Civic Center Expansion Plan | Video

Joel Porter | 6/28/2012

Voters in Bismarck may decide in November on plans to expand the Civic Center. Last night, city commissioners approved studying a plan to build on to the Civic Center`s exhibit hall. Project advocates say they`d want to create more space for large conventions. The project is expected to cost between $50 and $60 million.

Hotel owner Bill Shalhoob says the plan would focus less on sporting events and concerts at the Civic Center and more on large corporate conventions.

"More use, not only by the residents of Bismarck and Mandan, but by a lot of other people. And it becomes a true convention center, which I think is where we`ve tried to put this building for a long, long time."

City commissioners say event parking remains a concern. By expanding the exhibit hall, the Civic Center would lose about 130 parking spaces.

City leaders will study the plan for two months before deciding if it`ll be placed on the ballot in November.

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