Voters in Dubuque will head to the polls this fall to determine the future of the Five Flags Center after two years of study and debate. City Council members voted, 6-1, on Monday night to move forward with a September 8th vote on a proposed $75 million expansion of the city-owned civic center. A vote on March 3rd previously had been suggested. The expansion across West Fifth Street would increase the arena’s capacity from 4,000 seats to more than 6,400 seats. Increased seating and rigging height could attract higher-profile entertainment acts and increase attendance, according to city-hired consultants. The project also would include the installation of eight suites, with the potential to generate more revenue to drop the annual taxpayer operating subsidy from more than $900,000 to about $350,000.
