Inspections has ordered the new edition of building code books for 2021 and will start evaluating the changes between the previous editions and the new codes. Meetings will be set up to present those changes to the Board of Appeals starting in the fall and the codes will be adopted in 2022. In 2020, Inspections had its second highest year of permitting to date. Building permit valuations came in at more than $720 million, up 84 percent over 2019. Permits issued were up 6 percent from 2,024 permits to 2,144 and housing units up 216 percent from 492 to 1,553 units. Multiple unit apartment buildings saw the highest increase of 502 percent in units with 172 in 2020 and 1,035 in 2021. The only higher year for permits was 2016 when there was $1 billion in permits due to the construction of Sanford Hospital. Construction activity is a great indicator of a thriving and growing city.
All Fargo Public Library locations will reopen Monday, January 25. Members of the public will be required to wear masks within all Fargo Public Library locations at all times except children age 4 and younger are not required to wear masks in the library. The library’s online Winter Read-a-Thon continues through February 28. Readers of all ages can read to earn chances to enter prize drawings. This year’s theme is “Reading Gives Us Someplace to Go When We Have to Stay Where We Are.”
The Solid Waste Department has opened a new residential transfer station at the Fargo Landfill. The new service allows Fargo residents to bring items including non-Freon appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines or dryers, cardboard, automotive batteries, metal objects such as grills, shelving, lawn mowers or patio furniture, household garbage including furniture and other large items and all-in-one recycling at no charge. All items must be separated into the appropriate bins within the building and an attendant will be available to assist residents. Proof of residency is required to utilize the service. Commercial waste and building materials are not accepted in this program.
Today, the Fargo Police Department swore in two new officers, Alex Torp and Matthew Wolbersen. Both are graduates of the Police Department’s first academy. We welcome them and wish them the best as they enter the police training program.