West Fargo commissioners halt Rivers Bend path after residents cite tree loss, safety and cost concerns

Joanne Almond, a representative of the Dahl Subdivision, told the West Fargo City Commission on Nov. 17 that the proposed Rivers Bend multi‑use path and pedestrian bridge (Project 6060) would destroy a mature tree canopy and wildlife habitat and was unnecessary. “This path is not wanted, safe, needed, or environmentally friendly,” Almond said during the public‑comment period.

The commission heard similar objections from multiple nearby residents, who raised three central objections: loss of mature trees and wildlife habitat; safety and emergency‑access concerns for an isolated riverside trail; and uncertainty about project purpose and funding. Resident David Withy criticized the project’s outreach and background, saying local representation in MetroCOG outreach was limited and the project’s stated purpose has shifted between student access, business access and regional bike planning.

City staff and consultants defended the design and outlined funding and schedule constraints. Dan Hansen, the city’s senior director of community and development, said the project’s design is complete and that federal grant funding first identified in 2023 (a Carbon Reduction Program award) changed in amount because of differences between the originally planned 2027 allotment (quoted at $848,798) and the funded 2026 allotment ($746,536). Hansen gave a current total project estimate presented at an Oct. 30 public meeting of $1,873,765 and said the estimated city share would be about $1,127,229. He said consultants (HDR) moved the alignment to reduce tree removal by roughly 100 trees compared with an earlier alignment and that a wildlife biologist found no eagles’ nests on a field inventory; a pre‑construction survey, he said, would be required and could delay or reroute work if active nests were found.

Commissioner Robin Anderson moved to deny the engineer’s report and stop work on Project 6060. After a second, the motion carried on a 3–1 vote; Commissioner Amy Zundell was recused from the vote. The motion does not authorize construction, nor does it direct the city to submit required Corps of Engineers permits; it effectively halts forward movement pending further direction.

The decision leaves open several procedural steps previously described by staff: consultants have completed design, the next step would have been to submit final design and seek Corps of Engineers permits (staff said permit review can take up to six months), and the project could have been bid for 2026 construction if permits were timely or delayed into a 2027 letting. None of those steps will proceed as authorized immediately following the denial of the engineer’s report.

The commission’s action followed an extended public comment period and detailed staff presentation about funding sources and estimates. The city clerk noted that exact tree counts cited by commenters were not confirmed by staff during the meeting.