Fargo, N.D. – As the deadline approaches for developers to submit ideas to build a new convention center in Fargo, the city is apparently considering at least a half dozen or more proposals.
“Proposals are due next Thursday [August 7th],” said Fargo Strategic Planning and Research Director Jim Gilmore on The Flag on Wednesday. ‘I think we’ll get at least six, possibly eight.”
From there, Gilmore says a shortlist will be drafted “in about a month” with proposals narrowed down to “three to five bidders” before a final selection is made by the City Commission.
In 2024, voters approved the use of a 3% tax on hotel and motel stays to finance a new center.
The City Commission then created the Convention Center Project Committee to handle the process.
Listen: Jim Gilmore on The Flag’s ‘What’s On Your Mind?’
Without sharing more specific locations, Gilmore says a few proposals “are southwest of the interstate [94]”, two are near the West Acres Mall, another is at the Fargodome and the remaining ideas are “in the core of the city.”
Gilmore says the ultimate goal is to bring in a developer who will not only construct a convention center, but to also build a new space for people to stay while in town for events.
“We really want to have a full service hotel attached so you can stay [there] and head right into the center,” said Gilmore, who adds that Fargo has been losing out on hosting conventions due to space limitations.
As far as when construction would begin, Gilmore anticipates groundbreaking to take place during either the summer or fall of 2026.
Once the city receives all initial proposals by August 7th, Gilmore says plans will be posted publicly the following day on the city website.
“If people are interested in this and want to provide some input to the committee they’re certainly welcome to do that.”
