Back to Dubuque Street Celebration on Oct. 24th

(Iowa City, IA) – October 11, 2024 – The Iowa City Downtown District, in collaboration with Dubuque Street businesses, the City of Iowa City, and Portzen Construction, is excited to announce the Back to Dubuque Street Celebration on Thursday, October 24th. Join us for a community block party to celebrate the progress of the Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project and show appreciation for the local businesses that have navigated months of construction. The street will be closed to traffic, allowing for programming throughout the day and additional outdoor seating and dining. Come enjoy free entertainment from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., food and drink specials, shopping, and plenty of opportunities to support your favorite local businesses.

The Back to Dubuque Street Celebration offers the perfect opportunity for the community to gather, enjoy the newly revitalized area, and show support for the local businesses that remained open throughout the construction. Additional seating will be available throughout the day for visitors to sit outside, enjoy the view, and grab food to-go from the block’s restaurants. Retail shops will be set up on the street during the afternoon showcasing their merchandise to shop all day long. In the evening, attendees can look forward to performances from local bands, BINGO with Micky’s to win prizes, and order food and drinks from restaurants that will be set up outside.

“The Dubuque Street businesses have shown incredible resilience during this project, and we are thrilled to come together as a community to celebrate their dedication and the street’s transformation,” said Christopher Hunter, the Director of Marketing at the Iowa City Downtown District. “This mini block party is a chance for residents and visitors to experience the new improvements, celebrate the end of construction, and reconnect with their favorite businesses in the heart of downtown.”

The Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project was part of the City of Iowa City’s Downtown Streetscape Update Plan, which aims to modernize critical infrastructure and create a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown. After a long summer of infrastructure improvements, all of the hard surface work on Dubuque Street between Iowa Avenue and Washington Street has been completed. The block now features wider sidewalks, upgraded storm and sewer systems that were over a century old, new bike racks, planters, and a refreshed streetscape that will enhance the experience for pedestrians and visitors. Construction work on the adjacent alleyway, overhead catenary lighting, and street-pole lighting installations is set to wrap up later this fall and winter.

“We are excited to be finishing up our third major Downtown Streetscape Project in the past ten years,” said Scott Sovers, Assistant City Engineer for the City of Iowa City. “Everyone involved including Portzen Construction, the Iowa City Downtown District, City Staff, and all the impacted businesses were instrumental in making this a successful Project. I would encourage the public to come downtown and witness the newly constructed improvements and to support your local businesses.”

The Back to Dubuque Street Celebration promises to be a lively and festive occasion, running from the late afternoon into the early evening, offering the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy the new and improved Dubuque Street.