Fargo commission to continue engagement‑center operations, authorizes outreach on potential relocation

The Fargo City Commission on Monday voted to continue the downtown engagement center's daytime operations for 2026 and authorized staff to begin public outreach and site feasibility work for possible relocation, approving the motion on a 4–1 roll‑call vote.

Brenda Darian, a city staff member presenting the item, said the center's current facility is about 17,000 square feet spread across three floors and that the layout hampers efficient service delivery. She listed three potential sites under initial consideration — 610 North University Drive, 720 14th Street, and 2001 First Avenue North — and said staff’s cursory analysis showed any of the three would likely perform better than the current building. Darian said the city would commit to continuing staff operations but that building and renovation costs were expected to come from private sources if a move proceeds.

The vote approved a motion by Commissioner Strand authorizing staff…