West Fargo's new public works facility will double as a conference center.
The Public Works Department's three administrators moved last week to the 22,500-square-foot precast concrete building at 801 12th Ave. N.W., near the Sheyenne Diversion.
Other workers will move as the rest of the interior is finished, Public Works Director Barry Johnson said.
But they won't fill all the space in the building, which previously housed KXJB and was moved to the site from 13th Avenue in Fargo.
About 25 employees are expected to move into the facility now, but the building is designed to hold up to 50, Assistant Engineer Chris Brungardt said.
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So three unused rooms in the building can serve as conference rooms, he said.
The building will be called the city's Public Works Facility and Conference Center, Johnson said.
Right now the administration offices and public spaces such as bathrooms are done.
Next will come work on the maintenance garages and operators' rooms, Johnson said.
West Fargo paid Roers Development about $1.5 million for the building, including remodeling costs, City Administrator Jim Brownlee said.
City workers will finish the rest, Johnson said.
Ultimately, the building will house most of the Public Works Department sections, including street, sewer, water and forestry.
The city's sanitation services will continue to be based at the current maintenance shop at 117 8th St. W. and may expand into some of the space vacated by other sections, Johnson said.
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West Fargo originally planned to move its waste-water lab to the new building, but it will remain in a space rented from the West Fargo Fire Department while the city studies options for water treatment, Brungardt said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Andrea Domaskin at (701) 241-5556
