Imagine 2020

Community Center input session

Tuesday, Nov. 24 @ 11:30 am

James Kennedy Public Library

 

Come to talk about what the community center should consist of and location possibilities.

5 Imagine 2020 Ideas Announced

The Dyersville Area Imagine 2020 Steering Committee is pleased to announce the top 5 Imagine 2020 ideas:

#1    Community Center for use by seniors/historical society/groups
#2    Build trails to become a walking/bicycle-friendly community
#3    (tied with 4)  Build Alzheimer’s/dementia unit
#4    (tied with 3)  Pedestrian bridge between Candy Cane Park & Westside Park
#5    Better Highway 20 access and interchange to improve safety

The public went to the polls on Tuesday, April 21 to vote for five of the thirty ideas as chosen by the Idea Selection Committee.  These top five projects received the highest number of votes which has been confirmed by that committee.

“This visioning process got the community thinking about the future, and what is needed for this area,” said Karla Thompson, Executive Director of the Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce.  “The steering committee thanks everyone who supported this important process, attended the Kick Off event, submitted ideas, encouraged others to think about the future.  Kudos to the Steering and Idea Selection Committee – everyone has worked so hard.  Now, the process of taking the ideas and making them reality begins.”

A public forum on each of the top projects will take place by September, 2009.  These will be led by individuals who could help enact the projects, but committees will be developed from these forums to research and help move ahead each project.  Notices about the public forums and follow up reports will be on www.dyersvilleimagine2020.com, in the Dyersville Commercial, the Chamber newsletter and on the local cable station.

Thompson continued, “The steering committee strongly encourages all area people to attend the forum or forum(s) most directly related to their interest. So many of the projects are interrelated, and just because they did not make the top five does not mean they will not be recognized and integrated into community efforts. All 30, all 569 really, can have an impact on the area if someone takes the ball on any of them and runs with it.”

Now, everyone’s opinions, whether they voted or not, need to present at the forums so we can have action behind the dreaming.” stated Thompson.

Here are the complete voting results below:

Activities, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism

129    Community Center for use by seniors/historical society/groups
81    Relocate and expand existing sports complex
56    Build a lake and provide activities—boating, swimming, beach, camping,   trails, etc.
47    Build driving range, miniature golf, go cart track
35    Drive-in movie theater
29    Bigger recreation center
22    Develop a community festival
21    Establish community theatre and community band

Economic development, employment, retail, etc.
82    Incentives for local businesses, tax breaks, encourage expansion & start-ups
27    Incentives to develop/purchase moderate income housing   
19    Additional joint marketing efforts - City, Chamber, Dyersville Economic Development Corporation - to attract and make new residents feel welcomed

Education
94    Expand Western Dubuque public school    in Dyersville
93    Establish a new public school district, K-12

Healthcare
122    Build alzheimer’s/dementia unit
55    Create dialysis unit

Infrastructure
128    Build trails to become a walking/bicycle-friendly community   
122    Pedestrian bridge between Candy Cane and Westside Park
88    Reservoir to assist flooding control
60    Power the city by using wind energy   
47    Affordable senior congregate housing (common areas)
35    Preserve older buildings, landmarks, emphasis on history of area
32    Expansion of parks
19    Develop more apartment complexes   

Transportation
104    Better Highway 20 access and interchange to improve safety   
82    Safe crossings for kids on Highway 136
50    Publicly owned airport (improved)       
73    Create street system to improve better access to/from Beckman
52    Vehicular bridge to connect Beltline Rd and 7th street SW across 1st Ave W.
44    Improve access on/off Highway 136 North
28    Have Amtrak service through the area