April 22, 2008
Illustrations and plans for updated event center design released.  Click here to view.

 

April 9, 2008
Governor Pawlenty visits Bemidji for a ceremonial signing of bonding bill and to congratulate the community on its vision and teamwork.

 

April 7, 2008
Governor Pawlenty signs 2008 bonding bill which includes $20 million for Bemidji Regional Events Center.

 

March 25, 2008
Bemidji Day at the Capitol.

 

March 19, 2008
Almanac at the Capitol, produced by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt), airs Minute Man, featuring the Bemidji Regional Events Center.

 

March 18, 2008
Group including Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann, Bemidji City Manager John Chattin, Bemidji State University President Jon Quistgaard, and Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce President Mike Smith meet with the Governor to discuss the Bemidji Regional Events Center.

 

March 7, 2008
Governor Pawlenty signs into law the tax bill that includes the extension of the Bemidji local option sales tax.

 

Week of March 3, 2008
The House and Senate bonding bills go to Conference Committee.  Both bills include bonding money for the Bemidji Regional Events Center.

 

February 27, 2008
Bemidji State University students deliver to state legislators, 5000 letters, written and signed by BSU students in support of the events center.

 

February 26, 2008


New events center informational brochure released.  Click here to view.

 

February 26, 2008
Senate bonding bill includes $22M for construction of the Bemidji Regional Events Center.

 

February 25, 2008
Cross-section of business and community leaders sign a Statement of Commitment for the events center and redevelopment of the south shore.  Groups demonstrating their support and commitment include Bemidji State University, City of Bemidji, Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, Joint Economic Development Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, VisitBemidji, and Bemidji Leads!

 

February 18, 2008
Senator Tom Bakk, Senate Taxes Committee Chairman, visits Bemidji and the site of the events center.

 

February 11, 2008
Bemidji City Council approves creation of a design committee.

 

January 10, 2008
Bemidji State University and the City of Bemidji sign a Memorandum of Understanding, outlining the University's commitment to Beaver Hockey in the new regional events center.

 

November-December, 2007
Design team of Widseth-Smith-Nolting and Leo A Daly redesign event center to take advantage of new SE Lake Bemidji location.

 

November-December, 2007
Working group from Bemidji State University and City of Bemidji work to negotiate terms of lease.

 

November 28, 2007
City staff, HRDC, and design team host an open house to unveil design concepts for a SE Lake Bemidji location for the event center.

 

October 31, 2007
At an afternoon press conference, City officials announce intent to purchase SE Lake Bemidji property.

 

November 7, 2006
General election included sales tax extension referendum for city residents.  This measure was approved.

 

October 2006
Numerous event center forums are held.

 

September 18, 2006
City Council votes unanimously to hire Widseth Smith Nolting and Leo A. Daly as the design team for the proposed events center.  The vote is subject to successful negotiation of a contract and fee amount with the architecture firm and receipt and execution of a contract with the state.

 

September 14, 2006
During his Bemidji visit, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Einess cites economic development benefits of proposed events center.

May 2006
Bemidji receives $3 million investment from State for event center planning and design.

January 6, 2006
Governor Pawlenty visits Bemidji and pledges his support for the events center.

 

 
 

 

 

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