The Monroe convention center expansion is moving east. The Capital Improvement Board approved the recommendation from a site selection working group Wednesday.
The location is one of three options; the north site was removed from consideration due to the city wanting almost $7 million in reimbursement. The south and west options had more up-front costs, grade change challenges, and utility issues.
Committee member Doug Bruce said the east option sits next to the transportation center, is closer to the university and allows the existing convention center to operate while the expansion is under construction.
“I just think when we look at costs and loss of parking, it’s the best choice and makes the best economical decision,” he said.
The Fourth Street Parking Garage is also directly to the north. Developers will have to add less surface parking because the center will be able to use the garage.
The expansion will also fill a vacant part of downtown creating what’s called an ‘urban edge’ - continuing a comparable building height in line with the courthouse square.
Read more: City council OK’s letter to CIB on convention center project
The CIB approved a recommendation to select Weddle Bros. as the construction manager for the project.
The selection now allows for hoteliers to submit an RFP, or Request for Proposal. Six have already expressed interest. The submission deadline is August 9 and the committee will select a hotelier by September 11th. The proposals will include the hotel’s preferred site and parking options.
CIB Chair John Whikehart also said he’s creating an advisory committee with the downtown BEAD Cultural District to identify and incorporate the design of the convention center into the district.
The state-designated district was created during former Mayor Mark Kruzan’s administration to support the entertainment, arts, and hundreds of restaurants and shops downtown.
The next CIB meeting is scheduled for July 10 at 3 p.m.
