Bismarck City Commission moves forward with consulting firm for Event Center
The Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday decided to move forward with a consultant as the city seeks a path forward for the Bismarck Event Center after a year of turmoil.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to select Chicago-based consulting firm Jones Land LaSalle (JLL) to review the management and operations at the Event Center, which operates as one of the city's largest departments. Commissioner Michael Connelly didn't specify why he voted against the recommendation.
The firm was one of five that responded to a request for proposal the city issued in August and one of two picked to be interviewed after being scored by a selection committee. Other applicants included Crossroads Consulting; Stone Planning LLC and The Rooney Sports & Entertainment Group; Johnson Consulting; and Venue Solutions Group. Crossroads Consulting was the other firm interviewed.
The selection group was comprised of Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC President and CEO Brenda Nagel, Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Sheri Grossman, Bismarck Downtowners COO Kate Herzog, Kirkwood Mall General Manager Jen Wilson, Mayor Mike Schmitz, Acting Event Center Director Amanda Yellow and City Administrator Jason Tomanek.
JLL's proposal includes a four-phase approach, Tomanek said, and will operate with an anticipated budget of $50,000. The budget is on the low end of the range the city was seeking in its request for proposal.
The first phase will include data collection by looking at "historical metrics" to help establish a baseline of information. The second phase will involve community and staff engagement, and research on local assets, to help determine the direction for any concerns, opportunities or potential involvement in the future.
Phase three will involve analyzing data from a market and demand study. This will include reviewing past and future Event Center schedules and activities, as well as evaluating potential increased activity.
The final phase will provide recommendations on management structure and operation plans for the various venue that encompass the Bismarck Event Center, which includes the main arena, the attached Exhibition Hall, and the Belle Mehus Auditorium.
Tomanek said the desire of the selection committee is to have results from the consultant in April 2025. He said this timeline will give city officials more information and decisions ahead of the 2026 budget season.
The year of upheaval at the center was sparked by a whistleblower complaint that prompted city and state investigations into the facility's operations. The investigations covered everything from the working atmosphere to the handling of cash, and explored whether any ethical violations had occurred regarding vendors.
The probes resulted in no criminal charges, but Director Charlie Jeske - who defended his leadership - ultimately reached a settlement with the city under which he received $325,000 severance and retired.
The City Commission is now working to chart a course for the facility. That will include decisions on whether to create an advisory board for the center, and whether the facility's director position will remain a city employee or be hired out to a third party.
Reach Zachary Weiand at 701-250-8264 or .
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