Williston, ND (KEYZ)  Expanding City Hall this spring, which depends greatly on when Red Rock Ford relocates, since that's where City Hall staff will move temporarily during renovations. Mayor Howard Klug says work will begin almost immediately on the first floor of the historic car dealership making it suitable for city hall work.
"It seems to me that in the next couple of months, they'll be out there in their new building. Right away, the city is going to go into the old premises and do some minor remodeling to accommodate our city staff because we are real close to putting out the bid invitations for remodeling the first floor of City Hall," says Klug.
Changes at the City Hall building on Broadway include expanding the commissioner's room, the main entrance and wait area to be opened up and make more welcoming for visitors.
"We'll be adding probably another 40 seats to the commission room, since when we have bigger issues, a lot of guests have to stand up through the meetings and that's not good. We also want to make the entrance, where people come to pay water bills or do other business, more inviting," says Klug.
In two months or so, word is Williston's Ford dealership will be abandoning it's historic down town location for a bigger premises west of town.  Mayor Klug says the city plans on using the property, at first to house city hall workers this year, then as needed for overflow of personnel and departments. The parking areas of Red Rock Ford, which are quite extensive will be used to offer convenient public parking to the citizens and visitors to the City of Williston. "Of course we can also sell the buildings we don't need, everything's for sale at the right prices," quips the Mayor.
Depending on when the work commences, the work on City Hall should wrap up around the end of this year or beginning of 2020.

More From KEYZ AM 660