The Fargo City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday, April 27, to advance two convention center proposals – Brewhalla and Fargo Civic Center – into a due diligence phase. This phase will include comprehensive analysis of both proposals, with a focus on their financial operating plans and long-term feasibility.
Fargo voters in 2024 authorized an additional 3% tax on hotel and motel stays to fund construction of a new convention center in Fargo. The City Commission then formed a 14-member Convention Center Committee, including community representatives and City Commission members, to guide the selection process. The process began with nine proposals submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Convention Center Committee then invited four developers to submit proposals for Phase 2 of the selection process. On April 24, the Committee ranked and scored the four Phase 2 proposals as follows:
- Brewhalla – [85.22 points]
- Fargo Civic Center – [79.83 points]
- Scheels Arena – [75.83 points]
- FARGODOME – [62.11 points]
The City Commission voted to direct City staff to begin detailed evaluations of the top two proposals. The City Commission is ultimately expected to identify a convention center project that will be a public-private partnership, with The City of Fargo financing the convention center and the selected developer financing the adjacent private development.