Fargo city officials are looking to buy the downtown Firestone auto repair building just west of City Hall to give the Police Department space to store its squad cars and offices for the growing department.
The city's finance committee will discuss the issue today, Mayor Dennis Walaker and Finance Director Kent Costin said Wednesday.
Costin said the city hasn't tendered an offer yet on the property at 202 4th St. N.
A proposal to seek an appraisal is expected to go to the City Commission on Monday. The panel also may be asked to approve an architect's study of what must be done to retrofit the building for use by the police, Costin said.
"Firestone approached the city," Walaker said. "It makes a considerable amount of sense (to purchase it) as far as I'm concerned."
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He said the police department needs the space.
"Maybe it will forestall a new police station here for a couple of years (until) we get the fire station paid for," Walaker said.
Police Chief Keith Ternes said he's discussed the potential purchase with City Administrator Pat Zavoral.
Ternes said his department has "pretty much outgrown the space we have here at the headquarters building."
Along with heated parking, the space could provide records storage and offices, Ternes said.
"Just the fact that it's next door and adjacent to our current facility" makes it appealing, he said.
The city assessor's office lists the building's owners as Richard and Gayle Larson of Nashville, Tenn.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
