NORTH DUBUQUE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

NORTH DUBUQUE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. This neighborhood association was formed on November 29, 1973 to provide social, economic, and recreational services to the citizens living in the area. The north end of Dubuque had the highesst concentration of children and the second highest concentration of elderly in the city. Organized similarly to the WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION, the newer association had immediate goals that differed. While Washington Neighborhood established home improvement as the initial priority, NDIA was first concerned with improving COMISKEY PARK which served as the social and recreational center of the north end. (1)

Work on the park began two months before the formation of the organization. Beginning with painting the park's rundown building, the residents planned in the spring of 1974 to complete interior repairs and renovating the building into a community center. Once this was accomplished the organization would deal with home and business improvement, new parks, day care, and housing. (2)

Leading the organization were Dick Vorwald, president; Lucille Manders, vice-president; Janet Vance, secretary; and Delbert Ernzen. Tom Miskimen, a UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY student working at FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH served as the publicity director and general advisor. (3)

In 1975 members of the association voted to oppose widening turns on 24th St. at White and Central Avenue and extending White and Central as one-way streets between 21st and 24th STREETS. The belief was that the city should have consulted them before exploring changes that affected them. (4)

Along with the other neighborhood groups, NDIA worked closely with John Grau, the city's neighborhood development specialist. By 1975 the organization could point to such accomplishments as the renovation of Comiskey Park, installation of basketball and volleyball courts and a hockey rink, obtained tennis court lighting, secured improved traffic control, and began more preschool and senior citizen classes. (5)

In 1978 Dubuque officials asked the NCIA whether the city should invest intense rehabilitation efforts in a zone ranging from 20th to 26th streets and Center east to the Chicago North Western tracks. Harry Neustadt, the Community Development Specialist, said the exact boundaries were still open. If residents approved the program, the city would also ask them how to enforce housing codes. The program would include sealcoating of alleys, street lighting, and significant money for aid residents rehabilitation houses. (6)

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Source:

1. "North End Improvement Group Set Up," Telegraph-Herald, November 30, 1973, p. 7

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. "Neighborhood Group Wants City to Give Notice of Planned Changes," Telegraph-Herald, November 13, 1975, p. 5

5. Bulkley, E. A. "Here, There and Where," Telegraph Herald, August 24, 1975, p. 4

6. "Citizen Input for Rehab Plan Sought," Telegraph Herald, May 11, 1978, p. 6