The agenda for the Monday, Nov. 16, Dubuque City Council meeting includes three items related to proposed development agreements with local developers for nearly $310 million in private and non-profit investments in sports/recreation, retail, commercial, and housing projects in Dubuque over the next 10 years.

Youth Sports Complex and Commercial Development Project

One meeting agenda item asks the city council to consider selling nearly 125 acres along the Southwest Arterial corridor to Why Not Dubuque, a not-for-profit, and Dubuque Sports Development LLC, a local developer, for the development of a regional indoor and outdoor youth sports complex and surrounding hotel, restaurant, retail, entertainment, and other commercial development.

The council will set a public hearing for a development agreement for this approximately $148 million project and annexing the property, which is currently outside the city limits, into the city limits to support the development. The property consists of four parcels at the four corners of the Southwest Arterial interchange at N. English Rd.

• The plans call for Why Not Dubuque to construct a $58 million indoor/outdoor multi-sports facility in the approximately 30-acre northeast quadrant of the interchange adjacent to Roosevelt Park. Initial construction would begin by May 2028, with substantial completion planned by June 2030.
• The remaining approximately 95 acres would be developed by the for-profit Dubuque Sports Development LLC. This $90 million development would include hotels, restaurants, family entertainment, retail, and highway-service businesses constructed in phases.

An indoor/outdoor youth sports complex was identified as a priority project in the Envision 2030 community visioning process and the Dubuque City Council’s annual goal-setting process. It will also complement the Field of Dreams project.

The Nov. 16 city council meeting agenda includes setting public hearings for the proposed development agreement for the project, sale of the property, creation of a related tax-increment financing (TIF) district, and annexation of the property.

The proposed development agreement recommends the City convey approximately 30 acres for the non-profit youth sports complex for a purchase price of $1. Approximately 95 acres for the commercial development would be sold for $1.74 million, subject to federal requirements and updated appraisals. The City would also participate in necessary transportation and utility infrastructure improvements and would pursue a state grant to offset eligible roadway costs. Additionally, the City would provide approximately $21.2 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) grants over the 23-year term of the agreement. The City would retain approximately $5.3 million in TIF revenue for public improvements related to the project. The TIF grants use a portion of the new property taxes generated by the commercial development and are not funded through existing general tax revenues. Once the commercial buildout begins, the City is projected to receive $2.8 million in hotel/motel and sales taxes over a five-year period.

Mixed-Use Development at Former Dubuque Pack Site

Another Nov. 16 meeting agenda item will set a public hearing for city council consideration of a development agreement with a local developer Hwy. 151 & 61 Development LLC to facilitate approximately $80 million in private investment to redevelop the former Dubuque Pack site on 16th St. The project could convert the long-vacant, former industrial area into a mixed-use destination intended to feature a grocery store, hotel, restaurants, retail businesses, recreational amenities, and potentially residential development.

The developer has owned the property since 2005 and had originally invested over $4 million to remove the Dubuque Pack building so it did not become a blighting influence. The proposed development is broken down into four phases with the first phase commencing within 12 months of the completion of construction of the 14th Street Railroad overpass and the 16th St./Sycamore St. roundabout.

The city council will consider supporting the project by awarding the developer approximately $16 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) grants over the term of the development agreement. The TIF grants use a portion of the new property taxes generated by the new development and are not funded through existing general tax revenues.

Dubuque Community Y and Mixed-Use Development 

The Nov. 16 meeting agenda also includes setting a public hearing on a proposed development agreement with the Dubuque Community Y and Plastic Center Inc. (PCI/Fischer Companies) to develop a new recreation center, housing, and commercial facilities on approximately 160 acres at the southeast corner of the Northwest Arterial and Asbury Rd.

The approximately $82 million in private and non-profit investment would include a $43 million Dubuque Community Y recreation center and $39 million in commercial and residential development.

Construction of an estimated 85,000 square-foot Dubuque Community Y facility is scheduled to begin by May 2029 with substantial completion by December 2033.

PCI would develop commercial and residential buildings in phases, including opportunities for retail, office, service businesses, workforce housing, senior housing, market-rate rentals, and condominiums. Residential construction is scheduled to begin by May 2029. Commercial construction would begin by May 2033.

City council will consider supporting the project through approximately $9.6 million tax-increment financing (TIF) over 23 years with the City retaining $2.4 million for related public infrastructure improvements. The TIF grants use a portion of the new property taxes generated by the commercial development and are not funded through existing general tax revenues.

Additional details and documents related to the projects are available on the Nov. 16 city council meeting agenda at cityofdubuque.org/Agendas