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. Cramer says Senate Democratic Leader Schumer is “willing to punish servicemembers” over President Trump’s Iran actions by blocking the NDAA

North Dakota trooper arrests driver accused of DUI and marijuana possession after admitting they were still intoxicated from the night before

Bismarck announces overnight traffic signal changes at Centennial Road and 43rd Avenue North

Tyler Parkway detour begins as Bismarck construction project moves forward

Bismarck Fire Department rescues ducklings after they fall into storm sewer on north side of city

North Dakota Gov. Armstrong celebrates major technology project opening, says “this is how you do business in North Dakota”

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Ward County proposes property purchase to move highway department

Related posts

Minot State University receives $235K grant for universal newborn hearing screening

City offices closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day holiday

Minot Vet Center celebrates Vietnam veterans

Lee Staab offers assistance to City of Minot amid dismissal of City Manager

Minot aldermen question mayor’s use of power in ending mask mandate

City of Minot will appeal FEMA’s preliminary flood map

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Sen. Cramer says Senate Democratic Leader Schumer is “willing to punish servicemembers” over President Trump’s Iran actions by blocking the NDAA

North Dakota trooper arrests driver accused of DUI and marijuana possession after admitting they were still intoxicated from the night before

Bismarck announces overnight traffic signal changes at Centennial Road and 43rd Avenue North

Tyler Parkway detour begins as Bismarck construction project moves forward

Bismarck Fire Department rescues ducklings after they fall into storm sewer on north side of city

North Dakota Gov. Armstrong celebrates major technology project opening, says “this is how you do business in North Dakota”