[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6132835,"mediaKeyId","5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c","parentId",5714627,"title","Lands team prepares for eminent‑domain trials; authority sold six excess parcels at online auction","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",1994000,"endMs",2156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c&start=1994&end=2156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c/thumbnail_1994000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6132835/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Lands-team-prepares-for-eminentdomain-trials-authority-sold-six-excess-parcels-at-online-auction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132835-5525e87256f1c344778bac06c7819db0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930240&Signature=dxmY5~l34pAYsfckGG9cErE1Rtu~eywAi74rmFP3fe1Ayoe5jDSdAurjWEbs3W5FxLm734v3UA4wUJlk-WJEfJ74g7LweoZUiEPjgkUQ5x~raVGwDDph-db2g5U2iWPor6UyVdUAhCYHI6Oojz1Mnzt4q7C3R~Mu6H-fLpnrlOZb1r-Cj0WXCFz3TGzD3q8Dk7ldY-Qx1ZFkbjOuuC412poV6BHNndlbC4o8vwJDFe3sbm42FyWV3G1iPbrzQdrLLNCQcpZpYKyhrGoOBXzubi6HgJ8p4JXVVHj2oFbnLZf07-uQDikAa4t4H0wxMbPPeFeJFgRDE2aHlwW2bcaY-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Fargo","date","2025-07-25T00:00:00Z","article","Justin Fisher, in his first lands update to the board on July 24, told members the authority has seen a modest uptick in property acquisitions since the prior month and is preparing for imminent eminent‑domain trials.

Fisher reviewed three categories used to track parcels: green (acquired for flowage easements), blue (in negotiation or not yet pursued for eminent domain), and orange (in eminent domain). He said acquisition progress is steady for in‑town levees, the stormwater diversion channel, OHB, and the Drayton Dam footprint.

Closures and upcoming trials
Fisher said the lands team closed an online auction on Tuesday for six excess land parcels; staff will report next month on whether those parcels met reserve pricing and on any subsequent actions. He also said authorities are issuing notices on an abandoned rail corridor in Horace and that eminent‑domain trials will start next month, with land agents preparing relocations and reimbursement processing.

Why this matters
Property acquisition and eminent domain directly affect the authority’s ability to complete construction work, perform environmental monitoring, and manage community relocations. Fisher emphasized that negotiation remains the preferred path but that the authority is preparing for litigation where negotiations have not led to agreements.

Next steps
Staff will continue negotiations with landowners where possible, complete the auction follow‑up next month, and proceed to eminent‑domain trials as scheduled. Land‑agent teams are assisting with relocations and reimbursement requests as owners move.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fargo City Metro Flood Diverison Authority - 07.24.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The authority’s lands team reported incremental acquisition progress, an online auction that closed this week for six excess parcels, notice work on an abandoned rail corridor, and preparation for eminent‑domain trials starting next month.","taxTitle","Fargo , Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",2742,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6132839,"Corps, contractors report steady progress; Red River reroute set for Aug. 7 as crews finish channel and bridge work",207,959000,1166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c&start=959&end=1166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6132839/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Corps-contractors-report-steady-progress-Red-River-reroute-set-for-Aug-7-as-crews-finish-channel-and-bridge-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132839-ade54b8d51a618b3f49251fd3fc1c661/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930240&Signature=f6Dn4rnjBXQqwF6Z3jsCji7PzSC-tCEJglGLvN-Ep-BeVD2-2qPF5o~ERtBffpRt9AGsc5MBQVk-1mNlIurc83p9Rdn~3QI2BwvvM-feFvQRy5U4Vyunozx4-FRiPGw8DW4g8jpG0GRg-6UT1m7v~1fuAGn0R1qyer6SFEoKAhlq1NZXnojil-dPtI1hJiTkR-uv4nnY64JI-eyG3vAezUUcfRXv1AcFxC6foUauEJPhN63HXthyFjQRo5iPj8HFjnQ4r1C9t2oEj4c7N4iBqWXjBQIcB-xSRw27-jWqE7KNPYrXvdnebzHMV2wCZJ1w3OeH1ToPjZyvs1sT8YcUyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders and Metro Flood Diversion Authority construction managers told the board July 24 that the project is making steady progress while some schedule shifts persist because of long‑lead equipment and wet weather.

Colonel Matt Chase, who took command of the St. Paul District last Friday, said he toured federal work and the P3-built diversion features and that the Corps is “excited to receive the reroute of the Red River on August 7.” Chase asked board members and staff to attend a planned event marking that milestone.

Terry Williams, the Corps lead project manager, reported that equipment lead times pushed completion dates for the diversion inlet and Wild Rice River structures “out a bit.” He said some embankment contracts are experiencing weather days that will move finish dates — for example, the OHB contract’s Oct. 17 completion is projected to shift by about 20 days because of wet weather.

Construction managers also reported large volumes of channel excavation and several bridge and roadway milestones. The authority’s construction briefing stated that crews have moved about 36,000,000 cubic yards of channel excavation toward a 45,000,000 total channel‑excavation target and that paving and tie‑in work will push traffic back to new bridges along I‑29 and other corridors in the coming weeks.

Project commissioning, O&M transition
Staff said operations and maintenance (O&M) transition planning and project commissioning remain active priorities. Authority Executive Director Jason Benson said the teams are holding detailed meetings on O&M transition, asset transfer, and staffing needs for long‑term operation of the diversion. “We still expect this fall to take ownership of the inlet control structure and the Wild Rice River control structure,” Benson said.

Safety and near‑term milestones
Construction staff reported two minor injuries during the reporting period (one heat‑related incident and one fractured finger); both were described as non‑serious. Staff noted upcoming traffic shifts and detours, and they encouraged the public to consult fmdiversion.gov for the latest traffic notices.

Why this matters
The Red River reroute and opening of key channel reaches are pivotal steps toward project completion and eventual transition to operations. Staff stressed continued coordination among the Corps, P3 partners, and municipal engineering teams to manage permitting, equipment schedules, and commissioning tasks.","U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders and project construction managers reported continued progress on channel excavation and embankment work, noted schedule shifts due to long lead equipment and wet weather, and announced a planned Red River reroute on Aug. 7.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6132844,"Diversion Authority approves $20 million cash amendment to implement settlement agreement with P3 developer",2074,285000,2359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c&start=285&end=2359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5714627-0246d1644c3837df059f2bcabc3cc40c/thumbnail_285000.jpg","/articles/6132844/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Diversion-Authority-approves-20-million-cash-amendment-to-implement-settlement-agreement-with-P3-developer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132844-7bd6aa1b23dc6c1c24f012ab25bfafc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930240&Signature=IQrI6e7gReXpEeU2EVFmXxOoIOSq7iV930221sImlCpu8rL3mVv81PcIlbsegQJXZnTRKdgKyLPaupXXsZh0KquwaewlCIIFUJVjQb9fw1uwOm0E36EhcnFDobe2gQRlv8-v7E4lEQMLy4-VMGnH7NI6wCQy5-dOi55ctL-7~F4BosO7wnnG62i2~5S0CJkuxboFNkzbhZWBi53E7RMenIw7wei6RNwQYQpzsIUHtcaf5jbeynP1icwMfNrpfUKCGVWYuZOaZKOWecbFTZSZvqyXWNaecY1ugUhMS8hlEsvtHnGg8~iY3sCaF2WhlV8pseuwWidgH456hfpnpGZxEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metro Flood Diversion Authority on July 24 approved a $20 million amendment to its 2025 cash budget to implement payments required under a settlement agreement with the project’s public-private (P3) developer. The board voted to obligate the money from the P3 program contingency so the authority can make the payments outlined in the settlement.

The amendment, presented to the board as a budget change request, moves $20,000,000 from the P3 program contingency into the authority’s cash budget. “As was stated earlier, the first $10,000,000 has been paid to the developer per the settlement agreement. There is another $10,000,000 payment that’ll probably come due before the end of the year,” the staff presenter explained while reviewing the request.

The change increases the 2025 cash budget from $427,555,689 to $447,555,689 to cover the two payments. Finance committee review preceded the board vote; the committee recommended approval and the full board adopted the amendment by roll call.

Why this matters: the payments are part of a broader settlement that resolves previously asserted claims between the authority and the P3 contractor. Authority leadership said resolving the claims reduces near-term litigation and constructions risks and helps reset working relationships between the authority and the P3 teams.

Details of the settlement and implementation
The settlement — repeatedly referenced in the meeting as the “statement of principles” and “settlement agreement” — resolved previously filed claims, including what staff characterized as roughly $400,000,000 in disputed claims. Staff said the settlement includes mechanisms to reduce and resolve future claims more quickly and at lower levels, and requires implementing an amended and restated project agreement that will be provided to lenders for review and consent before returning to the board for formal approval.

John Shockley, a staff member who updated the board on the dispute resolution board, said: “Pursuant to this settlement agreement that was reached with the developer, all of the claims that had been formally referred to the DRB [technical Dispute Resolution Board] have been withdrawn with prejudice by the parties.” Shockley added that the technical DRB held its first organizational meeting July 15 and will meet quarterly per its operating procedures.

Budget action and vote
Staff asked the board to obligate $20,000,000 from the P3 contingency line to cover the two payments called for in the settlement. The finance presenter said the first $10,000,000 installment has been paid; a second payment of about $10,000,000 is likely by year‑end pending completion of certain contract closeout items.

A board member moved approval, a second was offered, and the board approved the budget amendment by roll call. The board’s roll-call reflected unanimous support for the amendment.

What the board did not finalize today
Staff said an amended and restated project agreement is being finalized and will be circulated to lenders for consent; the agreement will return to the board for formal approval after lenders review. Staff also said additional implementation tasks remain — including DRB scheduling, lender consents, and administrative steps to process the payments.

Looking forward
Board members and staff described the settlement and the budget amendment as steps to stabilize project delivery and to reduce the near‑term dispute burden so teams can focus on construction completion and transition to operations and maintenance. Staff emphasized ongoing financial work with state and federal partners, and that conversations continue with Minnesota and federal lawmakers about additional funding needs.","The Metro Flood Diversion Authority approved a $20 million cash-budget amendment to fund payments under a recently executed settlement agreement with the project’s P3 developer; board authorized the transfer from the P3 program contingency and voted to obligate funds immediately.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lands team prepares for eminent‑domain trials; authority sold six excess parcels at online auction

Corps, contractors report steady progress; Red River reroute set for Aug. 7 as crews finish channel and bridge work

Diversion Authority approves $20 million cash amendment to implement settlement agreement with P3 developer