HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 19, 2013-FONSI·7 ..
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
AND
SECTION 4(f) de Minimis IMPACT FINDING
FOR
DUBUQUE STREET, PARK ROAD, and PARK ROAD BRIDGE
IMPROVEMENTS
IOWA CITY, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Project N urnber H DP-3715(652)-71-52
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that this project will have no
significant impact on the human and natural environment. This Finding of No Significant
Impact is based on the attached EA which has been independently evaluated by FHWA and
determined to adequately andaccurately discuss the need, environmental issues, and
impacts of the proposed project and appropriate mitigation measures. It provides sufficient
evidence and analysis for determining that an EIS is not required. The FHWA takes full
responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the attached Environmental
Assessment.
Page 2
This FONSI documents compliance with NEPA and all other applicable
environmental laws, Executive Orders, and related requirements.
Page 3
1.0 Description of the Proposed Action
The proposed Dubuque Street, Park Road, and Park Road Bridge improvements,
known locally and collectively as the Iowa City Gateway project, are expected to
reduce impacts from flood events by maximizing the reliability of the Dubuque Street
and Park Road corridors and minimizing flood backwater rises created by flow
impedance from the Park Road Bridge. Additionally, the proposed Iowa City
Gateway improvements are expected to address roadway deficiencies related to
pavement and safety.
The Dubuque Street portion of the project is approximately one mile long, extending
from Foster Road south to Church Street. The Park Road portion of the study area
includes the three-quarter mile stretch between Dubuque Street on the East and Holt
Avenue on the West. Exhibit 1 displays the project location.
The Preferred Alternative is displayed on Exhibit 2. It includes the following design
elements:
Elevating Dubuque Street above the 500-year flood elevation plus 1-foot;
Using a modified S-curve between Foster Road and Mayflower Residence
Hall that reduces property impacts to the east of Dubuque Street;
Maintaining direct driveway access to Dubuque Street for parking lots and
apartment buildings north of Mayflower Residence Hall;
Relocating, improving, and elevating the Ridge Road intersection with
Dubuque Street north of its existing location to line up with the Terrell Mill
Park entrance;
Removing and replacing the existing Park Road Bridge and skewing the
new Park Road Bridge approximately 2 degrees southward from the
existing bridge; and
Relocating the Dubuque Street and Park Road intersection approximately
60-feet south of the existing intersection.
The new Park Road Bridge is anticipated to be approximately 450-foot long by
approximately 85-foot wide, 3-pier, steel box girder bridge. The bridge will be
constructed so that the lowest point of the bridge substructure will provide one-foot of
clearance for a 500-year flood to pass under. Once the new bridge is constructed and
open to traffic, the existing Park Road Bridge will be removed in its entirety.
In addition to the design elements incorporated from the alternative alignments, the
City of Iowa City required the Preferred Alternative to include the following design
details:
Maintain two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction on Dubuque Street;
Maintain all existing driveways and access points to Dubuque Street and
Park Road while matching elevated roadway grades;
Maintain an open, landscaped median on Dubuque Street wherever
possible;
Relocate the open drainage system adjacent to Dubuque Street and south of
Foster Road to a closed drainage system further west to feed existing
wetlands south of Taft Speedway;
Finding of NoSignificant Impact
Dubuque Street, Park Road, and Park Road Bridge Improvements
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Project Number HDP-3715(652)-71-52
Exhibit 1:ProjectLocation
LegendProject AreaCorporate Limits
0 1,000
Feet
I
I o w a C i t yCoralville
Finding of NoSignificant Impact
Dubuque Street, Park Road, and Park Road Bridge Improvements
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Project Number HDP-3715(652)-71-52
Exhibit 2:Preferred Alternative
I
0 500
Feet
Legend
MediansRoadSidewalks
City Park
Terrell MillPark Mayflower
HancherAuditorium
Page 6
Construct a right-turn only lane for southbound Dubuque Street to
westbound Park Road vehicular movements;
Use retaining walls to minimize or prevent further encroachment into the
Iowa River;
Construct Park Road Bridge with five 12-foot lanes to accommodate dual
left-turn lanes for eastbound Park Road to northbound Dubuque Street
vehicular movements;
Expand Park Road west of the Lower City Park entrance from two travel
lanes to two12-foot travel lanes and one 12-foot center turn lane;
Maintain a 10-foot shared use path west of Dubuque Street and construct
an 8-foot sidewalk on the east side of Dubuque Street from Foster Road to
Brown Street;
Maintain similar drop-off and pick-up access for transit patrons at
Mayflower Residence Hall;
Improve shared-use path access between University of Iowa property south
of Park Road and Lower City Park with a grade-separated crossing;
Improve and consolidate the Park Road, Riverside Drive, and Upper City
Park/Templin Road intersection;
Realign access to Lower City Park and provide access to the future
Hancher Auditorium site; and
Improve transit stops to meet ADA guidelines and provide hard surface
connectivity to walks and trails.
Implementation of the Preferred Alternative will have environmental impacts to
floodplains, surface waters, wetlands, cultural and historic resources, parks, noise,
utilities, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Additionally, the Preferred Alternative
may potentially impact state threatened aquatic species. However, the magnitude and
extent of the impacts of the Preferred Alternative are small and isolated and not at a
level that warrants additional analyses in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Improvements associated with the Preferred Alternative will require the acquisition of
0.5 acres of land from Terrell Mill Park and City Park, which are Section 4(f)
resources. An additional 4.5 acres of land from these parks will be temporarily
impacted due to grading and contouring construction activities. The acquisition of
the property from the two parks is necessary to provide adequate right of way to
elevate and shift Dubuque Street slightly west (Terrell Mill Park) and to elevate and
widen Park Road slightly north (upper City Park). The property to be acquired is
passive open space adjacent to existing roadways and is not actively used by park
patrons. Acquisition of this property will not adversely affect the activities, features,
and attributes that qualify Terrell Mill Park and City Park for protection under
Section 4(f). Therefore, it is a de minimis impact to the parks.
2.0 Notice of Availability
On March 13, 2013, the Environmental Assessment (EA) was distributed to federal,
state and local agencies for review and copies were made available for public review
at City Hall in Iowa City and at the Iowa City Public Library downtown branch.
Additionally, the EA document was available for electronic download at
www.iowacitygateway.org. A notice of public availability of the EA and public
hearing was published in the Daily Iowan and Iowa City Press-Citizen newspapers on
Page 7
March 14, 2013. The notice published in the Iowa City Press Citizen is available in
in Appendix A.
3.0 Review and Comment Period
The EA was made available for review on March 14, 2013. Following publication of
the EA, members of the public and federal, state, and local resource and regulatory
agencies were invited to submit comments on the proposed action. Resource agency
comments received are included in Appendix B and summarized in the Agency
Comments section. The public was invited to attend a drop-in center from 4:00-6:00
pm and public hearing starting at 6:30 pm on April 4, 2013 at Parkview Church in
Iowa City. The public hearing was videotaped and available for viewing on Iowa
City Public Channel 4 website. A written record of the public hearing is included as a
separate document to this Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Written
comments regarding the EA document and their responses submitted via letter or via
email can be viewed in Appendix C. The review and comment period for agencies
and the pubic closed on April 15, 2013.
Agency Comments
Four Comments were received on the circulated EA. These comments, which are
included in Appendix B, include two from the Iowa DNR, and one each from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration (EDA). The two responses from Iowa DNR
reiterated previous comments regarding the need for additional mussel surveys, that
the project may require a stormwater discharge permit, and that precautions should be
taken to prevent the discharge of fugitive dusts during construction.
Comments from the EPA requested that the City continue to consider impacts to
sensitive populations that include children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The EPA also urged continued close coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) and the Iowa DNR for Section 401, Section 404, and NPDES
permitting requirements and mitigation plans.
The EDA provided comments regarding the following:
Adding additional sections for mitigation after each resource topic in the EA;
Provide timelines for obtaining the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit, CWA
Section 404 and 401 permits, NPDES permit(s), and Iowa DNR Floodplain
construction permit;
EDA would like to see the Final Wetland Mitigation Plan approved by
USACE in the Final EA, including comments from the FAA concerning the
creation of wetlands and wildlife impacts to the nearby airport;
Re-initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and
provide a summary of their comments in the EA; and
Please ensure the EDA is involved with any discussions to complete more
mussel surveys and any resulting mitigation plan.
A copy of the EDA comments and City of Iowa City response to the comments are
available in Appendix B.
Page 8
Drop-In Center and Public Hearing
Approximately 60 people attended the drop-in center and public hearing. Also in
attendance were City and consultant staff members who assisted with conducting the
meeting. Displays of the Preferred Alternative, environmental constraints and
potential impacts were provided at three stations during the drop-in center. Each
station was staffed with City and consultant representatives to respond to questions
and comments. Opportunities were provided during the drop-in center for those in
attendance to record verbal and written comments.
An additional station with displays dedicated to proposed Section 4(f) de minimis
impacts to park and historic properties was provided and staffed by city and
consultant representatives separately. The Section 4(f) de minimis station included
large maps that displayed proposed impacts to Terrell Mill Park, City Park, and
historic properties in the project corridor. Opportunities for the public to comment on
the proposed Section 4(f) de minimis impacts were provided via oral one-on-one
conversations and through written comments. No comments specific to park or
historic property impacts were received at the drop-in center.
Seven persons made recorded comments during the formal public hearing. A written
transcript of the comments, questions, and responses from City staff during the formal
public hearing is available as a separate document to this FONSI. Additionally,
multiple written comments not specific to content of the EA were received during the
comment period. These comments were forwarded in their entirety along with the
public hearing transcript to the Iowa DOT and FHWA for review as a separate
document to the FONSI. The comments and public hearing transcript were reviewed
by Iowa DOT and FHWA and were included as part of the basis of decision making
for approval of the FONSI.
Post-Public Comment Period Coordination
After the close of the public comment period, additional comments were received
outlining concerns with potential impacts of the proposed project. A summary of
those comments include the following:
Concerns with property acquisition, drainage, and historical character impacts
to the residence located at 1818 N. Dubuque Street; and
Opposition to the project and concern with property impacts along the bluff
below the Bella Vista neighborhood, including specific concerns with
preserving historic integrity, visual impacts, noise pollution, proximity of
traffic to homes, changes in property values, privacy, the proposed sidewalk
east of Dubuque Street, and impacts to trees and undergrowth along the bluff.
In addition, the Iowa DOT Cultural Resources section received a letter from the Bella
Vista Neighborhood Association outlining the above listing concerns with the
proposed project. As a result of this letter, on June 3, 2013 the City of Iowa City and
Iowa Department of Transportation Cultural Resources section requested that the
Iowa Highway Archeology Program (HAP) conduct an independent evaluation of the
following:
Page 9
The proposed conceptual design plans as shown in the EA and at the
Public Hearing, and any differences from the original submittal of the
plans in 2012 for Section 106 review;
The concerns of the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association in regards to
the finding of effect submitted to the Iowa SHPO;
Do the conditions still support the finding of a “Conditional No Adverse
Effect.”
On July 11, 2013, the HAP determined that the conditions continue to support the
finding of Conditional No Adverse Effect. A copy of this letter can be viewed in
Appendix B.
At the request of the residents of the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association, the City
of Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was asked to rescind a letter
of support for the Iowa City Gateway project previously approved by the commission
on August 30, 2012. In response, on July 25, 2013 the HPC approved a motion to
amend the previous letter of support. The amended letter stated that the Gateway
Project will have no adverse impact on historic structures and that no historic
buildings will be impacted. The HPC also strongly recommended that:
1) Grading and tree removal on historic properties be minimized by the
Engineering Division of the City of Iowa City;
2) That drainage issues at 1818 N. Dubuque Street be addressed by the
Division; and
3) That design methods be adopted that would allow a thinner bridge deck,
therefore lowering the proposed grade of the Dubuque Street and Park
Road intersection.
A copy of the amended letter is available in Appendix B.
In late July 2013, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) requested to
review the project materials for the Section 106 process. The ACHP conducted their
review during August, 2013 and recommended that FHWA reopen the Section 106
review process, reengage SHPO, invite concerned property owners to be consulting
parties, and develop a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to resolve adverse effects
to historic properties.
The City of Iowa City communicated with affected homeowners throughout the
NEPA and Section 106 processes and provided multiple opportunities for exchanges
of information and opportunities for input on the Iowa City Gateway project. In
addition to two public meetings, a drop-in center, and combined public hearing and
drop-in center, City of Iowa City representatives met collectively and individually
with affected residents and communicated with them via email and phone calls on
numerous occasions. After the closing of the NEPA public comment period and
Section 106 review process on April 15. 2013, City staff continued to engage with
affected residents via email, in-person meetings, and a staff visit to the Bella Vista
neighborhood. After the review of the project’s proposed impacts and
communication, comments, and engagement with affected residents, it is FHWA’s
belief that there is no adverse effect to Section 106 historic and cultural resources.
Page 10
The City of Iowa City intends to move forward with future design and construction
phases of the project while minimizing impacts to all affected resources in the project
area.
It is important to note that it is a standard practice of FHWA, Iowa DOT and the City
of Iowa City to minimize impacts to all resources. As the proposed project moves
into subsequent project development phases and more design detail and refinement is
available, opportunities will be explored to further reduce potential impacts to all
resources. Minimization of impacts to cultural and historic resources in the project
corridor will receive the same level of attention and scrutiny as all other resources
extant in the project area.
4.0 New Information or changes that have come up since the Public Hearing or the
EA was signed.
In response to comments provided by the EDA, the following text:
“Preferred Alternative mitigation: No mitigation is required other than
those measures disclosed in the Preferred Alternative impacts section.”
is inserted into the EA in Sections 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.1.7, 5.1.9,
5.1.10, 5.2.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, and 5.5 following the Preferred
Alternative impacts section.
Additionally, in response to the EDA’s request for permit procurement timelines, the
City of Iowa City intends to procure to all appropriate permits on or before August 1,
2014.
The homeowner at 12 Bella Vista provided a report entitled The Geology of Klein and
Conklin Quarries, Johnson County, Iowa, published in 2010. This report states that
the Sanders Quarry was located at the corner of Kimball Road and Dubuque Street,
with a photograph depicting the quarry location on the 12 Bella Vista property. The
Iowa City Gateway – Dubuque Street Elevation and Park Road Bridge
Reconstruction: Phase I Archeological Investigation, 2012, identifies the Euclid
Sanders Quarry as located north of Kimball Road to just south of the existing
Mayflower Residence Hall. This quarry remnant is recommended as eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A due to
the quarry’s historical association with Terrell Mill and Dam and the Terrell-Sanders
Mansion. The Phase I report does not mention the property at 12 Bella Vista as part
of the quarry remnant with historical associations.
The property at 12 Bella Vista is listed on the NRHP as a contributing property to the
Brown Street Historic District. Potential impacts to this property include possible
grading, vegetation, and drainage impacts. Based on conceptual design for the EA,
side slopes from the elevation of Kimball Road would terminate approximately 20
feet north of the existing rock cut on the 12 Bella Vista property and will not directly
impact the rock cut.
5.0 Basis for Finding of No Significant Impact
The EA evaluated resources present in the project area for effects as they may occur
for the construction of the Iowa City Gateway project. The EA documents the
Page 11
absence of significant impacts associated with the implementation of the Preferred
Alternative.
6.0 Special conditions for location approval
The following permits will be obtained during design and prior to construction of the
project:
A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general
stormwater discharge permit for construction will be required and must be
obtained from the Iowa DNR.
A Joint Application Form (Protection Iowa’s Waters) will be submitted to the
Iowa DNR and USACE to obtain Section 401 Water Quality Certification, an
Iowa DNR Floodplain construction permit, a Sovereign Lands/Waters
construction permit and a CWA Section 404 permit.
Page 12
Appendix A
EA Notice of Availability
4A Iowa City Press-Citizen Thursday, March 14, 2013RECORDS
Obituaries
PC-6000018951
Recommendations for improvements to Dubuque
Street and Park Road Bridge are available for
public review and comment
The City of Iowa City has been studying potential solutions to
To see the document go to:
To ask questions:
To make a comment:
www.iowacitygateway.org
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Legislature.
In the wake of the sex-
ual harassment investiga-
tion, UI officials dis-
agreed with members of
the media over whether
Iowa’s Open Records Law
allowed them to provide
information on the case.
UI President Sally Mason
was consistent in her dec-
laration that the law for-
bade her from providing
information, while still
others maintained Chap-
ter22providesthediscre-
tion to do so.
Inaninterviewwithre-
porters after the meeting,
Lang said he and task
force chairwoman Nicole
Carroll decided the group
wouldn’t make such legal
recommendations to
“keep the charge fairly
narrow.” Rather, he said,
the board will be respon-
sible for studying best
practices on transparen-
cy and ensuring they’re
consistent across all of
Iowa’s public universi-
ties.
In other business:
»The regents voted to
approve a two-year con-
tract with the union that
represents UI’s graduate
student employees that
includes a 2 percent wage
increase in the contract’s
first year and a 2.25 per-
cent increase the follow-
ing year.
The 2013-2015 contract
with UE Local 896-Cam-
paign to Organize Gradu-
ate Students, which rep-
resents about 2,500 grad-
uate employees, does not
include the union’s pri-
mary demands at the out-
set of negotiation, which
included waived student
fees, 100 percent tuition
coverage in all colleges
and 5 percent annual
wage increases.
The contract main-
tains the existing 100 per-
cent tuition reimburse-
mentattheCollegeofLib-
eral Arts and Sciences
level, which is the univer-
sity’s least expensive col-
lege. COGS members ar-
gue that students in more
expensive colleges can
end up paying substan-
tially more for tuition.
The union’s current con-
tract, adopted in Febru-
ary2011,isthefirsttocov-
er tuition 100 percent at
the CLAS level.
COGS’ original propos-
al also called for 90 per-
cent coverage of health
care cost for dependents,
who are currently cov-
ered at 70 percent. That’s
not part of the final con-
tract, which includes only
technical changes to em-
ployee health care plans.
»The regents voted to
approve new, increased
parkingratesatUI,which
Parking Director Dave
Ricketts said Tuesday are
necessary to compensate
for the ongoing upheaval
of parking spots on cam-
pus during a period of sig-
nificant construction.
Projects such as the
demolition of Hospital
Ramp 2 to make way for
construction of an addi-
tion to the UI Children’s
Hospital have complicat-
ed parking, in many cases
replacing a more expen-
sive spot for a less expen-
sive one, he said.
“In the last two years
we’ve displaced well over
1,000 people for some pe-
riod of time,” Ricketts
said, “and, in many cases,
they went to a different
rate setting. So some of
our higher revenue as-
signments, those num-
bers are really down, at
least for now.”
The changes, part of
UI’s five-year parking
plan, already was ap-
proved by UI’s Parking
and Transportation Char-
ter Committee, which in-
cludes students, faculty
and staff. The new rates,
which are increased for
almost all metered and
permitted spots, will take
effect on July 1 or Aug. 1,
depending on the type of
parking. The increases
are expected to generate
nearly $900,000 in addi-
tional revenue in fiscal
year 2014.
Those who pay for
hourly parking will see
larger increases than
those who use parking
permits. For example,
starting July 1, all public
meters will increase by10
centsperhourto$1.20per
hour. Annual permits for
physicians will increase
by $120 to $2,340 begin-
ning Aug. 1.
Students who ride mo-
tor scooters to class will
see a nearly17 percent in-
crease in the price of an
annual permit beginning
Aug.1, from $81to $94.50.
The dramatic increase in
the number of students
obtaining permits to ride
scooters or motorcycles
— from 94 in 2002 to 920
last fall — has prompted
UItocreatemoreparking
spaces and take more ac-
tion around accommodat-
ing them, Ricketts said.
Reach Tara Bannow at tban-
now@press-citizen.com or 887-5418.
Task force
Continued from Page 3A
TRANSPARENCY TASK FORCE MEMBERS
» Board of Regents member/chairwoman:Nicole Carroll
of Carroll.
» Governor’s Public Information Board member:Kath-
leen Richardson, director of Drake University’s School of
Journalism and Mass Communication and executive secre-
tary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council.
» Executive of the Board of Regents or his designee:
Patrice Sayre, chief business officer for the Iowa Board of
Regents.
» Iowa Senate member:Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls.
» Iowa House of Representatives member:Rep. Peter
Cownie, R-West Des Moines.
» University of Iowa member:Mark Braun, chief of staff for
UI President Sally Mason.
» Iowa State University member:Miles Lackey, ISU’s asso-
ciate vice president (appointed by ISU President Steven
Leath).
» University of Northern Iowa member:John Johnson,
history professor (appointed by UNI President).
» Community member:Jack Lashier, director of the Iowa
Hall of Pride in Des Moines.
» Non-voting member:Tom Evans or Aimee Clayton, Iowa
Board of Regents legal counsel.
ficer,” he said, “and he
takes an oath when he is
elected into office to up-
hold the Constitution of
the U.S. and not uphold
the federal govern-
ment’s wishes or presi-
dent’s wishes. We’re just
asking these county
sheriffs to just do what
they’ve already raised
their right hand and tak-
en an oath to do already.”
The drive came on the
heels of a shooting Sun-
day in North Liberty,
where Holiday Mobile
Home Court resident Ta-
leb Salameh shot and in-
jured three police offi-
cers following a domes-
tic disturbance call.
Johnson County Sheriff
Lonny Pulkrabek said af-
ter the incident that he
supported citizens’ Sec-
ond Amendment rights
for the purpose of self-
defense but questioned
whetherlocalgunpermit
legislation allowed suffi-
cient screening for po-
tentialmentalinstability.
Aaron and Jolyn Heal
acknowledged that Sun-
day’s shooting in North
Liberty could lead to re-
newed local debate on
both sides of Second
Amendment legislation.
However, they both
added the politicization
of the event could be
needlessly stressful to
those Salameh injured.
“TheincidentinNorth
Liberty was absolutely
awful for (Salameh’s)
girlfriend and the offi-
cers,” she said. “Any
time they open the paper
or see the news there are
people putting it in the
spotlight.”
Eighty-four Johnson
County residents had
signed the petition be-
fore Wednesday’s drive,
though Aaron Heal said
he had not yet tallied sig-
natures left at other sta-
tions or those collected
by other volunteers.
Howard White, an
Iowa City resident who
signed the City Park
drive, said his hobbies
and past jobs taught him
the importance of the
Second Amendment for
self-defense.
“I do a lot of gold pros-
pecting, which takes me
into the backwoods with
a lot of wild animals, and
I’ve made some enemies
as a former Iowa Depart-
ment of Corrections
agent,” he said. “I’ve had
people break into my car,
try to assault me at the
mall. ... You can’t always
waitonapoliceofficerto
help — though it’s not
their fault — you just
don’t always have the
time.”
Reach Luke Voelz at lvoelz@press-
citizen.com or 887-5403.
Amendment
Continued from Page 3A
Willie Lee “Coach”
Gadson, 59, died Sunday,
March 10, 2013, at Cove-
nant Medical Center in
Waterloo. Services will be
at 11 a.m. Monday at East
High School, 214 High St.,
in the Fred J. Miller gym-
nasium. Visitation will be
at 10 a.m. Monday at the
high school. The casket
will be closed.
Willie
Gadson, 59
Russell Kempf, 94, of
Williamsburg, formerly
of Wellman, died Tuesday,
March 12, 2013, in Wil-
liamsburg. Services will
be at11:30 a.m. Monday at
the Peterseim Funeral
Home in Kalona. The
body will be cremated af-
ter the service. Visitation
will be before services
from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Russell
Kempf, 94
Acelebrationoflifeme-
morialforCarlW.Selby,95,
Williamsburg, formerly of
Parnell,willbeheldMarch
16, at Powell Funeral
Home, Williamsburg, with
the family present from10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Carl died
Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at
Highland Ridge Care Cen-
ter,Williamsburg.
A general memorial
fund has been established
and may be sent to Karla
Gallo, P.O. Box 367, Grin-
nell,Iowa50112.
Messages and tributes
maybeleftatwww.powell-
funeralhomes.com.
Carl Selby, 95
Getakittohostplan
workshops
ThecityofCoralvilleis
developinganewcommu-
nity plan that will review
landuseanddevelopment,
transportation, neighbor-
hoods, parks and open
space, the environment
andcommunityfacilities.
Individuals may pro-
vide input by reserving
do-it-yourself workshop
kits to facilitate their own
workshops and discus-
sions at their conve-
nience.
Completed DIY work-
shop kits will be reviewed
and summarized by pro-
jectconsultantsandincor-
porated into the larger
planning process. To re-
serve a kit, call Ellen Ha-
belat248-1700.
Grouptohostdrone
warfarespeaker
Just Peace Outreach
GroupwillhostEdFlaher-
ty, army veteran and Vet-
erans for Peace member,
as he speaks on “Drone
Warfare:APathtoPerpet-
ual Warfare, Every-
where?” at 7 p.m. Sunday
at East Union Mennonite
Church,5615GableAve.in
Kalona.
Informal discussion
andafingerfoodspotluck
begins at 6 p.m. Atten-
dants should bring their
own table service. The
public is welcome to at-
tend.
For more information,
call Roger Farmer at 319-
653-2547 or email Jane
Yoder-Short at yoder-
short@netins.net.
FasTracplansannual
civilrightstour
TheMayor’sYouthEm-
powerment Program is
seeking sponsors to help
send students on the Fas
Trac club’s annual civil
rightstourthissummer.
Fas Trac is partnering
with Diversity Focus of
Cedar Rapids to take stu-
dentsages13to18onatrip
June8-16.
The tour will make
stops at seven colleges in
theSouth,aswellassixcit-
iesforguidedvisitstohis-
toriccivilrightssites.
For more information,
callFasTracdirectorHen-
ri Harper at 341-0060, ext.
7004, or email h.har-
per@myep.us. Donations
canbesenttoMYEPat407
Highland Court, Iowa
City,IA52240.
Loebsacknamed
toHJFcouncil
Rep. Dave Loebsack,
D-Iowa, has announced
thathewaschosenbyRep.
Adam Smith, ranking
member of the House
Armed Services Commit-
tee,tositontheCouncilof
DirectorsoftheHenryM.
Jackson Foundation for
the Advancement of Mili-
taryMedicineInc.
HJF is a global organi-
zation dedicated to ad-
vancing military medical
research.
Loebsack has been a
member of the HASC
sincebeingelectedtoCon-
gress and has served on
the Military Personnel
Subcommittee, which has
jurisdiction over military
healthcare,since2009.
MotleyCowto
hostwinedinner
Motley Cow Café is ac-
cepting reservations for
its Domaine Rouge Bleu
wine dinner at 6 p.m.
March23.
Winemaker and owner
Jean-Marc Espinasse will
bepresent.Costis$70plus
tax and gratuity. The me-
nu can be viewed at
www.motleycowcafe-
.com.
To make a reservation,
call688-9177.
Supervisorsaward
fivenonprofits
The Johnson County
Board of Supervisors has
awarded $22,000 in Social
Services Emergency or
Innovative Flexible Fund-
ing to five nonprofit or-
ganizations.
Those awarded fund-
inginclude:
»Elder Services:
$7,768 to provide meal de-
livery service to rural, el-
derlyJohnsonCountyres-
idents.
»Iowa Valley Habitat
for Humanity: $4,500 to
provide support and edu-
cation services to resi-
dents in mobile home
courts.
»Neighborhood Cen-
ters of Johnson County:
$5,182 for the purchase of
equipment for its youth
employmentprogram.
»Crisis Center: $4,000
to upgrade the 24-hour
Crisis Line and National
Suicide Prevention Life-
linephonesystems.
»Local Foods Connec-
tion: $550 to provide local
grown food and supplies
for programs serving low
incomeresidents.
»MorganCarolineMchugh,25,
of2613WestwindsDriveApt.2in
IowaCitywasarrestedfor
drunkendrivingat9:57p.m.
March8at300E.MarketSt.in
IowaCity.
»ChadNealLyke,26,of505E.
BurlingtonSt.No.17AinIowa
Citywasarrestedfordrunken
drivingat2:15a.m.March9at
ThirdAvenueandHStreetin
IowaCity.
»ReannaMorganObrine-Young,
21,of167S.ScottBlvd.inIowa
Citywasarrestedfordrunken
drivingat2:14a.m.March9at
1100N.DubuqueSt.inIowaCity.
»MercellaDorsey,64,of1958
BroadwaySt.Apt.5BinIowaCity
wasarrestedfordrunkendriving
at12:20a.m.March9at1958
BroadwaySt.inIowaCity.
»DevynDakotaDenny,21,of74
ErobiLaneinIowaCitywas
arrestedfordrunkendrivingand
drivingwhilebarredat1:55a.m.
March9atBurlingtonandLucas
streetsinIowaCity.
»MichaelDouglasRopp,20,of
3950SallyDriveN.E.inCedar
Rapidswasarrestedfor
possessionoffictitiousdrivers
licenseorIDat11:04p.m.March8
at500S.LinnSt.No.8inIowa
City.
Police
Page 13
Appendix B
Resource Agency Comments
May 1, 2013
Jenny Benz
Denver Regional Environmental Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
410 17th Street, Suite 250
Denver, Colorado 80202‐4454
RE: EDA Comments on the Dubuque Street, Park Road, and Park Road Bridge
Improvements from Foster Road to Brown Street, Iowa City, Iowa, Project Number
HDP‐3715(652)‐‐‐71‐52
Dear Ms. Benz:
The City of Iowa City (City) has received the EDA’s comments dated April 16 related to the
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Dubuque Street, Park Road, and Park Road Bridge
improvement project. The following represents the City’s responses to the EDA’s comments as
they relate to the EA and the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and Federal
Highway Administration’s (FHWA) processes for satisfying NEPA and project permitting
requirements:
City response: The City will include Mitigation Measure discussions for each resource topic
within the FONSI documentation.
City response: Within the FONSI documentation, the City will provide anticipated timelines for
obtaining all required permits. At this point in the FHWA project NEPA process, the City cannot
May 1, 2013 Page 2
create a Final Wetland Mitigation Plan as required for the CWA Section 404 permitting process
for approval by the USACOE. The City would have to advance design on the Park Road Bridge
and Dubuque Street retaining wall beyond the conceptual design stage without an approved
FONSI in order to provide this information to the USACOE to obtain the 404 permit prior to
finalizing the EA. Advancing design at this stage of the project without an approved FONSI may
jeopardize future funding reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
After an approved FONSI is obtained for the project, roadway and bridge design will advance
and stream and wetland impact quantities will be finalized. The City will follow the CWA
Section 404 permitting process for approval by USACOE based on the given timeline. The City
of Iowa City will also consider and incorporate the comments from the FAA dated February 17,
2011 into the anticipated wetlands mitigation plan.
City response: The City will provide a timeline for obtaining the required NPDES permit.
City response: The City will provide a timeline for obtaining the required Iowa DNR Floodplain
Construction Permit.
May 1, 2013 Page 3
City response: The City has provided opportunities for the USFWS to comment on the potential
impacts of the project through the following:
a. Letter sent during the Early Coordination process (January 25, 2011)
b. Concurrence Point 1, letter and information package (May 5, 2011)
c. Concurrence Points 2 & 3, letter and information package (Sept. 15, 2011)
d. Copy of the EA sent to USFWS for review and comment (March 12, 2013)
To date, the USFWS has not provided any comments or input regarding the potential for
impacts to the pistolgrip mussel. Prior to the USACOE issuing a permit and, as part of the CWA
404 permit application process, the USFWS will be consulted and their comments satisfied,
including completion of the Section 7 consultation process. The City will ensure that the EDA is
involved with any discussion to complete additional mussel surveys and any resulting mitigation
plan.
In the event the EDA has additional comments, questions, or requires additional clarifications,
please do not hesitate to contact me at (319) 356‐5413 or by email at melissa‐clow@iowa‐
city.org.
Sincerely,
Melissa Clow, EI, LEED AP.
Special Project Administrator
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
CC: Terisa Thomas, Iowa DOT OLE NEPA Project Manager
Cindy Edwards, P.E., Economic Development Administration
Mike LaPietra, FHWA
From: Poole, Kelly [DNR] [mailto:Kelly.Poole@dnr.iowa.gov] Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 3:55 PM To: Melissa Clow Cc: Schwake, Christine [DNR] Subject: EA - Iowa City Gateway
Hi Melissa,
I was forwarded a copy of the EA for the Iowa City Gateway. Comments from the DNR letter of
environmental review issued March 8, 2011 are included and we have no additional comments at this
time. Please let me know if you need a letter as such for your files. Regards, Kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kelly Poole
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Land and Waters Bureau
502 E 9th Street | Des Moines, IA 50319
Ph. 515.281.8967
1
From: Schwake, Christine [DNR] [mailto:Christine.Schwake@dnr.iowa.gov] Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 6:50 AM To: Melissa Clow Subject: Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge (Iowa City Gateway EA
Hi Ms. Chow –
Thanks for sending me the EA. I have no additional comments.
Have a great week, Chris
From: Schwake, Christine [DNR] Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 8:04 AM To: melissa-clow@iowa-city.org Subject: FW: Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge (Iowa City Gateway EA Concurrence Point 1
Dear Ms. Clow,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that a mussel survey may be required for this project. Please
contact Daryl Howell (DNR) at 515‐281‐8524 within one year of the proposed construction.
As you design the project, please avoid impacting waters of the U.S. and where that isn’t possible, minimize impacts as
much as possible. We will need mitigation for unavoidable impacts to all waters of the U.S.
Thanks for sending information regarding the alternatives you plan to carry forward.
Chris
From: Schwake, Christine [DNR]
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 9:21 AM
To: 'melissa-clow@iowa-city.org'
Subject: Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge (Iowa City Gateway EA Concurrence Point 1
Dear Ms. Clow,
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources concurs with the project’s purpose and need (Concurrence Point 1).
Thanks, Chris
1
From:Tucker, Amber <Tucker.Amber@epa.gov>
Sent:Monday, April 15, 2013 10:01 PM
To:melissa-clow@iowa-city.org
Subject:EPA Review Comments: Dubuque Street Elevation & Park Road Bridge Reconstruction
EA
Dear Ms. Clow:
This letter responds to your correspondence of March 12, 2013, concerning the elevation of Dubuque
Street and removal and replacement of Park Road Bridge in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa.
We would like to thank you for the opportunity to review the Environmental Assessment for this project,
for your thorough consideration of potential environmental effects from this project, and also for the
extensive agency coordination.
As mentioned in Section 5.1.4, part of the project area falls within an area that is listed as an Environmental
Justice area for poverty populations at greater than 25%. As we stated in our previous correspondence,
please still consider any impacts to potentially impacted populations, especially sensitive populations that
include children, the elderly and persons with disabilities by taking proactive measures to minimize adverse
effects.
With regards to the potential effects to Waters of the US, we commend your planned utilization of Best
Management Practices throughout all phases of this project, and urge you to continue close coordination
with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, as well as Iowa Department of Natural
resources for Section 401, Section 404, and NPDES permitting requirements and mitigation plans. Please
also feel free to contact our office with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for involving the Environmental Protection Agency during the consideration of environmental
impacts either to or from this project. EPA would like to ask that we please be kept informed of future
documents pertaining to this project.
If you have any other questions, you can contact me at 913‐551‐7565, or via email at
tucker.amber@epa.gov.
Amber Tucker
US EPA R7
ENSV‐NEPA Team
11201 Renner Blvd
Lenexa, KS 66219
913‐551‐7565
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." ‐The Lorax
July 22, 2013
Mr. Matthew J. F. Donovan
Cultural Resources Project Manager
Office of Location and Environment
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
Re: Iowa City Gateway-Dubuque Street Elevation Project
HDP-3715(652)--71-52
City of Iowa City
Johnson County
Local Systems
Cultural Resources Evaluation Report Vol. 36, No. 1
R&C# 120752074
Dear Matt:
This project was previously reviewed by your office. Based upon an architectural survey by Jan Full
(2012) and an archaeological survey by Leah Rogers (2012), both of Tallgrass Historians, a
recommendation from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, and discussions with the City of
Iowa City and its planning consultants, your office determined a finding of Conditional No Adverse
Effect for the project on September 19, 2012 (Donovan 2012). SHPO concurred with this finding on
October 3, 2012. Subsequently, members of the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association, a group of
homeowners in a portion of the Brown Street Historic District adjacent to the project area, expressed their
concerns that the potential effects of the proposed project had not been adequately addressed through the
2012 Section 106 review process (Wagner et al. 2013).
The project proposes raising Dubuque Street approximately 10 ft (3.0m) along the north entrance to Iowa
City from Interstate 80 from Foster Road south to Brown Street (Figure 1). It will also entail relocating
the Park Road Bridge over the Iowa River to the south and raising it approximately 10 ft (3 m) to avoid its
closing due to flooding from the Iowa River, which has become increasingly frequent in recent years. It
will also allow for the construction of turning lanes at the intersection of Dubuque Street and Park Road
to better accommodate projected increased traffic flows in years to come. The project is located in the
western halves of Sections 3 and 10, T79N-R6W, Lucas Township, Johnson County (Figure 2).
On July 3, 2013, you (Donovan 2013a), authorized me to review the materials submitted by the City of
Iowa City to the Iowa Department of Transportation in 2012 that led to their finding of Conditional No
Adverse Effect on historic properties for the above referenced project (with which finding SHPO
subsequently concurred). Other materials that you requested that I review included project area maps
showing Areas of Potential Effect in 2013, and materials from the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association,
a local homeowners group questioning the appropriateness of the Conditional No Adverse Effect
determination. The materials that you provided included file folders labeled Design Plans Initial 2012,
Project Concept Statement 2012, Consultant Design Plans Forwarded 2013, Tall Grass Architectural
2
Phase I, SHPO Correspondence, and Public Request. You (Donovan 2013b) requested that I address
three questions:
1. “Are the design plans/corridor perimeters different from the original submittal, in regards to impacts
noted in the 2012 submittal?”
2. “After reviewing the concerns of the citizens group, are their concerns regarding the project warranted
in regards to the finding of effect submitted to the Iowa SHPO?”
3. “Have the conditions set towards the finding of conditional no adverse, put in place, support the finding
of no adverse effect?”
After examining the materials provided, these are my conclusions:
“Are the design plans/corridor perimeters different from the original submittal, in regards to
impacts noted in the 2012 submittal?”
After comparing the planning documents submitted in 2012 upon which the Conditional finding of No
Adverse Effect was based with those currently being proposed for the project, I find them to be identical
in their Areas of Potential Effect on historic properties.
“After reviewing the concerns of the citizens group, are their concerns regarding the project
warranted in regards to the finding of effect submitted to the Iowa SHPO?”
In the materials you provided, the Bella Vista homeowners expressed concerns over the potential impact
of the project on the bluffs adjacent to Dubuque Street upon which their homes are situated, its potential
impact on large numbers of “old growth” trees, the impact of the elevation of Dubuque Street on their
view of the Iowa River as well as possible increased traffic noise. After reviewing the current project
plans and cross sections, it appears that only filling is proposed within temporary construction easements
on footslope positions at the base of the bluffs in their area of the project. The bluffs themselves will
remain undamaged. An examination of the aerial photographs that you provided of the project area show
the presence of only a few “old growth” trees and a number of small “volunteer” trees within the Area of
Potential Effect in their portion of the project area, as the city had declared in its 2012 submittals.
Furthermore, the city has agreed to minimize impacts to trees and shrubbery within the Areas of Potential
Effect including replacing them in accordance with city code (Donovan 2012). After reviewing the cross-
sections you provided, it appears that even after Dubuque Street is raised, the bases of the houses in the
Bella Vista neighborhood will still be from 15 to 20 feet above the raised Dubuque Street and 60 to 70
feet away from it, providing an unobstructed view of the river. It is also important to remember that the
Areas of Potential Effect being considered at this time represent the maximum area that will be required
for the project, and that the final design of the project may affect an even smaller area. While studies and
modeling conducted by the city did indicate a slight increase in traffic noise in the Bella Vista
neighborhood, it was found to be minimal, and it was concluded that any attempted mitigation measures
would prove futile (City of Iowa City 2013:52-56). While I can sympathize with the homeowners being
affected by this project, I find that their concerns pertaining to potential project impacts in the area of
their properties and to the Brown Street Historic District to be unwarranted based on the documentation
provided. It appears that the city has thoroughly studied the potential effects of the proposed project on
the Brown Street Historic District, and they have been adequately taken into account and, when
appropriate, addressed with appropriate mitigation measures.
“Have the conditions set towards the finding of conditional no adverse, put in place, support the
finding of no adverse effect?”
In my professional opinion, the conditions set toward the finding of conditional No Adverse Effect,
minimizing project impact on historic properties, their landscapes and trees and shrubbery, as well as
other mitigation efforts by the city, as described above under question number 2 continue to support the
conditional finding of No Adverse Effect.
If I may b
Sincerely,
Blane H. N
Cultural R
Highway
(319) 384
blane-nan
cc: Meliss
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Page 14
Appendix C
Public Comments and Responses
From: Keitel, Dennis [mailto:KeitelDJ@cdmsmith.com] Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 9:39 PM To: Melissa Clow Subject: New Park Road Bridge
I support the City of Iowa City’s preferred alternative for these improvements. I especially like
the fact that Ridge Road will get a new alignment for connection to Dubuque Street that will
keep it out of 500 YR floodplain so we can egress to I-80 during times of high floodwaters.
Dennis J Keitel
1696 Ridge Road
Iowa City, IA 52245-1629
Dennis J Keitel, P.E., BCEE | Senior Project Manager
CDM International Inc., a Subsidiary of CDM Smith Inc.
25 Mai Thi Luu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Office Phone: +84 (8) 39117066 | Fax: +84 (8) 39117076 | Mobile: +84-90 902-0067
skype name: dennis.keitel | keiteldj@cdmsmith.com | www.cdmsmith.com
From: Hubbard, Peter D [mailto:peter-hubbard@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 11:34 AM To: Melissa Clow Subject: Iowa City Gateway Project
First, let me note that the www.iowacitygateway.org website had the following statement: “Sign
up for potential future email communications by emailing info@iowacitygateway.org.”
I did so, and I am disappointed that the city has apparently chosen not to communicate (at least
with me) using this means.
I fully realize that the realignment of the Park Road-Upper City Park entrance and Templin Road
– Park Road Intersections is an afterthought to this project, but as the property owner on the
corner of Park Rd and Templin Road, I feel that this project affects my family more directly that
most private property owners. The realignment, as displayed in Alternatives B and C, and the
hybrid Preferred Alternative, shows an area approximately 40 feet by 60 feet, the width of
current Templin Road and the median strip between the street and City Park access road, and
ending almost exactly at my driveway, that seems to be no longer attached to City Park. My
questions:
What is the city’s intent for that area?
What is to become of the current south end of Templin Road? Will it be removed and
turned into grassy area?
Do city or state codes address how street realignments change the relationship between
public property and adjacent private property?
Would the city consider closing or removing the egress point from City Park at the north
end of Templin Road? That egress was actually closed for many years in the 1960’s and
70’s, but now people using Templin Road to leave City Park almost always assume that
Templin is a one‐way street, which it never has been, and people driving on both sides
of Templin have been a hazard for cars traveling north on Templin, and especially for
children living on the street.
Again, I am the property owner at the corner of Park Rd. and Templin, and I would like to know
how the city will regard that area – small in the larger picture, but not small at all in a corner of
the world that has been in my family since 1958. Maybe I’m needlessly concerned, but we
would not be happy, as I’m sure you can understand, to have additional property added to our lot
without our consent and taxed accordingly. Any clarification you can provide will be greatly
appreciated.
Peter D. Hubbard
4 West Park Rd
From: David Sheff [mailto:DSheff@crmef.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:28 PM To: melissaclow@iowacitygateway.org Subject: Iowa city gateway
Dear Melissa,
One of the great joys in coming home to Iowa city is the drive into town along Dubuque street. I am pleased to
see that the city is aware of this and will not be replacing this drive with a strip mall. That said, alternative B
looks to be the best. I am a cyclist and often cycle into town along Dubuque street. I enjoy the current bike
path as it draws away from the road. Alternative B would preserve this. It is always possible to put the bike
path right up along the traffic, but that is not desirable as traffic is both heavy and fast during the morning and
evening rush hours. Alternative B also supports additional paths under and around the park road bridge which
would be a great benefit to not only myself but also younger bike riders who currently have to negotiate the
rather busy intersection.
David Sheff MD/PhD
3832 County Down Lane
North LIberty, IA
From: ANTHONY COLBY [mailto:tonycolby@msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 2:57 PM To: Melissa Clow Cc: Scott McDonough; steve tannen; Jim Harris; dccummins@practiv.com; cummins4@gmail.com; Jen
Wagner Subject: Dubuque St project
Dear Melissa,
After looking at the side view of the elevations regarding the raising of Dubuque St. I have a few
questions.
First. In order for my property to adjoin the sidewalk a large amount of fill will have to be used ON MY
PROPERTY, to raise the level my lawn to the sidewalk/street. This 'filling in' would necessarily
permanently alter my property—certainly in ways I hadn't anticipated nor would have done. It will
certainly alter the character of my property and all of Bella Vista, which has been attractive to its dwellers
because of its innate charms and relative seclusion. You once said that the city will not need to purchase
or take any of our property for this project. However, by filling in a significant part of the lower
hill, the city will have assumed a DE FACTO expropriation of property, one for which, apparently we, the
owners, will receive no payment or consideration. I think the nature of this ALTERATION OF OUR
PROPERTY assumes legal proportions and needs to be addressed before the project goes forward.
Second. Sound barrier. I saw no indication of any type of sound barrier in the project. Raising the street
ten or more feet will certainly bring traffic noise much closer to our houses. I spend a maximum amount
of time on my decks during the summer. Any increase in the already exuberant noise level will not we
welcomed. I would like to hear if the city will employ any measures for noise abatement.
Third. Privacy. Even with the partially finished sidewalk people enter my property from below, some
curious, some lost, some with malicious intent. Last fall a person came through my lower gate, broke
down the cedar fence and proceeded next door to the gazebo where furniture was thrown all over and
plants destroyed. Worse, as a consequence, I was unaware of the gate being open and my dog, Freddie,
ran down to Dubuque St. fortunately to be saved by a homeless man on a bike. Is the city going to erect
a fence with gates in it or a similar barrier to prevent people from entering the property? Since the
sidewalk will be widened and contiguous with properties to the south and north, there will be a huge
increase in pedestrian, bike and presumably motorbike traffic.
There are other issues as well, but these rank high amongst them. In my opinion there are legal issues to
be resolved in regard to 1. alteration of existing property, 2. sound invasion and 3. privacy. Perhaps a
visit with the city attorney might be advised.
I am cc:ing this to neighbors who well may have other concerns of a similar nature as all of the
properties in Bella Vista bordering Dubuque Street will be impacted.
Thanks,
Dr. Tony Colby
5 Bella Vista Pl
Iowa City, IA 52245
319 321 6356
From: Feiss, Michael [mailto:michael-feiss@uiowa.edu] Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:32 AM To: Melissa Clow Subject: Park street bridge project.
Dear Reader: I just looked at the map of the planned changes related to the new Park Street Bridge. I
live on Brown street and walk across the bridge frequently, so I have a pedestrian’s point of view. I
really like the plan, and it deals with the major issue for walkers – what to do if you cross Dubuque at
the existing light. You either half to walk south on the steep grassy slopes of the frat houses, which has
some danger to it, or go north to meet Kimball Road. An alternative to crossing Dubuque Street is to go
south on Dubuque until opposite Brown, and then cross 4 lanes without any crosswalk or light. The plan
solves that.
I only see one thing missing. If you walk up from central campus on the east side of the river, you get to
the Hancher pedestrian bridge, and either have to cross the river or go up the path that leads up to the
dorms and the Dey house. I think it would be good for all if the walking path along the river were
extended past the fraternities, all the way to park Road. This would not be very disruptive to the two
fraternities and would benefit the community, including bikers and walkers.
Sincerely,
Mike Feiss
603 Brown Street.
________________________________
Notice: This UI Health Care e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention,
dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply
to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you.
________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim [mailto:jim@prairielights.com]Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 5:01 PMTo: Melissa Clow
Subject: NewDu or the New Raised Dubuque Street
Dear Melissa
I am the owner of 8 Bella Vista Place which fronts Dubuque Street and herein are my questions and
concerns:
(1) Noise abatement. Raising the street 10 feet or more will create more noise. Have any studies been
made regarding noise levels? Will there be a study?
(2) Will the city erect a wall between the new sidewalk and our hill to the east of the sidewalk?And if so, at what height?
(3) How many trees will be taken out? These trees act as a natural sound barrier.
Yours sincerely
James Harris8 Bella Vista Place
Iowa City
From: Cummins, Daniel P. [mailto:DCummins@pactiv.com] Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 1:50 PMTo: Melissa ClowCc: George Wagner; Jen Wagner; Jim Harris; Laurie Cummins; "Valérie Rudrauf-Martin"; scottmcdonough; steve tannen; ANTHONY COLBYSubject: Dubuque Street Project - Bella Vista
Melissa
Thank you for replying to Tony's questions and pointing us to the Environmental Assessment (EA)
document. There is a lot of information to sort through but it is a useful point of reference.
There are a couple of questions that I hope you can answer:
1.The EA contains significant discussion concerning Dubuque Street but there is very little
information concerning Kimball Road. As the owner of 12 Bella Vista, I am concerned about the
impact of raising Kimball Rd to meet Dubuque St. Can you provide information on fill, grading,
elevations/cross sections, sidewalk access, etc. from the intersection of Kimball/Dubuque and to the
east? There is also a creek that comes down the back of Bella Vista and runs under Kimball. What is
the environmental impact on that creek?
2.Your note below indicates that there is no fill planned from the new elevated Dubuque St into the
properties to the east. In reviewing the cross sectional diagrams for the elevations between 28+50
to 37+50 (Exhibits 4-6.1, 4-6.3) it appears there is a bank from the road down to the adjoining
properties. Can you help me understand how this is going to be constructed? Is there a drainage
plan in place to insure there is no erosion at the base of the hill and the grade coming off the road?
3.As you know, there are a number of very old trees along Dubuque at the base of the Bella Vista
properties. How will these trees be protected during construction and after the road is elevated?
4.We are also concerned about the increase in noise. While the noise modeling in the EA does not
predict that noise will exceed the threshold of 67 dBA, Bella Vista is expected to have increases of
6.5% to 12.9% which does seem substantial. While a constructed sound barrier may not be an
option there may be alternatives (planting of additional trees, reduction in speed limit, etc) that may
help mitigate the noise. Will these be considered in the final design?
Again, thank you for your open approach to working with us to resolve our concerns.
Dan Cummins
12 Bella Vista Place
1
From:Karen <sivitzk@mchsi.com>
Sent:Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:20 PM
To:Melissa-Clow@iowa-city.org
Subject:Realignment of Templin Road with Park Road
Hi Melissa,
Here are the reasons we are opposed to the plans to realign the intersection of Templin Road and Park Road:
1.Right now we have cars that drive by our house. The realignment has cars negotiating a curve and heading for
our house.
2.It will be harder for Templin Residents to exit onto Park Road. Presently we can get out fairly easily. With the
new arrangement we will be right there with four lanes of traffic to contend with (Park Road traffic going west,
Park Road turning lane traffic, Park Road traffic going east and Riverside drive traffic).
3.Right now we are separated from the traffic in Upper City Park. This realignment will cause us to be delayed in
entering our street when a big event is held in the park. Traffic will back up in the park and we will be forced to
wait to then enter Templin Road.
4.Many drivers, coming from the park’s north entrance to Templin, navigate Templin Road as if it one way. Will
this new arrangement cause them to have a head‐on collision with incoming traffic to both the park and
Templin?
5.Right now we have a nice grassy median separating Templin residents from the park. The large evergreen tree
and the deciduous tree will have to be removed to cut into the median. That evergreen has been there for over
25 years. Save the trees.
Thank you,
Karen and Bill Sivitz
517 Templin Road
1
From:Hubbard, Mary <mary-hubbard@uiowa.edu>
Sent:Sunday, April 14, 2013 10:00 PM
To:melissaclow@iowacitygateway.org
Subject:Southwest fork of the Iowa City Gateway Project
Dear Ms. Clow,
As the property owner at the head of Park Road where the Gateway Project comes to an end, I would like to express
concern about the logistics of this whole formulation. Primarily, eastbound and westbound traffic speeds through here
now. How are park users (including summer campers) arriving by City Transit supposed to get across the street to the
swimming pool without traffic coming to a halt for the 10 to 15 children to cross safely? Pedestrians play roulette to cross
Park Rd. at Riverside Dr. as it is. I suggest a sensor traffic/pedestrian light at that intersection even now, before the
project.
Problem 2 is the grade of the current Park Rd from the base of City Park hill to the top. If we get snow or ice, 1 in every
5 cars can not make that hill. I know firsthand because I have take many a sled full of sand down Park Road over the
years. If you are going to change the lanes, then you need to change to grade.
Every one of the property owners on Templin Street agree that the new plan will cause a choke on traffic turning into the
park for major festivities. I don't think the planners properly addressed entry to and egress from City Park's north entry
point.
In summation, the Gateway Project at its southwestern terminus is a speedway without consideration of the
traffic/pedestrian/recreational nuances of those who frequent the intersection of Park Rd. and Riverside Drive.
Thank you,
Mary Hubbard
4 W Park Rd
Iowa City IA 52246
Notice: This UI Health Care e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications
Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error,
then delete it. Thank you.
1
From:Wendy Henrichs <whenrichs5@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, April 14, 2013 10:24 PM
To:melissaclow@iowacitygateway.org
Subject:Templin Road resident
Hello Melissa,
We oppose the realignment of the intersection of Templin Road and Park Road for these reasons:
1.It will be harder for Templin Residents to exit onto Park Road. Presently we can get out fairly easily. With
the new arrangement we will be right there with four lanes of traffic to contend with (Park Road traffic going
west, Park Road turning lane traffic, Park Road traffic going east and Riverside drive traffic).
2.Right now we are separated from the traffic in Upper City Park. This realignment will cause us to
be delayed in entering our street when a big event is held in the park. Traffic will back up in the park and
we will be forced to wait to then enter Templin Road.
3.Many drivers, coming from the park’s north entrance to Templin, navigate Templin Road as if it one
way. Will this new arrangement cause them to have a head‐on collision with incoming traffic to both the
park and Templin?
4.Right now we have a nice grassy median separating Templin residents from the park. The
large evergreen tree and the deciduous tree will have to be removed to cut into the median. That
evergreen has been there for over 25 years. Save the trees.
Thank you for taking our comments,
Mark and Wendy Henrichs
601 Templin Road
1
From: Coulter, Joe D [mailto:joe-coulter@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 12:56 PM
To: Melissa Clow Cc: Ron Knoche; Rick Fosse Subject: Jacobsen-Coulter House and property, 1818 N. Dubuque St.
Ms. Clow:
Thank you for the visit last Friday to the Jacobsen‐Coulter house and for providing further descriptions of the Iowa City
Gateway project raising of North Dubuque Street.
As I have previously communicated to you at the recent Public Hearing, and this past Friday on your visit, I have the
following concerns about this project:
The project in the present form “Preferred Alternative” as depicted and described currently on the Iowa City Gateway
website http://icgpreferredalternative.businesscatalyst.com/index.html is unacceptable for the following
reasons/concerns.
The raising/elevation of N. Dubuque Street by 10‐15 ft. above the present roadway along and in front of my property at
1818 N. Dubuque Street would:
1.Significantly detract from the aesthetic, historical, and property value of the house, garages, stairway and
landscaping of the property;
2.Increase the vehicular and pedestrian traffic and consequent noise, trash and other ecological damage to the
house, garden/lawns and other areas of the property, and adjacent properties of the Ball Heights
neighborhood;
3.Create a safety hazard to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic , especially in proximity to the garage area in
front of the house which would fall sharply to 10‐15 ft. below the level of the planned roadway and sidewalk;
4.Result in substantial flooding potential along the front of the property facing N. Dubuque St., and the Foster
Road/Bjaysville Lane, especially in the area of the garages, as no provision for storm water drainage from the
property, the Foster Road/Bjaysville Lane, the Ridge Road street, and Ball Heights areas are part of the
“Preferred Plan”;
5.Restrict owner and guest access to the garages, and parking, for the property, and stairway access to the front
of the house;
6.Result in dividing the property, with a redirection of Ridge Road, into a northern section with the house and
garages, and a small southern section, further increasing vehicular and pedestrian traffic and consequent noise,
trash and ecological damage to the area, including Ball Heights;
7.Fails to provide any plan for continued access to City/public services including USPS mail/package delivery,
refuse/garbage pick‐up/removal, fire protection (hydrant access), gas, water and sewage services.
8. Cause or result in additional concerns as further details of the “Preferred Plan” emerge.
Thank you for hearing some of the issues I presently have with the Iowa City Gateway project raising of N.
Dubuque Street.
Joe D. Coulter, Ph.D.
Professor
Community and Behavioral Health
College of Public Health
105 River Street, N414 CPHB
Phone (319) 384‐1478 The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242 FAX (319) 384‐4106
Joe Dan Coulter
1
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: steve tannen [mailto:steve@stevetannen.com]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 2:14 PM
To: Melissa Clow
Cc: Cummins, Daniel P.; scott mcdonough; ANTHONY COLBY; George Wagner; Jen Wagner; Jim Harris; Laurie Cummins
Subject: Public Comment ‐ Iowa City Gateway Project
Dear Melissa,
Regarding the Iowa City Gateway Project, here are the public comments of some of the residents of Bella Vista Place,
Iowa City, IA 52245.
As proposed, this project will have a significant impact on our neighborhood. We live on a secluded bluff over the river.
If the level of the street is raised sufficiently, our entire neighborhood ceases to become a bluff, and becomes instead a
bunch of rowside houses on one of the busiest streets in the city.
Our quality of life would certainly change due to noise pollution and traffic. With the traffic flow closer and higher, we
can’t imagine how any sound engineer would have concluded there would be no impact. There will be. There are
porches, decks and gazebos on that land – it is part of our life. The kids play on that land above the river. As proposed,
our land would in some instances be almost streetside.
Obviously our property values would drop significantly if this were the case. That’s not good for us, or for Iowa City, or
for anybody.
The bluff of Bella Vista is beautiful. It adds to the value of Iowa City.
We urge you not to demolish this gem in a short sighted attempt to “beautify” or accommodate anything. The road you
are proposing should stay off our bluff – it doesn’t need to come up at that point.
We also don’t want a manicured walkway where there is now old growth
forest. Why not make the walkway on the other side of the river?
Wouldn’t that be more pleasant for the pedestrians, safer with heavy traffic, and also not take away a major feature of
beauty in Iowa City?
The several properties that abut Dubuque have many trees that will be at risk if you fill in, raise, or otherwise encroach,
including several protected trees. If you alter this area, we don’t believe you can say with candor there will be “no
significant impact.” Some of the trees will die, and you can’t say which ones. It is a hundred years or more of growth.
You won’t be able to replace it ever again.
The character of Iowa City is at stake with Bella Vista. We believe you can find a way around this small area that is an
essential element of the beauty of our city.
Sincerely,
Steve Tannen and Deb Talan (6 Bella Vista Place, Iowa City, 310‐913‐5061) Dr. Tony Colby (5 Bella Vista Place, Iowa City,
319‐321‐6356) Dan and Laurie Cummins (12 Bella Vista Place, Iowa City 847‐533‐8202) Scott and Lisa McDonough (10
Bella Vista Place, Iowa City 319‐631‐0405) James Harris (8 Bella Vista Place, Iowa City 319‐594‐0016)
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce P. Ayati [mailto:bruce.ayati@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 5:29 PM
To: melissaclow@iowacitygateway.org
Subject: Gateway project input
Dear Melissa,
I have two questions/concerns about the Gateway Project.
1) Can you clarify what sorts of road noise mitigation efforts, if any, are planned to help reduce the
impact of the project for those of us who live along the affected routes?
2) The Park Ave. bridge over the Iowa River is the centerpiece of the Gateway Project, so much so that
it is incorporated into the logo for the project. The new bridge will sit near architecturally important
University of Iowa buildings on the west bank, and historically important homes and buildings on the
east bank (including my own home).
Yet the current design of the bridge does not differ aesthetically from a highway overpass. Is any
thought being given to having the "gateway"
to our beautiful city truly indicate that one is entering the heart of the city and the UI campus?
Thanks,
Bruce P. Ayati, Homeowner
821 N. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
PAGE 1 OF 9
DO
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p
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t
:
1.
W
h
a
t
is
th
e
ci
t
y
’
s
in
t
e
n
t
fo
r
th
a
t
ar
e
a
to
be
va
c
a
t
e
d
by
th
e
Ci
t
y
?
2.
W
h
a
t
is
to
be
c
o
m
e
of
th
e
cu
r
r
e
n
t
so
u
t
h
en
d
of
Te
m
p
l
i
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Ro
a
d
?
Wi
l
l
it
be
re
m
o
v
e
d
an
d
tu
r
n
e
d
in
t
o
gr
a
s
s
y
ar
e
a
?
3.
Do
ci
t
y
or
st
a
t
e
co
d
e
s
ad
d
r
e
s
s
ho
w
st
r
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e
t
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
s
ch
a
n
g
e
th
e
re
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
h
i
p
be
t
w
ee
n
pu
b
l
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c
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
an
d
ad
j
a
c
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n
t
pr
i
v
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t
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pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
?
4.
Wo
u
l
d
th
e
ci
t
y
co
n
s
i
d
e
r
cl
o
s
i
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g
or
re
m
o
v
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g
th
e
eg
r
e
s
s
po
i
n
t
fr
o
m
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
at
th
e
no
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t
h
en
d
of
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p
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d
?
Th
a
t
eg
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s
s
wa
s
ac
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u
a
l
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cl
o
s
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fo
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n
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ye
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s
in
th
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19
6
0
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s
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d
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’
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t
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l
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as
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v
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r
ha
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be
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n,
an
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dr
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no
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on
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n
li
v
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on
th
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st
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t
.
5.
We
wo
u
l
d
no
t
be
ha
p
p
y
to
ha
ve
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
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pr
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p
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t
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lo
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progresses with this project, the
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be in direct contact with the
ho
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r
to discuss the disposition of the
cu
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t
Te
m
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Road ROW and City Park
pr
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proposed to be vacated.
Su
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pr
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noted.
PAGE 2 OF 9
1.
In
or
d
e
r
fo
r
my
pr
o
p
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r
t
y to
ad
j
o
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of
my
pr
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p
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r
t
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an
d
th
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en
t
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Be
l
l
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Vi
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b
o
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.
By
fi
l
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in
a si
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i
f
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pa
r
t
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lo
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hi
l
l
,
th
e
ci
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wi
l
l
ha
v
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as
s
u
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a DE
FA
C
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ex
p
r
o
p
r
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i
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of
pr
o
p
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r
t
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,
fo
r
wh
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c
h
th
e
ow
ne
r
s
,
wi
l
l
re
c
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v
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no
pa
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m
e
n
t
or
co
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.
Th
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na
t
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of
th
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a
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as
s
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m
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s
le
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pr
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p
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t
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s
an
d
ne
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d
s
to
be
ad
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s
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d
be
f
o
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e
th
e
pr
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j
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c
t
go
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s
fo
r
w
a
r
d
.
2.
I sa
w
no
in
d
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
of
an
y
ty
p
e
of
so
u
n
d
ba
r
r
i
e
r
in
th
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pr
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j
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c
t
.
Ra
i
s
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g
th
e
st
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t
te
n
or
mo
r
e
fe
e
t
wi
l
l
ce
r
t
a
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br
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a
f
f
i
c
no
i
s
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mu
c
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cl
o
s
e
r
to
ou
r
ho
u
s
e
s
.
I
wo
u
l
d
li
k
e
to
he
a
r
if
th
e
ci
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y
wi
l
l
em
p
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me
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s
fo
r
no
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s
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ab
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
.
3.
Th
e
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
of
a si
d
e
w
a
l
k
on
th
e
ea
s
t
si
d
e
of
Du
b
u
q
u
e
St
r
e
e
t
wi
l
l
gi
v
e
pe
o
p
l
e
gr
e
a
t
e
r
ac
c
e
s
s
to
my
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
.
Is
th
e
ci
t
y
go
i
n
g
to
er
e
c
t
a fe
nc
e
wi
t
h
ga
t
e
s
in
it
or
a
si
m
i
l
a
r
ba
r
r
i
e
r
to
pr
e
v
e
n
t
pe
o
p
l
e
fr
o
m
en
t
e
r
i
n
g
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
?
4.
In
my
op
i
n
i
o
n
th
e
r
e
ar
e
le
g
a
l
is
s
u
e
s
to
be
re
s
o
l
v
e
d
in
re
g
a
r
d
to
1.
al
t
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
of
ex
i
s
t
i
n
g
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
,
2.
so
u
n
d
in
v
a
s
i
o
n
an
d
3.
pr
i
v
a
c
y
.
Pe
r
h
a
p
s
a vi
s
i
t
wi
t
h
th
e
ci
t
y
at
t
o
r
n
e
y
mi
g
h
t
be
ad
v
i
s
e
d
.
Em
a
i
l
3/
27
/
2
0
1
3
An
t
h
o
n
y
Co
l
b
y
1.
Th
e
Ci
t
y
will have to place fill on
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
to raise the grade of Dubuque
St
r
e
e
t
.
It
is not anticipated that additional
ri
g
h
t
‐of
‐way will need to be purchased, but
te
m
p
o
r
a
r
y
construction easements will be
pa
i
d
fo
r
and we will work with the City
At
t
o
r
n
e
y
’
s
offi ce to come to an agreement
du
r
i
n
g
th
e
final design process. We are
cu
r
r
e
n
t
l
y
working with the consultant to
de
v
e
l
o
p
some renderings so that you can see
wh
a
t
th
e
project will look like when it is
co
m
p
l
e
t
e
.
2.
According to the noise analysis
co
m
p
l
e
t
e
d
for the project, the property at 5
Be
l
l
a
Vi
s
t
a
Place will experience a noise level
ap
p
r
o
a
ch
i
n
g
the NAC for hourly weighted
so
u
n
d
le
v
e
l
decibels. According to Iowa DOT
no
i
s
e
po
l
i
c
y
,
the potential increase in noise
le
v
e
l
s
at
this property does not constitute a
“s
u
b
s
t
a
n
t
i
a
l
increase” from existing noise
le
v
e
l
s
.
Ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l
l
y
,
due to the topography,
li
n
e
‐of
‐si
g
h
t
,
an d length requirements, it is
no
t
po
s
s
i
b
l
e
to design feasible and
re
a
s
o
n
a
b
l
e
permanent noise mitigation walls
or
ba
r
r
i
e
r
s
at this location.
3.
The City will not be erecting a fence
or
ga
t
e
s
to
prevent people from entering
yo
u
r
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
.
The decision to erect a fence
on
yo
u
r
property with a gate will be your
re
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y
if yo u find it to be necessary.
Th
e
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
of this sidewalk will create a
sa
f
e
r
wa
y
for students at Mayflower to get
to
/
f
r
o
m
campus using a signalized
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
and provides a much needed
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
connection to City Park for
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
s
on the east side of Du buque
St
r
e
e
t
.
PAGE 3 OF 9
I re
a
l
l
y
li
k
e
th
e pl
a
n
,
an
d
it
de
a
l
s
wi
t
h
th
e
ma
j
o
r
is
s
u
e
fo
r
wa
l
k
e
r
s
.
I on
l
y
se
e
on
e
th
i
n
g
mi
s
s
i
n
g
.
If
yo
u
wa
l
k
up
fr
o
m
ce
n
t
r
a
l
ca
m
p
u
s
on
th
e
ea
s
t
si
d
e
of
th
e
ri
v
e
r
,
yo
u
ge
t
to
th
e
Ha
n
c
h
e
r
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
br
i
d
g
e
,
an
d
ei
t
h
e
r
ha
v
e
to
cr
o
s
s
th
e
ri
v
e
r
or
go
up
th
e pa
t
h
th
a
t
le
a
d
s
up
to
th
e
do
r
m
s
an
d
th
e
De
y
ho
u
s
e
.
I
th
i
n
k
it
wo
u
l
d
be
go
o
d
fo
r
al
l
if
th
e
wa
l
k
i
n
g
pa
t
h
al
o
n
g
th
e
ri
v
e
r
we
r
e
ex
t
e
n
d
e
d
pa
s
t
th
e
fr
a
t
e
r
n
i
t
i
e
s
,
al
l
th
e
wa
y
to
pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
.
Th
i
s
wo
u
l
d
no
t
be
ve
r
y
di
s
r
u
p
t
i
v
e
to
th
e
tw
o
fr
a
t
e
r
n
i
t
i
e
s
an
d
wo
u
l
d
be
ne
f
i
t
th
e
co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
,
in
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
bi
k
e
r
s
an
d
wa
l
k
e
r
s
.
Em
a
i
l
3/
3
1
/
2
0
1
3
Mi
c
h
a
e
l
Fe
i
s
s
Th
a
n
k
yo
u
for your comment. The extension
of
th
e
Io
w
a
River Corridor Trail on the east
ba
n
k
of
th
e
Iowa River from the Hancher
Pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
Bridge to the Park Road Bridge is
no
t
pa
r
t
of this project.
1.
Ca
n
yo
u
cl
a
r
i
f
y
wh
a
t
so
r
t
s
of
ro
a
d
no
i
s
e
mi
t
i
g
a
t
i
o
n
ef
f
o
r
t
s
,
if
an
y
,
ar
e
pl
a
n
n
e
d
to
he
l
p
re
d
u
c
e
th
e
im
p
a
c
t
of
th
e
pr
o
j
e
c
t
fo
r
th
o
s
e
of
us
wh
o
li
v
e
al
o
n
g
th
e
af
f
e
c
t
e
d
ro
u
t
e
s
?
2.
Th
e
Pa
r
k
Av
e
.
br
i
d
g
e
ov
e
r
th
e
Io
w
a
Ri
v
e
r
is
th
e
ce
n
t
e
r
p
i
e
c
e
of
th
e
Ga
t
e
w
a
y
Pr
o
j
e
c
t
,
so
mu
c
h
so
th
at
it
is
in
c
o
r
p
o
r
a
t
e
d
in
t
o
th
e
lo
g
o
fo
r
th
e
pr
o
j
e
c
t
.
Th
e
ne
w
br
i
d
g
e
wi
l
l
si
t
ne
a
r
ar
c
h
i
t
e
c
t
u
r
a
l
l
y
im
p
o
r
t
a
n
t
Un
i
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
of
Io
w
a
bu
i
l
d
i
n
g
s
on
th
e
we
s
t
ba
n
k
,
an
d
hi
s
t
o
r
i
c
a
l
l
y
im
p
o
r
t
a
n
t
ho
m
e
s
an
d
bu
i
l
d
i
n
g
s
on
th
e
ea
s
t
ba
n
k
(i
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
my
ow
n
ho
m
e
)
.
Ye
t
th
e
cu
r
r
e
n
t
de
s
i
g
n
of
th
e
br
i
d
g
e
do
e
s
no
t
di
f
f
e
r
ae
st
h
e
t
i
c
a
l
l
y
fr
o
m
a hi
g
h
w
a
y
ov
e
r
p
a
s
s
.
Is
an
y
th
o
u
g
h
t
be
i
n
g
gi
v
e
n
to
ha
v
i
n
g
th
e
"g
a
t
e
w
a
y
"
to
ou
r
be
a
u
t
i
f
u
l
ci
t
y
tr
u
l
y
in
d
i
c
a
t
e
th
a
t
on
e
is
en
t
e
r
i
n
g
th
e
he
a
r
t
of
th
e
ci
t
y
an
d
th
e
UI
ca
m
p
u
s
?
Em
a
i
l
04
/
0
4
/
2
0
1
3
Br
u
c
e
Ay
a
t
i
1.
Du
e
to
existing line ‐of ‐sight and
to
p
o
g
r
a
p
h
y
,
it is not possible to design
fe
a
s
i
b
l
e
and re asonable permanent noise
mi
t
i
g
a
t
i
o
n
walls nor, would it be something
th
a
t
th
e
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
would want. We will be
ad
d
r
e
s
s
i
n
g
noise issues in our design with
la
n
d
s
c
a
p
i
n
g
and pavement studies (i.e.
as
p
h
a
l
t
is
typically more quiet than
co
n
c
r
e
t
e
)
.
During construction, we will
pr
o
v
i
d
e
notice when louder activities will be
ta
k
i
n
g
pl
a
ce, identify sensitive areas where
co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
noise should be limited and
li
m
i
t
wo
r
k
i
n
g
hours to daytime as much as
po
s
s
i
b
l
e
.
Maintaining good coordination
be
t
w
e
e
n
the contractor, City staff & the
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
owners will need to take place as
we
l
l
.
2.
Al
t
h
o
u
g
h
we are proceeding with a girder
de
s
i
g
n
br
i
d
g
e
,
there are many aest hetic
fe
a
t
u
r
e
s
that will be added to make it a true
ga
t
e
w
a
y
to the City. We anticipate using
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
bump ‐outs, special lighting and
mo
r
e
to
make it so. The City has been
wo
r
k
i
n
g
closely with the University to create
a co
m
p
l
i
m
e
n
t
a
r
y
design with the new
Ha
n
c
h
e
r
Audit orium and is currently working
on
re
n
d
e
r
i
n
g
that depict the new bridge with
th
e
ne
w
Hancher and surrounding
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
.
PAGE 4 OF 9
1.
Th
e
EA
co
n
t
a
i
n
s
si
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
di
s
c
u
s
s
i
o
n
co
n
c
e
r
n
i
n
g
Du
b
u
q
u
e
St
r
e
e
t
bu
t
th
e
r
e
is
ve
r
y
li
t
t
l
e
in
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n
co
n
c
e
r
n
i
n
g
Ki
m
b
a
l
l
Ro
a
d
.
Ca
n
yo
u
pr
o
v
i
d
e
in
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n
on
fi
l
l
,
gr
a
d
i
n
g
,
el
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
s
/
c
r
o
s
s
se
c
t
i
o
n
s
,
si
d
e
w
a
l
k
ac
c
e
s
s
,
et
c
.
fr
o
m
th
e
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
of
Ki
m
b
a
l
l
/
D
u
b
u
q
u
e
an
d
to
th
e
ea
s
t
?
Th
e
r
e
is
al
s
o
a cr
e
e
k
th
a
t
co
m
e
s
do
w
n
th
e
ba
c
k
of
Be
l
l
a
Vi
s
t
a
an
d
ru
n
s
un
d
e
r
Ki
m
b
a
l
l
.
Wh
a
t
is
th
e
en
v
i
r
o
n
m
e
n
t
a
l
im
p
a
c
t
on
th
a
t
cr
e
e
k
?
2.
Yo
u
r
no
t
e
be
l
o
w
in
d
i
c
a
t
e
s
th
a
t
th
e
r
e
is
no
fi
l
l
pl
a
n
n
e
d
fr
o
m
th
e
ne
w
el
e
v
a
t
e
d
Du
b
u
q
u
e
St
in
t
o
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
to
th
e
ea
s
t
.
In
re
v
i
e
w
i
n
g
th
e
cr
o
s
s
se
c
t
i
o
n
a
l
di
a
g
r
a
m
s
fo
r
th
e
el
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
s
be
t
w
e
e
n
28
+
5
0
to
37
+
5
0
(E
x
h
i
b
i
t
s
4 ‐6.
1
,
4 ‐6.
3
)
it
ap
p
e
a
r
s
th
e
r
e
is
a ba
n
k
fr
o
m
th
e
ro
a
d
do
w
n
to
th
e
ad
j
o
i
n
i
n
g
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
.
Ca
n
yo
u
he
l
p
me
un
d
e
r
s
t
a
n
d
ho
w
th
i
s
is
go
i
n
g
to
be
co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
e
d
?
Is
th
e
r
e
a dr
a
i
n
a
g
e
pl
a
n
in
pl
a
c
e
to
in
s
u
r
e
th
e
r
e
is
no
er
o
s
i
o
n
at
th
e
ba
s
e
of
th
e
hi
l
l
an
d
th
e
gr
a
d
e
co
m
i
n
g
of
f
th
e
ro
a
d
?
3.
As
yo
u
kn
o
w
,
th
e
r
e
ar
e
a nu
m
b
e
r
of
ve
r
y
ol
d
tr
e
e
s
al
o
n
g
Du
b
u
q
u
e
at
th
e
ba
s
e
of
th
e
Be
l
l
a
Vi
s
t
a
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
.
Ho
w
wi
l
l
th
e
s
e
tr
e
e
s
be
pr
o
t
e
c
t
e
d
du
r
i
n
g
co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
an
d
af
t
e
r
th
e
ro
a
d
is
el
e
v
a
t
e
d
?
4.
We
ar
e
al
s
o
co
n
c
e
r
n
e
d
ab
o
u
t
th
e
in
c
r
e
a
s
e
in
no
i
s
e
.
Wh
i
l
e
th
e
no
i
s
e
mo
d
e
l
i
n
g
in
th
e
EA
do
e
s
no
t
pr
e
d
i
c
t
th
a
t
no
i
s
e
wi
l
l
ex
c
e
e
d
th
e
th
r
e
s
h
o
l
d
of
67
dB
A
,
Be
l
l
a
Vi
s
t
a
is
ex
p
e
c
t
e
d
to
ha
v
e
in
c
r
e
a
s
e
s
of
6.
5
%
to
12
.
9
%
wh
i
c
h
do
e
s
se
e
m
su
b
s
t
a
n
t
i
a
l
.
Wh
i
l
e
a co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
e
d
so
u
n
d
ba
r
r
i
e
r
ma
y
no
t
be
an
op
t
i
o
n
th
e
r
e
ma
y
be
al
t
e
r
n
a
t
i
v
e
s
(p
l
a
n
t
i
n
g
of
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l
tr
e
e
s
,
re
d
u
c
t
i
o
n
in
sp
e
e
d
li
m
i
t
,
et
c
)
th
a
t
ma
y
he
l
p
mi
t
i
g
a
t
e
th
e
no
i
s
e
.
Wi
l
l
th
e
s
e
be
co
n
s
i
d
e
r
e
d
in
th
e
fi
n
a
l
de
s
i
g
n
?
Em
a
i
l
04
/
1
2
/
2
0
1
3
Da
n
Cu
m
m
i
n
s
1.
Ki
m
b
a
l
l
Road will be elevated meet the
el
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
of Dubuque Street to maintain
ac
c
e
s
s
du
r
i
n
g
high water events. We do not
ha
v
e
sp
e
c
i
f
i
c
elevations or cross ‐sections at
th
i
s
ti
m
e
.
We will be maintaining sidewalk
ac
c
e
s
s
as
it is now along Kimball.
Im
p
r
o
v
e
m
e
n
t
s
will extend east to Gilbert in
or
d
e
r
to
im
p
r
o
v
e
the existing culvert at that
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
and poor drainage conditions. It
is
no
t
kn
o
w
n
yet if we will maintain the open
dr
a
i
n
a
g
e
or if the design will lend itself to
co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
n
g
a culvert to Dubuque Street.
2.
Th
e
Ci
t
y
anticipates having to place fill on
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
,
but this does not mean that
we
wi
l
l
ha
v
e
to purchase property to do so.
Th
e
s
e
co
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
activities are typically
ad
d
r
e
s
s
e
d
with a temporary construction
ea
s
e
m
e
n
t
.
Once the impact is known, we
wi
l
l
wo
r
k
with the City Attorney’s Office for
ap
p
r
a
i
s
a
l
s
and agreements. Our design will
an
a
l
y
z
e
th
e
two options of grading down to
me
e
t
ad
j
o
i
n
i
n
g
grade as quickly as possible
(t
h
i
s
wo
u
l
d
likely require a retaining wall) or
gr
a
d
i
n
g
ou
t
to maintain a steady grade to
dr
a
i
n
ra
i
n
f
a
l
l
runoff to Dubuque Street as it
do
e
s
no
w
.
A drainage plan will be central to
ou
r
fi
n
a
l
design.
3.
Th
e
Ci
t
y
is working in coordination with
Pr
o
j
e
c
t
GR
E
E
N
as well as the consultant
la
n
d
s
c
a
p
e
architecture staff. Project GREEN
ha
s
wo
r
k
e
d
in the Dubuque Street corridor
pr
e
v
i
o
u
s
l
y
and all parties are well aware of
ou
r
pr
i
o
r
i
t
y
to maintain the unique, natural
lo
o
k
& fe
e
l
of the corridor as it appears
to
d
a
y
.
We have completed a tree inventory
an
d
ar
e
aw
a
r
e
of the quality trees that exist
in
yo
u
r
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
.
As we move through
fi
n
a
l
de
s
i
g
n
,
we will take these trees into
co
n
s
i
d
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
.
4.
No
i
s
e
mitigation efforts will be explored
du
r
i
n
g
fi
n
a
l
design. We have discussed using
as
p
h
a
l
t
in
s
t
e
a
d
of concrete because it
cr
e
a
t
e
s
a smoother, quieter roadway. We
wi
l
l
lo
o
k
in
t
o
some new “quiet” concrete
te
c
h
n
o
l
o
g
i
e
s
as well.
PAGE 5 OF 9
(1
)
No
i
s
e
ab
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
.
Ra
i
s
i
n
g
th
e
st
r
e
e
t
10
fe
e
t
or
mo
r
e
wi
l
l
cr
e
a
t
e
mo
r
e
no
i
s
e
.
Ha
v
e
an
y
st
u
d
i
e
s
be
e
n
ma
d
e
re
g
a
r
d
i
n
g
no
i
s
e
le
v
e
l
s
?
Wi
l
l
th
e
r
e
be
a st
u
d
y
?
(2
)
Wi
l
l
th
e
ci
t
y
er
e
c
t
a wa
l
l
be
t
w
e
e
n
th
e
ne
w
si
d
e
w
a
l
k
an
d
ou
r
hi
l
l
to
th
e
ea
s
t
of
th
e
si
d
e
w
a
l
k
?
An
d
if
so
,
at
wh
a
t
he
i
g
h
t
?
(3
)
Ho
w
ma
n
y
tr
e
e
s
wi
l
l
be
ta
k
e
n
ou
t
?
Th
e
s
e
tr
e
e
s
ac
t
as
a
na
t
u
r
a
l
so
u
n
d
ba
r
r
i
e
r
.
Em
a
i
l
04
/
1
2
/
2
0
1
3
Ji
m
Ha
r
r
i
s
1.
A no
i
s
e
study has been done. You can
fi
n
d
th
e
re
s
u
l
t
s
in Section 5.4.1 of the
En
v
i
r
o
n
m
e
n
t
a
l
Assessment, pages 52 ‐55.
ht
t
p
:
/
/
i
c
g
p
r
e
f
e
r
r
e
d
a
l
t
e
r
native.businesscataly
st
.
c
o
m
/
e
a
‐document.html
2.
Th
e
Ci
t
y
will not be erecting a wall
be
t
w
e
e
n
the new sidewalk and your
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
.
3.
We
wi
l
l
know more about the number of
tr
e
e
s
be
i
n
g
removed as we get into final
de
s
i
g
n
.
We will also be proceeding with a
ne
w
la
n
d
s
c
a
p
e
design and will share all of
th
i
s
in
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n
with you once it is available.
We
op
p
o
s
e
th
e
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
of
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
an
d
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
fo
r
th
e
fo
l
l
o
w
i
n
g
re
a
s
o
n
s
:
1.
It
wi
l
l
be
ha
r
d
e
r
fo
r
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
to
ex
i
t
on
t
o
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
.
2.
Ri
g
h
t
no
w
we
ar
e
se
p
a
r
a
t
e
d
fr
o
m
th
e
tr
a
f
f
i
c
in
Up
p
e
r
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
.
Th
i
s
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
wi
l
l
ca
u
s
e
us
to
be
de
l
a
y
e
d
in
en
t
e
r
i
n
g
ou
r
st
r
e
e
t
wh
e
n
a bi
g
ev
e
n
t
is
he
l
d
in
th
e
pa
r
k
.
3.
Ma
n
y
dr
i
v
e
r
s
,
co
m
i
n
g
fr
o
m
th
e
pa
r
k
’
s
no
r
t
h
en
t
r
a
n
c
e
to
Te
m
p
l
i
n
,
na
v
i
g
a
t
e
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
as
if
it
on
e
wa
y
.
Wi
l
l
th
i
s
ne
w
ar
r
a
n
g
e
m
e
n
t
ca
u
s
e
th
e
m
to
ha
v
e
a he
a
d
‐on
co
l
l
i
s
i
o
n
wi
t
h
in
c
o
m
i
n
g
tr
a
f
f
i
c
to
bo
t
h
th
e
pa
r
k
an
d
Te
m
p
l
i
n
?
4.
Ri
g
h
t
no
w
we
ha
v
e
ni
c
e
gr
a
s
s
y
me
d
i
a
n
se
p
a
r
a
t
i
n
g
Te
m
p
l
i
n
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
fr
o
m
th
e
pa
r
k
.
Th
e
la
r
g
e
ev
e
r
g
r
e
e
n
tr
e
e
an
d
th
e
de
c
i
d
u
o
u
s
tr
e
e
wi
l
l
ha
v
e
to
be
re
m
o
v
e
d
to
cu
t
in
t
o
th
e
me
d
i
a
n
.
Th
a
t
ev
e
r
g
r
e
e
n
ha
s
be
e
n
th
e
r
e
fo
r
ov
e
r
25
ye
a
r
s
.
Sa
v
e
th
e
tr
e
e
s
.
Em
a
i
l
4/
1
4
/
2
0
1
3
Ma
r
k
/
W
e
n
d
y
He
n
r
i
c
h
s
As
de
s
i
g
n
progresses, the City of Iowa City
wi
l
l
co
o
r
d
i
n
a
t
e
directly with Templin Road
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
regarding the proposed
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
of Templin Road.
PAGE 6 OF 9
Ra
i
s
i
n
g
Du
b
u
q
u
e
St
r
e
e
t
cr
e
a
t
e
s
th
e
fo
l
l
o
w
i
n
g
co
n
c
e
r
n
s
ab
o
u
t
th
e
pr
o
j
e
c
t
:
1.
Si
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
l
y
de
t
r
a
c
t
fr
o
m
th
e
ae
s
t
h
e
t
i
c
,
hi
s
t
o
r
i
c
a
l
,
an
d
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
va
l
u
e
of
th
e
ho
u
s
e
,
ga
r
a
g
e
s
,
st
a
i
r
w
a
y
an
d
la
n
d
s
c
a
p
i
n
g
of
my
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
;
2.
In
c
r
e
a
s
e
th
e
ve
h
i
c
u
l
a
r
an
d
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
tr
a
f
f
i
c
an
d
co
n
s
e
q
u
e
n
t
no
i
s
e
,
tr
a
s
h
an
d
ot
h
e
r
ec
o
l
o
g
i
c
a
l
da
m
a
g
e
to
th
e
ho
u
s
e
,
ga
r
d
e
n
/
l
a
w
n
s
an
d
ot
h
e
r
ar
e
a
s
of
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
,
an
d
ad
j
a
c
e
n
t
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
of
th
e
Ba
l
l
He
i
g
h
t
s
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
;
3.
Cr
e
a
t
e
a sa
f
e
t
y
ha
z
a
r
d
to
bo
t
h
ve
h
i
c
u
l
a
r
an
d
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
tr
a
f
f
i
c
, es
p
e
c
i
a
l
l
y
in
pr
o
x
i
m
i
t
y
to
th
e
ga
r
a
g
e
ar
e
a
in
fr
o
n
t
of
th
e
ho
u
s
e
wh
i
c
h
wo
u
l
d
fa
l
l
sh
a
r
p
l
y
to
10
‐15
ft
.
be
l
o
w
th
e
le
v
e
l
of
th
e
pl
a
n
n
e
d
ro
a
d
w
a
y
an
d
si
d
e
w
a
l
k
;
4.
Re
s
u
l
t
in
su
b
s
t
a
n
t
i
a
l
fl
o
o
d
i
n
g
po
t
e
n
t
i
a
l
al
o
n
g
th
e
fr
o
n
t
of
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
fa
c
i
n
g
N.
Du
b
u
q
u
e
St
.
,
an
d
th
e
Fo
s
t
e
r
Ro
a
d
/
B
j
a
y
s
v
i
l
l
e
La
n
e
,
es
p
e
c
i
a
l
l
y
in
th
e
ar
e
a
of
th
e
ga
r
a
g
e
s
,
as
no
pr
o
v
i
s
i
o
n
fo
r
st
o
r
m
wa
t
e
r
dr
a
i
n
a
g
e
fr
o
m
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
,
th
e
Fo
s
t
e
r
Ro
a
d
/
B
j
a
y
s
v
i
l
l
e
La
n
e
,
th
e
Ri
d
g
e
Ro
a
d
st
r
e
e
t
,
an
d
Ba
l
l
He
i
g
h
t
s
ar
e
a
s
ar
e
pa
r
t
of
th
e
“P
r
e
f
e
r
r
e
d
Pl
a
n
”
;
5.
Re
s
t
r
i
c
t
ow
n
e
r
an
d
gu
e
s
t
ac
c
e
s
s
to
th
e
ga
r
a
g
e
s
,
an
d
pa
r
k
i
n
g
,
fo
r
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
,
an
d
st
a
i
r
w
a
y
ac
c
e
s
s
to
th
e
fr
o
n
t
of
th
e
ho
u
s
e
;
6.
Re
s
u
l
t
in
di
v
i
d
i
n
g
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
,
wi
t
h
a re
d
i
r
e
c
t
i
o
n
of
Ri
d
g
e
Ro
a
d
,
in
t
o
a no
r
t
h
e
r
n
se
c
t
i
o
n
wi
t
h
th
e
ho
u
s
e
an
d
ga
r
a
g
e
s
,
an
d
a sm
a
l
l
so
u
t
h
e
r
n
se
c
t
i
o
n
,
fu
r
t
h
e
r
in
c
r
e
a
s
i
n
g
ve
h
i
c
u
l
a
r
an
d
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
tr
a
f
f
i
c
an
d
co
n
s
e
q
u
e
n
t
no
i
s
e
,
tr
a
s
h
an
d
ec
o
l
o
g
i
c
a
l
da
m
a
g
e
to
th
e
ar
e
a
,
in
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
Ba
l
l
He
i
g
h
t
s
;
7.
Fa
i
l
s
to
pr
o
v
i
d
e
an
y
pl
a
n
fo
r
co
n
t
i
n
u
e
d
ac
c
e
s
s
to
Ci
t
y
/
p
u
b
l
i
c
se
r
v
i
c
e
s
in
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
US
P
S
ma
i
l
/
p
a
c
k
a
g
e
de
l
i
v
e
r
y
,
re
f
u
s
e
/
g
a
r
b
a
g
e
pi
c
k
‐up
/
r
e
m
o
v
a
l
,
fi
r
e
pr
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
(h
y
d
r
a
n
t
ac
c
e
s
s
)
,
ga
s
,
wa
t
e
r
an
d
se
w
a
g
e
se
r
v
i
c
e
s
.
8.
C
a
u
s
e
or
re
s
u
l
t
in
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l
co
n
c
e
r
n
s
as
fu
r
t
h
e
r
de
t
a
i
l
s
of
th
e
“P
r
e
f
e
r
r
e
d
Pl
a
n
”
em
e
r
g
e
.
Em
a
i
l
4/
1
5
/
2
0
1
3
Jo
e
Co
u
l
t
e
r
1.
Th
e
Ci
t
y
of Iowa City has consulted with
th
e
Io
w
a
City Historic Preservation
Co
m
m
i
s
s
i
o
n
and the State Historic
Pr
e
s
e
r
v
a
t
i
o
n
Office on potential impacts to
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
at 1818 N. Dubuque Street.
Bo
t
h
en
t
i
t
i
e
s
concurred with the proposed
im
p
a
c
t
mi
n
i
m
i
z
a
t
i
o
n
measures. The City will
co
n
t
i
n
u
e
to work with the property owner as
de
s
i
g
n
pr
o
g
r
e
s
s
e
s
to address further
co
n
c
e
r
n
s
.
2.
2 ‐
8 As
design progresses, the City will
co
o
r
d
i
n
a
t
e
and work with the property
ow
n
e
r
to
minimize or reduce property
im
p
a
c
t
s
,
especially as it relates to storm
wa
t
e
r
dr
a
i
n
a
g
e
,
vehicular and pedestrian
sa
f
e
t
y
,
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
access property
ac
q
u
i
s
i
t
i
o
n
/
e
a
s
e
m
e
n
t
and public/utility
se
r
v
i
c
e
s
.
PAGE 7 OF 9
Re
g
a
r
d
i
n
g
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
:
Ex
i
s
t
i
n
g
tr
a
f
f
i
c
on
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
sp
e
e
d
s
th
r
o
u
g
h
th
i
s
ar
e
a
no
w
.
Ho
w
ar
e
pa
r
k
us
e
r
s
(i
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
su
m
m
e
r
ca
m
p
e
r
s
)
ar
r
i
v
i
n
g
by
Ci
t
y
Tr
a
n
s
i
t
su
p
p
o
s
e
d
to
ge
t
ac
r
o
s
s
th
e
st
r
e
e
t
to
th
e
sw
i
m
m
i
n
g
po
o
l
wi
t
h
o
u
t
tr
a
f
f
i
c
co
m
i
n
g
to
a ha
l
t
fo
r
th
e
10
to
15
ch
i
l
d
r
e
n
to
cr
o
s
s
sa
f
e
l
y
?
Pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
s
pl
a
y
ro
u
l
e
t
t
e
to
cr
o
s
s
Pa
r
k
Rd
.
at
Ri
v
e
r
s
i
d
e
Dr
.
as
it
is
.
I su
g
g
e
s
t
a se
n
s
o
r
tr
a
f
f
i
c
/
p
e
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
li
g
h
t
at
th
a
t
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
ev
e
n
no
w
,
be
f
o
r
e
th
e
pr
o
j
e
c
t
.
Pr
o
b
l
e
m
2 is
th
e
gr
a
d
e
of
th
e
cu
r
r
e
n
t
Pa
r
k
Rd
fr
o
m
th
e
ba
s
e
of
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
hi
l
l
to
th
e
to
p
.
If
we
ge
t
sn
o
w
or
ic
e
,
1 in
ev
e
r
y
5 ca
r
s
ca
n
n
o
t
ma
k
e
th
a
t
hi
l
l
.
I kn
o
w
fi
r
s
t
h
a
n
d
be
c
a
u
s
e
I ha
v
e
ta
k
e
n
ma
n
y
a sl
e
d
fu
l
l
of
sa
n
d
do
w
n
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
ov
e
r
th
e
ye
a
r
s
.
If
yo
u
ar
e
go
i
n
g
to
ch
a
n
g
e
th
e
la
n
e
s
,
th
e
n
yo
u
ne
e
d
to
ch
a
n
g
e
to
gr
a
d
e
.
Ev
e
r
y
on
e
of
th
e
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
ow
n
e
r
s
on
Te
m
p
l
i
n
St
r
e
e
t
ag
r
e
e
th
a
t
th
e
ne
w
pl
a
n
wi
l
l
ca
u
s
e
a ch
o
k
e
on
tr
a
f
f
i
c
tu
r
n
i
n
g
in
t
o
th
e
pa
r
k
fo
r
ma
j
o
r
fe
s
t
i
v
i
t
i
e
s
.
I do
n
'
t
th
i
n
k
th
e
pl
a
n
n
e
r
s
pr
o
p
e
r
l
y
ad
d
r
e
s
s
e
d
en
t
r
y
to
an
d
eg
r
e
s
s
fr
o
m
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
'
s
no
r
t
h
en
t
r
y
po
i
n
t
.
Em
a
i
l
4/
1
4
/
2
0
1
3
Ma
r
y
Hu
b
b
a
r
d
At
th
i
s
ti
m
e
,
the Riverside Drive/Park Road
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
is proposed to be a 4 ‐way stop
co
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d
intersection. Pedestrian
ac
c
o
m
m
o
d
a
t
i
o
n
s
will be included at this
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
,
including a crosswalk. The City
wi
l
l
wo
r
k
with Templin Road residents to
in
c
o
r
p
o
r
a
t
e
additional pedestrian and traffic
ac
c
o
m
m
o
d
a
t
i
o
n
s
as design progresses.
Th
e
gr
a
d
e
on Park Road adjacent to Lower
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
will be elevated to accommodate
an
el
e
v
a
t
e
d
Park Road Bridge.
PAGE 8 OF 9
We
op
p
o
s
e
pl
a
n
s
to
re
a
l
i
g
n
th
e
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
an
d
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
in
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
fo
r
th
e
fo
l
l
o
w
i
n
g
re
a
s
o
n
s
:
1.
Ri
g
h
t
no
w
we
ha
v
e
ca
r
s
th
a
t
dr
i
v
e
by
ou
r
ho
u
s
e
.
Th
e
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
ha
s
ca
r
s
ne
g
o
t
i
a
t
i
n
g
a cu
r
v
e
an
d
he
a
d
i
n
g
fo
r
ou
r
ho
u
s
e
.
2.
It
wi
l
l
be
ha
r
d
e
r
fo
r
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
to
ex
i
t
on
t
o
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
.
Pr
e
s
e
n
t
l
y
we
ca
n
ge
t
ou
t
fa
i
r
l
y
ea
s
i
l
y
.
Wi
t
h
th
e
ne
w
ar
r
a
n
g
e
m
e
n
t
we
wi
l
l
be
ri
g
h
t
th
e
r
e
wi
t
h
fo
u
r
la
n
e
s
of
tr
a
f
f
i
c
to
co
n
t
e
n
d
wi
t
h
(P
a
r
k
Ro
a
d
tr
a
f
f
i
c
go
i
n
g
we
s
t
,
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
tu
r
n
i
n
g
la
n
e
tr
a
f
f
i
c
,
Pa
r
k
Ro
a
d
tr
a
f
f
i
c
go
i
n
g
ea
s
t
an
d
Ri
v
e
r
s
i
d
e
dr
i
v
e
tr
a
f
f
i
c
)
.
3.
Ri
g
h
t
no
w
we
ar
e
se
p
a
r
a
t
e
d
fr
o
m
th
e
tr
a
f
f
i
c
in
Up
p
e
r
Ci
t
y
Pa
r
k
.
Th
i
s
re
a
l
i
g
n
m
e
n
t
wi
l
l
ca
u
s
e
us
to
be
de
l
a
y
e
d
in
en
t
e
r
i
n
g
ou
r
st
r
e
e
t
wh
e
n
a bi
g
ev
e
n
t
is
he
l
d
in
th
e
pa
r
k
.
Tr
a
f
f
i
c
wi
l
l
ba
c
k
up
in
th
e
pa
r
k
an
d
we
wi
l
l
be
fo
r
c
e
d
to
wa
i
t
to
th
e
n
en
t
e
r
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
.
4.
Ma
n
y
dr
i
v
e
r
s
,
co
m
i
n
g
fr
o
m
th
e
pa
r
k
’
s
no
r
t
h
en
t
r
a
n
c
e
to
Te
m
p
l
i
n
,
na
v
i
g
a
t
e
Te
m
p
l
i
n
Ro
a
d
as
if
it
on
e
wa
y
.
Wi
l
l
th
i
s
ne
w
ar
r
a
n
g
e
m
e
n
t
ca
u
s
e
th
e
m
to
ha
v
e
a he
a
d
‐on
co
l
l
i
s
i
o
n
wi
t
h
in
c
o
m
i
n
g
tr
a
f
f
i
c
to
bo
t
h
th
e
pa
r
k
an
d
Te
m
p
l
i
n
?
5.
Ri
g
h
t
no
w
we
ha
v
e
ni
c
e
gr
a
s
s
y
me
d
i
a
n
se
p
a
r
a
t
i
n
g
Te
m
p
l
i
n
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
fr
o
m
th
e
pa
r
k
.
Th
e
la
r
g
e
ev
e
r
g
r
e
e
n
tr
e
e
an
d
th
e
de
c
i
d
u
o
u
s
tr
e
e
wi
l
l
ha
v
e
to
be
re
m
o
v
e
d
to
cu
t
in
t
o
th
e
me
d
i
a
n
.
Th
a
t
ev
e
r
g
r
e
e
n
ha
s
be
e
n
th
e
r
e
fo
r
ov
e
r
25
ye
a
r
s
.
Sa
v
e
th
e
tr
e
e
s
.
Em
a
i
l
4/
1
4
/
2
0
1
3
Ka
r
e
n
an
d
Bi
l
l
Si
v
i
t
z
Th
e
Ci
t
y
will coordinate with Templin Road
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
to incorporate pedestrian and
tr
a
f
f
i
c
ac
c
o
m
m
o
d
a
t
i
o
n
s
as design progresses.
PAGE 9 OF 9
As
pr
o
p
o
s
e
d
,
th
i
s
pr
o
j
e
c
t
wi
l
l
ha
v
e
a si
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
im
p
a
c
t
on
ou
r
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
.
We
li
v
e
on
a se
c
l
u
d
e
d
bl
u
f
f
ov
e
r
th
e
ri
v
e
r
.
If
th
e
le
v
e
l
of
th
e
st
r
e
e
t
is
ra
i
s
e
d
su
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t
l
y
,
ou
r
en
t
i
r
e
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
ce
a
s
e
s
to
be
c
o
m
e
a bl
u
f
f
,
an
d
be
c
o
m
e
s
in
s
t
e
a
d
a
bu
n
c
h
of
ro
w
s
i
d
e
ho
u
s
e
s
on
on
e
of
th
e
bu
s
i
e
s
t
st
r
e
e
t
s
in
th
e
ci
t
y
.
Ou
r
qu
a
l
i
t
y
of
li
f
e
wo
u
l
d
ce
r
t
a
i
n
l
y
ch
a
n
g
e
du
e
to
no
i
s
e
po
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
an
d
tr
a
f
f
i
c
.
Wi
t
h
th
e
tr
a
f
f
i
c
fl
o
w
cl
o
s
e
r
an
d
hi
g
h
e
r
,
we
ca
n
’
t
im
a
g
i
n
e
ho
w
an
y
so
u
n
d
en
g
i
n
e
e
r
wo
u
l
d
ha
v
e
co
n
c
l
u
d
e
d
th
e
r
e
wo
u
l
d
be
no
im
p
a
c
t
.
Th
e
r
e
wi
l
l
be
.
Th
e
r
e
ar
e
po
r
c
h
e
s
,
de
c
k
s
an
d
ga
z
e
b
o
s
on
th
a
t
la
n
d
– it
is
pa
r
t
of
ou
r
li
f
e
.
Th
e
ki
d
s
pl
a
y
on
th
a
t
la
n
d
ab
o
v
e
th
e
ri
v
e
r
.
As
pr
o
p
o
s
e
d
,
ou
r
la
n
d
wo
u
l
d
in
so
m
e
in
s
t
a
n
c
e
s
be
al
m
o
s
t
st
r
e
e
t
s
i
d
e
.
Ob
v
i
o
u
s
l
y
ou
r
pr
o
p
e
r
t
y
va
l
u
e
s
wo
u
l
d
dr
o
p
si
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
l
y
if
th
i
s
we
r
e
th
e
ca
s
e
.
Th
a
t
’
s
no
t
go
o
d
fo
r
us
,
or
fo
r
Io
w
a
Ci
t
y
,
or
fo
r
an
y
b
o
d
y
.
We
ur
g
e
yo
u
no
t
to
de
m
o
l
i
s
h
th
i
s
ge
m
in
a sh
o
r
t
si
g
h
t
e
d
at
t
e
m
p
t
to
“b
e
a
u
t
i
f
y
”
or
ac
c
o
m
m
o
d
a
t
e
an
y
t
h
i
n
g
.
Th
e
ro
a
d
yo
u
ar
e
pr
o
p
o
s
i
n
g
sh
o
u
l
d
st
a
y
of
f
ou
r
bl
u
f
f
– it
do
e
s
n
’
t
ne
e
d
to
co
m
e
up
at
th
a
t
po
i
n
t
.
We
al
s
o
do
n
’
t
wa
n
t
a ma
n
i
c
u
r
e
d
wa
l
k
w
a
y
wh
e
r
e
th
e
r
e
is
no
w
ol
d
gr
o
w
t
h
fo
r
e
s
t
.
Wh
y
no
t
ma
k
e
th
e
wa
l
k
w
a
y
on
th
e
ot
h
e
r
si
d
e
of
th
e
ri
v
e
r
?
Wo
u
l
d
n
’
t
th
a
t
be
mo
r
e
pl
e
a
s
a
n
t
fo
r
th
e
pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
s
,
sa
f
e
r
wi
t
h
he
a
v
y
tr
a
f
f
i
c
,
an
d
al
s
o
no
t
ta
k
e
aw
a
y
a
ma
j
o
r
fe
a
t
u
r
e
of
be
a
u
t
y
in
Io
w
a
Ci
t
y
?
Th
e
se
v
e
r
a
l
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
th
a
t
ab
u
t
Du
b
u
q
u
e
ha
v
e
ma
n
y
tr
e
e
s
th
a
t
wi
l
l
be
at
ri
s
k
if
yo
u
fi
l
l
in
,
ra
i
s
e
,
or
ot
h
e
r
w
i
s
e
en
c
r
o
a
c
h
,
in
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
se
v
e
r
a
l
pr
o
t
e
c
t
e
d
tr
e
e
s
.
If
yo
u
al
t
e
r
th
i
s
ar
e
a
,
we
do
n
’
t
be
l
i
e
v
e
yo
u
ca
n
sa
y
wi
t
h
ca
n
d
o
r
th
e
r
e
wi
l
l
be
“n
o
si
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
im
p
a
c
t
.
”
So
m
e
of
th
e
tr
e
e
s
wi
l
l
di
e
,
an
d
yo
u
ca
n
’
t
sa
y
wh
i
c
h
on
e
s
.
It
is
a hu
n
d
r
e
d
ye
a
r
s
or
mo
r
e
of
gr
o
w
t
h
.
Yo
u
wo
n
’
t
be
ab
l
e
to
re
p
l
a
c
e
it
ev
e
r
ag
a
i
n
.
Em
a
i
l
4/
1
5
/
2
0
1
3
Be
l
l
a
Vi
s
t
a
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
re
s
i
d
e
n
t
s
vi
a
St
e
v
e
Ta
n
n
e
n
Yo
u
r
co
n
c
e
r
n
is understood and as we move
in
t
o
fi
n
a
l
design, we will do so with the
in
t
e
n
t
of
mitigating impact to the adjacent
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
as much as possible. I assure you
th
a
t
on
e
of the City's highest priorities is
ma
i
n
t
a
i
n
i
n
g
the unique and natural appeal
th
a
t
is
th
e
Dubuque Street corridor. It is not
ou
r
in
t
e
n
t
i
o
n
to create a "manicured" look
al
o
n
g
th
e
roadway. We will be consulting
wi
t
h
th
e
City Forestry Department, Project
GR
E
E
N
an
d
the landscape architects on staff
wi
t
h
ou
r
consultant to determine how to
be
s
t
de
s
i
g
n
around and protect high quality,
ma
t
u
r
e
tr
e
e
s
.
Ac
c
o
r
d
i
n
g
to Johnson County contour
el
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
data, homes in the Bella Vista
ne
i
g
h
b
o
r
h
o
o
d
sit approximately 40 feet to
ov
e
r
50
fe
e
t
above the Dubuque Street
pa
v
e
m
e
n
t
.
The proposed project will elevate
Du
b
u
q
u
e
Street in the vicinity of the Park
Ro
a
d
Br
i
d
g
e
approximately 9 to 10 feet
ab
o
v
e
it
s
current elevation. As a result, the
su
r
f
a
c
e
of
Dubuque Street will lie
ap
p
r
o
x
i
m
a
t
e
l
y
30 to 40 feet below the
ho
m
e
s
in
the Bella Vista neighborhood.
On
c
e
fi
n
a
l
design has begun, it will be
po
s
s
i
b
l
e
to discuss the specifics of how your
pr
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s
are impacted. We will be
ex
p
l
o
r
i
n
g
numerous design options in order
to
mi
n
i
m
i
z
e
these impacts (noise aesthetics,
gr
a
d
i
n
g
,
etc.) during construction as well as
af
t
e
r
th
e
project is complete. You are all
we
l
c
o
m
e
to contact me at any time with
ad
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l
comments and questions.
DOCUMENT NAME: IC Gateway Environmental Assessment
DOCUMENT DATE: Comments Received from Public After the Close of the EA Comment Period (after April 15, 2013)
DOCUMENT VERSION: Environmental Assessment for Public Review
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
1. In other words - somewhere between 10 and 15 feet of
bluffs and huge numbers of old-growth trees and (and
their amazingly beautiful tall canopies) have a very good
chance of being entirely destroyed.
Email to Matt
Donovan, Iowa
DOT Cultural
Resources
Section
May 30, 2013 Bella Vista
Neighborhood
Association
1. The proposed elevation of Dubuque
Street and associated potential
impacts along the Bella Vista bluff
are based on conceptual design that
represents a maximum footprint for
impacts plus a 10-foot temporary
easement for construction activities.
Potential impacts cannot fall outside
of this footprint and will potentially
fall within a smaller footprint based
on refinements as greater design
detail becomes available. It is likely
that some trees and undergrowth
on the Bella Vista bluff will be
impacted. The City of Iowa City
recognizes the unique qualities of
the Dubuque Street corridor. The
City will seek to minimize grading
and impacts to mature, high-quality
trees to the extent possible. Any
removed trees will be replaced as
required by the City of Iowa City
Code’s Landscape and Tree
Standards.
PAGE 1 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
2. The new height of the road means the homes now
essentially will look like row-houses sitting alongside an
elevated Dubuque Street. And the view from Bella Vista
looking west? There is a 100% chance that we will all have
a prime view of the new and improved road - and that the
river view will be taken away.
3. Move the elevation up an additional 3 feet ABOVE the
street sign and Number 12 is now simply an incredibly
beautiful historic home that used to sit on a bluff but now
sits at the intersection of two busy roads.
Email to Matt
Donovan, Iowa
DOT Cultural
Resources
Section
May 30, 2013 Bella Vista
Neighborhood
Association
2. According to analyses based on
conceptual design, the homes on
Bella Vista will sit a minimum 30 to
50 above an elevated Dubuque
Street. The homes will also
continue to be setback from the
roadway 135 to 230 feet. The
homes will continue to be buffered
from Dubuque with existing trees,
undergrowth and the bluff. The
river viewshed will remain viewable
and generally unchanged from the
properties on the bluff.
3. Kimball Road will likely be elevated
8-10 feet at the Dubuque Street
intersection, with elevations
decreasing traveling east on Kimball.
The home at 12 Bella Vista will
remain approximately 30-plus feet
above the intersection and set back
more than 100 feet from Kimball
Road. The home will continue to be
buffered from the intersection with
existing trees, undergrowth, and the
bluff.
PAGE 2 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
4. To make this patently clear: the first time we met as a
group with the engineers involved with the project
was LAST WEEK.
Email to Matt
Donovan, Iowa
DOT Cultural
Resources
Section (cont.)
May 30, 2013 Bella Vista
Neighborhood
Association
4. A synopsis of direct meetings with
the members of the Bella Vista
Neighborhood Association includes
the following:
Feb. 23, 2011 – Melissa Clow (City of
Iowa City) met with Tony Colby at
his home at 5 Bella Vista to discuss
the project and see the property.
April 6, 2011 – A Bella Vista
Neighborhood meeting was held at
10 and 12 Bella Vista. The owners
of those homes, representing the
Bella Vista Neighborhood
Association attended, along with
City and Consultant representatives.
Potential impacts to the properties
were not known at that time as a
preferred alternative had not been
selected.
May 23, 2013 – In response to this
letter, The City Manager, City
Planner, and City Engineer and
Special Projects Administrator met
with Bella Vista residents to discuss
the project. Seven Bella Vista
residents attended.
Additionally, The City has held two
public meetings, a drop-in center,
and public hearing, all of which was
advertised in the community.
Project information has been
available on the project website.
City staff have been available for
questions and the opportunity to
provide comments has been
ongoing throughout the process.
PAGE 3 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
1. Raising Dubuque Street by 10 to 15 feet directly in
front of the stone garage at 1818 N. Dubuque Street
will obstruct the view of the property from Dubuque
Street, as well as access to, and use of, the garages
and the stairway leading to the front of the house.
2. The Preferred Alternative plans also propose to close
the Ridge Road intersection with Dubuque Street in
front of the Englert-Ball-Pownall House.
Letter to City
of Iowa City
Historic
Preservation
Commission
(HPC)
June 10, 2013 Joe Coulter 1. The City is proposing to elevate
Dubuque Street in front of the
property at 1818 Dubuque Street
approximately 7-10 feet while the
roadway will be moved westward,
an additional 15-20 feet further
away from the stone garages.
Access will be provided via a new
driveway south of the existing
driveway. Use of the stone garages
as well as the modern garage on the
property will not be impacted.
Similarly, the stairway leading to the
house will not be impacted by the
proposed project. Views of the
home and garage from the roadway
will be altered due to the new
elevation of the roadway. However,
both house and garage will be still
be visible from the roadway.
2. The City is proposing to relocate, not
close, the Ridge Road intersection to
the north to better align the
roadway elevations on both Ridge
Road and Dubuque Street. The
Englert-Ball-Pownall house will have
access maintained by converting the
existing Ridge Road alignment to a
private driveway that connects to
the relocated intersection. The
relocated intersection will require
the acquisition of less than 0.1 acres
of property from 1818 N. Dubuque
Street.
PAGE 4 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
3. All of the Project GREEN plantings and landscaping
along North Dubuque Street will either be buried or
destroyed by the elevation of Dubuque Street.
Letter to City
of Iowa City
Historic
Preservation
Commission
(HPC) (cont.)
June 10, 2013 Joe Coulter 3. Any Project GREEN plantings
impacted by the proposed project
will be replaced with similar
plantings. The City of Iowa City has
engaged Project Green
representatives from the outset of
the project in order to maintain the
existing natural look and feel of the
Dubuque Street Corridor.
1. Therefore, we as members of the historic Northside
neighborhood and Dubuque Street properties
formally and respectfully request that the
Commission immediately rescind their earlier
approval of this project with both a letter to the City
Council of Iowa City and to Matt Donovan, historian
and archaeologist with the State DOT, to whom the
Commission sent their initial approval
Letter to
Chairwoman
Ginalie Swaim
and the Iowa
City Historic
Commission
July 2, 2013 Jennifer Seter
Wagner, Dan
Cummins and
other Bella
Vista residents
1. At a special meeting of the Commission
on Thursday, July 25, 2013, the following
motion was approved by a vote of 7 for, 1
against, and 1 abstention:
“The Iowa City Historic Preservation
Commission finds that the Gateway
Project will have no adverse impact on
historic structures, and that no historic
buildings will be touched. However, the
Commission acknowledges that there will
be grading effects on the perimeter of
historic properties, and that the full
extent of the effects will not be known
until final plans are drawn. The
Commission strongly recommends that:
1) grading and tree removal on historic
properties be minimized by the
Engineering Division of the City of Iowa
City;
2) that drainage issues at 1818 N.
Dubuque Street be addressed by the
Division; and
3) that design methods be adopted that
would allow a thinner bridge deck,
therefore lowering the proposed grade of
the Dubuque Street and Park Road
intersection.
The Commission recommends that the
State Historic Preservation Office be
apprised by the Division as the design
evolves.”
PAGE 5 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
1. Can you provide information on fill, grading,
elevations/cross sections, sidewalk access, etc. from
the intersection of Kimball/Dubuque and to the east?
2. There is also a creek that comes down the back of
Bella Vista and runs under Kimball. What is the
environmental impact on that creek?
3. Is there a drainage plan in place to ensure there is no
erosion at the base of the hill and grade coming off
the road?
4. Will additional alternatives that may help mitigate
noise be considered in final design?
Email to City
of Iowa City
Staff
April 12, 2013 Dan Cummins 1. Detailed design on the proposed
project will not begin until after the
project has received a FONSI from
the FHWA. Conceptual design
information has been provided in
the Environmental Assessment.
2. The unnamed creek along Kimball
Road will likely experience
temporary fill impacts related to
culvert reconstruction where the
creek passes under Dubuque Street.
3. Detailed drainage design plans will
be available as the project
progresses into final design.
4. The City will investigate alternative
pavement types that may reduce
noise.
1. Is there a summary of all the comments received via
email and also in the public meeting?
Email to City
of Iowa City
Staff
April 28, 2013 Dan Cummins 1. Yes, all comments received via email
and in writing are available for
viewing at
www.iowacitygateway.org.
1. Who is in charge of approving or rejecting the plans at
this point?
Email to City
of Iowa City
Staff
May 3, 2013 Steve Tannen 1. The Iowa Department of
Transportation and Federal Highway
Administration are the signatories
of the FONSI.
1. We are not saying that anyone deliberately misled us,
but we are saying we weren’t allowed an opportunity
to contribute to civic dialogue.
Email to City
of Iowa City
Staff
May 13, 2013 James
Harris/Bella
Vista
Neighborhood
Association
1. Multiple opportunities have been
provided for citizens to provide
input regarding the proposed
project. The City has hosted two
public meetings, a drop-in center,
and public hearing. Project
information has been available on
the project website. City staff have
been available for questions and the
opportunity to provide oral and
written comments have been
provided throughout the process
PAGE 6 OF 7
# COMMENT SUMMARY METHOD DATE COMMENTER RESPONSE
1. Can you clarify the distance Dubuque Street will be
shifted to the west between Brown and Kimball?
2. Can you clarify the Kimball Street elevations from
Dubuque Street to Gilbert? Also please specify the
sidewalk and grading options for Kimball now that
you have walked the property with Tony Colby.
3. Concerning the noise levels and the measurements
included in the EA. Did those measures consider the
potential impact of having less tree cover than
currently exists?
4. Have you considered in your design the potential of a
multi-elevation Dubuque Street with a high elevation
closer to the river (west) then a green space and then
a lower elevation on the east…while not ideal it would
minimize the impact to the bluffs on the east?
Email to City
of Iowa City
Staff
May 29, 2013 Dan Cummins 1. Conceptual plans move Dubuque
Street approximately 3 feet west of
its current location between Brown
and Kimball.
2. Kimball Road will likely be elevated
8-10 feet at the Dubuque Street
intersection, with elevations
decreasing as the roadway moves
east. Kimball Road will be rejoin its
existing elevation prior to reaching
the Gilbert Street intersection.
3. Yes. The completed noise analysis
modeled the Bella Vista hillside as a
grass hill with no trees to provide a
worst-case noise scenario. Those
results are presented in the EA
4. A multi-elevation Dubuque was
considered and dismissed as a
conceptual alternative due to
pedestrian and bicycle access issues
across Dubuque Street,
constructability issues, and
maintenance/snow clearance issues.
1. The above reference is potential significant factual
inaccuracy. The Sanders Quarry is located at the
intersection of Dubuque Street and Kimball Road.
Email to Matt
Donovan, Iowa
DOT Cultural
Resources
July 22, 2013 Dan Cummins 1. The Euclid Sanders Quarry, as
described in the archeological
investigation prepared for this
project, is located approximately
200 north of the Dubuque Street
and Kimball Road intersection and
extends northward to the vicinity of
Mayflower Residence Hall. The
Euclid Sanders Quarry historic
period site, as described in the
archeological report, does not
include the property at 12 Bella
Vista or any other Bella Vista
property.
PAGE 7 OF 7