City and county leaders are moving forward on a hotelier and project manager for the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center.
The Capital Improvement Board met Wednesday afternoon with the interlocal agreement the city and county took almost a year to agree upon.
Board President John Whikehart said an RFQ, or Request for Qualifications, will gauge the interest of potential hotels and construction managers for the project. The construction manager RFQ is already out and has six respondents.
Read more: CIB makes headway on convention center project, adds new member
It was noted that a project this size can’t be pushed along by a committee of volunteers.
He said the architectural firms Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design will help build interest in the hotelier RFQ set to be issued April 1. Schmidt and Convergence were selected to develop the project in 2019.
The RFQ states the hotel must accommodate convention space, at least 200 sleeping rooms, valet parking, an independent restaurant, and lounge. It also asks for a roof-top or exterior setting offering locally sourced food and beverages and local art or art highlighting the area.
RFQ for Monroe Convention Hotel March 27 2024 by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
The board hopes to select qualified respondents in May with interviews in June.
The CIB also recommended the Indianapolis consulting firm J.S. Held as the project manager, or owner’s representative.
The CIB will ask the Bloomington city council to approve $250,000 from food and beverage tax funds for fees, site survey, architectural services, insurance, and supplies at the next council meeting.
NOTE: This story has been updated to contain the latest RFQ document.
