PROJECT

Asbury Park Business Park.

Dubuque, Iowa

Asbury Park Business Park

project details.

Client

Motor City, LLC

Location

Dubuque, Iowa

Services

Engineering
Land Development
Municipal

A collaborative and interactive process between the Origin Design team and an Iowa developer resulted in the design and development of one of the largest shopping centers in the state.

project overview

Motor City, LLC engaged the Origin Design team to provide consulting services for the development of a 152-acre site into commercial lots. This included 7,000 feet of streets and requiring 1.3 million cubic yards of earthwork near one of the busiest intersections in Dubuque.

The result is the thriving Asbury Plaza Business Park.

During the design process, Origin Design’s engineers overcame several site constraints, including regulated waterways, disturbing wetlands, filling of a floodplain and an existing natural gas line.

In addition to completing basic design and permitting services, Origin Design provided bidding assistance, construction administration and observation, moisture and density control on excavation activities, and erosion and sediment control inspections.

Much of Origin Design’s work happened behind the scenes – or under ground – with the development of water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer utilities as well as mass site grading, paving and storm water control.

Origin Design also worked with River Valley Nursery and Landscaping for wetland delineations and Allender Butzke Engineers and Team Services for geotechnical borings and analysis on the project.

Origin Design coordinated efforts with multiple regulatory agencies, utility companies, the City of Dubuque, United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Iowa DNR.

Follow our journey.

Employee owned since 1999.

This Sunday, April 26, marks the anniversary of Origin Design becoming an ESOP. Recently, a few members of our team attended the NCEO Conference in Milwaukee, where we deepened our understanding of ESOP culture, leadership, sustainability, and employee engagement.

At Origin Design, employee ownership means more than a retirement benefit. It means building sustainable wealth, fostering leadership at every level, and investing in shared long term success.

Today we are celebrating Administrative Professionals Day with five outstanding individuals who support our teams and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Your organization, professionalism, and teamwork make a meaningful impact every day. Thank you for all that you do!

Mary Abbott, Senior Design Technician, and Tasha Vondal, Project Support Specialist, have spent the past year working closely on DOT funded projects. Mary has shared her 40 years of expertise in contract administration, guiding Tasha through every phase of the process, from project setup and bidding, to construction administration, payments, and change orders. This collaboration reflects our commitment to mentorship, teamwork, and delivering consistent, high-quality solutions for our clients.

As National Architecture Week comes to a close, we asked our team to reflect on the projects that inspired growth, learning, and collaboration. We’re grateful for the challenges that push us forward, the lessons that shape our work, and most importantly, the people who bring every project to life.

Today we’re proud to recognize our Architectural team in the Quad Cities and Waterloo/Cedar Falls areas! Their collaboration and problem-solving skills help transform ideas into spaces that serve communities across the region.

Happy National Architecture Week!

This week we’re recognizing our Architectural team starting with our Dubuque Office. Their insight and dedication to thoughtful design help shape spaces that support the people and communities we serve.

Please join us in welcoming Hannah Bakey to Origin Design!

Hannah recently joined our team as a Marketing Coordinator, where she’ll support proposals, marketing materials, social media, and more to help promote our services and brand. We’re excited to have her on board. Welcome to the #origincrew, Hannah!

We were excited to welcome some special visitors today from Junior Achievement of the Heartland as we celebrate JA Day! From volunteering in classrooms to bowl-a-thons and giving back, we’re proud supporters of Junior Achievement and the impact it has on our community. Community is one of our core values, and supporting the next generation is one way we bring it to life.

We’re proud to recognize Laurie Wehrspann, who was nominated for Women's Leadership Network of Dubuque Women of Achievement Awards.

For almost 35 years, Laurie has been a steady, behind-the-scenes force at Origin Design. As our accounting assistant, her dedication, precision, and institutional knowledge are integral to our day-to-day operations and long-term success. Her commitment and quiet impact do not go unnoticed.

Congratulations, Laurie, on this well-earned recognition, and thank you for all you continue to do.

Happy National Surveyors Week to the professionals who lay the groundwork for everything we build.

Our surveyors are often the first on-site, gathering the critical data that drives informed planning, design, and construction. Their precision enables safer, smarter, and more sustainable communities. A huge thank you to our incredible team for the accuracy, dedication, and innovation they bring to every project.

A major infrastructure upgrade is taking shape in Oelwein, IA. Origin Design’s team designed the new 10th St. SW replacement bridge, now under construction by Taylor Construction. For this Field Trip Friday, crews were setting 97-foot-long, 31 ton pretensioned prestressed concrete beams into place.

International Women’s Day reminds us that progress is driven by diverse perspectives. We’re proud to recognize the women of Origin Design whose skill, vision, and leadership strengthen our culture, our projects, and our future.