Ward County proposes property purchase to move highway department

MINOT, N.D. – Ward County has taken an option on an oil company’s former property in east Minot for use as a new highway department complex.

The Ward County Commission adopted a purchase agreement Tuesday with Halliburton to acquire the company’s land and buildings in a Minot industrial park.

The county’s offer of $1.75 million is below the appraised value and below what the county might pay to construct a similar facility, according to Dana Larsen, highway engineer. Haliburton is open to the offer but the county has 45 days to inspect the property before finalizing a sale. The property will be inspected by a third party.

The Ward County Highway Department experienced cost savings in the past year from which it will pay for the purchase. The savings came in unfilled positions and higher gas tax collections than expected.

Larsen said the county’s current highway department sits on just 5.5 usable acres in a section of town surrounded by other occupied properties, including residences. The Halliburton facility, built in 2012, is more isolated, with easy access to U.S. Highway 2.

The county’s existing property includes a shop moved in during the 1940s and another built in the 1960s. Storage space is similar at the Halliburton facility but its shop offers 50% more space with greater height to accommodate equipment, Larsen said.

The county discovered the availability of the Halliburton property during the tax equalization process when the company sought a valuation adjustment. The company suspended its Minot operations in 2015 after oil activity slowed.

The property includes just over 37 acres and had been listed on the market for $3 million. The city’s assessed value was over $6.68 million.

Should a sale be finalized, Ward County plans to sell its existing highway department property at 900 13th St. SE, which is valued at about $1.5 million.

Ward County proposes property purchase to move highway department

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Trending Slider

Sen. Hoeven meets with President Trump to discuss key North Dakota priorities, including “support for our farmers and the One Big Beautiful Bill”

Driver with five prior DUI arrests accused of striking North Dakota Highway Patrol squad vehicle, trooper narrowly avoids injury

Bismarck city government honors Olympic gold medalist and former MLB executive with special recognition events

Bismarck city government announces 24th Street closure between Main Avenue and Broadway for road and railroad work

Gov. Armstrong welcomes “a true North Dakota hero,” says long-awaited recovery brings closure to decades-long question for service member killed in WWII

North Dakota driver clocked at 125 mph, NDHP says “see how fast this thing goes with the kids in the back” isn’t on the recommended itinerary after $295 citation and 15 points issued

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Ward County proposes property purchase to move highway department

Related posts

North Dakota House overrides veto on bill banning state mask mandates; Senate to vote next

Minot violated law by withholding City Manager investigation records

Surrey city leaders, citizens spar over handling of City Administrator position

Park board candidate Steve Wharton supports prudent advancements

John Kerry: Even if every country abides by Paris agreement, temperatures will still rise

Lawmakers push to have North Dakota recognize Juneteenth Day as a holiday

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Sen. Hoeven meets with President Trump to discuss key North Dakota priorities, including “support for our farmers and the One Big Beautiful Bill”

Driver with five prior DUI arrests accused of striking North Dakota Highway Patrol squad vehicle, trooper narrowly avoids injury

Bismarck city government honors Olympic gold medalist and former MLB executive with special recognition events

Bismarck city government announces 24th Street closure between Main Avenue and Broadway for road and railroad work

Gov. Armstrong welcomes “a true North Dakota hero,” says long-awaited recovery brings closure to decades-long question for service member killed in WWII

North Dakota driver clocked at 125 mph, NDHP says “see how fast this thing goes with the kids in the back” isn’t on the recommended itinerary after $295 citation and 15 points issued