City Delays Forgiveness of Grand Forks Building Loan

The city of Grand Forks is holding off on forgiving a loan to the owners of a historic downtown building.

The owners of the old Metropolitan Opera House, Lonnie Laffen and Dan Sampson have a remaining city loan of $440,000. The Grand Forks City Council voted unanimously that the remaining balance be tabled until the deal between property owners is reworked. A complication came into play with the council not knowing about the original loan and that the building is on the national historic register. That brings more restrictions. The original loan was $600,000 back in 2000 for renovations. The upper floors have been converted into apartments and the main floor remains empty.

Tags: grand forks, news, updates