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.