Consultants say it’s time for Dubuque officials to decide about the future of the Five Flags Civic Center. The choices are to continue pouring money into the structure that will become more costly to maintain every year or spend the money on an expanded and improved Five Flags Civic Center. Prior to a Dubuque City Council meeting Monday, the city’s Five Flags Civic Center Commission voted unanimously to recommend moving forward with an estimated $75 million expansion. If City Council members agree, the public would be asked to weigh in with a referendum. That project would add 2,400 seats to the civic center arena and likely would reduce by two-thirds an annual city operating subsidy that currently runs more than $900,000. The project also would renovate the lobby of Five Flags Theater, restore balcony seating, add an elevator and update restrooms.
