Convention Center Planning Committee Hosted First Meeting After Measure Passed By Fargo Voters

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) –Members of the Convention Center Project Committee introduced their anticipated square footage requirements.

“When I talk to them about the 50,000 square foot room they get kind of depressed and say well we have to call it a multipurpose room. And but it’s ballroom space and exhibit space, he says yeah it’s really a multipurpose room. So you may want to think in terms of 25,000 square feet of exhibit and 25,000 square feet of ballroom space,” said Charley Johnson, President and CEO of Visit Fargo Moorhead.

Across the nation, the median for a smaller convention center exhibit space would be around 80,000 square feet. While in towns like Duluth and Grand Forks, the convention space ranges closer to what Johnson hopes to put in.

“However they want to configure it in their bids and then another 20,000 square feet on meeting space, what they call break-out rooms. And then catering kitchens, pre-function space, storage, and a good loading dock. Then I think we can pick up a lot of conferences that have expressed willingness to come here,” said Johnson.

Other amenities Johnson brings up includes adding a hotel next to the convention center. Commissioner Dave Piepkorn believes adding a hotel may cause some issues with other hotels nearby.

“They’re going to see that as a competitive advantage, so I do think that we have to address that and have some type of discussion about it. And I don’t know if you agree but that’s an issue, do you know what I’m saying? And I do think the whole holistic thing about the incentive for this property too if it’s a city-run property,” said Commissioner Dave Piepkorn.

Once the plan is approved, the current lodging tax will increase by 3% as voted by Fargo voters in November.

The committee hopes to address this in the coming weeks by comparing other convention centers nearby to see their finances.
The next meeting will be held next Friday at 1 p.m.