Convention Center Comittee- February 14, 2025

CONVENTION CENTER COMMITTEE MEETING
February 14, 2025
9:00 a.m.

Present: Charley Johnson, Mallari Ackerman, Clare Hughes, Joe Raso, Katlyn Balstad, Kent Kolstad, Emma McIntyre, Taylor Snelling, Denise Kolpack, Tim Mahoney, Dave Piepkorn and Shannon Full.

Absent: John Strand, Michelle Turnberg.

Others Present: Jim Gilmour, Assistant City Attorney Erik Johnson (via video conference), Michael Redlinger.

Mayor Mahoney opened the meeting and emphasized the importance of the Convention Center project.
Charley Johnson facilitated introductions, ensuring all attendees were acquainted.
Mr. Johnson outlined the purpose of the meeting: to organize the Committee and begin defining the requirements for the Convention Center RFP.
Mayor Mahoney stated that all five Commissioners were added to this committee, but they were there to make comments, not action items, and the technical team would create the outlines. He said the City Commission would like to see an RFP in roughly 30 days.
Mr. Johnson said the Committee will establish minimum requirements for the Convention Center, including:
o Space requirements (ballroom, exhibit and breakout rooms)
o Site considerations (parking, access)
o Hotel size (150-200 rooms)
o Financing and ownership approach
o Management of the facility
He discussed potential funding through lodging tax revenue, estimating approximately $40-$43 million in available bonding capacity. Mr. Johnson also stated the importance of setting aside funds for operating subsidies and future maintenance was emphasized. He said there is a need for 50,000 square feet of dividable space for ballroom and exhibit purposes. Additionally, he said, there will be the need for roughly 20,000 square feet of breakout meeting room space. He said while this is not going to be designed as a sports facility, he feels he would be remiss if he did not mention the possibility of building high ceilings for things such as volleyball or cheer or dance competitions utilizing the space to its maximum potential.
In response to a question from Joe Raso on the weight being placed on the Convention Center and its utilization versus the other accessories or amenities, such as a hotel Mr. Johnson said he thinks a hotel is an absolute requirement attached to this facility. He said he would like to leave some leeway in the RFP for bidders to talk about the hotel and other amenities they would like to see in the facility.
The Committee discussed the terminology of "multi-purpose room" versus separate ballroom and exhibit spaces. Consensus was that the flexibility to divide the space is crucial.
Shannon Full said if you allow for creative licensure it is going to open the bidding to more developers with creative solutions.
Mr. Johnson said that there will also need to be some flexibility in the management of the facility. He said it is conceivable a bid could be received that will indicate the bidder would like to manage the whole thing. He said obviously the City will own the facility; however, management is an open question.
Mayor Mahoney said he feels the Committee needs to be clear that this project is for a Convention Center, not a Performing Arts Center.
Mr. Johnson presented comparative information on convention facilities in Grand Forks, Sioux Falls, St. Cloud and Duluth.
The Committee agreed to gather more detailed information on St. Cloud and Rochester, including calendars, budgets and operational costs and will look into the possibility of visiting those facilities.
Mallari Ackerman noted that a document detailing lost convention business due to current space limitations is available on the Visit Fargo Moorhead website.
Ms. Full said another location to look at is the Fox Cities facility in Appleton, Wisconsin. She said the facility was recently finished and it has a very intriguing outdoor space that is used for hosting events.
The Committee will work to establish a regular meeting schedule, aiming for weekly meetings and will attempt to have a regular meeting time scheduled by next Tuesday.
Mr. Johnson said the hope is to work towards having a completed RFP to present to the City Commission in approximately 30 days.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:14 a.m.