City Council approves Moorhead Center Mall demolition amendment for $741K

The City of Moorhead City Council convened on April 28, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including discussions on eminent domain and the ongoing demolition at the Moorhead Center Mall.

The meeting began with a report from Mr. McShane regarding the eminent domain process. He explained that a deposit, which should have been made in January, was delayed due to attempts to negotiate with landowners and mortgage holders. The goal was to ensure that mortgage holders could access funds they deemed necessary. However, negotiations did not progress as expected, leading to the decision to deposit the funds with the court. This allows for future agreements between the landowners and lenders regarding the distribution of the funds. Following this explanation, a motion to approve the eminent domain request was made by Councilmember Hendrickson and seconded by Councilmember Borgen. The motion passed unanimously.

Next, Assistant City Manager Mike Reetz presented a resolution for the approval of Amendment Number 2 related to the demolition work at the Moorhead Center Mall. He noted that the demolition team is ahead of schedule, having completed the current phase of work. The next phase will involve the demolition of the United Sugars and Allen Evans sections of the mall, while other parts will remain until a chiropractic office relocates later in the year. The amendment, amounting to approximately $741,000, will be funded by a $1 million grant recently received from the state. This funding was a prerequisite for moving forward with the next phase of demolition.

The meeting concluded with a clear progression through the agenda, highlighting the council's commitment to managing city projects effectively and addressing community needs. Further updates on these initiatives are expected in future meetings.