BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — This week, city leaders in Bismarck approved a new plan to hire an outside firm to take a closer look at how the city's event center is running. The city commission approved hiring the real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle to review the cost of events happening at the event center and the Belle Mehus Auditorium and come up with ideas for the future. City administrator Jason Tomanek says that includes attracting more events to Bismarck and ways in which to make the city-owned venue more profitable. Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra performs Christmas Dreams The city's proposal will pay the firm $50,000 from the event center's budget. "Knowing we've got a maximum capacity for seats. There are some concerts we simply can't bring to Bismarck. Because a 10,000-seat arena is a far small comparison to an 80,000-seat stadium. And so, an entertainer that can sell out an 80,000-seat stadium probably isn't very interested in Bismarck, North Dakota," Tomanek said. Tomanek says the firm is expected to look at the numbers online, but also make on-site visits to Bismarck to attend live events. He expects the firm will present ideas to the city at a meeting in April of next year. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW