Port of Dubuque
The Port area is separated from Downtown Dubuque's central business district by a double set of railroad tracks and an expressway that carries U.S. highways 151 and 61.
Its proximity to the river made the area convenient for a variety of industrial uses, including boat building, lumber transportation and storage, and ice harvesting.
The 1868 opening of the first Dubuque Railroad Bridge to Illinois also strengthened the Port's role as a center for heavy industry.
For this reason, much of the city's commercial and retail businesses were built farther inland, centered on West 9th and Main Streets.
Alongside boat building, the port had lumber yards, the Dubuque Star Brewery and a Civil War-era shot tower.
At that time, Iowa legalized riverboat gambling and the Casino Belle opened, afloat in the Ice Harbor.
In the late 1990s, the City of Dubuque saw an opportunity to expand on the existing tourism market by adding a major river-themed museum to the area.
Alongside a new museum, the city proposed a new hotel and indoor water park attraction, a large convention center, riverwalk and other amenities.
In the early 2000s, the city won a huge $40 million grant from the "Vision Iowa" Fund for the construction of the various attractions.
Although the district has a strong emphasis on tourist attractions, there are retail, office and residential projects included in proposed developments.
underway include the construction of a new office for McGraw Hill and a new headquarters for The Durrant Group (a Dubuque architectural firm).
During the summer, the area hosts the annual America's River Festival, the Taste of Dubuque, and appearances by presidential candidates, among other events.
The Port of Dubuque Marina is able to accommodate boats that are up to 90 feet (27 m) and offers slip rentals, fuels sales (unleaded and diesel) and pump out service.
The facility has 86,000 square feet (8,000 m2) of meeting space and regularly plays host to weddings, car shows, regional conventions and presidential candidates.
It is connected by skywalk to the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark and has underground parking, high-speed internet and catering services.
Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, it is the largest of its kind, and includes dozens of interactive, family-friendly exhibits.
The complex also has a large aquarium component, including turtles, otters, fish and other wildlife found along the river.
In addition to these, the facility has theaters, a working wetland and the restored William M. Black dredge boat for tourists to explore.
It runs from the Ice Harbor in the south to the Dubuque Rail Bridge and Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the north.
It includes the American Trust and Savings Bank River's Edge Plaza, benches, and numerous informational displays detailing the history of the Port of Dubuque.
The trail system will, in its finality, be interconnected and link up the various parks and tourist attractions along Dubuque's Mississippi Riverfront.
After many years of service, including munitions production during the American Civil War, it was used as a fire watchtower for a lumber yard located at the site.
The new casino will have 990 slot machines, 17 table games, a poker room, a 36-lane bowling and entertainment center and three restaurants.
It will be the largest parking structure in the city, and will sit near the planned casino expansion at East 3rd and Bell Streets.
[7] A Dubuque-based architectural/engineering firm, The Durrant Group, is renovating the former Adams Company building and moving its new corporate headquarters there.
