FARGO, N.D. (AP) _ An addition to the Cass County Courthouse in
Fargo is ready after more than a decade of planning, legal battles
and construction setbacks.
Officials scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for the
$14.7 million, 72,000-square-foot addition. It will house county
administrative offices, information technology, commission offices
and chambers, courtrooms, district court offices and an inmate
holding area.
Ground was broken for the addition in 2010, but planning began
nine years earlier. It was hampered by a legal battle centering
around an effort to try to save the old county jail. When
construction started, it was hampered by water and asbestos
problems.
Officials tell The Forum newspaper that despite legal and
construction setbacks, the project came in on budget. County
employees are expected to begin moving in to the facility next
week.
