Fargo commission names convention center RFP committee after 3-2 vote to include all commissioners
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Summary
Charlie Johnson, a city staff member, presented a committee to draft and manage the request for proposals for the convention center voters approved in November 2024; after debate the commission voted 3-2 to include all five commissioners on the panel.
Charlie Johnson, a city staff member leading the convention-center project, presented a proposed committee to draft and manage the request for proposals (RFP) for the convention center approved by Fargo voters in November 2024.
The commission debated whether the working committee should include a single commissioner liaisons or all five commissioners. Commissioner Peppcorn moved to approve the list and to include all commissioners on the committee; the motion was seconded and carried on a 3-2 roll call vote (Peppcorn: aye; Strand: yes; Kolpak: no; Turnberg: yes; Mahoney: no).
Why it matters: the committee will craft the RFP that sets the requirements and selection process for a project funded by the lodging-tax measure voters approved. City staff said the commission will have final approval of the RFP and that meetings of the committee will be publicly noticed.
Johnson told the commission the committee includes industry and community members: Mallory Ackerman (director of convention sales), Claire Hughes (general manager, Fargo Clubhouse Inn and Suites, hotel representative), Joe Raso (FMEDC), Shannon Full (Chamber president and CEO), Caitlin Balstead (meeting planner, Southeast Education Cooperative), Kent Kolstead (LiveWire), Emma McIntyre (Folkways), Taylor Snelling (Mezzaluna), and city staff including Assistant City Attorney Eric Johnson, Michael Redlinger and finance staff such as Susan Thompson.
Staff outlined a tentative schedule: draft the RFP and bring it back to the City Commission for approval, possibly by April; issue the RFP to potential partners; allow roughly a 90-day submission window; reconvene the committee to review proposals and aim to bring a recommendation to the commission by fall if timing allows. Johnson said the committee would likely meet weekly and that meetings would provide remote options (Zoom/Teams) to encourage attendance.
Several commissioners pressed for clarifications about scope. Commissioner Strand asked whether the RFP could be broadened to include a combined convention center and performing arts facility. Staff and other commissioners noted the ballot language approved by voters described a convention center and an RFP for that facility; one city official said the vote (approved by about 52% in the election, according to staff) did not include a performing arts center and that combining the two would increase costs. Commissioners discussed rough cost estimates cited in the meeting: a convention center “in the low $40 million” range and a performing arts center in the “about $60.7 million” range, and noted additional philanthropic fundraising would be required for a combined facility. Commissioners also discussed reserving an operating subsidy in the budget.
Several commissioners flagged potential conflicts if an entity tied to the Fargo Dome chooses to bid; the commission agreed they would need to clarify impartiality and possible recusals if that entity participates.
What’s next: the commission approved the committee membership as presented and directed staff to proceed with drafting the RFP, which will return to the full commission for review and formal approval before it is released to potential development partners.
