Dubuque, Iowa -- 2008 Most Livable Small City in America

Dubuque, Iowa was named the Most Livable Small City in America for 2008 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The USCM City Livability Program, sponsored by Waste Management, Inc., honors mayors and their city governments for developing programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas. Established in 1979, the City Livability Awards are given annually to ten mayors and their cities -- a first-place award and four Outstanding Achievement Awards for cities under 100,000 population, and a first-place and four Outstanding Achievement Awards for cities of 100,000 or more inhabitants.

Dubuque's application featured the America's River project and the public/private partnerships and community involvement that transformed the Port of Dubuque into a destination that captures the historical, environmental, educational and recreational majesty of the Mississippi River. Phase I of America's River totaled nearly $188 million invested in projects including the Grand River Center, Mississippi Riverwalk, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Grand Harbor Resort and WaterPark, and the renovation of the Dubuque Star Brewery. Phase II is currently underway and features an additional investment of nearly $200 million, including the McGraw-Hill Higher Education Building, the Diamond Jo Casino expansion, Port of Dubuque Public Parking Facility, the Durrant Group headquarters, the Portside Development mixed-use project, and the expansion of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.