The Fargo City Commission voted to declare the structure at 1102 First Avenue South a dangerous building and set a compliance timeline that gives the owner the option to repair or face city-ordered demolition and cost assessment.

Sean Randek, inspection division staff, told commissioners the 1,900‑square‑foot, two‑story wood frame building (built 1890) has had removed siding, windows and meters, multiple squatter and trespass complaints, and 11 calls for service in 2025 for theft, burglary and impaired persons. “It appears to meet at least seven of the ten criteria for a dangerous building,” Randek said.

Resident Heather Johnson, speaking at the public hearing, urged demolition. “This building is unsafe and constitutes a public nuisance,” Johnson said, citing junk accumulation and repeated failed attempts by the owner to progress demolition or rehabilitation.

Staff reported the owner, AJS Ventures LLC, obtained but let lapse demolition permits and requested a 30‑day extension in response to city notices; the owner did not follow through. The commission approved a motion that requires the owner to either obtain permits and show substantial progress within 60 days or the city will proceed to demolish the structure; city staff said demolition work done by the city would be assessed to the property tax roll to recover costs. The commission approved the action by roll call (Peppcorn, Kolpak, Strand, Turnberg and Mahoney recorded as voting aye).