A controversial downtown Fargo redevelopment project sparked a debate about low-income housing Wednesday among the city's six candidates for mayor.
Sue Halvorson, director of the Dorothy Day House in Moorhead, said the local shelter system saw a spike in demand after residents were forced to leave the Fargoan Hotel's 63 low-income units.
During a debate sponsored by local nonprofits at the YWCA, Halvorson asked the candidates what they would do to replace low-income units ousted by development in Fargo's successful Renaissance Zone.
City Commissioner John Cosgriff, a critic of the Fargoan project, said the city hasn't done a good job of finding places for the displaced to live since the low-income units were taken off the market to make way for 16 condos.
"It's a difficult issue," he said. "On the one hand, we celebrate what's happening in the Renaissance Zone. On the other, it's recognizing that we're simply displacing, not removing, that problem."
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As mayor, Cosgriff said he would continue to work to find alternative housing for low-income residents.
A spokeswoman for Broadway Street Development has said the developer privately paid $43,000 to relocate tenants who had lived in the Fargoan for nine months or more.
Attorney Brad Swenson said city government can streamline the development process and reduce regulations for developers who want to build affordable housing.
The city can target specific areas for affordable housing developments and offer incentives for developers to build in those areas, Swenson said.
Fargo School Board member Arlette Preston said the city has tried to make an impact on low-income housing with mixed-use developments.
"That concept is truly important to pursue so that we don't have isolated buildings such as some of those downtown were where people congregate and don't integrate and mix into the community," she said.
Preston said she also looks forward to implementing the recommendations from an ongoing work force housing study.
Retired Fargo Public Works Director Dennis Walaker said he supports more home ownership. He called for a coalition of nonprofits to come forward with ideas and plans to address the low-income housing issue.
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"We need to set a goal of providing some opportunities for the people to become self-sufficient," he said.
Candidate J.J. Gordon suggested offering tax incentives for those who provide low-income housing and assisting with transportation costs so low-income people have more money available for housing.
Richard Blair, president of the Fargo Broadcasting Co., said the city could reduce building fees and pay a share of lot costs for low-income individuals.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
