West Fargo School Board members recently approved a land agreement for a $14.5 million West Fargo ninth-grade center.
"We expect to open it in August of next year," said Superintendent Chuck Cheney.
The School District purchased 80 acres at Ninth Street East and 40th Avenue South for the ninth-grade center and a possible second middle school.
Cheney said the center could easily be expanded to serve more students. Future additions could turn it into a second 9-12 high school or some other configuration.
The School District will dedicate a 100-foot right-of-way along Ninth Street East for city construction of a 10-foot-wide bike path, water lines and fire hydrants, under terms of the agreement.
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The district will sell the right of way for $25,000, the agreement says.
"The city is agreeing to purchase 15 feet beyond normal. Typically it's 75 feet," said Mark Lemer, business manager for the West Fargo School District. "But what they're trying to do is set this up for a future arterial road."
Ninth Street East - from 32nd Avenue to 40th Avenue - will be paved as part of a city construction project to build new ramps on Interstate 94 at the Ninth Street East interchange.
As part of the agreement, the city will also pave 32nd Avenue from Sheyenne Street to Ninth Street East.
The School District also agreed that a minimum of eight of the site's 80 acres will be allocated for bike paths, athletic fields and other improvements.
An agreement will be reached with the West Fargo Park District to share the fields and improvements for public use when school activities are not in session, according to the land agreement.
"We always leave that property open for the community to use it for recreational purposes," Cheney said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Joe Whetham at (701) 241-5557
