancy Webster have owned the Spirit of Dubuque since May 1994 and now operate the only Iowa-based sightseeing and dinner cruise paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River. The 118 feet (36 m) lady can carry 377 passengers. The Websters cruise from May through October each year, offering sightseeing, lunch & dinner cruises for all ages. They provide specialty cruises for school field trips, fall colors excursions, murder mystery dinner cruises and private wedding ceremonies. For the Websters, the best part of their business is the people. “We bought this business to be able to work together and to work with people who want to enjoy the Mississippi. We’ve met people from all over the world who come here specifically to see the river. We’re very proud to own an authentic paddlewheeler and carry on the heritage of riverboat lore on the Upper Mississippi,” they say.They market locally and regionally to encourage travelers to include a boat trip in their vacation plans. Many visitors come because of their local connections. Families in the Tri-state area often bring their visiting relatives to the boat for a ‘real’ Mississippi River experience.
In addition to owning the Spirit of Dubuque, Dubuque River Rides, under the Websters’ management, also own the Miss Dubuque, a sleek 80 feet (24.4 m) motor yacht that seats up to 125 for private charters (corporate events, weddings and rehearsals, murder mystery dinners and more); and the Ice Harbor Galley, a floating restaurant in the Ice Harbor. The Ice Harbor Galley also provided private catering for the Bell Tower Dinner Theater as well as food for businesses and private parties for all occasions. The company employs 40+ full, part-time and seasonal employees.
America's River Project: Phase II
- Diamond Jo Casino:
The Diamond Jo Casino is currently building a new $78 million casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
and entertainment complex in the Port. The new complex will replace the casino's current riverboat gambling
Riverboat casino
A riverboat casino is a type of casino found in several areas of the United States which use a riverboat as a casino. Several states authorized this type of casino to limit the areas where casinos could be constructed under a type of legal fiction.-History:...
facility with a land-based 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) casino. The new casino will have 990 slot machines, 17 table games
Casino game
Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. In a casino game, the players gamble casino chips on various possible random outcomes or combinations of outcomes. Casino games are available in online casinos, where permitted by law...
, a poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
room, a 36-lane bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
& entertainment center, and 3 restaurants. The 175000 square feet (16,258 m²) complex will open in the fall of 2008, and will sit at the NW corner of East 3rd & Bell Streets.
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium:
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is planning a $38 million expansion involving several components. When the Diamond Jo moves into its new casino, the museum plans to renovate the Diamond Jo's Portside Building into the "Great Rivers Center," which will include a "National Rivers Center," a "Rivers Research Center," additional exhibit space, and retail space. The museum will also build a new 250-seat IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
-like "RiverMax Theater," showcasing 3-D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
and 4-D film
4-D film
4-D film is a marketing term that describes an entertainment presentation system combining a 3-D film with physical effects in the theatre, which occur in synchronization with the film...
s. Besides museum-related movies, the theater will also show up to 8 non-museum-related films per year. In addition to these projects, the museum will take over the Diamond Jo's existing riverboat, but has yet to announce a planned use for the vessel. The complex will likely be complete in 2010, when fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
has been finished. The various complexes are located on the SW and SE corners of East 3rd & Bell Streets.
City of Dubuque projects
- Port of Dubuque Park:
The City of Dubuque is planning to build a new public park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
in the Port. While no specific location has been announced, it will likely be located to the north of the McGraw-Hill office complex, near East 5th & Bell Streets.
- Public marina:
The City of Dubuque is planning to build a new 92-slip marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
for transient boaters on the Mississippi River. The $4.1 million project will be able to accommodate boats that are 26 feet (7.9 m) or longer. In addition to the docks, the project will include restroom, shower, and laundry facilities. It will be located along the shoreline near the Grand River Center and the Dubuque Star Brewery, just south of the Dubuque Rail Bridge. The city also plans to construct boat slips in the Ice Harbor.
- Public parking ramp:
The City of Dubuque and the Diamond Jo Casino are currently building a new 1,130 space, $23 million parking ramp in the Port. The ramp is set to open in the fall of 2008, coinciding with the opening of the Diamond Jo's new casino. It will be the largest parking structure in the city, and will sit near the planned casino expansion at East 3rd & Bell Streets.
Durrant Group Inc.
Dubuque-based architecturalArchitecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
/engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
firm The Durrant Group is renovating
Renovation
Renovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...
the former Adams Company building and move their new corporate headquarters
Headquarters
Headquarters denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the top of a corporation taking full responsibility managing all business activities...
there. The 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²), $3 million project is being developed in partnership with Dubuque developer Wayne Briggs and his planned Port developments. Work is currently underway, and will likely wrap up in December 2007. The building is located at East 5th Street & Ice Harbor Drive.
Portside Plaza
A team of investors led by Dubuque-based developer Wayne Briggs is planning to build "Portside Plaza," a mixed-use developmentMixed-use development
Mixed-use development is the use of a building, set of buildings, or neighborhood for more than one purpose. Since the 1920s, zoning in some countries has required uses to be separated. However, when jobs, housing, and commercial activities are located close together, a community's transportation...
consisting of condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s, offices, and retail stores in the Port. The complex will include up to 400000 square feet (37,161.2 m²) of buildings between 4-9 stories, and cost about $63 million. Retail space will occupy the first floor of the buildings (50,000 ft²), with office space above them on the second through fourth floors (200,000 ft²), and condos priced between $200,000-$600,000+ on the uppermost levels. This project also includes redevelopment
Redevelopment
Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses.-Description:Variations on redevelopment include:* Urban infill on vacant parcels that have no existing activity but were previously developed, especially on Brownfield land, such as the redevelopment of an industrial site...
of the Adams Company Building for The Durrant Group's headquarters. Construction will likely begin in late 2007, and be completed in phases. However, as recent news releases indicate, there is a high flow of interest from companies wishing to move in. This may cause the entire project to be completed in one phase, with the opening date as early as 2009. The buildings will be built at the SW corner of East 5th & Bell Streets.
Star Brewery
Dubuque Star Brewery
The Dubuque Star Brewery, located in Dubuque, Iowa, is a building that for many years made Dubuque Star beers. The brewery is located just north of the Ice Harbor in Dubuque.-History:...
is being renovated for commercial, retail, and office uses. The $6.5 million project, led by Dubuque-based developer Wayne Briggs, includes the recently-opened 10000 square feet (929 m²) winery
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
and wine tasting
Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards...
room for Dubuque County's Stone Cliff Winery. In October 2007, Kurtz Communications Co. will begin operations on the building's 4th & 5th floors, and in the same month, "The Star," a large new restaurant, will open. The complex is located north of the Grand River Center, on Star Brewery Drive.