DUBUQUE, Iowa — November 13, 2026 — The Dubuque City Council will take up three proposed development agreements totaling nearly $310 million in private and non-profit investment at its meeting Monday, November 16, setting public hearings on projects that would bring a regional youth sports complex, a redeveloped Dubuque Pack site, and a new Community Y recreation center to the city over the next 10 years.

The three items on the agenda cover sports and recreation, retail, commercial, and housing development. Monday’s action is to set the public hearings on the proposed agreements; the hearings themselves will come later. Combined, the agreements under consideration would provide about $46.8 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) grants. The grants use a portion of the new property taxes generated by the developments and are not funded through existing general tax revenues.

Youth Sports Complex and Commercial Development — $148 Million

One agenda item asks the council to consider selling nearly 125 acres along the Southwest Arterial corridor to Why Not Dubuque, a not-for-profit, and Dubuque Sports Development LLC, a local developer, for a regional indoor and outdoor youth sports complex and surrounding hotel, restaurant, retail, entertainment, and other commercial development.

The property consists of four parcels at the four corners of the Southwest Arterial interchange at N. English Road. The council will set public hearings for the proposed development agreement, the sale of the property, creation of a related TIF district, and annexation of the property, which is currently outside the city limits, into the city.

The plans call for Why Not Dubuque to construct a $58 million indoor/outdoor multi-sports facility in the approximately 30-acre northeast quadrant of the interchange adjacent to Roosevelt Park. Initial construction would begin by May 2028, with substantial completion planned by June 2030.

The remaining approximately 95 acres would be developed by the for-profit Dubuque Sports Development LLC. The $90 million development would include hotels, restaurants, family entertainment, retail, and highway-service businesses constructed in phases.

An indoor/outdoor youth sports complex was identified as a priority project in the Envision 2030 community visioning process and the Dubuque City Council’s annual goal-setting process. It will also complement the Field of Dreams project.

The proposed development agreement recommends the City convey approximately 30 acres for the non-profit youth sports complex for a purchase price of $1. Approximately 95 acres for the commercial development would be sold for $1.74 million, subject to federal requirements and updated appraisals. The City would also participate in necessary transportation and utility infrastructure improvements and would pursue a state grant to offset eligible roadway costs. Additionally, the City would provide approximately $21.2 million in TIF grants over the 23-year term of the agreement. The City would retain approximately $5.3 million in TIF revenue for public improvements related to the project. Once the commercial buildout begins, the City is projected to receive $2.8 million in hotel/motel and sales taxes over a five-year period.

Mixed-Use Development at Former Dubuque Pack Site — $80 Million

Another agenda item will set a public hearing for council consideration of a development agreement with local developer Hwy. 151 & 61 Development LLC to facilitate approximately $80 million in private investment to redevelop the former Dubuque Pack site on 16th Street. The project could convert the long-vacant, former industrial area into a mixed-use destination intended to feature a grocery store, hotel, restaurants, retail businesses, recreational amenities, and potentially residential development.

The developer has owned the property since 2005 and had originally invested over $4 million to remove the Dubuque Pack building so it did not become a blighting influence. The proposed development is broken down into four phases, with the first phase commencing within 12 months of the completion of construction of the 14th Street Railroad overpass and the 16th Street/Sycamore Street roundabout.

The council will consider supporting the project by awarding the developer approximately $16 million in TIF grants over the term of the development agreement.

Dubuque Community Y and Mixed-Use Development — $82 Million

The agenda also includes setting a public hearing on a proposed development agreement with the Dubuque Community Y and Plastic Center Inc. (PCI/Fischer Companies) to develop a new recreation center, housing, and commercial facilities on approximately 160 acres at the southeast corner of the Northwest Arterial and Asbury Road.

The approximately $82 million in private and non-profit investment would include a $43 million Dubuque Community Y recreation center and $39 million in commercial and residential development.

Construction of an estimated 85,000-square-foot Dubuque Community Y facility is scheduled to begin by May 2029, with substantial completion by December 2033.

PCI would develop commercial and residential buildings in phases, including opportunities for retail, office, service businesses, workforce housing, senior housing, market-rate rentals, and condominiums. Residential construction is scheduled to begin by May 2029. Commercial construction would begin by May 2033.

The council will consider supporting the project through approximately $9.6 million in TIF grants over 23 years, with the City retaining $2.4 million for related public infrastructure improvements.

The City Council meets Monday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street. Additional details and documents related to the projects are available on the Nov. 16 meeting agenda at cityofdubuque.org/Agendas.

Sources

City of Dubuque news release, November 13, 2026; Nov. 16 Dubuque City Council meeting agenda, cityofdubuque.org/Agendas.