page_title: History of Dubuque, Iowa
section_title: City redevelopment efforts
hierarchical_section_title: History of Dubuque, Iowa / City redevelopment efforts
caption_attribution_description: Here is a photo of the River Walk in Dubuque, Iowa. Also shown in this photo is the Julien Dubuque Bridge and the Grand River Events Center – where President George W. Bush spoke in May of 2004.
context_page_description: The city of Dubuque, Iowa stretches back over 200 years, when Julien Dubuque first settled in the area in the late 18th century. A number of forces shaped the city into what it is today.
context_section_description: In recent years, the city of Dubuque has made a concerted effort to redevelop the downtown and riverfront areas.  This included a number of controversial decisions.  But so far most people seem to have positive opinions of the redevelopment efforts.
  In the downtown area, the gas station featured in Field of Dreams was torn down to make way for expanded parking spots for downtown businesses.  In the years following that decision, the Bricktown Restaurant opened in the building behind the gas station after the owners made major improvements to the building.  The local Historic Preservation Commission had recommended that the gas station remain intact, however the city government overrode their decision.
  The Merchant's Hotel - despite being a National Historic Landmark, was demolished to make way for a new building for the chamber of commerce.  This was a very controversial decision.  People interested in historic preservation felt that the building was worth saving.  However, the Merchants Hotel building was allowed to deteriorate until it was unsafe and structurally unsound.  It was also considered an eyesore.  The historic preservation interests were not able to put forth an effective plan to save the building, so it was demolished.  The chamber of commerce then built a modern building that was designed to blend in with its neighbors.
  The city placed a new parking ramp behind the chamber of commerce building.  Unfortunately, this caused structural damage to several nearby buildings, including the old German National Bank Building.  The city worked to encourage the owner to repair the building and reopen the Silver Dollar Cantina - which he had to close when it didn't survive a massive fire. (See Dubuque365.com for info and pictures). The city threatened to cite the owner with demolition by neglect as he had not made repairs, but he started the process of rebuilding. As of March, 2008, the Silver Dollar is open for business once again.
  A number of redevelopment efforts focused on the riverfront just north of the Ice Harbor.  This was part of the America's River project.  It included a newly expanded National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.  Private investors built the Grand River Hotel and Waterpark on the riverfront.  The Grand River Events Center was built next door as a place to host events for parties ranging from very small to very large parties.  The nearby old Dubuque Star Brewery has also been renovated into spaces for businesses.
  Developers proposed building a stadium near the Ice Harbor for a minor league baseball team, however the plans were abandoned when a tax levy to help fund this stadium was voted down by the residents.
  Developers have also recently begun construction efforts on the area at the bottom of the bluffs which the Eagle Point Park is located on.  They plan to build condominiums at the base of the bluffs.  This has caused controversy in that people feel that having buildings there would take away from the natural beauty of the area.  The controversy gained further momentum when it was found that several rockslides had taken place after construction efforts had begun.  The rockslides led to concern that construction efforts may be causing geological instability in the bluffs.
  The Dubuque Community School District has decided to replace a downtown elementary school building with a new building a short distance away. This plan has run into opposition by historic preservation interests, who claim this would result in the destruction of several historic buildings. After considering the options, the district decided to go ahead with building the new school, and has purchased the properties to be demolished. A section of W. 12th street has been closed off. The street has been taken out to make way for the new school building, named Prescott Elementary.
  The development of new hotels has led to what the industry has termed as a surplus in the market - especially with the addition of the Grand Harbor Hotel and a new Hilton hotel at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.  Because of this the Best Wes
caption: Dubuque's River Walk
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