FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The talk of a new location for the downtown Engagement Center, a homeless shelter, has been contentious.
Local businesses are expressing their concerns about the move potentially being in their neighborhood.
“Why is the DEC not in West Fargo or Moorhead, or Horace, Oxbow, Harwood, Casselton? Why the DEC not there?” said Fargo City Commissioner, Michelle Turnberg, discussing the relocation of the DEC.
Commissioner Turnberg says that the engagement center is one instance where Fargo residents are paying the bill for a regional nationwide service.
The potential locations for DEC have been narrowed down to 3: 610 N University Dr., 720 14th St. N., and 2001 1st Ave. N.
One business owner near the University location feels that this could have an impact on their work.
“It would impact my business with customers and with how the business will look with potentially people camping out or potentially car issues we may have, break-ins, those types of things,” said Shaun Rode, general manager of Fix It Forward at the University Drive location.
As general manager for Fix It Forward Auto Care on University Drive, Rode takes a lot of pride in his work. At the same time, he can’t help but sympathize with other businesses too.
“Very concerned about it because some of where these locations are, it may be a direct pipeline from where it used to be downtown to the new center. coming up on 20th Street near Brewhalla,” said Rode.
With a decision still looming and the winter months upcoming, Rode also feels for people that need shelter.
“It’s a double-edged sword. I think about it on the human side and then I also think about it on the business side of it,” said Rode.
The discussion will pick up again at the next City Commission meeting.
Shaun says he hopes that commissioners considers feedback from local businesses before making a final decision.
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