Contact the City on Fargodome upgrades / poor operations

[HerdBot]

There have been many complaints about the Fargodome, including operational issues and the building itself. It's time to speak out and demand some action.

Although they've done a good job keeping the building in good shape and have upgraded video boards, turf, parking and audio, there are major issues that were on display during the JMU game. It had clearly contributed to the declining attendance

Common complaints include
1) Long lines to enter the dome while freezing in the cold with no wind cover. This has gotten considerably worse since they added metal detectors in 2018
2) Shortage of restrooms
3) Long lines at the concession stands (that bottle neck with the restroom lines)
4) Narrow concourses (that you can't walk through because of the restroom and food lines)
5) No wifi and unusable cell service
6) Poor selection of food vendors, including nothing in the 4th quarter.
7) Lack of club seating and suites
8) Ugly old seats that lack things such as cup holders
9) Long tiring walk up to row KK with no elevator or escalator.

Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack discuss some of those issues here
https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison...erience-better

There is a 50 million dollar Fargodome surplus fund that could be used to pay for some of the upgrades. Just the earnings alone on the principal should be able to fund expansions or improvements. Example: The video boards that cost 10 million were set up as a 10 payment bond. (payment 5 out of 10 will be done in 2022)

Encourage the Fargodome Authority to put together a plan and for the City Commission to make a decision. (see below) Ask them to explore financing options and if they want to keep punting, put it on the ballot in November. If Tony Gehrig tries to say these buildings operate at a loss, that's BS. It operates at a profit and has a surplus.

The Fargodome is almost 30 years old and hasn't had a major renovation since the east side lobby. By comparison, the Metrodome was torn down after 32 years. Fargodome upgrades are needed for more than just NDSU Football Games. The Fargodome is now in competition with the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls and appears to be losing concerts and events to them. I fear it may end up neglected like the Fargo Civic Center.

Ultimately, the Fargo City Commission is the decider. If they don't know about your concerns, they probably won't make it a priority. Click here to contact all city commissioners here: Link: https://fargond.gov/city-government/...ion/contact-us or you can contact them individually below

Fargo City Commissioners
Mayor Mahoney
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.241.1310

John Strand
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.715.3269

Tony Gehrig -
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.893.8185

Dave Piepkorn
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...dave-piepkorn*
Phone: 701.809.5449.

Arlette Preston
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.715.2862

Fargodome Authority
The seven members of the Fargo Dome Authority are appointed by the Fargo City Commission from nominations from the City of Fargo (2), NDSU Administration (2), the Fargo Park Board (1), the Fargo School Board (1) and the Cass County Commission (1). Members’ four-year terms are served voluntarily, without compensation

https://fargond.gov/city-government/...e-authorityYou can watch Fargodome Authority Meetings online here*https://fargond.gov/city-government/...meeting-videos or on the City Of Fargo Facebook or You Tube Channel

Here are the members of the Fargodome Authority. I can't find individual contact information on them.

Blake Nelson - President (Park District)
Michael Ellingson - Vice President (NDSU)
Dan Armbrust - Secretary (City Commission Nominee)
Rick Steen - Treasurer
David Suppes - Member (City Commission Nominee}
Troy Goergen - Member (NDSU)
Nancy Jordheim - Member (School Board)

Rob Sobolik - GM
Fargodome Contact Form - https://fargodome.com/contact-us
Email: dome.info@fargodome.com
Phone: 701-241-9100

Here are some of the plans they have drawn up over the years, that never seem to get done

This plan is from 2015*Fargodome committee reviews seven expansion options ranging from $87,000 to $21.5 million - InForum |
https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/fargo...o-21-5-million

This is a Conference Center plan from late 2018
Conference center could take Fargodome ‘to the next level,’ dome general manager says
https://www.jamestownsun.com/busines...l-manager-says

Fargodome remodeling project plans on hold for now (June 2019)
https://www.inforum.com/news/fargodo...n-hold-for-now

[BigHorns]

Well said ... 1-5 are the big ones.

Fix the bathrooms, concessions and sell beer, and it would be a lot more appealing to attend more games.

From the 2018 article, it seems they are aware of the shortcomings, a shame they didn't move forward even without the conference center. It would seem more affordable to fix the other aspects.

Other possible changes include adding more accessible seating for those who are disabled, new club and suite seating, new concessions areas, and a bathroom and other changes to the press box.

[StL Bison Fan]

Well said ... 1-5 are the big ones.

Fix the bathrooms, concessions and sell beer, and it would be a lot more appealing to attend more games.

From the 2018 article, it seems they are aware of the shortcomings, a shame they didn't move forward even without the conference center. It would seem more affordable to fix the other aspects.

Have to fix bathrooms Before they sell beer.

[HerdBot]

Well said ... 1-5 are the big ones.

Fix the bathrooms, concessions and sell beer, and it would be a lot more appealing to attend more games.

From the 2018 article, it seems they are aware of the shortcomings, a shame they didn't move forward even without the conference center. It would seem more affordable to fix the other aspects.

My fear is they put some tiny ass addition on the west side that will kill any future club or suite seating at the top of the west side.

Putting club seats at the top of the west side should be a huge priority. 1) big time donors 2) it's the most important part of a modern stadium for revenue streams and fan experience. You pay more to go into the fancy club seats and don't have to wait an hour to pee or buy a drink. Their 2015 plan was arguably the most important one since it adds premium club seats, adds concourse space, restrooms and even keeps you warmer while waiting in line outdoors. For the dome, they get convention space which is badly needed

https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/fargo...o-21-5-million

[Bisonator98]

Well since they are no longer filling all the seats what about taking out the top few rows and adding high end suites? Wonder if they could actually make more that way.

Edit: Guess I should have kept reading as this is mentioned already.

[Son of a Bison]

I would add an indoor tailgate to the 2 nd floor conference rooms for some games including last weekend. Screen people in advance. Let them upstairs to hang out inside with a cash bar. Maybe a bouncer for the kids. Then escalator down to an open unobstructed stadium entrance. I think some aging fans, young families or multigenerational families might like this more so than outside or no tailgating and then waiting in lines to get in. Make it kind of like a Pepfest at the end with a few band members, Thundar, dancers and cheerleaders. Maybe so some private reserved spots in attempt to solicit donations. Let some campus club, fraternity or sorority do valet parking and keep the change.

After the game let them back up and have the charters ready to book. Or those big checks to sign made up during the game.

[scottietohottie]

I would add an indoor tailgate to the 2 nd floor conference rooms for some games including last weekend. Screen people in advance. Let them upstairs to hang out inside with a cash bar. Maybe a bouncer for the kids. Then escalator down to an open unobstructed stadium entrance. I think some aging fans, young families or multigenerational families might like this more so than outside or no tailgating and then waiting in lines to get in. Make it kind of like a Pepfest at the end with a few band members, Thundar, dancers and cheerleaders. Maybe so some private reserved spots in attempt to solicit donations. Let some campus club, fraternity or sorority do valet parking and keep the change.

After the game let them back up and have the charters ready to book. Or those big checks to sign made up during the game.

Did anyone see thundar last Friday night? I know I didn't during the game.

[oldmantutters]

Did anyone see thundar last Friday night? I know I didn't during the game.

He was co-mingling with the enemy prior to the game.

[HerdBot]

Well since they are no longer filling all the seats what about taking out the top few rows and adding high end suites? Wonder if they could actually make more that way.

Edit: Guess I should have kept reading as this is mentioned already.

The west side proposal from 2015 would have added seats. Even if you were to lose a top row, who cares. Those are big money donors and Teammakers. It also would have had an escalator or elevator to access it. Private bar and club.

They would make a ton of money. The club/bar would be packed. They could rent it for major concerts. Use the extra space for conventions and wedding the other 356 days a year there isn't a football game

[1998braves64]

They could easily replace any lost seats by taking out that useless junk press box on the north end. I've never seen it used for anything but TV camera's and the spotlight. Perhaps is an event or two that uses it but sure a solution could be made for those few events that ever use it.