365
Documents the Excitement
Once again,
Dubuque365.com will follow the construction, excitement,
questions and community impact of the America's
River Project, now entering its second phase. Check back
regularly for constantly updated information on the Port
of Dubuque rehabilitation effort including photos, press
releases, interviews and more. So... let's get started.
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Diamond
Jo Construction Update (Thursday November 29, 2007)
With
an official groundbreaking ceremony held just a few weeks
ago, and work having begun on the former massive parking
lot on Bell Street a few months back, it's clear that the
next iteration of the Diamond Jo Casino is well underway. As
part of our ongoing coverage of the America's River Project:
Phase II, we at 365 decided to check in on Todd Moyer,
general manager of the Diamond Jo, for an update on the
casino's construction and an idea of what will be happening
in the coming months. (Click here for the fill article)
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City
of Dubuque and Diamond Jo Groundbreaking Celebration
Kicks Off America's River Phase II
Click
here for photos from the groundbreaking event.
Dubuque,
Iowa -- The City of Dubuque and the Diamond Jo Casino broke
ground today on the Diamond Jo's new casino and entertainment
complex and the City's parking facility. Representing more
than $100 million in new construction, the new casino and
parking facility are the first two projects of America's
River Project, Phase II. The new casino, state-of- the-art
bowling center, dining and entertainment facility and phase
one of the parking facility will be complete in fall 2008.
Click here for the entire press release.
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Port Mixed-Use Development
Wayne Briggs is leading a team of investors in the planning
of a massive mixed-use development. And we do mean massive:
350,000 - 500,000 square feet of buildings comprising between
4 - 9 stories, with an estimated $70-75 million price tag.
The first floor of the buildings will be occupied by retail
space, with office space above those and then luxury condominiums
($200,000 - $500,000) on the uppermost levels. This is
the project that includes the renovation of the Adams Company
building for Durrant. Construction is planned for late
2007 or early ‘08, and will likely move in stages.
Public
Parking Ramp
Because all the developments at the Port are going to need, you know, parking
space, the Diamond Jo and the city have it covered. They’re planning to
build an impressive 1,100-1,300-space, $21 million parking ramp in the port,
set to open in late 2008 to coincide with the grand opening of the Diamond Jo’s
new facility. The ramp will be the largest parking facility in the city, and
is currently being designed by Durrant’s Chris Wand (a.k.a. 365’s
Wando). 
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Visiting Boat Docks
Mindful of the economic opportunity that the Mississippi
River affords us, the city is building visiting boat slips,
designed for short-term stays, for vessels in both the
Ice Harbor and the main river channel. The Ice Harbor docks
will be completed for the summer of 2007, but the construction
of the main river docks is dependent on the raising of
funds. Making it even easier to take a boat out on the
river ... we love it!
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Diamond
Jo Casino Updated Renderings
Here's a look at a more recent rendering of the Diamond Jo
Casino facilities at the Port of Dubuque.
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Star Brewery
A familiar name on these pages, Wayne Briggs is also spearheading
an $8 million project to renovate the former Dubuque Star
Brewery for use as commercial and retail space. The building
will include a 10,000-square-foot winery and tasting room
for Stone Cliff Winery, the Dubuque County-based winery.
The second floor will include a new restaurant, and other
tenants are planned, as well. The construction is already
going on as you read this, with a target opening within
calendar 2007. The Star is north of the Grand River Center,
near Veterans Drive and Bell St.
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VISION IOWA
BRINGS $8 MILLION TO DUBUQUE
February 15, 2007
The Great Rivers
Center, River Research Center and RiverMax Digital Theater
at the National
Mississippi River Museum
and Aquarium at the Port of Dubuque has just received a
huge financial shot in the arm from the Vision Iowa Board.
The
Board yesterday granted 8-million dollars to the Dubuque
County Historical Society which will be used in the construction
process. Museum and Aquarium Executive Director Jerry Enzler
says the total cost of the museum project is 38-million
dollars. He says the 8-million dollar grant will support
the 218 million
dollar America's River Phase Two development, which includes
over 180 million in leverage activity. The 8-million dollar
grant is the first granted by he Vision Iowa Board in almost
3 years and the second one given to Dubuque. Enzler says
most of the leverage construction should be complete and
opened in 2008. The Great Rivers Center is expected to
open in 2010.
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Port of Dubuque Park
The city of Dubuque is planning the construction of a brand-new
public park and green plaza in the Port, located just south
of the new McGraw-Hill office complex, so it’ll be
near East 5th and Bell Streets.
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Durrant Group
Move
The Durrant Group is planning to move from its West Locust
location and into the Port, renovating the former Adams
Company building and turning it into its new corporate
headquarters.
The development is being done in conjunction with developer
Wayne Briggs, and it will be part of his planned Port developments.
The $3 million project will begin this year and will likely
take no more than a year to complete. The Adams Company
building is at East 5th and Ice Harbor Drive.
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