Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Dubuque is a community in possession of many assets – access to the Mississippi River, a business district that is economically viable, a solid mix of historic and new architecture, as well as reinvestment in business and structures. In addition, there is an engaged and active group of “champions” who represent the public, private, and civic sectors of the community.

Despite these assets, there are areas, such as the Washington Neighborhood, that face significant challenges. This neighborhood contains over 300 single-family homes (half of which were built before World War II) and approximately 150 duplexes (a disproportional percentage of homes) that have been carved out of the single–family structures. The average assessed valuation for single-family homes is less than half of the citywide value for comparable homes. Income levels represent some of the lowest in the City with nearly 70% of the households earning less than 80% of the median area income. As a result, homeownership levels are a disconcerting low of 30%.

The racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood continues to increase, with a growing number of Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islanders included among the neighborhood residents. There is some evidence of growing tensions between these groups.

Response:
The challenge was to bring together a diverse group of community stakeholders representing the full range of public and private interests and work with them to develop a consensus vision for the downtown neighborhoods. This interactive visioning process was designed to engage community leaders and neighborhood stakeholders and included four meetings:
1. Where We Stand – A comprehensive overview of current conditions was combined with interactive facilitative exercises to help the participants get to know each other and to identify some common bonds within the community. A photo-visioning process was assigned as homework.
2. What We See – The photo results of the “homework” formed the basis for a conversation about community “assets” and “liabilities”.
3. Making Life Better – A community “walkabout” helped participants to gain a better understanding to physical issues present in the neighborhood.
4. Making Choices – The final meeting was used to generate a consensus vision statement utilizing a “fists of five” technique. At the conclusion, all participants signed the “declaration of interdependence”.

Impact:
On December 3, 200,7 the participants gathered to present the Mayor and City Council with a plaque that records and commemorated the vision statement. Future planning activities are being based on the consensus achieved via this process. These activities currently include:

1. The first is an online resource guide as a joint project for the Four Mounds Foundation (HEART program), Iowa State University Dubuque County Extension (Multicultural Family Center) and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Through this process, we are building a partnership which provides a vehicle for Washington Neighborhood organizations to work together. Individual pages connected by the main page hub will allow for collaboratively telling the story as a means to achieve more than one organization can do on its own.

2. The Multicultural Family Center was identified as an asset in the visioning process and efforts are being finalized for moving from 800 feet to 6,500 square-foot. The Dubuque Community School district is interested in additional English Language Learner (ELL) programs for students and their families. Many new opportunities are on the horizon!

3. Finally, the City of Dubuque is interviewing five consultants (from thirteen qualified proposals) to prepare a comprehensive plan for the downtown neighborhoods. The intent is to have a consensus-built plan for the revitalization of a neighborhood currently experiencing distress and transition. This plan will serve as a strategy document, a product of a citizen participation process; and will include goals, objects, implementation steps and capital budget estimates. It will also include ‘best practice’ examples of other successful neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Additional ISUE Staff:
Darrell Hanson – Delaware County Extension Education Director

Additional Team Members/Community Partners:
David Boyd & Heather Stouder - MSA Professional Services David Harris – City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development

Contact:
Beverly Stout Berna
Dubuque County Extension
14858 West Ridge Lane
Dubuque, IA 52003
563-583-6496
bberna@iastate.edu