Commission approves design contract and funding for Police Department headquarters HVAC replacement after city purchase

The Fargo City Commission on Aug. 4 approved moving forward with design work and funding for a major HVAC replacement at the Police Department headquarters, a city‑owned building that the commission purchased in late 2024. Becky Majeris and consultant materials presented a condition assessment showing the building's mechanical systems are original to the 1984 structure and rated fair to poor. Staff recommended hiring KLJ with MBN and FOSS Architecture to design a more energy‑efficient system; the 2025 budget included funding for replacement and automated controls. Majeris said converting from electric heat to a hot‑water system and installing modern chillers and air handlers should produce substantial energy savings. Why it matters: Staff cited a comparable retrofit at the Public Works Administration Building that yielded an average annual utility savings of about 37 percent; Majeris estimated a conservative 30 percent savings for the police headquarters, which would translate to significant annual utility cost reductions. Commission action: A motion to award design/construction planning services to KDLG Engineering (as presented in the consent agenda) was included and approved by the commission. Staff noted the purchase of the building closed Nov. 20 and that even if a new headquarters were built in 4–5 years, the city benefits from investing in this asset while it remains occupied. Next steps: Design work will proceed and staff will return with construction bids and timelines; the commission authorized the contract as part of the consent agenda.