FARGO (KFGO-AM) - Fargo city leaders met to discuss ways to cut costs for the new city hall. The project came in at over $30 million dollars when bids were opened last month. Monday's meeting followed questions by City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn not only about the project's cost but how it will be financed.
Piepkorn suggested a project of about $17 million and renting space elsewhere for city operations that don't need to be located at city hall. Piepkorn says the building needs to be replaced but it has to be done carefully.
Since the over-budget bids came in, a committee has been meeting to look at cost saving options. City Administrator Pat Zavoral says the project cost could be shaved to $25 million, well within budget. Other possibilities include leaving some parts of the building unfinished for now or even delaying construction for a year in the hope construction costs come down.