FARGO (KFGO)- Fargo City Commissioner John Strand read the riot act to backers of a planned $23 million student housing and retail complex planned directly east of the NDSU campus. The 4 story, 109 unit, block-long complex is in the 1600 block of North University Drive and is owned and administered by the NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association.
Commissioners approved a zoning change as one of the last steps needed to proceed with demolition of 21 homes on the block before new construction starts. Prior to the vote, Strand took issue with the process saying the project backers jumped the gun, starting some work before final city approval. Strand noted huge projects like this are raising concerns by nearby homeowners. He says it appeared the backers request was "pre-supposed and assumed as a done deal."
City Commissioner Tony Grindberg fired back, saying he "vehemently" disagreed with Strand that there is a flaw in the process. He says those involved "worked their tails off to be transparant" and the changes had received unanimous approval from the planning commission.
NDSU Foundation President John Glover explained fencing and other work on the project site were done for safety reasons and the backers had no presumption that zoning and other changes it has requested were a done deal.