Minot council hears phased plan, $13.1 million estimate for police station renovation

The Minot City Council on Sept. 2 heard a phased plan for renovating the Minot Police Department that city staff estimate could cost about $13.09 million and take roughly two years to complete.

City Manager’s office staff, Chief Frey and City Engineer Lance Meyer described a multi-phase approach intended to keep police operations in place while crews renovate one area at a time. The plan would begin with second-floor work to move investigations, training and fitness space upstairs, then continue through additional phases. Chief Frey said the approach aims to avoid a full building relocation while work proceeds.

Council members and staff said the administration will seek architectural and engineering teams through a new request for qualifications. Meyer recommended splitting the work into design milestones with multiple council check‑ins—similar to the city’s prior City Hall renovation—so the council can limit design scope if costs rise. Meyer also advised issuing a new RFQ for architecture and related consultants even if the same firm responds, to allow competition and fresh design teams.

Why it matters: The building is actively used by the police department and has aging infrastructure. Council members emphasized fixing core systems—HVAC, electrical and the roof—before discretionary upgrades. The estimated price and the scheduling approach will influence how the project is scoped in the city’s capital plan and whether elements will be bid as…