Fargo Apartment Complex Granted 5-Year Tax Exemption

City commission approves shorter exemption than developers requested for $93.7 million project

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A new downtown Fargo apartment complex called Central at the Horizon has been granted a 5-year tax exemption worth $1.66 million by the city commission, despite the developers initially requesting a 15-year exemption that was rejected by the Cass County Commission and Fargo Public School Board.

Why it matters

Tax exemptions for new developments are a common economic incentive used by cities to attract investment, but the length and value of the exemptions are often debated as they impact local tax revenue. This decision reflects the city's efforts to balance supporting new housing construction with maintaining adequate funding for public services.

The details

The new 5-story, $93.7 million apartment complex is expected to begin construction in the coming weeks and open in 2028. The city commission voted 3-2 to approve the 5-year tax exemption, which is shorter than the 15-year exemption the developers had initially requested but was rejected by the county and school board.

  • The new apartment complex is expected to begin construction in the coming weeks.
  • The Central at the Horizon apartment complex is planned to open in 2028.

The players

Central at the Horizon

A new $93.7 million, 5-story apartment complex being developed in downtown Fargo.

Fargo City Commission

The governing body of the city of Fargo that voted 3-2 to approve a 5-year tax exemption for the new apartment complex.

Cass County Commission

The county-level governing body that rejected the developers' initial request for a 15-year tax exemption.

Fargo Public School Board

The local school board that also rejected the developers' initial request for a 15-year tax exemption.

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The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing balancing act cities face in using tax incentives to spur new development while also ensuring adequate funding for public services like schools. The shorter 5-year exemption represents a compromise between supporting the new housing project and protecting local tax revenues.