Project History

Phase 1: Assessment and Study

In 2017, the City hired consultant Conventions, Sports and Leisure International (CSL)  to conduct a comprehensive study and assessment of the Five Flags Civic Center. Phase 1 findings assessed the current status of the center and explored local market conditions and visitor industry assessment, existing Five Flags Civic Center operations, industry trends, and competitive/comparable facilities. At the July 2, 2018, City Council meeting, the Five Flags Civic Center Commission forwarded their unanimous recommendation to receive and file the Five Flags Civic Center Assessment and Study and that the Council choose scenario four for the Five Flags renovations, based upon the response of the Dubuque community and all the public input. The City Council placed the Assessment and Study on file:

Following the review and discussion of the assessment and study, the City Council contracted again with CSL to perform Phase 2 planning for an expanded and improved Five Flags Civic Center (scenario #4) from the Phase 1 Assessment and Study. The report was to be presented to staff in December of 2018.

Phase 2: Deeper Dive

The summary of Phase 2 planning for an expanded/improved Five Flags Center was submitted to the City in December 2018. The study was discussed at the Five Flags Civic Center Commission meeting and at the City Council at their Dec. 17, 2018, meeting.

Following review and discussion of the Phase 2 report, the City Council contracted with CSL in May 2019, to perform Phase 2A planning of scenario 3 from the study and assessment and for the creation of a hybrid of scenario 4 from the Phase 2 study.

Phase 2A: Additional Options 

The summary of Phase 2A planning for an expanded/improved Five Flags Center was submitted to the Five Flags Civic Center Commission and presented at a City Council work session on Nov. 12, 2019.

FFCC Phase 2A

2020: Plans Put On Hold

CSL made a presentation to the Five Flags Civic Center Commission and the City Council in November of 2019. At its Dec. 17, 2019 meeting, the Five Flags Civic Center Commission endorsed Scenario 4 Hybrid and recommended the City Council draft ballot language for an upcoming vote in 2020. The Dubuque City Council received and filed this correspondence at their Jan. 6, 2020 meeting and directed the City Attorney to draft ballot language. The language was presented and approved at the Feb. 17, 2020 City Council meeting, with a referendum vote expected to be scheduled in the near future. When the 2020 COVID-19 emergency hit, the City Council requested to delay the vote due to economic uncertainty and related supply chain issues caused by the pandemic. Setting a vote date was to be tabled until January 2022, when more economic certainty was to be known. The City Council then held a work session on Feb. 9, 2022 to review scenarios and determine future action. At this meeting the City Council requested updated cost estimates and projections to further discuss a potential referendum.

February 2022 Update

The City Council held a work session on Feb. 9, 2022 to review scenarios and determine future action. At this meeting, the City Council requested updated cost estimates and projections to further discuss a potential referendum.  

  • CLICK HERE to view the agenda for this work session which includes a comprehensive list of background materials related to the project.

  • CLICK HERE to watch a video of the presentation made to City Council at the Feb. 9, 2022, work session.

April 2022 Update

The updated analysis includes new operating projections as well as utilization and attendance projections for an expanded/improved Five Flags Center. It increased projected annual revenues from $1.75 million to $1.96 million and expenses from $2.1 million to $2.2 million.  The updated estimates indicate a reduction in the facility’s annual operating deficit from its current level of $856,000 to approximately $252,000, a 70% reduction. 

  • CLICK HERE to view the Updated Analysis of Capital and Operating Costs for an Expanded/Improved Five Flags Civic Center

  • CLICK HERE to view the April 18 City Council meeting agenda item with additional background documents.
Updated Five Flags Project Cost Analysis Thumbnail Image

Summer 2022 Update:  

In June 2022, the City Council considered setting the date for a Five Flags Referendum vote in March 2023.  Following significant discussion at the June 6, 2022, meeting, the City Council decided to delay scheduling a referendum and to instead hold a work session to further review scenarios/options for Five Flags.  

  • CLICK HERE to watch the discussion at the June 6, 2022, meeting.

In July 2022, the City Council voted to hold a work session at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2022, to further discuss the future of Five Flags.  In the meantime, City staff will gather updated cost estimates for the various improvement scenarios presented previously and to review needed capital improvements for the facility.  

  • CLICK HERE to watch the City Council discussion on this decision at the July 5, 2022, meeting. 
  • For additional background on what will be shared at this work session, please read the Staff Memo submitted to CIty Council.