FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A local coalition is trying to keep a sex offender treatment center from moving to University Drive South.
A deal was reached in March for the organization behind the center to stay in its current location which is near the jail. Now, the coalition is working to make sure that once that contract is up, that type of business can’t be near homes, schools, and more.
The building up for debate is located at 2627 South University Drive and is currently owned by STAND (Sex Offender Treatment and Assessment North Dakota). But, they’re leasing it to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The coalition says the lease is up in June of 2027.
“Every two years, will STAND renew? Is the plan that maybe after two years, the interest in this will calm down, and we can slide back into the building? Honestly, I have no idea. I don’t know what STAND’s intentions are, and that’s where we have to remain vigilant as a coalition,” said Jess Azure, a member of the coalition.
Right now, STAND is still operating at its current location near the jail. As the coalition pushes to make sure the treatment center isn’t near residences or schools, the City of Fargo is updating its Land Development Code (LDC). This will be the first time it’s been updated since 1998.
“The city about a year ago, just adopted, less than a year ago, adopted our growth plan. The growth plan is an update to our 2007 growth plan. It is a future land use plan,” said Nicole Crutchield, the Director of the Planning and Development Department with the City of Fargo.
There are some zoning ordinance restrictions related to felons. Just not regarding commercial buildings, which is what the treatment center would be.
“The current zoning ordinance restrictions, there’s some state law constraints. As far as in terms of the zoning constraints, in terms of the zoning constraints, it’s really related to residency. So if there is a group home where residents might have felonies, then there’s some restrictions in relation to schools or neighborhoods,” added Crutchfield.
Those with Planning and Development say that what you can do is show up to meetings and make your voice heard. There is a meeting on Thursday, September 11th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. online.
“We are always going to stay on top of this issue. Our neighborhood, our concern for our children in the area, will always come first. If someone tells us something, we’re not just going to take that at face value. We, of course, are going to do our follow-up research to make sure we understand what is happening around us, and that is what the coalition has done,” added Azure.
Valley News Live contacted over a dozen businesses to get their thoughts on the potential location of the center. In some cases, no one was available to talk. Others knew about the building, but did not want to comment.
Valley News Live also reached out to STAND, but they did not immediately respond.
