Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2010
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Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2010 TIGER II Discretionary Grants City of Dubuque, Iowa Intermodal Transportation Center Contact: Teri Goodmann Assistant City Manager City of Dubuque Email: [email protected] Ph: (563) 589-4110 Table of Contents 1 TIGER APPLICATION OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 1 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................ 1 3 PROJECT PARTIES ..................................................................................................................... 10 4 GRANT FUNDS .......................................................................................................................... 11 5 PRIMARY SELECTION CRITERIA ........................................................................................... 12 5.1 Long Term Outcomes ............................................................................................................. 12 5.2 Evaluation of Expected Project Costs and Benefits ............................................................. 17 5.3 Evaluation of Project Performance ....................................................................................... 18 5.4 Job Creation and Economic Stimulus ................................................................................... 18 5.5 Quick Start Activities .............................................................................................................. 18 6 SECONDARY SELECTION CRITERIA .................................................................................... 21 6.1 Innovation ............................................................................................................................... 21 6.2 Partnership .............................................................................................................................. 23 7 PROGRAM SPECIFIC CRITERIA ............................................................................................. 23 8 FEDERAL WAGE RATE REQUIREMENT ............................................................................... 23 9 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (NEPA) REQUIREMENT ............. 23 10 ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ACTIONS .............. 23 11 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 23 12 INDEX OF WEBSITES AND OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION ........................... 24 1. TIGER Application Overview I. Project Type The Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center DITC Will Answer Today’s (DITC) will serve as a hub for numerous modes of Transportation Challenges transportation including Amtrak passenger rail, • The project will connect all modes of transpor- intercity bus, local and regional transit, automo- tation to one central hub biles, community and hotel shuttles, taxis, trolleys, • The project will create new jobs and boost the as well as bicycles and pedestrians. local economy • The project will comply with the City of II. Project Location Dubuque’s sustainability plans through en- The Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Cen- viornmental integrity and social vibrancy ter is proposed to be located within the Port • The project will increase connectivity by enhancing mutlimodal access throughout the of Dubuque in the City of Dubuque, County of region Dubuque, Iowa. The facility will be physically lo- • The project will give people more options for cated in the 1st Congressional District. The Trans- alternative transportation than ever before portation Center will provide primary transporta- tion for the entire district and for the Tri-State area (Iowa, Illinois & Wisconsin). III. Population Characteristics The Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center will be located in the Dubuque, IA Metropolitan Statisti- cal Area, for which the United States Census Bureau estimates a 2008 population of 92,139. Due to the unique location of Dubuque, the facilities will also be able to serve the Tri-State area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 2.9 million people live within 100 miles of Dubuque. IV. TIGER Funds Requested The City of Dubuque respectfully requests $15 million through the TIGER Discretionary Grant Program to complete the project’s financial package totaling $20.7 million. Completion of the project is anticipated by the end of 2013 2. Project Description Nestled in the limestone bluffs along the mighty Mississippi River, the charming, picturesque town of Dubuque is filled with natural beauty, varied culture and rich history. Dubuque is situated at the intersection of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It stands as a metropolitan service area for seven surrounding counties and 2.9 million people live within 100 miles of Dubuque. Having accessible transportation that will assist and increase the mobility of goods and people throughout the area is crucial to the economic prosperity of the region. Presently, the city does not have a centralized transportation hub and lacks many interconnectivity capabilities between air, rail, bus, automobiles and pedestrian facilities. Other transportation-related problems include the lack of adequate bus and pedestrian facilities, and the nonexistence of a passenger rail system. The Dubuque Intermodal 1 Transportation Center (DITC) will address these problems and effectively incorporate bus, rail, boat and vehicular transportation while increasing demand for alternative transportation modes. Project Location Due to Dubuque’s unique location at the point where three states meet, there is a tremendous amount of transportation flow throughout town. U.S. Highways 20, 52, 61, 151, and Iowa Highway 3 all go through Dubuque. The DITC would be located in the historic and newly revitalized Port of Dubuque. The Port of Dubuque features the Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, two newly constructed and renovated casinos, and numerous other features which make it the ideal location for the DITC. Furthermore, the previously stated highways run right to the Port which would make automobile accessibility incredibly convenient. Adjacent to the Port to the west is Dubuque’s historic downtown, which is home to a variety of businesses and attractions. Bus service from Keyline Transit provides service to the downtown area from all over the city, as well as seasonal trolley service that runs on a loop between downtown and the Port. Also adjacent to the Port is the Historic Millwork District, which is in the process of being revitalized A rendering of the planned Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center into a mixed-use sustainable community. The DITC will provide an invaluable service to everyone that will work, live and play in the Millwork District. Lastly, the DITC would be located next to the Mississippi Riverwalk, thus enhancing pedestrian interconnectivity. The DITC will create an improved and strengthened transportation network and connect all modes of traffic. Exhibit 2.1 illustrates the current transportation network. 2 Exhibit 2.1: Dubuque’s Local Transportation Network Minneapolis, MN Madison, WI 250 miles 90 miles 61 52 3 151 11 ASBURY WISCONSIN 32 DUBUQUE ILLINOIS 35 20 EAST DUBUQUE Chicago, IL 20 180 miles IOWA 20 52 Legend N DITC Project Location Keyline Transit Bus Routes Keyline Transit Trolley Route Waterloo, IA 90 miles Future Amtrak Route Existing Bike/Pedestrian Trails 0 0.5 1 2 Miles U.S. and State Higways Other Roadways Incorporated Places Cedar Rapids, IA 151 DUBUQUE 61 Quad Cities 75 miles REGIONAL State Boundaries AIRPORT 70 miles Prepared by ECIA Current Passenger Rail Challenges The biggest challenge that faces Dubuque is that there is no passenger rail. The lack of a passenger rail has hampered Dubuque and its residents from easily traveling to such places as Chicago or Rockford. The Chicago- Dubuque rail corridor has been approved and is supported by Amtrak and the States of Iowa and Illinois. The States of Iowa and Illinois have committed to making track improvements and the annual subsidy. However, the lack of a facility such as the DITC has slowed the process on the Iowa side. With so many people living in the Dubuque area and Chicago being a prominent city in the Midwest, there is a lack of accessible and alternative forms of travel. The States of Iowa and Illinois have committed to making track improvements and the annual subsidy to restore Amtrak service, leaving the development of the facility to each community. While locally we 3 have been able to secure a portion of the funding, the TIGER grant is an important piece to complete the project and facility. Exhibit 2.2 illustrates the planned Amtrak route from Chicago to Dubuque plus its stops in Rockford, Freeport, Lena and Galena: Exhibit 2.2: Planned Amtrak Route from Chicago to Dubuque Current Local Transit Challenges The City of Dubuque Keyline Transit system operates seven fixed routes within the City limits of Dubuque as well as utilizing the mini-bus for paratransit services. Fixed route service provides transportation to Dubuque citizens so that they may access various services, shopping, entertainment, community functions, and employment opportunities within the City. The mini-bus promotes independence for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing Origin to Destination transportation and passenger assistance when accessing the demand response service.