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THE STATE OF THE CITY OF FARGO - 2025
A Year of Strength, Vision and Excellence
As we embark into 2025, I’m so proud to reflect on our shared progress from 2024. Together, our City continues to grow, thrive and inspire, thanks to the dedication of our residents, businesses and Team Fargo. We continue to excel every day and draw strength and inspiration from our community. As we embark on another year of excellence, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to grow with intention and a steadfast commitment to efficiency.
Together, we’re shaping Fargo’s future.
We are...
- Bolstering strength through collaboration by tackling difficult tasks to better our region.
- Crafting a vision for the future by embracing smart growth strategies to shape our community's future.
- Honoring everyday excellence by recognizing our multiple award-winning and internationally-recognized City.
STRENGTH
Bolstering strength through collaboration by tackling difficult tasks to better our region
In 2024, The City of Fargo advanced its multi-year plan to modernize its water tower infrastructure with the completion of the new North Fargo Mega Tower, the largest in the state of North Dakota. Replacing water towers dating back to the 1940s and 1950s, this state-of-the-art structure is designed to perform the work of three traditional towers. Once the older towers are demolished, the freed-up land will be available for redevelopment, creating new opportunities for growth in the community.
Hector International Airport hosted a historic ground breaking ceremony on July 1, 2024, for the terminal expansion and parking garage. This project, funded by city, state and federal funds, will truly take the regional airport to the next level. This projects, which will add four additional gates will mean better travel experiences for the region’s residents and visitors. The newly-added parking garage will provide 1,000 new parking spots and is scheduled to be finished in August 2025. The Terminal Expansion Project is set for completion in early 2027.
This past year, The City of Fargo has been consistently working to address the root causes of homelessness. Visits by Milwaukee Housing Administrator James Mathy served as a catalyst for the Housing First Intiative — that aims to provide housing, prevent evictions and make homelessness a rare, one-time occurrence in a person’s life. Our Harm Reduction Division continues to provide services such as Winter Warming for unsheltered residents and City employees across our departments rallied together to support our community by donating thousands of dollars to the United Way of Cass-Clay.
The City of Fargo completed several major street projects in 2024. We saw the replacement of water mains in core neighborhoods; concrete rehabilitation along 45th Street South; and the reconstruction of 52nd Avenue South from Sheyenne to 63rd Street. But not all projects required excavators. In some cases, The City was able to give streets a facelift in a matter of days using the mill-and-overlay process, like we saw on 4th Street North in downtown. In 2025, be on the lookout for more roadwork, including the reconstruction of 32nd Avenue South from 22nd to 15th Street. It’s a well-planned project that will smooth the flow of traffic along a busy corridor.
The Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project continues to advance on schedule, keeping our community on track for permanent flood protection by 2027. On top of that, Fargo’s in-town flood protection is 90 percent finished. The project will welcome a new leader in 2025 when Jason Benson begins his role as Executive Director in February.
In August, Fargo City Commissioners unanimously approved Fargo Growth Plan 2024. The comprehensive plan – shaped by community-wide input from residents and stakeholders – offers a fresh roadmap for The City’s future and gives Fargo updated guidance on where and how to grow. It defines future development and aligns with Fargo’s goals.
The City of Fargo began upgrading its water systems in the fall of 2024. This upgrade will replace all water meters in the city with digital ones - improving customer service, reducing water loss and enhancing resource management for the entire community. This upgrade ushers in a smarter, more efficient water system for the Fargo region.
Fargo has historically taken a conservative approach to adjusting rates for Water, Stormwater and Water Reclamation utilities. However, as we look ahead, we’ve reached a critical juncture where rate increases are necessary to support the growth of our community and meet the needs of our regional partners. This process, which began with the approval of the 2025 Budget, ensures the sustainability and reliability of our regional utilities, securing their operations for generations to come.
In March, The City launched an enterprise resource planning system to streamline the work of our Finance and Human Resources Departments. This new software is revitalizing our digital systems by cutting down on paper transactions, reducing redundancy and boosting productivity.
VISION
Crafting a vision for the future by embracing smart growth strategies to shape our future
The Fargo Fire Department collaborated with West Fargo and Moorhead to host three academies for new recruits to complete world-class training. Fargo had a total of 14 recruits join the department in 2024, ensuring all our eight of our fire stations are fully staffed. In October, the community celebrated the grand opening of Station 8.
The City of Fargo is strengthening community engagement through ongoing public surveys in collaboration with Zencity. This innovative platform collects resident feedback on critical issues such as affordable housing, safety and transportation. By analyzing community input, we can prioritize services and initiatives that align with residents' needs and concerns. Survey results will also enable City leaders to address key issues, measure progress and benchmark Fargo against similar cities nationwide. This data-driven strategy ensures that residents’ voices play a central role in shaping Fargo’s future.
Navy Week returned to Fargo for the first time since 2021. The City kicked off the celebrations with a proclamation ceremony, where Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney and Gov. Doug Burgum recognized July 22-28 as Navy Week. Admiral Stuart Munsch, a North Dakota native, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the U.S. Navy. Over 50 sailors took part in local events, including outreach at the Fargo Public Library and the spectacular Blue Angels at the Fargo Airsho. The week also featured performances by the Navy Band Great Lakes Brass Ambassadors and the Ceremonial Guard.
In July, Fargo hosted regional public safety agencies in an ASHER training at the FARGODOME. ASHER — or Active Shooter Hostile Environment Response — is a national standard training program that reflects a shift toward integrated response systems, ensuring communities are better equipped to respond to complex, high-stakes emergencies.
In November, voters made their voices heard on the need for a convention center in Fargo. This will be yet another piston in the economic engine that drives our region, generating revenue for a strong tax base that will support our City services now and into the future. Voters also took a stand for our public safety professionals by approving a sales tax dedicated to funding to those departments.
Our Planning and Development Department invited local middle and high school students were to create original artwork for a chance to be featured on a MATBUS. The theme of the artwork was focused on environmental stewardship and climate resiliency. Ben Franklin Middle School seventh grader Kaylee Trana was selected as the winner of this contest with a slogan of Far “Go” Green.
We have heard our citizens and their concerns about unsafe driving behaviors across the city. In response, The Fargo Police Department reinstated its Traffic Safety Team this year to address illegal driving and enhance street safety. Supported by grant funding, this team focuses exclusively on traffic safety, targeting speeding, racing, loud mufflers and exhibition driving. Beyond enforcement, the team prioritizes public education on safe driving and utilizes data to prevent crashes and reduce impaired driving, working to make Fargo’s roads safer for everyone.
The Arts and Culture Commission worked with Project Manager Tommy Schmidt and local Artist Lesley Buegel to wrap a pillar on the Downtown Skyway with a mosaic titled “Seasons of Change.” The mosaic features a flower garden, the phases of the moon and clouds to help represent the beauty throughout all the seasons we experience here in Fargo.
EXCELLENCE
Honoring everyday excellence by recognizing our multiple award-winning and internationally-recognized City
For the first time ever, The City of Fargo held an essay contest for third and fifth graders in Fargo Public Schools asking the question “What would you do if you were mayor for a day?" Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney selected Kennedy Elementary fifth grader Nathan Asgedom and Longfellow Elementary third grader Alex Zhao as the contest winners. Nathan and Alex, along with their families, met with Mayor Mahoney and were given a private tour of City Hall. The students also read their essays during a City Commission meeting.
Our Communications and Governmental Affairs Team (CommsGA) continued to differentiate itself through the receipt an Addy Award and three Telly Awards, including The City’s first gold Telly. CommsGA also won a Davy Award – an honor that goes to a lean communications team producing exceptional work. Perhaps the greatest honor was a 3CMA Silver Circle Award for the team’s planning of the Celebration of Life Event for fallen FPD Officer Jake Wallin – a Fargo-focused community gathering in the wake of the July 14, 2023 tragedy.
Fargo’s Water Treatment Plant is continuing to earn national honors for its outstanding water quality. In June, it won second place in the prestigious American Water Works Association's "People’s Choice" competition for best-tasting drinking water. This follows back-to back wins for best-tasting water in North Dakota. Fargo’s plant uses cutting-edge membrane technology, including reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, to treat water from the Red and Sheyenne rivers. Our plant was named “Membrane Facility of the Year,” a national recognition for efficiency and eco-friendly operations.
2024 was a year of honoring our public safety heroes to the fullest. Through generous donations from our community, The Fargo Police Department was able to send over 60 officers and staff members to Washington, D.C., for the annual celebration of Police Week. During this event, officers throughout the United States who lost in the line of duty, including FPD Officer Jake Wallin, were honored with colleagues and loved ones. The FPD also hosted a ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic day of July 14, 2023. The ceremony honored Officer Wallin and the other officers and firefighters involved that day. Karlee Koswick, a civilian who was shot in the incident, was awarded a Medal of Honor from Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski – this was the first time a civilian received the honor in the history of the Fargo Police Department. Throughout 2024, officers and firefighters received local and national awards for their heroic actions. This included the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizing Fargo Police Sgt. Zachary Robinson as one of four IACP/Axon Police Officers of the Year Award during the association’s annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Sgt. Robinson and three firefighters also received the national Shepherd Award as first responders who went above and beyond to protect their community.
Fargo continues to be recognized for its outstanding quality of life. In 2024, Real-Estate Research Company Inc.com included Fargo in their list of “7 Best Up-and-Coming Cities.” As seen in Business Insider, a WalletHub analysis named Fargo as the 12th Safest City in America. Our city was also ranked 40th in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live. Thanks to high scores in community health, education, housing and cost of living, Fargo once again finds itself nationally ranked as a great place to live.
The City of Fargo’s employees continue to dedicate themselves every day to the essential work that keeps our city running smoothly. From providing clean water every time you turn on the faucet to ensuring wastewater is properly managed, from clearing roads after a snowstorm to keeping garbage and recycling services reliable—these are the tasks that often go unnoticed but are vital to our daily lives. While it may not be glamorous, the commitment and effort of these hardworking professionals make Fargo a thriving, successful community.
Fargo’s future is rooted in an ironclad vision that embraces progress and opportunity, while staying true to the values that define us. Our strength lies in this incredible community where collaboration, resilience and care for one another guide everything we do.
Every day, we strive to excel in building a community that not only meets today’s needs—but also inspires tomorrow’s possibilities—and turns our Fargo into a place of pride, purpose and unbounded potential.
Let’s keep building a brighter future, one step at a time.