Five Flags Civic Center Planning Committee ReportFIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER PLANNING COMMITTEE
R. J. Slattery, Chairman
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque has undertaken the task of bringing about a marriage
that will provide its children with a legacy that cannot be equaled.
A marriage between the past and the present, between the young and
the old and between the cultural community and the business commun-
ity. This marriage will produce an offspring that will offer a
unique quality deserved by our community.
"....we need .to expose aU the ch t&ten to att ob the A&U...."
John D. Rockefeller III, National Recreation and Park Congress, 1967.
to ..People can pa tia.ipate .in the Anti at theih own level ob
abitity. By .theix pattici.pation .they discoveh the Axt6 and how
they can expneas .thei& unique .indiv.iduati,6m through .the Ahts. Leahn-
.ing the technique o4 a panti,cutcuc aht faun enables the individual
to undeAcs.tand .the curt 6onm and to expners himse,24 thhough .it."
Norman Kaberlan, Recreation Magazine, June, 1972.
"T5 .the community puv.idez 6acititie6 and teadeAzh,ip Uon people
who, .in theilc teisune ,time, enjoy playing gol5, tennis, basebatt
and swimming, ,is not .the community atzo obPigated .to paov.ide con-
ceAt ha tz, thea Aes, ga2.2eAies, hehearza2 space, equipment and
qua2i6.ied leadeuh,ip bon people who choose to spend the.iA leiswce
.t&e appreciating and participating .in akti6tic activ.ities." Ray
Forsberg, Superintendent of Recreation, Waterloo, Iowa.
CONCEPT
The integral arrangement of confined units of space to the
overall development of a facility to meet the expressed needs of a
community is most challenging and most difficult. Nevertheless, at-
tempts to bring about an adequate solution was initiated. Four over-
riding considerations surfaced almost at the outset of the investigation.
These are listed in no order of particular priority as follows:
1. Multiplicity of use. A facility of the nature of Five
Flags Civic Center mustt be designed to serve a multiplicity of uses.
Page Two
The economical implications of a structure of this nature dictates
that maximum utilization of each unit of r spacemust
bvidualld'ered.
One can no longer afford or program. The
sive homes" for any particular
placement of individual cubicles of space must be arranged tomost
efficiently and effectively handle the multitude of groups,
gan-
izations or individuals who participate in the functions of the
center.
2. Ascetics. The elegant grandeur of the inside and the
majestic ominance of the outside of the Orpheum Theatre building
restricts, to a certain extent, the treatment of the new addition.
A marriage between new and old is sometimes disastrous. However,
all attempts should be made to accomplish a compatibility of func-
tion with the "sense of occasion" one tends to experience when
inside or outside the present Orpheum Theatre building.
ill more
3. Construction. Since Five Flags civic Center ublic agency,wthe choice
likely be operated by a governmental or p
of construction materials and the method of construction must be
fully considered, so that east of operation and maintenance can be
most economically performed.
All
efforts
Flagsshould
the routine main-
tenance that the day to day operation ofFive minimu
of the facility can be accomplished
with alimitatfonsmand
ber
of personnel and expenditures. Existing ph ysical
the presence of some usable specialized equipment will lock in the
method of restoring and the choice of modernized equipment for the
Orpheum Theatre portion of the facility.
4. People. Five Flags Civic Center is being provided for the
people of the Dubuqueland area. Accessibility, interior movement,
functionally pleasant units of space and convenient egress must be
provided to insure maximum participation and utilization.
a. Accessibility. Parking facilities located mainly in
the proposed parking lot on the Five Flags site, municipal
parking lots located west and north of the site and the two
municipal parking ramps located north of the site, will generate
most of the pedestrian traffic to the Five Flags Civic Center.
The Julien Motor Inn and the Canfield Hotel and a possible
motor inn located east and south of the facility will also gen-
erate a percentage of the pedestrian traffic.
b. interior movement. Once a participant reaches the
inside of the centerhe must be able to move smoothly from
,
Page Three
his point of entrance to the particular room or space unit
that he desires. The interior movement must be designed in
such a way that control can be accomplished with a minimum of
personnel.
c. Functionally pleasant units of space. Once the
participant has reached his destination, the units of space
must be designed and equipped in such a manner that, as well
as being a pleasant experience once inside, it must also be
functional:
d. Convenient egress. After the participant has taken
part in the particular activity, he must be able to leave the
facility and reach his method of transportation in a conven-
ient, smooth, unhampered way. This will necessitate the placing
of exits and the treatment of these exits in such a manner that
the area can still be controlled, but will allow exit from
that particular portion of the facility.
METHOD
Five areas of concentration were identified, with each area
being assigned the specific duty of investigating its particular
needs and desires and possible uses of the Five Flags Civic Center.
Committee chairmen or cochairmen were appointed to the five areas.
The chairman in turn solicited assistance from members of the community
who had a particular interest or expertise in a given area. Inven-
tories of existing facilities and spaces were surveyed, meetings
and discussion groups were called together, space needs and voids
were identified and a list of priorities was formulated as to the
relationship with Five Flags Civic Center. The following are the
committees, the chairmen or cochairmen and their findings:
1. Education. Chairman, the Reverend Carl L. Schmitt. This
committee's function was to relate the educational functions, even
joint functions between various levels of education, to the Five
Flags Civic Center. A number of programs were identified as possi-
ble activities that could be held in Five Flags Civic Center: A
theatre in the round, film presentations, art exhibits, art and
craft classes, art fairs, science fairs, rehearsal space for chor-
uses and small ensembles, commencement exercises and studios or
workshops for small art groups such as pottery, ceramics, print
making, painting and drawing, film making and photography.
Page Four
2. Performing Arts. Cochairmen, Mrs. Ruth Nash and Dr. Sol
Tabak. The results of the Performing Arts Subcommittee are presen-
ted intact as follows:
TO: Ruth Nash, Dick Slattery
FROM: Ad Hoc Five Flags Performing Arts Planning Committee (submit-
ted by Sol Tabak, Chairman)
SUBJECT: Results of planning committee meeting held at the Barn,
May 2, 1972•
ATTENDING: Representatives of the Dubuque Symphony, Public School
Music Department, Community Theatre, the Barn, Dubuque Choral
Society and Ballet.
FACILITIES NEEDED: Symphony: stage large enough for full orchestra.
(at least 72) Seating capacity minimum 650 - 750. seat —High Scaooi anod
Choral: stage large enough for 100 persons and seating cap Y
1,000. Ballet (road company) and visiting Symphony: Large stage,
big enough for 92 musicians and seating capacity at least 1f000.
opera nd theatre, road shows: Large stage high enough to fly
a
scenery, orchestra pit for opera and seating capacity at least 1,000
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES NEEDED:
Backstage bathrooms; one for men, one for women
An area to build and store sets
Box office
Refreshment stand
Storage for risers, chairs and music stands
Dressing rooms
"Varmup" room for musicians (rehearsal room)
"Green" (relaxing room) for visiting artists
Big wide and high double doors for movement of sets
Lobby for "milling" around
Control booth for lighting and sound
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Good speakers, sound system; speakers
Carpenter shop tools
Lights and good modern control panel;
lodges, at least 4 tormentors on
for behind proscenium
Two good pianos
Four tympanics
130 chairs
12 wooden straight -back chairs
Music stands
need good bass
8 Century Leko lights under
each side and fresnel lights
Page Five
Risers, choral and instrumental
Platform on railroad track to move sets
Equipment for flying scenery
SPECIAL AREAS TO CONSIDER
For wheelchairs, ramps and wider doors
Accoustics: consider all hard and soft surfaces. Will boxes need
removal? curtain should be butterfly or up and down, NOT side
to side (this cuts sound)
A wide stage will need masking
SPECIFICS RELATED TO ORPHEUM
Current proscenium too small h for visiting
If proscenium is widened to 60 feet, not big enough
orchestras or ballet companies
If the stage is extended forward, the sight line from balcony is
ruined
For opera, need pit; currently not big enough. Can be enlarged by
removing first few rows of seats
Movie projection booth could be combined with sound and light booth
if pit is built, an apron may be needed over it
Speakers should be adapted for cinema and music
Screen must move
SPECIAL QUESTIONS be needed for
Will this be Union theatre? Will unionsh neesan(consensus:very
road companies, opera, theatre, symp
likely yes)
Where will dress rehearsals for choral, opera, ballet and orchestra
take place?
Consider the number of seats in relation to royalties
FOR INVESTIGATION show
There road showspofptheatreaandsconcerts. in our These tshould cinema are beinvesti-
gated, IN PERSON
Cedar Rapids
St. Louis, Powell Hall
ary Nightswander, Recreation Department
Davenport; contact Mrs. M
Page Six
j. Visual Arts. Cochairmen, Mrs. Ruth Nash and Mrs. Charlotte
Soloman. The report of the Visual Arts Subcommittee is as follows:
FIVE FLAGS PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING, May 2, 1972
Suggested layout for Five Flags Building:
First floor recommended subterranean or at least partially so.
This lower floor would consist of class and work rooms. All studio
rooms should be concrete floors, no suspended ceilings and plain
block brick walls.
A loading dock built for easy access to both first and second floor
and equipped with over -sized doors for hauling large works of art, as
well as theatre equipment. ,
Second floor would then be on a level to accommodate a loading dock
plus provide extra high ceilings throughout the entire floor.
First Floor Plan:
Plan should provide the following room areas. All studios be
permanent and not flexible, i.e., one half day painting and drawing and
then the same room used the same day for clay work. Impossible ar-
rangement!
Access to studios from the outside so that the upper portion of the
building would not have to remain open when not necessary.
Professional setup to rent space to groups and to individuals.
Lighting must be very good in all studios.
CLAY ROOM
a) Courtyard. outside building, ideal size 40 ft. by 40 ft.
provide an exterior courtyard walled off for outdoor GAS kilns.
This would alleviate many city and county code problems.
Courtyard should be equipped with high pressure two -pound gas
line, 110 and 220 voltage for electric tools. 1-25 cu. gas kiln.
Dirt areas as well as concrete areas for kiln firings
Water supply outside
Large drains
Foundry for metal casting
Welding sculpture could be done in the courtyard
Loading dock adjoined to this area
b) Work room. This room left simple; NO false ceilings,
adequate ventilation facilities, concrete floor, water supply
to include two double sinks with heavy duty traps (ideal)
Definite need for work tables, 15 electric pottery wheels
1-10 cu. electric kiln
Page Seven
Many shelves for storage of works
Glaze area
Room to do large clay sculpture
Ideal suggested room size, 30 feet by 40 feet
c) Storage area. (15 feet by 15 feet) good size for storage
of clays and glazes.
2. WEAVING ROOM quiet atmosphere where one can
Room should be closed off with a q
work undisturbed
dev�oomis' four harness folding looms,
Storage lockers for i n
open ceilings. p
3. PRINT MAKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ROOM etching booth, racks,
a) Print making.
Shallow and deep sinks, 9
stones, setup for photo silk screening
b) Photography. Two separate areas so that work can go on
simultaneously without interruption er, shelves for equipment
Dark room. Sinks, enlarger, P
Film room. Driers, lots of shelf space, lockers
This room should remain simple with concrete floors, no sus-
pended ceiling, large floor drains, 110 and 220 voltage
4. PAINTING AND DRAWING ROOM supports within the room,
Large area room with no structural
i.e., vertical supports
Sinks with heavy duty traps
Floor drains
Electrical outlets 110 and 220 voltage
Tract lighting located in the ceiling to e general lighting)
painting painting setups (this is acein addition entilationhfacility, storage
Lockers, easels, table space,
racks for paintings and drawing boards children'
spaceforgroupsandindividuals s classes and
This room can efor
adult
classes,
rented studio space
5. JEWELRY AND METAL SCULPTURE ROOM long work bench
Jewelry is basically a one -wall setup, five soldering stations
Equipment suggested: two buffing wheels, as science
along one burn -proof counter, air two -pound pressure, 9
one small electric kiln, two cubic feet, one
room pressure,
certified casting machine, ten ring clamps
Access to courtyard foundry
Ventilation necessary
Page Eight
Sinks heavy duty traps, floor drain, no suspended ceilings,
Lockers and storage shelves
Metal sculpture welding equipment, 110 and 220 voltage
Large storage facility for supplies
Bulletin board for announcements of art to leavexhibitses)d competitive
shows in the area (also, place
Bathrooms, lounge area, snack
facility ande telephe forstudents and
Large rental lockers might
teachers students
A manned desk on the lower level with phone for contacting
in class and those doing private study. This person could also
coming and going in the lower level.
supervise those who might be
SECOND FLOOR table and chairs
ex -
Large storage room for crates,
merc
banquet room. Small compact units
Kitchen units: one decent -sized kitchen close to the comompact nit
hibit space that could double for banq
located in closet areas in thesmaller
mllerroometingroomss to
be used for confer-
ences, small galleries and general
SALES AND RENTAL GALLERY
art pieces that would be for sale and rental
A small room todisplay
purchase those art pieces that would be on
also. Also a place would go to the maintenance fund
exhibit. Commission charge
GALLERY narrow halls
Wide gallery rooms, not narrow h commercial product toube m inted
Wall surface , a textured plastic
on a solid wood wallwhich
would enable
then be removed to dbe pound
damage to
the surface for hangingCarpetingwi was also the wall surface and would leave no hole.
sug-
gested. as the cannot take the weight of
Metal groove tracts were vetoed, Y
large or heavy works s and rpaintings
High ceilings
aust fle fromptheenorth orfrom high windows
Lighting (natural) a i hts. Also, tract lighting for
along the roof lireor from skylg
nighttime display ace for large works
Long expanse of unbroken wall sp aller and other second floor
Floor electrical outlets throughout 9 y Suggested
rooms aintings.
Movable walls, having
large rooms owhen dnot necessary
rather than having 9
Proper facilities for slide
Soundproofing in gallery
Glass cases (portable) for
lecture in the gallery
jewelry exhibitions
Page Nine
Rental of galleries, commercial exhibition hall and studio facilities
could go into city budget for building maintenance.
Most instructors considered that if the facilities were complete
in the studios that the different schools in the area would rent the
space for classes and would use the facilities instead of having to
purchase a wide variety of equipment themselves.
Several galleries planned
The Dubuque Art Association will have their permanent exhibit on
display in one gallery , a small museum, that will always be avail-
able for the public with periodic purchases and additions to the
collection.
Five Flags galleries, studios, loading dock, theatre lobby could be
most effective with sliding decorative walls.
Theatre information booth and ticket sales
A manned desk in the lobby and also to supervise the traffic in the
building.
Submitted by: Charlotte Solomon, Sister Carmelle, Sister Joan
Lingen, Sister Barbara Cerny, Joan Tully, Richard Robertson, Ruth
Nash, Sister Marie Charlotte, Brother Ron Berger and Father Edward
Sullivan.
4. Community Use. Chairman, Richard J. Slattery. This committee
is in the process of formulating its report. However, some indica-
tion of possible areas of inclusion in Five Flags can be identified:
Large room to conduct dances, large meetings, large banquet area and
exhibition room. Small meeting rooms that could be used on a monthly
basis for small groups, and an area for location of Chamber of Com-
merce, small shop areas for the retail sale or rental of arts and
crafts equipment and supplies, and area for catering banquets, un-
loading and loading material and equipment for exhibitions or shows.
This committee has not completed its work, but will continue to sup-
ply information needed for the architects.
5. Multimedia Center. Chairman, Mr. King Herr. Report from
this committee will be given directly to the Executive Committee of
Five Flags Civic Center for possible coordination and inclusion in
Five Flags Civic Center.
Page Ten
Associated Areas: Consideration must be given for the provision
of an office area. This office area wandld be equipmeed nt musty a be
of two.people Storage areas for supplies
considered. This would include supplies,
flats,r the srisers of such items
as wood, clay, rock, cleaning supp
chairs, music stands, musical instruments, artifacts and other nec-
essities needed for the operation
ofsa building
as a receiving ofthis
nature. A
receiving and dispersing aof musical instruments, the un-
loading art shows, tunloading of
activities and a spot where
loading of props for plays ui equipment and supplies for a large ban -
caterers could unload their al a mechanical room, restrooms, et
quet. Other areas such as hallways,
cetera, will be determined largely by Dubuque's building code as it
relates to size, shape and number that must be included in a facility
of this nature.