FARGO, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) – A proposal to establish a sex offender treatment facility at the former Cornerstone Bank building at 2627 University Drive S in Fargo has sparked debate. The facility, operated by STAND (Sex Offender Treatment and Assessment North Dakota), would relocate from its current location near the Cass County Jail due to an expiring lease.
Residents, including Trisha Pearson, have raised concerns about the location, noting its proximity to five elementary schools within a two-mile radius and the YWCA on the same bus route. These concerns focus on the potential impact on vulnerable populations.
Efforts to find alternative locations for the facility have been challenging. Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg shared that nearly 50 property owners declined to host the facility before the current site was secured.
The South University Drive Citizens Coalition met Monday to discuss redirecting the facility to another location. While the issue was slated for discussion at the city commission meeting, time constraints delayed deliberations.
STAND did not provide a comment by publication time.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me