MINOT — It’s not the Biblical Jericho, but the walls are about to come tumbling down. Renovation has begun to remove and replace the old rock retaining wall that has long existed on two sides of Minot Police headquarters and is shared with the City Auditorium.
Rocks have tumbled from the sloping wall, particularly after a heavy rain. Testing of soils beneath the rocks reveals that the stability of the wall has deteriorated to the point where replacement is considered necessary before a major hemorrhage occurs.
Temporary fencing went up this week in the rear parking lot and on the west side lot of the City Auditorium, designating an area where the first portion of the improvement project is already underway. A narrow walkway remains for those who need to utilize the services of Minot Municipal Court.
Minot’s City Council approved funds to remove the aging rock retaining wall in favor of a more modern design that will improve safety, along with adding more parking space. Minot Police will not have full use of their customary parking as the project progresses.
A portion of the City Auditorium parking lot has been closed, fenced off to protect the public from a construction area. A water line that runs along the west side of the auditorium is scheduled to be replaced before an adjacent, sloped retaining wall will be replaced by a vertical concrete wall. The project is expected to be completed later this year.
Municipal Court, which has its entrance on the west side of the auditorium near the construction area, is expected to remain open throughout the process. Traffic on nearby 2nd Avenue may experience some disruption as the project continues. The driving loop in front of City Hall will remain open to the public during construction.
