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Downtown team pitches $41M base build with recommended $5M riverfront TIF to fund expanded convention campus
Summary
A downtown‑focused team said reusing the existing civic center can deliver a $41 million convention facility on city‑owned land, recommended using $5 million from the riverfront TIF (with an optional additional $2M for a plaza/parking improvements), and proposed Venue Works as operator; commissioners requested outside financial review and more detail on operating assumptions.
A downtown team led by Kilborn Group and partners told Fargo’s convention‑center committee on March 7 that reusing the existing Civic Center shell and attaching a new facility downtown could meet the city’s program needs within a $41 million base budget while creating a walkable, amenity‑rich campus.
Mike Almendinger, the Kilborn team lead, told the committee the downtown plan focuses on delivering an authentic, locally rooted visitor experience and emphasized existing hotels, Skyway connections and downtown restaurants as reasons the city can control more of the site and the visitor experience. “Downtown Fargo, we are gonna deliver a visitor experience that is authentic, it's local, and it's distinguishable,” Almendinger said.
Program, reuse and connectivity EAPC and Gensler…
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