Idea to sell Rourke runs into opposition

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY TV) - Moorhead leaders are fielding complaints about the idea to sell the Rourke art Museum. The building has a leaky roof. It would cost the city about 175 thousand dollars in taxpayer money to fix it.

Under the lease, the museum would have to try to pay some of those repair costs. The city bought the building back in the 1960's for just one dollar.

Leaders are calling it a win-win if it’s sold to the museum for that amount.

“The notion is maybe this is an opportunity where they may want to take ownership of it, then they can proceed to develop the building how they say fits their needs better without the city's interfering.”

The city is waiting to hear from museum officials. If it's not sold, construction could start in the spring.