A press conference was held today, February 3, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall to announce the selection of a consulting firm to perform an Events Center Economic and Development Impact Analysis.

The evaluation team completed interviews with the following three teams:

• AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Chicago
• Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, Minneapolis
• HVS Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Consulting, Chicago

The evaluation team has selected AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to complete the analysis of both an Arena/Convention Center site and a downtown site. The team was impressed with AECOM’s experience with projects in similar markets, their knowledge and methodology for determining facility and development impacts, and their previous work with Sink Combs Dethlefs, the City’s A/E consultant.

“We are honored to have been selected through a highly competitive process to work with the City of Sioux Falls on this important project,” said David Stone, Associate Vice-President of AECOM, who will be the project manager. “We look forward to helping determine how the Events Center will impact the city and its residents in the future.” Mr. Stone can be reached at 312-373-7601 or david.stone@aecom.com.

A contract will be approved around mid-February with a completion time of the analysis by mid-April. The consultant is expected to be introduced at a future City Council informational meeting.