Dubuque City Council approves construction of amphitheater

The City Council voted, 7-0, to approve the $12.1 million second phase of construction for a concert amphitheater next to Q Casino + Resort. The council previously approved the demolition of the old greyhound kennels on Chaplain Schmitt Island to make way for a permanent outdoor concert venue next to the casino. This second, more expensive phase includes the construction of the amphitheater, with construction to begin in the spring and finish in time for the 2026 concert season. Dubuque received a $3 million Destination Iowa grant from the state for this project, which will be additionally funded with a $500,000 grant from DRA and by roughly $8.6 million in downtown tax-increment financing revenues. Bids will be released next month with a contract to be awarded Dec. 16.