Fargo Civic Center to be revamped for new convention center site

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners met Monday evening to discuss their decision between Brewhalla and the Fargo Civic Center as the new site for a convention center. Their final decision led them to name the Civic Center as the final site.

“This really turns this sort of dark spot in downtown to a very active center again. It’s the Civic Plaza where the community is supposed to come together. And to me it almost finalizes now with the library and the City Hall and the convention center all in the same spot. It’s amazing to see what Second Avenue to Broadway Square down to the riverfront can become,” said Rocky Schneider, Executive Director of Downtown Community Partnership.

The Fargo Civic Center has stood at its current site since January 1960. Bringing in many notable performers such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and the Beach Boys. The venue has also held local events such as the Christkindlmarket.

“I think this will be a different experience for people. And I think they’ll realize, downtown is exactly where you want them to be. You don’t want people to come to your community and then leave too easily. You want them to come and stay and experience it, spend money, have a good time, and then make memories,” said Schneider.

One of the concerns by city commissioners came from taking a risk on making a convention center. While the Civic Center has a physical building location, the property is in need of major repairs due to its age. The site has also become a center for the homeless outside its doorways.

“If the project downtown has problems, I have a TIF in place that has up to one million dollars worth in revenue that could help pay off the losses,” said Mayor Tim Mahoney, City of Fargo. “Again, remember the convention center is not the size of the Fargodome. And the losses should not be as great, if we have losses. But it has to be done.”

Construction of the site may begin as soon as this year and is estimated to be completed by 2029.

The new site is expected to host 222 events, with over 150,000 visitors.