PROJECT

Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration.

Dubuque, Iowa

Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration

project details.

Client

City of Dubuque

Location

Dubuque, Iowa

Services

Architecture
Engineering
Structural
Municipal
Traffic & Transportation
Land Survey
Field Services

Creating a design to serve as a watershed solution and a catalyst for neighborhood reinvestment & revitalization.

The City of Dubuque’s Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project was the largest capital improvement project in the City’s history.

The design takes former industrial, commercial, and residential properties and creates an open waterway with a linear park—complemented by highly-visible bridge, culvert, and overlook structures, a recreation green space and trail, outdoor amphitheater, a community orchard and playground equipment.

The Bee Branch flood mitigation project protects over 1,300 homes and businesses from frequent and severe flash flooding to prevent an estimated $582 million in flood damage over its 100-year design life.

project overview

The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project includes two distinct sections, Lower Bee Branch and Upper Bee Branch.

The Upper Bee Branch portion was designed to take on storm water during rain events and move it safely through the area without flooding adjacent properties. It includes a 2,300-foot long landscaped creek and green space that accommodates low intensity recreational use, including a multi-use trail system, a play area with slides, scenic overlooks, an urban orchard and garden and an outdoor amphitheater which provides a venue for teaching and neighborhood gatherings.

The Upper Bee Branch bridges span the flowing creek providing horizontal and vertical clearance for a multi-use recreational trail beneath. The bridges were seen as an opportunity to create a “gateway” experience for travelers at the street level to send a message they were entering something unique and special. This was the driving force behind incorporating the planters with pedestrian viewing and seating areas and open railings. The project has the added value of improving water quality and property values and stimulating investment.

IIW served as the project manager, architect, and structural engineering consultant for both the Lower Bee Branch and Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration projects.

Follow our journey.

#tbt On April 26, 1999, Origin Design (formerly IIW) became an ESOP. Co-founders Carl Schoenhard & Dennis Waugh (pictured) originally enacted the ESOP as a way to secure the future of the company following Schoenhard's retirement. Now over 20 years later, Origin Design is 100% employee owned.

#origindesign #employeeowned #ESOP #40yearanniversary #1982to2022 #followourjourney

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! Our project support and administrative staff ensure our projects & day-to-day operations at Origin Design run smoothly! We're so lucky to have them all on our #origincrew!

#origindesign #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #projectsupport #administrative

#tbt Codi Putnam, Director of Finance, reflected on the last four years at Origin Design and her favorite memory was when the company became 100% employee owned. "One of my favorite memories was getting to hand out checks to the 22 shareholders that came together & agreed to be bought out in order for us to become a 100% employee-owned company. It was a big commitment for those involved to better the future of the company."

#origindesign #40yearanniversary #1982to2022 #followourjourney

Tim O'Brien is celebrating 30 years at Origin Design. We're so thankful for your hard work & dedication over the years! Happy Anniversary!

#origindesign #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #fieldservices #milestoneanniversary

We're Hiring! Are you or someone you know looking for a career in the A/E Industry? Check out our open positions & apply here!

#origindesign #yourfuturestartshere #workingontomorrow #werehiring #dubuquejobs #quadcitiesjobs #origincrew

Amanda Kennedy, Emily Crowe and Macy Mislivecek had a great time connecting with attendees at the Dubuque Area STEM Festival! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth!

#origindesign #STEMFest #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #outreach

#tbt We asked Cody Kelchen what his favorite project is that he has worked on since starting at Origin Design 2 years ago. The answer: "My favorite project I have worked on while at Origin Design was a local industrial project. There were some unusual challenges with this project that really struck my curiosity; one being the presence of coal.....Using our best judgement, we had to determine how much, if any, coal residue was acceptable underneath our roadway without causing long term damage to the pavement structure. I learned so much both in the field and in the office from this project."

#origindesign #municipalengineer #40yearanniversary #1982to2022 #followourjourney

Emily Crowe is officially a Licensed Structural Engineer in Illinois! Congrats, Emily! We're so lucky to have you on our Structural Team. Learn more about Emily's journey to becoming an SE here.

#origindesign #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #structuralengineer

Are you looking for something fun to do with your families this week? Join us at the Dubuque Area Family STEM Festival at the University of Dubuque this Thursday, April 7th from 4 to 7 PM. Amanda Kennedy, Emily Crowe, Gertrude Heimerdinger & Macy Mislivecek will be at Origin Design's Booth & are excited to meet you & share all about STEM.

#origindesign #workingontomorrow #STEMFest #itstartshere

Cody Austin is celebrating 15 years at Origin Design. Congrats, Cody! We're excited to see what you'll accomplish in the next 15.

#origindesign #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #togetherwedeliversolutions #milestoneanniversary #15years

Come join the #origincrew! We're hiring a Construction Inspector to join our Field Services Team. This position could be located at our headquarters in Dubuque, IA, or in our Quad Cities Office in Davenport, IA! Learn more & apply here.

Happy National Surveyors Week! It's easy to celebrate when you have such a talented group of surveyors on your crew. Thank you for all you do. We're lucky to have you!

#origindesign #landsurvey #workingontomorrow #itstartshere #nationalsurveyorsweek