RIVER WALK

Riverwalk stretching north. Photo courtesy: Steve Pulaski

RIVER WALK. In April, 2026 two Iowa landmarks made USA TODAY'S 10 BEST Readers' Choice Awards list as some of the best riverwalks and recreational trails in the country. The Mississippi River Walk in Dubuque (#10 on the list) and the High Trestle Trail in central Iowa were named the best community spaces in the United States. (1) The river walk was part of an ambitious plan formulated in 1997 for riverfront development.

The development of the riverfront was named the River Walk and Amenities Project. According to Sue Czeshinski, director of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, "everyone was in the visitors' business. It's made a huge impact. Towns are coming up with new projects all the time to attract more out-of-town guests for longer stays." Pointing to Dubuque, she stated in the next five years or so, a coalition of city, Chamber of Commerce, business and historical society groups would be be 'working aggressively' on riverfront development. She stated in Dubuque there would be a river walk, a visitors' boat dock, a mooring site for big boats with a plaza are and lots of public amenities. (2)

In September 1991 members the city's Long Range Planning Commissioners realized they were dealing with some of Dubuque's most prized and expensive properties. An ad-hoc committee presented the commission with a list of ideas including: improved public access to the river; reactivation of the former DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY and possibly adding a restaurant to the building; the creation of more transient boat docking; a river walk with shops, restaurants, and businesses; and a hotel/condominium possibly located on the Fourth Street peninsula north of the ICE HARBOR. Among those commenting was David Wm. RUSK who noted the need for an outside objective "framework of ideas." Money for the consulting work would need to be provided by the city council. A presentation to the council was planned for October. (3)

In 1995 the Chamber of Commerce chose to enter agreements with the Iowa Department of Transportation to improve the riverfront along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER, HERITAGE TRAIL, and the WILLIAM M. BLACK. The DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY received $329,920 to improve the Black and the city received $28,000 to study improving 12 miles of trail along the riverfront, and $170,400 to study building a Mississippi river walk. (4)

In 1996 Dubuque officials with a Minneapolis consulting firm joined five alternatives into a preferred route for the proposal Dubuque river walk. The most controversial part was disassembling the SHOT TOWER and rebuilding it along the river walk. Such a relocation, however, would cause the tower to lose its status on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. The concrete walk could be accessed from the proposed Heritage Trail extension through Dubuque by way of the Third Street Bridge of Fifth Street.

The proposed path would begin along the northern edge of the Ice Harbor near the proposed river museum and run past the Iowa Welcome Center to the floodwall gate. North of the Welcome Center would be an open gathering area from which the trail would run run north on Bell Street to the Dubuque Star Brewing Company. The area east of the brewery would be converted into an amphitheater with a courtyard for performances and seating along the levee.

In 1997 THE DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE submitted a proposal to the DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION for grant money to fund riverfront development products. The $300,000 proposal was to help construct the Mississippi River Walk River's Edge Plaza and the principal route of the HERITAGE TRAIL. The grant application asked for $120,000 for the river walk, $109,000 for Heritage Trail and $71,000 for marketing to begin a fund-raising campaign for private contributions. (5)

There was no overlooking that the scope of the work needed massive support. The chamber's foundation, established to raise money for riverfront development met with the Dubuque County Historical Society officials to carry out a feasibility study. City of Dubuque research had indicated that residents wanted a chance to "get in touch and feel for the river." The historical society wanted to develop a world-class museum. These projects were expected to cost about $24 million. Over two months, presentations were made to an estimated 30 small groups of between ten and twenty members. A consultant was scheduledcarry out a survey of the participants and determine the feasibility of the plans. Once a decision about the feasibility of the projects had been made fund raising would begin. The chamber and historical society hoped to raise $1.3 million. The city's plan included a river walk, plaza, amphitheater, pavilion, and street furnishings. (6)

Presenting the project as nationally significant came in stages. In 1997 neither the United States House or the Senate included money for the center. The situation improved in 1998 when the Senate proposed funding. In 1999 the Senate proposed $1.2 million while the House offered a lesser amount. Despite the discrepancy, politicians viewed the trajectory of the idea now including some appropriation from both branches as a positive sign. (7)

Fundraising took many forms. Brad Parks and Bill Wand while attending a Junior Chamber Commerce meeting devised a Y2K Party. The primary sponsors were the JAYCEES and FIRSTAR. Proceeds from the festivities were directed to the America's River. a $24.5 million project of the Mississippi River Museum, City of Dubuque, and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the party was to raise $25,000. (8)

If construction began as hoped in 1997, it was expected the work would take four or five years and cost approximately $4 million. (9) Any thought of moving the tower was dismissed in July 1997 when the city staff and advisory commissions recommended and the city council unanimously approved placing the river walk on top of the flood wall and not along Bell Street. (10)

Map of the riverwalk and sites of art displays. Photo credit: Steve Pulaski

Since the construction of the river walk, the site has become an extremely popular site for residents and visitors to the ICE HARBOR. Beginning in 2006 ART ON THE RIVER has used the riverwalk for displays. Walkers wander along the path obtaining that "feel for the river" goal first mentioned in the late 1990s.

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Source:

1. Worth, Cooper, "These 2 Iowa Landmarks Rank among Best Community Spaces in the US," Des Moines Register, April 19, 2026 Online

2. Nevans-Pederson, Mary, "Towns Work to Lure Out-of-Town Guests," Telegraph Herald, October 19, 1997, p. 32

3. Arnold, Bill, "Consultant May Study Plans for Riverfront." Telegraph Herald, September 19, 1991, p. 2

4. "Road Improvements," Telegraph Herald, April 18, 1995, p. 2

5. "Chamber Applies for Grants," Telegraph Herald, Area Briefs, March 9, 1997, p. 2

6. Bergstrom, Kathy, "Chamber Discusses Riverfront Plans," Telegraph Herald, October 2, 1997, p. 2

7. "Gift: Money For the Center is Included in Both House and Senate Bills," Telegraph Herald, July 1, 1999, p. 1

8. Carlisle, Nathan, "Friends Plan Fundraiser Y2K Ball," Telegraph Herald,June 18, 1999, p. 3

9. McDermott, Brad, "Plan Could Move Tower," Telegraph Herald, August 21, 1996, p. 1

10. McDermott, Brad. "No Movement on Shot Tower; It Stays Put," Telegraph Herald, September 27, 1997, p. 1. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19970927&printsec=frontpage&hl=en