County Parking Ramp Repairs Linger

Ownership of the Grand Forks County downtown parking ramp could hinge on who pays for immediate needed repairs.

Initial estimates put the immediate repair bill at $3.2 million dollars – plus a longer term maintenance plan at another $3 million.

City Administrator Todd Feland told members of the county board that follow up studies lower the initial cost to $1.5 to $2 million dollars.

The two sides have been talking about transferring ownership of the ramp to the city. Feland says under the plan the city would budget for long-term capital improvements.  “If we were to take it over we would ask upfront a capital contribution of $1.5 to $2 million dollars so we could get it back to a reasonable condition.  I don’t think the city would invest $2 million of our own funding to get it going.”  No decisions have been made.

Feland will brief the city council on discussions to date when they meet on Monday.