Council awards Hunden Partners study to test market for South Event Center

Monroe City Council voted to award a not-to-exceed $56,500 contract to Hunden Partners to conduct a feasibility and market analysis for the South Event Center at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park Education Center.

The analysis will examine demand regionally and statewide for a larger events venue, review past usage of the facility, and include stakeholder interviews and hotel-room and support-service availability. Director Mark Cochran said the firm will return a recommendation in about 12 weeks and that “the recommendation could very well be that there is not a market to support an event center.”

Council and staff framed the study as a data-driven precursor to any large capital investments — such as acoustic upgrades or a commercial kitchen — that would be needed to make the south arena function as a sustainable, revenue-generating event space. Cochran told the council the city’s prior experience with tenants and events (state robotics competitions, Bassmasters) informed the decision to pursue a professional market study before committing funds.

The motion to accept Hunden Partners’ proposal passed on a roll-call vote after Councilwoman Stringham moved and Councilwoman Steelgrave seconded. Council directed staff to return with the study results and recommendations when the firm completes its work.

The contract award authorizes the assistant city manager/economic and community development director to execute necessary agreements on the city’s behalf. If the study finds insufficient market demand, staff said the council would discuss alternative uses for the south portion of the building.

Funding, deliverables and the 12-week schedule were described at the meeting; no capital appropriation was approved at this session.