AMERICA’S RIVER PROJECT A BIG TOURISM SUCCESS.
$188 Million Development Provides Variety of Attractions

Dubuque, Iowa—September 2005—Celebrating only its third anniversary this summer, the $188 million project called America’s River at the Port of Dubuque is already being labeled as one of Iowa’s finest tourism attractions. Launched in December of 2002 as a partnership between city, state and private enterprises, this unique project nestled along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River continues to set state tourism attendance records.

In only its second year of operation, America’s River attendance provided the impetus for an $18 million increase in Iowa tourism spending, generating a 6.3 % increase, twice the national average of 2002. The project captured the Iowa State Tourism award as the pacesetter for a record year in Iowa tourism revenue.

“We have been overwhelmed with the response to this tremendous offering,” stated Sue Czeshinski, executive director of the Dubuque Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The project has exceeded our initial projections for visitor traffic and is a shining example of how government and private enterprise can work together to provide a resurgence and vitality to a community,” said Czeshinski.

America’s River Project is the only place along the entire 2,400-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that offers a multi-faceted campus celebrating the historical, environmental, educational and recreational majesty of the USA’s most famous body of water.

The America’s River Project is the only venture of it’s kind on the 2,400-mile stretch of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America, passing through 10 states, reaching from its headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. The river has inspired some of America’s most favored music, literary pieces and created both historical and mythical legends while generating over $7 billion in agricultural and forest products and $29 million in manufacturing goods each year. It also serves as a water source for over 4 million people. International visitors spend an estimated $2.6 billion each year throughout the ten river states, generating more than 53,000 jobs. The Port of Dubuque is located on the western banks of the Mississippi River, where the Julian Dubuque Bridge links travelers between Iowa and Illinois. The City of Dubuque has a population of 58,000.

The first phase of the $188 million development, a resort hotel and waterpark, opened in December of 2002 followed by the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in the summer of 2003. Other amenities on the Riverwalk have been added including the Alliant Energy Amphitheater.

The success of the America’s River project has created surging momentum with additional growth and new development. This can be seen in the recent $33 million expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. The state-of-the-art casino features 1,000 slot machines, expanded gaming floor with wider aisles, a variety of dining options and complimentary valet parking. Construction of the Hilton Garden Inn continues next door to Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. The 116-room property will feature Houlihan’s restaurant and is slated to open by mid-October 2005. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, recently voted as Iowa’s No. 1 attraction, provides a true adventure into the habitat of the mighty river’s surroundings and is the only museum of its kind in the world. The museum highlights interactive displays where visitors can get “up close and personal” with wildlife that inhabit the Mississippi River areas. Museum visitors can even become barge pilots. The William Woodward Discovery Center in the museum features five large aquariums that provide close-up views of giant catfish, alligators and ancient sturgeon. The National Rivers Hall of Fame captures the drama of the influential river people and chronicles the history of the many great explorers who discovered and lived on the Mississippi and other great American waterways. The Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum celebrates the history of riverboats on the Mississippi through interactive exhibits and historic artifacts.

The Grand River Education and Conference Center, which opened in the fall of 2003, comprises a state-of-the-art 114,5000 square-foot conference and meeting facility located on the banks of the Mississippi. The facility is comprised of four ballrooms, six meeting rooms and a 30,000 square-foot flexible exhibition hall. Enclosed walkways connect the conference center to many of the other development’s attractions.

The Mississippi Riverwalk area opened in the summer of 2003. It features the Alliant Energy Citizen’s Amphitheater, a 25,000 square-foot waterpark, a Riverwalk and the River’s Edge Plaza. The Riverwalk is part of a 44-mile trail connecting America’s River to the nationally renowned Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. The River’s Edge Plaza, a 5,000 square-foot plaza and pavilion, also serves as the landing berth for the Delta Queen Company Riverboats and other large excursion boats.

The amphitheater is an outdoor center designed to host live entertainment, concerts, plays and other special ceremonies and celebrations throughout the year.

The indoor waterpark, Iowa’s first, features Huck Finn II, a four-story tree house, plus a bevy of waterslides, multiple pools, a lazy river and two hot tub whirlpools.

The Riverwalk also provides a naturally convenient path to all the America’s River facilities and attractions, following along the Mississippi river banks.



###