URGENT UPDATE: Downtown Fargo is bracing for significant snow removal operations beginning late Sunday night, December 14. The city has announced that vehicles parked in designated snow removal zones will be impounded to facilitate the cleanup, prompting immediate action from residents and visitors alike.
Recent snowfall has created a challenging parking situation in the downtown area, with many drivers struggling to find adequate spots. Charley Setterlund, an NDSU student, expressed frustration, stating, “Looking for a spot to parallel park is normally easier in the summers. I found a spot, but it was kind of iffy if I could fit or not, because half of it was covered by a snowbank.”
As the snow removal begins, Corey Houim, Public Works Services Manager, cautioned: “As far as the folks that are traveling on the sidewalks, please stay back and give us all the room we can. The equipment is very loud, and we are moving and backing up.” Residents are urged to be vigilant and allow crews the space needed to perform their duties safely.
The city’s decision to initiate snow removal operations comes as a proactive measure ahead of potential additional snowfall. “With that weather pending, we weren’t sure when we would bring our contracted trucks in, so the safest bet was to bring them in Sunday night into Monday morning,” Houim explained. The plan includes clearing east-west avenues overnight Sunday into Monday, followed by street cleaning overnight Monday into Tuesday.
Despite the advance notice, some residents are concerned about the timing, particularly with the upcoming weekend activities. Setterlund noted, “These streets get a lot of traffic. As the weekend approaches, people like to walk around and look at the lights, so I can see that being an issue for sure.”
During this initial round of snow removal, residents are still permitted to park on streets facing north and south, but parking in affected areas will lead to impoundment as crews work to clear the snow.
Drivers are encouraged to take this warning seriously and adjust their parking plans accordingly. The city aims to alleviate the parking challenges that have plagued downtown Fargo, and timely snow removal is crucial for ensuring public safety and accessibility.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
