Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HARBOR PLACE MALL
HARBOR PLACE MALL. In the fall of 1986 the Harbor Place Development Corporation announced the purchase of 100,000 square feet of an older part of the ADAMS COMPANY (Encyclopedia Dubuque) property near the ICE HARBOR. The corporation's leadership, Kenneth F. HARTIG, Jr. and John "Jack" THOMPSON announced that David Hession of Waterloo, Iowa and Roger Wolfe of Lincoln, Nebraska two new investors had joined their firm. The renovation was expected to cost at least $500,000 and was expected to be ready for new tenants in the spring of 1987.
Harbor Place Mall was looking for small specialty, antique shops, a museum, art studios and a recreation area. Hession and Wolfe, partners of Raiboom Associates of Waterloo, Iowa had experience in managing and development of real estate along the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad property to which the old ADAMS COMPANY (Encyclopedia Dubuque) was also adjacent.
DUBUQUEFEST/VERY SPECIAL ARTS, a seasonal favorite of visitors, was one of the anchor events. To reach the Harbor Place Mall, the Round Robin Trolley Service ran from the Hawkeye Bank parking lot to the Mall, Mississippi Museum River complex, DIAMOND JO CASINO, Iowa Welcome Center, SPIRIT OF DUBUQUE, and Dubuque Brewery for fifty cents per person. Boarding the trolley was available at any location. On one of the days, demonstrations of line dancing and lessons were provided. (2) Riverfest also brought visitors and tourists to Dubuque. Among the features in 1991 were computer portrait demonstrations. (3)
On December 31, 1998 the members of the collective were evicted from the its landlord, the GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION which also owned the Diamond Jo Riverboat Casino, Portside Building, and eleven acres of land in the area of the ICE HARBOR. The eighteen businesses had until March 1st to vacate as the building was to be razed. The businesses were not unaware of the possibility and had made plans to relocate to PLAZA 20 on February 1st. The collective was to reopen on February 8th in the former site of The Bike Shack. Sally Kahle, owner of the plaza looked forward to the new addition as part of a general facelift and expansion. (4)
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Source:
1. Nepper, Mark, "Work to Begin on Ice Harbor Mall," Telegraph Herald, October 5, 1986, p. 3
2. "Dubuquefest/Very Special Arts Festival," Telegraph Herald, May 11, 1995, p. 18
3. "Riverfest Schedule," Telegraph Herald, September 14, 1991, p. 6
4. Pieters, Jeffrey, "Business Collective 'Bringing the Harbor Up to the Hill," Telegraph Herald, January 16, 1999, p. 1