The Mandan Events Center Committee wants a public-private partnership for the proposed events center.

Such an arrangement with a private developer could reduce costs up front for the city. The committee decided at a meeting Friday that it wants to consider this option as it moves forward with the project. At its next meeting, it hopes to have representation from the private sector in attendance.

The events center would be a multipurpose facility that has features of an equestrian center. Preliminary cost for the facility is at $12 million to $26 million.

With a public-private partnership, the city could team up with a private developer who could pay for the upfront costs, but then the city could pay it back over time through a lease-back option.

"If a private developer comes in, the cost to the private developer would be worked into the lease," consultant Dan Miller said.

Additionally, the city would like private development in the vicinity of the events center to increase the economic impact of the events center on Mandan. For every $12 spent at the events center, $1 would go back to the city. The city could gain an additional $2 to $3 if there was development surrounding the events center, Mayor Ken LaMont said.

Miller, who reported on the feasibility of the event center at a city commission meeting earlier this month, told the committee by conference call that there is a local group that is putting together a development plan.

Miller would not say any more about the group, and LaMont said he hoped they would hear from the group soon.

As the committee learns more about the possibility of public-private partnerships, it also wants to get citizen involvement in the project. This will be done through a steering committee. This committee, which is not yet selected, will help decide the specific uses of the facility.

The groups represented on the committee, including the school board and park board, will consider what events it could use the facility. For the facility to break even, it needs to be used 228 days a year, according to the feasibility report.

"Yes, it's aggressive, and yes, it's a competitive market," Miller said.

Depending on the management for the center, and how booking is accomplished, it should be realistic, he said. The projected booking days were based on the experience of VenuWorks at a similar facility.

Possible sites considered in the study are a downtown site, Dacotah Centennial Park, the Mandan Community Center site and two sites along Interstate 94. A site downtown would not be preferable because of the livestock at the facility, LaMont said. A site along Old Red Trail near Interstate 94 was rated the highest in the feasibility report.

Businesses or citizens interested in the planning of the event center should contact the business development department with the city of Mandan. Director Ellen Huber can be reached at 667-3485.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)