Ford: City of GF interested in County parking ramp

The city of Grand Forks is interested in making a deal for the aging downtown Grand Forks County parking ramp, which is looking at millions of dollars in repairs.

That’s the word from County Administrator Tom Ford, who told the County Commission that he had a “preliminary” discussion today (Tue) with City Administrator Todd Feland.

Ford said the city is “aware of the issues that we’re facing.”

He added, “There’s the potential for maybe a property exchange or trade.”

Ford said the city would like to have its own third-party inspection done on the ramp, which he called “fair.” Ford said that the study would “probably … wrap up sometime in March.”

Ford said Feland asked for previous studies done by A-E-2-S, which said that fixing the 25-year-old ramp would carry a $6.3 million dollar price tag.

Ford called the situation “promising,” but said more discussions are still to come.

The city currently has two parking ramps downtown.