City Commission and State Legislators Focus on Relocating Downtown Engagement Center and Funding for Transportation

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The Downtown Engagement Center has been a resource for many homeless and other persons in need. But the resources and space they have are sparse, so they are looking to expand elsewhere.

“It has been desirable for the downtown business sector, but also from the people who are operating out of the engagement center. Understanding that we have assumed a space that wasn’t particularly designed for us to work within,” said Jenn Faul, Director of Fargo Cass Public Health.

They have been working with Bloomberg Associates to draft a plan for expansion. So far they have been discussing with real estate in the area around and in parts of the downtown area for a space that will be approximately 30,000 square feet.

“We’ve also found real estate that has become available that could be accommodating and it would reduce the costs significantly from having to find a property to clear it or build new,” said Faul.

With the Cass County Jail and homeless shelters full, the Engagement center’s expansion may help ease the spacing issue. They have also been in discussions with Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski to discuss a new location and a service called a deflection center.

“The key elements of a deflection center include the primary goal which is basically to avert from the arrest and to connect them to the services. Especially for those non-victim offenses, non-felonies,” said Faul.

Zibolski is on board with the plan, but the report for their idea won’t come out until January. The other big topic that was discussed was future funding for transportation.

“The formula as it is set up now focuses on elderly and disabled ridership. That formula has not changed for well over twenty years and that is what is in the century code for North Dakota,” said Julie Bommelman, Transit Director for the City of Fargo.

In North Dakota, there are four cities with access to public transportation. The transportation departments in the state are requesting approximately $8 million to focus on seniors and disabled riders but to general riders as a whole.

“But if we push the idea that we’re helping elderly disabled we have a much better chance than generally speaking we want to help the transit system. Even though we aren’t advocating more funds for riders,” said Austen Schauer, District 13 Representative.

“I think we need to raise this the cost to ride. And if you want to subsidize that for those that can’t afford the increase rate find a way to do that,” said Ben Koppelman, District 16 Representative.

Bommelman said they will have to work on how to approach the board again with funds, but believes that it is necessary for people to continue having the same fares.”

City of Fargo and Moorhead leaders will be holding a meeting on Monday to discuss the future for helping shelters stay afloat.