wdayradionow.com · September 4, 2026
North Dakota lawmakers call stalled military gallery project a 'black eye,' approve $20 million Credit Line | WDAY Radio - AM 970 and FM 93.1
# North Dakota lawmakers call stalled military gallery project a ‘black eye,’ approve $20 million Credit Line
- by Chris Larson - September 4, 2026 - 10:59 am - Local News, News
The North Dakota State Capitol Complex in Bismarck (Photo via Valley News Live)
BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers advanced a high-stakes compromise to restart construction on the state’s stalled $78 million Military Gallery project, approving a $20 million line of credit to salvage the development despite growing frustration over its management and fundraising failures.
Work on the 70,000-square-foot facility located on the Capitol grounds was abruptly paused in July after private fundraising fell significantly short of targets. The project’s funding model relied on an even split between state dollars and private donations.
Under Senate Bill 2407, the state will unlock $15 million in previously earmarking state funds and establish a $20 million line of credit through the Bank of North Dakota to serve as a temporary construction loan. Fundraisers will be tasked with raising private donations to repay the credit line by March 31, 2029. The legislation also shifts project oversight to the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, a board that includes four state legislators.
While supporters framed the funding package as the only viable path to complete the project, several senators voiced deep disappointment over the lack of accountability for how the project stalled.
“I think we need to honor the military,” said Sen. Randy Burckhard, R-Minot. “And it’s too late to go back.”
Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, argued that the special session was a time for “resolution, not recrimination,” expressing confidence that future donor pledge campaigns would repay the state loan.
However, other members warned that taxpayers could ultimately be left paying the bill if private donations fail to materialize.
“Could the state get stuck paying for that? Absolutely,” said Sen. Ron Sorvaag, R-Fargo, noting that the hired fundraising firm “failed at their job” so far. “They fundraised but they didn’t collect any money. Why would they now?”
Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, voted against the measure, criticizing the decision to commit additional taxpayer backing without deeper investigation into the project’s operational failures.
“We’re doing an incredible disservice to our constituents,” Cleary said.
Sen. Jonathan Sickler, R-Grand Forks, urged caution over what he described as rushing a massive financial commitment. “Particularly as we look at agency budgets, I suspect there will be a strong amount of attention paid to how agencies performed during this process, and there will be additional due diligence done as part of that,” Sickler noted.
Supporters maintained that stopping the project entirely or delaying action until the regular 2027 session would leave an unfinished eye-sore on the Capitol grounds and damage relationships with contractors.
“It’s not the fundraisers’ fault that the shovel went in early,” said Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, asserting that the state must signal confidence to complete the memorial for North Dakota veterans.
The legislation now moves forward through the legislative process, with lawmakers expecting further scrutiny over agency management during regular budget reviews next year.