A new era of convenience in downtown Fargo has been marked by the grand opening of a state-of-the-art parking ramp, which is now the city’s largest public parking facility. The $20 million project, located at 602 NP Avenue, features 480 parking stalls and provides a much-needed solution for residents and visitors alike as the downtown area continues to thrive.
City leaders, including Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, celebrated the ramp’s completion on November 14, 2023, calling it an “exciting milestone” for the community. The seven-floor structure is a key component of a larger $60 million development plan that will also include a six-story housing complex and a new home for the Fargo Moorhead Community Theater.
With its six enclosed parking floors and a seventh floor offering a stunning 360-degree view of downtown, the NP ramp is designed to enhance the urban experience. The innovative design includes garage doors that automatically close after vehicles enter, providing a unique security feature not found in other city-owned ramps. This aspect is particularly important, according to Jim Gilmour, Fargo’s director of strategic planning and research, who noted the need for improved security in public parking facilities.
“We’ve had a lot of people loitering in stairwells in some of our other facilities, and vandalism,” Gilmour explained. “This makes it more secure for people parking their cars here.” The NP parking ramp is the fifth public parking facility in downtown Fargo, joining the Roberts Commons Garage, Civic Center Ramp, Mercantile Garage, and the underground parking at the MATBUS Ground Transportation Center.
Construction on the NP parking ramp began in 2024, transforming what was once a surface parking lot into a multifunctional space. Crews are also working to complete 168 apartment units, 2,440 square feet of commercial space, and a 400-seat theater with classrooms, all expected to be finished next year. Mayor Mahoney emphasized the importance of this development in realizing the full potential of downtown Fargo, stating, “It’s being transformed into a multi-use that is great for our community.”
The financing for the NP parking ramp was structured through a partnership with the Kilbourne Group investment firm. Fargo sold $9 million in bonds and secured a $9 million loan from the Bank of North Dakota to fund the ramp, with the remaining $2 million coming from parking ramp revenue. Property taxes generated from the project will help pay off the loan, further contributing to the city’s economic growth.
The parking facility promises to enhance the experience for both residents and visitors. Gilmour confirmed that the city has committed to providing parking spots for residents of the new apartment complex, ensuring that they have convenient access to downtown amenities.
Rocky Schneider, executive director for the Downtown Community Partnership, highlighted the broader implications of the new parking ramp, stating that it will support local businesses and cultural events. “To see what this has turned into from a fiscal standpoint for the city of Fargo, it’s way more than a parking lot,” Schneider remarked. “It’s way more than a theater that’s going in here. This is betterment for the entire city.”
As downtown Fargo continues to evolve, the opening of this parking ramp signifies a commitment to fostering a vibrant, accessible urban environment. With its impressive facilities and focus on security, the NP parking ramp is poised to become an integral part of the community landscape.
