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After public objections over trees and safety, West Fargo commission denies engineer’s report and stops Rivers Bend path work
Summary
Following multiple public comments about tree removal, wildlife and safety, the commission voted 3–1 (with one recusal) to deny the engineer’s report and stop work on Project 6060, the Rivers Bend multiuse path and pedestrian bridge. Staff had said a Carbon Reduction Program grant of $746,536 was secured and the total project estimate was $1,873,765.
The West Fargo City Commission voted on Nov. 17 to deny the engineer’s report and halt work on Project 6060, the Rivers Bend multiuse path and pedestrian bridge, after several residents raised environmental, safety and process concerns.
Four residents who live near the proposed alignment urged the commission to stop the project. Joanne Almond, representing Dahl Subdivision, said the project would remove an estimated 150 mature trees and harm raptor and other bird habitat. "This path is not wanted, safe, needed, or environmentally friendly," Almond said. Other neighbors said the project’s stated purposes had shifted across meetings, questioned the project’s public outreach and objected to the risk of isolated, high-speed bicycle use and emergency-access challenges.
City staff and the project consultant outlined the funding and design history. Dan Hansen, senior director of community and development, said the city was awarded Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds but the amount changed as funding sources were clarified: an earlier $848,798 CRP figure tied to a 2027 allotment was not funded; a guaranteed $746,536 CRP allocation from the 2026 allotment remains secured. Hansen gave an updated October design-based construction estimate of $1,310,000 and, after contingencies and soft costs, a total projected project cost of $1,873,765, leaving an estimated city share of $1,127,229 if no additional grants are secured.
On environmental concerns, Hansen said an environmental review was completed as part of federal funding work and that a wildlife biologist had inventoried the site; no eagle nests were reported. He added that a pre-construction inventory would be required immediately before any clearing, and that active nests would require delaying or rerouting work.
After public comment and discussion, a motion to deny the engineer’s report and stop work carried on a 3–1 vote; Commissioner Amy Zundell recused herself from the item. The commission’s action means staff will not proceed with the engineer-specified next steps for the project unless the commission reconsiders the matter at a future meeting.
What's next: staff retains the engineer’s report in the record and may return with revised proposals, additional grant opportunities, or further environmental mitigation if the commission authorizes restarting the work.
