LISTEN: Kilboure Group President Mike Allmendinger speaks with The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom.
FARGO, N.D. – Officials with Fargo-based Kilbourne Group believe its convention center plan is a good one for the city because it adds onto the Civic Center, which already has infrastructure like power, water and sewer, and would introduce more people to small businesses downtown.
“That is a really great way for us to be solving budget challenges that are in today’s construction numbers. We’re excited about the ability to reuse at least two-thirds of the existing Civic Center,” Kilbourne Group President Mike Allmendinger said on “The Steve Hallstrom Show”.
Allmendinger said a large shell structure that’s part of the Civic Center meets the requirements of a new, modern convention center. The plan involves removing the south one story structure and relocating a sewer line.
The downtown convention center proposal includes 85,000 square feet with a ballroom, kitchen and exhibit and meeting spaces.
The plan doesn’t involve adding any parking with Allmendinger saying there are plenty of options with street parking and city-owned lots and parking ramps.
With some people concerned about crime, drugs and homeless people downtown, Allmendinger isn’t deterred by that by saying the city, police department and Downtown Community Partnership making strides.
“There’s been a lot of progress made that I would completely believe in the future of Downtown Fargo,” Allmendinger said.
The other sites city officials are considering for a convention center are near Brewhalla and areas near the Fargodome and Scheels Arena.
The convention center will be funded with a 3% lodging tax voters approved in November 2024. City leaders say it’s expected to raise $3 million per year.
