TIF Lawsuit Ends; Downtown Projects Can Progress

Proposed Designed For New Ramp

The TIF lawsuit filed against the City of Bismarck in 2010 is now over.  Northeast District Judge Donovan Foughty has ruled in favor of the City regarding the matter.

The lawsuit was filed by local businessman Curly Haugland against the City for alleged misuse of TIF funds. A judge threw out the lawsuit in January 2011, but Haugland appealed it to the state Supreme Court, who sent it back to district court this summer.

Two large projects, which were to be funded by TIF funds, have been on hold pending the lawsuit. One project is a quiet rail zone in downtown Bismarck. The second is another parking ramp, this one located between 5th and 6th Streets off Broadway Avenue – just south of the City/County Building.

Further discussion for plans to move forward on these two projects is expected during the next Commission meeting on December 18.