Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Letter and Fact Sheet11
ACCREDITED
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
L HgM6EP
J DUBUQ AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
607-'IBCHER BUILDING DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001
PHONE 319 583-8246
August 30, 1974
Dear Member:
On September 24, 1974, the City of Dubuque will
be faced with a bond referendum asking for 2.5 million
dollars to complete the Five Flags Civic Center and to
construct an ice skating rink in downtown Dubuque.
Due to the size of the project the Board of Directors
Of the Chamber would like your feeling on the project
before it publicly expresses the,Chamber's position on
the proposal.
Enclosed with this letter is a fact sheet on the
Five Flags recreation complex and a postage paid reply
card which we ask you to complete. The statement on the
card reads exactly as the ballot will read on September
24, 1974. Please return your ballot to the Chamber office
no later than September 5, 1974.
HAS:kl
Enclosure
Sincerely,
Harvey A. Schmitt
Executive Vice -President
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
DUBUQUE FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER 8 ow
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER?
A restored theater, architecturally and historically significant, is the basic
building block of the Five Flags Civic Center composed of the theater; a new
two level exhibition -arts building; a promenade connecting the exhibition -arts
building with the restored theater; and a multi -purpose ice facility.
The project goal is to provide a meaningful program in a wide variety of rec-
reational, historical, educational, art and entertainment experiences for the
citizens of the Dubuque area and those who will visit Dubuque.
WHAT ELSE WILL THE CENTER DO FOR DUBUQUE?
Enhancing Dubuque's entertainment and recreational potential with a new civic
center will widen Dubuque's trade area and can considerably increase retail
trade. Tourism and convention.business have proven to be equivalent to adding
a major industry to a community.
WHY SHOULD AN ICE FACILITY BE INCLUDED IN THE FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER?
Ice skating interest is high in Dubuque. When ice was available during the
last three years, daily attendance averaged over 1,750 persons.
The combination is compatible and increases the use of the overall Center.
Families can take part in activities in both facilities --children skating while
Mother is in a workshop or crafts class and Father is at the boat show --or the
whole family is skating or at a concert or dance recital., etc.
The multi -purpose ice facility seats 3,200 when used other than for skating.
The exhibition hall has a potential seating capacity of 2,000 and the theater
will seat 800, making a total of 6,000 seats in the entire Center.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THIS PROJECT?
The taxpayers are being asked to support a V1 million dollar bond issue which,
combined with the one million dollars committed by the Five Flags executive
committee, will cover the total cost of 33� million dollars. Without the existing
Orpheum Theatre, the project would cost 6;1 million dollars today. In Waterloo,
the voters have approved two projects totalling 6 million dollars for their Conway
Square and Recreation and Arts building. We will have a comparable facility in
one area for 311 million dollars.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST THE INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER?
On property valued at $20,000. it will cost less than 37C per week in increased
taxes. However, a portion of this increase will be offset by bonds that will be
retired over the next several years.
WHAT WILL IT COST THE TAXPAYERS TO OPERATE THIS FACILITY?
Real Estate Research reports that income from commercial use of the Center can
offset operating costs. The Playground and Recreation Commission has investigated
ice facilities in a number of communities and found that they are self-sustaining
and in some cases they are making a profit. Based on suggested minimum charges
(50C for children, $1. for adults) it is estimated that this facility can more than
cover its operating costs.
WHY USE DOWNTOWN LAND FOR THIS?
The proposed plan removes less land from the tax rolls than indicated in the
original plan for the Urban Renewal Project.
According to Real Estate Research Corporation, the urban renewal land on which
the Center is to be located is well suited due to the following reasons:
a. The compact form of the Dubuque urban area places the majority of the
city's population within three miles of the site.
b. The location at the south end of the urban renewal area will benefit
from the rejuvenation of the downtown area and the interest generated
by the pedestrian mall which will extend to the site of the Center.
c. The location of the proposed Civic Center is readily accessible to
all areas of Dubuque in that the major traffic arteries serving the
city and its market region converge and cross in the vicinity of the
site. (The site is the focal point for public transportation. No
transfers are needed on any of the city bus routes to bring people
within easy walking distance of the Center.)
d. The site adjoining the Orpheum Theater is also well positioned in
regard to existing parking facilities. (In addition to proposed on -
site parking provisions, there are over 1,000 parking spaces within
a two block walk of the site and an additional 300 spaces projected
for the Iowa Street ramp.)
The Five Flags Center greatly enhances the multi -purpose function of a modern
downtown.
WHY PUT THE ICE FACILITY ACROSS THE STREET? COULDN'T IT BE IN THE EXHIBITION HALL?
The needs of the exhibition hall and the ice rink are such that a single building
will not accomodate these needs.
WILL THE ICE RINK BE USED ALL THE TIME FOR PUBLIC SKATING?
The majority of the time it will be used for recreational skating, with seating
for 1,100. However, it can accomodate seating for 3,200 for other uses, providing
an additional large seating capacity for the Center.
WHEN WILL THE CENTER BE READY FOR USE?
The theater -exhibition hall complex will be ready in January, 1976, in time for
the Bicentennial celebration. The ice rink will be ready for use three or four
months later.
WHEN WAS THE LAST CITY BOND ISSUE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES PASSED IN DUBUQUE?
1953 --- Flora Park Pool (Paid off in 1973)
. For additional information call---
588-1478 or 582-1976 or 582-5887