Fargo staff outline BR25E1 street, water and storm sewer rebuild; special assessments to cover part of cost

FARGO — City staff presented details of an improvement project in district BR25E1 at an informational meeting, saying the work will replace water mains and services, make spot repairs to sanitary sewer mains, install new storm sewer piping and inlets, replace sidewalks and repave sections of 20 Ninth Avenue and adjacent Hickory and Maple Streets.

Jason Leonard, a City staff member who led the presentation, said the project will cover 20 Ninth Avenue from Longfellow Drive east past Maple and portions of Hickory and Maple from 20 Eighth to 20 Ninth. "On this project we will be doing water main replacement of the main in the services and typically on the services we go from the main to the curb stop valve," Leonard said. He added the work includes "a couple sanitary sewer spot repairs on the main" and replacement of sanitary sewer services behind the curb, "roughly about 5 feet."

The project team said new storm sewer pipes, inlets and leads will be installed, driveway approaches will be replaced up to the sidewalk, sidewalks will be removed and replaced where needed, and the roadway will receive new asphalt pavement. Temporary water pipes will be used to maintain service to each residence during construction; Leonard showed a photo of a yellow temporary mainline and the smaller hose that connects to an outside spigot and meter.

Leonard described the schedule presented to residents: the city plans to advertise the project for bid on Feb. 26, 2025, and "more than likely we're gonna start this project in May of this year with a completion of roughly October," he said. To reduce resident impacts, the work will be phased; the team said most phases along Hickory and Maple are about 60 days each and the section adjacent to Hickory is about 60 days.

On construction logistics, staff said pedestrian access will be maintained on one side of each block at all times, residents will be asked to move garbage cans to the nearest side street and the contractor and staff will coordinate locations for cans, and boulevards will be graded and seeded with the city advising property owners to water and maintain the turf once it reaches about 70% growth.

City staff provided cost and funding details. "The cost of construction is estimated at $3,207,604 with our fees, our cost is about $4,041,581," Leonard said. According to the funding breakout presented, special assessments are estimated to cover about 17.2% of the project (roughly $700,000) and the remainder was listed in the presentation as "prairie dog funds" (roughly $3,350,000), as given by staff. Under the city's special assessment policy, staff said there is no special assessment for sanitary sewer service replacement; water mains and services are capped at $44.17 per front foot, paving is capped at $93.84 per front foot, and storm sewer replacement is split 50% city funded and 50% special assessed. Street lights were described as included in paving cost with no separate assessment.

Leonard also noted that driveway approaches may be widened if the change "complies with city ordinance" and that forms are available for property owners who are interested. After the presentation, staff invited questions from the audience.

The presentation was given by City of Fargo staff members and focused on project scope, phasing, temporary service procedures and the special assessment structure that will determine property owner costs.