Will Indy bid for the 2016 Democratic National Convention?

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The Democratic National Committee has invited Indianapolis and 14 other cities to consider hosting the party’s 2016 presidential nominating convention – but will it make a bid? 

In February, state Democrats told the DNC they were interested in learning more about what it would take to host the massive, made-for-TV event.

On Monday, the national committee sent letters to 15 cities, including Indianapolis, inviting them to submit proposals. Indy is well-qualified to host the convention, said John Zode, the chairman of the Indiana state Democratic party.

“The DNC looks at different cities that have various criteria and have a track record of hosting big events, and certainly Indianapolis meets that," Zode said.

But Chris Gahl, the vice president of marketing and communications for Visit Indy, says the city has a lot to consider before it makes a bid.

“We’re not ready to say yes, we’re not ready to say no," Gahl said. “We already have some major conventions and events on our books falling over the same period,  and also knowing there’s a financial commitment required to host the DNC, we’re researching and looking on the feasibility of Indianapolis, and our ability to host such a sizeable event," he said.

The convention would come with a big price tag -- Most cities expect it to cost between $55 million and $60 million.

Earlier this year, city and political leaders decided against making a bid for the 2016 Republican national convention. Gahl said that’s because they felt that Indianapolis wasn’t prepared to compete with other sites .

Other Midwest cities on the DNC’s list include Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus and Detroit.
The Democrats' decision is not expected until late this year or early in 2015.