The City of Fargo is inviting private developers to submit written proposals for the development, design, construction and operation of a convention center and adjacent private development to be located in Fargo. This will be a public-private partnership, with The City of Fargo financing the convention center and the private developer financing the adjacent private development.
In November 2024, Fargo voters passed an additional 3% tax on hotel and motel stays to fund construction of the convention center. The City Commission then formed a Convention Center Project Committee, which began meeting in February 2025 to develop a process for the selection of the convention center site and developer of the facility. The 14-member Committee prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP), which the City Commission approved on Monday, June 9.
A link to the Request for Proposal can be found at FargoND.gov/Bids. Using The City of Fargo Procurement Portal, interested parties can follow the prompts to create an account and submit a proposal. Additional information and details are available in the Request for Proposal documentation. Proposals will be received until 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The Convention Center Project Committee will review the proposals and present a recommendation to the City Commission, which will vote on whether to approve it.
Convention Center Project Committee
The members of the Committee include:
Dr. Tim Mahoney | Mayor, The City of Fargo
Denise Kolpack | Deputy Mayor, The City of Fargo
Dave Piepkorn | City Commissioner, The City of Fargo
John Strand | City Commissioner, The City of Fargo
Michelle Turnberg | City Commissioner, The City of Fargo
Mallari Ackerman | Director of Convention Sales, Visit Fargo-Moorhead
Katlyn Balstad | Events and Marketing Specialist, South East Education Cooperative
Shannon Full | President/CEO, The Chamber of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo
Clare Hughes | General Manager, Fargo Clubhouse Hotel & Suites
Charley Johnson | President/CEO, Visit Fargo-Moorhead
Kent Kolstad | President, Livewire
Emma McIntyre | Development Manager, Folkways
Joe Raso | President/CEO, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation
Taylor Snelling | Co-owner, Mezzaluna