Renaissance Zone Authority - September 24, 2025 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Brian Larson, Prakash Mathew, Dr. Dean Bresciani, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Mayor Tim Mahoney
Absent: Tony Grindberg
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of February 16, 2025
Member Larson moved the minutes of the February 16, 2025 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Middaugh. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Review application from Central at the Horizon, LP (new construction) located at 11 12th Street North.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report for a new construction project at 11 12th Street North.
Applicant Representative Rachel Kriech, The Annex Group, spoke on behalf of the application.
Discussion was held on the number of outdoor parking spots, proximity to public transportation, proposed rental rates, and project scoring.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield spoke on the Land Development Code rewrite, analyzing incentive packages, and affordable housing.
Additional discussion was held on the Downtown Infocus Plan, downtown vacancy rates, affordable housing, and building timeline.
Member Mahoney moved to recommend approval to the City Commission to approve the application submitted by Central at the Horizon, LP and to grant the property tax exemption and the State income tax exemptions, as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Mathew. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Larson, Mahoney, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Grindberg. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Future Board Governance
Ms. Crutchfield opened a discussion regarding simplifying application processes and aligning government efficiencies of the City’s citizen advisory boards. She noted an option of the Renaissance Zone Authority and the Economic Development Incentive Committee to begin discussions to consider combining and working together.
Discussion was held on the duties of each board, the members currently serving on each board, compliance with state law, and streamlining efforts.
Additional discussion was held on the progress of the Land Development Code and next steps in the process.
Item 4: Adjourn – Next Meeting: October 22, 2025
The time at adjournment was 8:25 a.m.