FARGO (KFGO) - Fargo's Historic Preservation Commission has given its endorsement to saving the house owned by John and Sherri Stern.
The city is seeking to buy out the home to build a $3.4 million dike to protect the flood-prone Belmont Park neighborhood and the nearby water treatment plant. The home is one of four the city needs in order to build the floodwall and is prepared to use eminent domain.
The board determined the home near the Red River is historically significant because it was designed by the grandaughter of world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It's the only one of its kind still standing in the region.
John Stern is elated by the possibility his home may be saved from the wrecking crew. He believes there's a better than 50-50 chance the historic home can be saved. "It all comes down to the economics, I would not be in favor of spending $2 million to save the house," said Stern.
Stern says the original city estimate on building a floodwall to protect his home skyrocketed since it was first dicussed last year. He says the next step would be to get a second opinion on the cost using an engineering process that could lower the cost. The city will also get an appraiser for a more accurate market value. The final decision will still be up to city commissioners.