Fargodome renovation and expansion plan fails after not eclipsing 60% threshold during special election

FARGO (KFGO) – A ballot measure for a $140 million Fargodome expansion and convention center failed to pass on Tuesday during a special election.   

To pass, the measure needed 60% approval, but just under 52% of the votes cast were yes. City auditor Steve Sprague said preliminary results show 7,968 ballots were cast. Of those, 4,122 were ‘yes’ and 3,846 were ‘no.’  

Had the measure passed, it would have meant a quarter-cent sales tax increase, and 3% lodging tax increase over the next 20 years.   

Deb Mathern co-chairs Fargodome Reimagined, the committee that pushed for the project. She said there is no “Plan B.”   

Mathern said: “I’m extremely disappointed that people didn’t understand the importance. I think a lot of people just heard the word tax and didn’t think through it or delve any further. At this point, there will not be renovations done to the Fargodome and there will be no convention center. It’s a detriment to our city. We will move backwards while cities like Grand Forks and Bismarck continue to move forward.”

Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said the people have spoken.

Mahoney said: “… The fact remains that the Fargodome needs critical upgrades and our community needs a conference center. Right now, we cannot compete with neighboring cities in attracting conferences and conventions that would elevate Fargo’s economy and generate tax revenue. We will regroup and decide next steps over the coming months.”

The election results will be certified on Dec. 18.

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO