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Commission declares 1202–1204 First Ave. S. a dangerous building; owner given time to pursue repairs and insurance claims
Summary
City staff described multiple fires, police damage and repeated service calls at a five‑unit building; the commission approved the city’s recommended dangerous‑building action and directed owners to finalize repairs and permitting.
The Fargo City Commission moved on Sept. 2 to proceed with dangerous‑building action for a multi‑unit property at 1202–1204 First Avenue South after staff described fire damage, structural concerns and repeated calls for service to the address.
Sean Aradnick of code enforcement told commissioners the two‑story, 2,948‑square‑foot wood structure, built in 1915 and containing five residential units, had 17 calls for service in 2025, two separate fires (including significant basement fire damage) and evidence of vandalism and squatter entry.
“We verified that the owner did secure the structure on 07/31,” Aradnick said, noting an engineering report submitted by the owner covered only temporary safeguards and that no final engineering report or building permits had been filed. He concluded the building meets multiple dangerous‑building criteria and presented a recommended motion on the agenda.
Owners Shufen Meng and Huilu (presenting at the hearing) said they had filed insurance claims and received a small payout to date and were working with contractors and an insurer to secure funds and repairs. Shufen Meng said parts of the damage occurred during police action in June while the owners were out of the country, and that the insurer had not covered the full cost of repairs.
The commission approved the motion on a roll call vote and directed staff to continue work with the owner on engineering submittals, cleanup and repair timelines. Staff said the structure is currently vacant and secured, and that the next step is formalization of a repair schedule and permit issuance if the owner can provide adequate plans and funding.
