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.
PARKING LOTS
PARKING LOTS. In 1941 the Parking Committee of the DUBUQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE studied twenty-four lots that might be available for municipal parking. Work on the study began after the Iowa Legislature passed a law permitting cities to levy a tax not in excess of one-half mill in any fiscal year and to operate parking lots. Two sub-committees had been involved with one investigating sites north of Eighth Street while the other worked south of the same road. (1)
In 1946 a report was made that four small parking lots in the business district provided space for a total of only ninety cars. Based on the estimate that the four sides of a block provided parking space for forty cars, a parking lot would accommodate enough cars to clear two and one-half blocks. (2)
The issue of parking lots was linked to the decision of installing PARKING METERS. According to an editorial in the Telegraph-Herald of January 23, 1949, meters installed in April, 1947 took in nearly $39,000 the first year. The total taken in by the middle of January, 1949 was nearly $87,000. Part of the income went to payments for the meters and operating expenses. By legislative act, according to the editorial, meter money could be used to purchase property for off-street parking lots. The retail bureau made the suggestion that meter monies be "officially pledged for the sole purpose of acquiring and improving off-street parking lots with the final goal being free parking areas." According to the editorial, the council agreed with several of the recommendations of the bureau for off-street parking. (3)
By 1949 discussions over whether a person should occupy a space all day by simply "plugging the meter" over and over again were linked to the issue of whether the city had failed to provide parking off street parking. It was proposed in June, 1949 that a two-story parking lot on Robinson Street behind stores on Eighth Avenue would handle about four hundred cars. Edwin B. LYONS suggested that at least eight hundred cars had to be taken off the streets and that parking meter funds could be used for parking lot construction. (4)
It was the position of the Telegraph-Herald editorial board in 1950 that meters and adequate off-street parking projects should have been planned to go together. (5)
The development of parking lots had been one of two priorities of Richard Holcomb, a member of the University of Iowa Department of Public Affairs. Holcomb had been hired to suggest ways of solving traffic problems in Dubuque. His first suggestion had been to establish a police traffic division. His second suggestion was a group of ground level, off street parking lots rather than a large city operated parking garage which would be centrally located. Such a series of lots would be preferred due to Dubuque's long, narrow business district. John KINTZINGER, the city solicitor, pointed out that prior city councils had not approved of the use of bonds which made non-motorists pay for facilities they did not use. Legal authorities on municipal bonds had refused to endorse their use with only meter income backing. The legality of meters had never been established by the courts and there was no guarantee that meters might not be "voted off the streets" by future city councils. (6)
In November, 1950 the council unanimously adopted a resolution that off-street parking spaces were "necessary" and "convenient." It also set a public hearing for December 4th on whether the city should operate a parking lot on the east side of Iowa Street between Ninth and 10th STREETS. The city had attempted to purchase a quarter block, but found that owners of the land had asked for more money than the council had chosen to spend. Condemnation proceedings were authorized. Earlier in the year, the city had purchased another quarter block in the area for $40,000 out of the parking meter fund. (7)
Recent construction of two city-owned lots with money from parking meter revenue cost the city $186,000. In 1952 this left the fund with a small balance which City Manager LaVerne SCHILTZ said eliminated plans for new parking lots. One exception was the potential for LIBRARY PARK a small area, at 11th and Bluff. Schiltz believed future lots should be constructed three or four blocks from the business district on cheaper land. (8)
When interviewed later in the year, the city manager had extended that distance to four or five blocks. In 1952 the city owned two public parking areas. The one on Bluff between Eighth Avenue and 9th Street was used up to 95% of its capacity on most days and filled on Friday afternoon and evening. The lot on Iowa Street between Ninth and 10 streets was used to about 60% capacity except on Friday, a busy shopping day. Schiltz noted the trend for new store or office building owners to include parking space in their plans. (9)
In 1953 city goals included street improvements, new parking lots, a second municipal swimming pool, and smoke control. City officials announced that they had $80,000 earmarked for new parking lots including $40,000 left over from 1952. It was estimated that this amount of money would purchase enough land to accommodate between 60 and 80 cars. (10)
In February, 1955 Mayor Charles KINTZINGER stated that Dubuque businesses had to realize they would be serving themselves if they provided parking lots near their businesses. While the city had carried out a thorough study of the traffic problem, cooperation was needed in carrying out a successful program. (11)
By December, 1959 the city boasted 491 parking lot spaces: (12)
Central and 10th 81 cars
9th and Iowa 107 cars
9th and Bluff 60 cars
9th and Extension 72 cars
Bluff and 5th 161 cars
5th and Iowa 20 cars
Architectural history did not block the purchase of property for parking. The parking lot developed at Bluff and 5th had been the site of the GREYSTONE owned by Augustin A. COOPER. The city had obtained an option to purchase the property in 1956. (13)
While parking lots served a valuable role in the city, PARKING RAMP development promised much better results for the same-sized location.
In August, 2008 Walker Parking Consultants, Minneapolis, Minnesota were hired for a "Downtown Parking Needs Assessment." The study focused around Eighth and Main streets, the PORT OF DUBUQUE, Millwork District, and upper Main Street. In a surprise to the community the study indicated ample parking downtown. During peak hours, only 60% of city-owned public off-street parking was used and 46% of on-street. The only additional parking was recommended for the Millwork District. The study also suggested working with transit officials on cross-promotions to encourage ridership and relieve some parking pressure. The study's recommendation to change the manner in which the city reserves parking in its downtown ramps met strong opposition. Some aspects of the study were rendered obsolete with the announcement that IBM would be coming to the city. (14)
By 2018 the City of Dubuque offered: (15)
1) Intermodal Parking Facility - 351 E 9th Street. The Intermodal Parking Facility had automated cashier equipment. The rate was a flat $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. Visa, Mastercard and Discover were accepted in addition to cash. Monthly parking was available at a rate of $57. This ramp was in the block bordered by Washington Street, Elm Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street.
2) Central Avenue Parking Ramp/Bicycle Storage Area - 975 Central Avenue. The Central Avenue Parking Ramp had automated cashier equipment. The rate was a flat $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. Visa, Mastercard and Discover were accepted in addition to cash. The monthly parking was $57. This ramp was located in the block bordered by Central Avenue, Iowa Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street. There was a free daily bicycle storage area located on the ground floor, Iowa Street side of the ramp.
3) Five Flags Parking Ramp - 100 W. 4th Street. The Five Flags Parking Ramp had automated cashier equipment. The rate was a flat $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover were accepted in addition to cash. The monthly parking was $50. This ramp was located on 4th Street between Main and Iowa Streets.
4) 5th Street Parking Ramp - 501 Iowa Street. The 5th Street Parking Ramp featured monthly parking for $57. This ramp was located on 5th Street between Main and Iowa Streets.
5) Iowa Street Parking Ramp - 701 Iowa Street. The Iowa Street Parking Ramp had no cashier on duty and employed automated cashier equipment. The rate was a flat $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover were accepted in addition to cash. The monthly parking charge was $53 for roof parking and $65 for covered parking. This ramp was located on Iowa Street between 6th and 8th Streets.
6) Locust Street Parking Ramp - 830 Bluff Street. The Locust Street Parking Ramp had no cashier on duty and employed automated cashier equipment. The rate was a flat $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover were accepted in addition to cash. The monthly parking charge was $53 for roof parking and $65 for covered parking. This ramp was in the block bordered by Locust, Bluff, 8th, and 9th Streets.
7) Port of Dubuque Parking Ramp-Bell Street. Providing 500,000 square feet of parking space for 1,100 vehicles, the ramp is noted by its tinted glass exterior.
The availability of ramps and lots was depicted on the City of Dubuque website in 2018:
The Iowa Street, Five Flags, and Intermodal ramps in January 2019, recorded a total of 17,71 gate entries. Early that year, the City Council approved adding the construction of a $20 million parking facility to the city's five-year capital improvements budget. The Locust Street ramp was reaching the end of its useful life and was scheduled for a replacement study in 2024 with construction of a new ramp the following year. Later study indicated the current ramp only needed repairs. Interest in a new ramp, however, grew the same year with a development agreement between the city, Roshek Property LLC, Cottingham & Butler, and HTLF tied to the the purchase of the Roshek Building by the two financial services companies. In 2021 the council approved spending $1.7 million to purchase a property at 800 and 898 Central Avenue for the proposed construction of a 500-space parking facility.
The Iowa Street, Five Flags and Intermodal ramps in January 2020 recorded a 15% increase over the same month the previous year. This, however, was affected by the PANDEMIC causing people to work at home. The January, 2021 report from the same three ramps showed a 74% decline from 2020 with a total of 5,328 entries. In December, 2021 the council approved seeking bids to a consultant to develop a "smart parking and mobility management plan. In January, 2022 the number of entries into the three ramps rebounded to 15,735, an increase over 2021, but still less that in January of either 2019 or 2020. Parking revenue in 2023 was projected to increase to $2,956,311.
In mid-March, 2022 the City Council voted unanimously to delay a proposed $20 million parking ramp tied to the purchase of the Roshek Building. Later in the month the council approved seeking bids for a consultant to develop a parking ramps condition assessment and maintenance plan to identify maintenance needs and allow for future repairs to be planned and budgeted. In April, 2022 the city had 2,598 parking spaces in its seven parking ramps, 397 spaces in its 19 surface lots, and 2000 street spaces. (16)
City officials announced on July 9, 2022 plans to move forward to develop a plan to improve parking and transportation in the downtown area. The council voted unanimously to hire Walker Consultants, RDG Planning & Design, and Bolton & Menk, Inc. to design the city's Smart Parking & Mobility Management Plan. A smart parking plan had been proposed in 2021 to identify ways new technologies could be used to improve parking access and efficiency. The first use of new technology occurred in 2020 when a three-month pilot program was carried out to install "smart parking meters" on more than 100 downtown spaces. New ideas included the installation of more smart meters, using cameras to identify empty parking spaces, installing parking pay kiosks at the corner of every street to replace individual meters, and considering how ride-sharing companies could be part of new city parking technologies. There was also to be a review of the formally proposed new parking ramp. (17)
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Source:
1. "2 Committees Finish Survey," Telegraph-Herald, May 18, 1941, p. 22
2. Tyson, H. G. "Parking Rules Are Defended," Telegraph-Herald, April 14, 1946, p. 17
3. "Dubuque Parking Lots," Telegraph-Herald (editorial), January 23, 1949, p. 22
4. "Parking Lots Urged at Forum," Telegraph-Herald, June 10, 1949, p. 7
5. "Where Do We Park?," Telegraph-Herald (editorial), November 26, 1950, p. 8
6. "UI Expert Urges Police Traffic," Telegraph-Herald, April 25, 1950, p. 3
7. "Yes, We Want Parking Lots," Telegraph-Herald, November 7, 1950, p. 9
8. "No Plans for New Parking Lots, But City Eyes 'Library Park," Telegraph-Herald, February 24, 1952, p. 17
9. "'Fringe' Parking Lots Still Needed--Schiltz," Telegraph-Herald, Sept. 14, 1952, p. 18
10. "More Lots For Parking High on List," Telegraph-Herald, January 4, 1953, p. 1
11. "Businessmen Should Provide Parking Spots, Kintzinger Says," Telegraph-Herald, February 22, 1955
12. Advertisement. Telegraph-Herald, December 8, 1959, p. 4
13. "The Site of a New Parking Lot," Telegraph-Herald, April 1, 1956, p. 11
14. Piper, Andy, "A $tudy of Studies," Telegraph Herald, May 15, 2011, p. 1
15. "Parking Ramps and Lots," City of Dubuque Website. Online: https://www.cityofdubuque.org/593/Parking-Ramps-and-Lots
16. Kruse, John, "Transit in Transition," Telegraph Herald, April 24, 2022, p. 1A
17. Kruse, John, "City Could Spend Up to $325,000 on Consultant for Parking Plan," Telegraph Herald, July 9, 2022, p. 1A